The Rangeley Board of Selectmen had two executive sessions, a workshop and a public hearing prior to the 6:00pm start of their October 3rd meeting.  In one executive session they discussed labor relation matters with the Town’s Human Resource Consultant.  The second executive session was for a consultation with the Town’s legal counsel.
The public workshop on Chapter 38, Town of Rangeley Zoning Ordinance, included the Selectmen, the Planning Board and Town Attorney Kristen Collins.  Attorney Collins clarified that the Planning Board can initiate changes to the Ordinance but that it is the Selectmen’s responsibility to provide the final revision, hold public hearings and present the Ordinance to the public for a vote.  Discussions ensued about sections of the Land Use Table contained in the Zoning Ordinance and a path going forward.  The Selectmen plan to have Chapter 38 ready for a vote at the Annual Town Meeting in June 2023.  The Selectmen have scheduled the next public discussion of Chapter 38 for October 19, 2022, at 6:00pm.
The public hearing was for a new Vendor’s License applied for by Blueberry Hill Agriculture, LLC.  Ian and Elora Ryder dba Blueberry Hill Agriculture want to sell flowers, produce and farm products from the back of their 1951 Chevy pickup truck.  The Vendor’s License was approved under the Consent Items portion of the agenda.  The Ryders will set up at the Depot Street parking lot on Fridays from 12:00 to 6:00pm.
The Selectmen approved an Event Permit at the Rangeley Town Park parking lot adjacent to the tennis courts and the Chamber of Commerce building.  The “Trunk or Treat” event on October 31 between 3:00pm and 5:00pm will allow community members to hand out treats to Trick or Treaters in an area that is safe for kids and families.
E.L. Vining’s final pay request of $320,194.38 for the Loon Lake Road Project was approved by the Selectmen.  This bill will be paid out of the Road Construction Loan Account.
The Selectmen received correspondence from Seth Laliberte, the K-12 Curriculum Coordinator at Rangeley Lakes Regional School.  The school is implementing a “Portrait of a Learner” program and is seeking community members to join the Portrait Design Team.  The team will discuss the hopes and dreams for the students and define a set of competencies they feel the students must possess to be successful in a changing world.  Those interested in participating should respond at pol@rangeley.org.
A Town employee working at the Transfer Station as an equipment operator has given his notice.  The Town Manager will post this job opening soon.
The Request for Proposals for replacement wastewater pump station heaters received only one reply.  ABT Plumbing from Wilton, Maine proposed installing six commercial grade heaters at a price of $12,000.00.  The Town has had a positive experience working with ABT Plumbing in the past and the Selectmen voted to accept their proposal.
The fuel bid request received two responses.  S-K Quality Fuels and Dead River Company provided fuel bids for both #2 heating oil and kerosene.  The low bidder on both products was Dead River Company at $3.789 for #2 heating oil and $4.165 for kerosene.  Dead River Company was awarded the bid.
The Rangeley Water District will hold a public hearing on October 25, 2022, at 5:00pm at the Water District office located at 15 Vernon Bean Way, Rangeley.  The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss and hear comments on water rate increases proposed to take effect on January 1, 2023.
The Transfer Station is making arrangements to start accepting tree stumps.  The stump disposal fee will be $50.00 per cubic yard.
The Selectmen received a preliminary 2023 State Valuation for Rangeley taxable property.  The State valuation shows a 17.95% increase over 2022.  Select Board Chairman Cyndy Egan noted that the Town needs to pay attention to the amount the Town values its property at compared to the amount of State values the Town property at.  Too large of a difference can negatively impact some State benefits such as Homestead and Veterans exemptions.
The Maine Municipal Association (MMA) informed the Town that Rangeley’s Annual Town Report was selected as the “excellence” third place winner of the 2022 Annual Report Competition.  The Selectmen and Town Manager thanked and congratulated Town Clerk Marti Belt for an outstanding job on the Town Report.  The report was displayed at the MMA Annual Convention in Bangor on October 5th and 6th.  The Town will also receive a framed Certificate of Accomplishment.
The next Selectmen’s meeting is October 17, 2022, at 6:00pm.

 

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