The Rangeley Board of Selectmen got right to work in 2023 by having their first meeting on January 3rd.  They authorized Town Manager Joe Roach to complete the purchase of a new plow truck that will be delivered to the Highway Department this week.  The purchase includes signing over the title to the 2011 plow truck that is being traded in towards the price of the new truck.  This new plow truck took more than a year to get due to pandemic related supply issues.
An Event Permit was approved for the Rangeley Pond Hockey Festival that will be held at Haley Pond on February 4th and 5th.  The applicant, Karen Seaman, asked for advice on how to avoid conflict with ice fishermen.  Recently, an ice fisherman set up a tent and drilled ice fishing holes in the middle of the Skating Club’s ice skating area and refused to relocate.  The Selectmen suggested that the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MIF&W) be contacted at their local office in Strong, Maine for guidance.
The meeting agenda included discussion of Draft #7 of the Tax Increment Financing Policy and Guidelines (TIF).  Alyssa Tibbets, the Town’s TIF attorney was unable to participate so the discussion was tabled and rescheduled for February 6, 2023.
The Selectmen also voted to table the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Franklin County until more information can be obtained.  The MOU requires Rangeley to pay $8,298.27 to Franklin County for updated communication services.  The County has contracted with Information Management Corporation (IMC) for a substantial upgrade to services.  The MOU lacked specifics about the total cost of the upgrade, how much American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money was being applied towards it and how the remaining cost was allocated throughout the County.  Once additional information is received the Selectmen will place this item on an upcoming meeting agenda.
The Town Manager and Selectmen expressed thanks and appreciation to Town staff and volunteers for a terrific job preparing for and responding to the big windstorm that hit our area on December 23rd.
The Town Office will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2023 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  Tuesday, January 17th will be a busy evening for the Selectmen.  At 5:00pm a one half hour public meeting on Oquossoc Village improvement planning will be held.  At 5:30pm an Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) sponsored workshop on a Climate Resilience Partnership will take place.  At 6:00pm the Board will start their second monthly regular Selectmen’s meeting.
Additional information on all of these meetings can be obtained by calling the Rangeley Town Office at 864-3326 or by visiting the website townofrangeley.com.

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