On July 5, 2022 the Rangeley Selectmen conducted their Annual Organizational Meeting.  Cyndy Egan was re-elected as Chairman of the Board and Ethna Thompson was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Board.
The Selectmen voted to continue to schedule their regular meetings on the first and third Monday of each month and to operate under “Roberts Rules of Order”.
The firm of Preti Flaherty will be the Town’s legal counsel for the next three years.
All Board members were made aware of Town policies which include Code of Ethics and Conduct, Harassment and Sexual Harassment, Investment, Fund Balance-General Fund and Remote Participation.  All new Board members need to take the Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) training within 120 days from the start of their term.
The Selectmen transitioned into their regular monthly business immediately following the completion of the organizational meeting agenda.
Liquor License renewals were approved for the Rangeley Inn and Tavern and the Farmhouse Inn Event Center doing business as Aisling Ridge.
An Event Permit was approved for the Logging Festival Parade on July 16, 2022.  The 41st Annual Logging Festival Parade will start at 10:00am and be followed by a day of festivities at the Maine Forestry Museum grounds on Route 16.
The Board voted to accept a $7,000.00 donation from Craig Sargent for the July 4th fireworks.  The Board thanked Craig for this generous donation and commented on the excellent fireworks display.
A vote was made by the Selectmen to send revisions of Chapter 38 which is the Town’s Zoning Ordinance back to the Planning Board for additional review.
Lee Libby and Rebekah Carmichael-Austin were appointed to three year terms and Jacob Beaulieu was appointed as an alternate to the Planning Board.  Other appointments included Joe Roach as Airport Manager, Robert Duplisea, Jr. as Assessor, Lindsey Savage as Health Officer and Michael Bacon as Emergency Management Director.
Annalee Rosenblatt was given a new one year contract as Human Resource Consultant and Negotiator.  Her previous contract expired on June 30, 2022.
The Town Manager was authorized by the Selectmen to sign a three year contract extension with Casella Waste Systems for a Zero Sort Recycling Services Agreement.  The Selectmen asked that the Schedule B portion of the Agreement which lists acceptable and unacceptable recyclable materials be made available to the public.
The Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MEPERS) which was approved by the voters went into effect July 1st.  Town employees have a thirty day period to sign up for this defined benefit pension plan.
Rangeley’s tax bill for Franklin County has increased to $729,862.00 based on a property valuation of $563,600,000.00.  The Town of Rangeley’s valuation is the third highest in Franklin County trailing the Towns of Jay and Carrabassett Valley and being slightly higher than the Town of Farmington by approximately $40,000.00.
The Town of Rangeley has received the second half allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $61,063.99.
The Selectmen will meet on July 14th at 4:00pm for Tax Commitment Workshop and again on July 18, 2022 for their regularly scheduled meeting at 6:00pm

“A democracy is healthiest when the public is informed about the activities of leaders of industry and occupants of public office.” -Melvin Melcher

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