POLAND — Town Manager Matt Garside’s contract was extended to June 2028 following an executive session at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting.

The vote was unanimous.

Garside has served since 2017.

The Select Board also unanimously endorsed a new contract with the Poland Fire Rescue Union after an executive session. The contract expires in 2026.

The Select Board reviewed code enforcement fee schedules for new and renovated commercial and residential buildings.

Last month, the board requested a comparison of Poland’s fee schedule with those of surrounding communities.

Selectperson Mary-Beth Taylor asked if Poland’s fees was based on square footage or construction costs, and how they compared with other towns.

At Tuesday’s meeting Code Enforcement Officer Scott Neal produced a list of 12 communities.

Comparing a new commercial building, based on construction costs of $631,000, Poland’s fee was the highest at $6,346.

Poland bases its fee on construction costs.

If the fee was based on the 4,799 square feet of that building, the charge would be $3,599.

For a new home costing $450,000 and measuring 5,133 square feet, Poland’s fee, based on construction costs, would be $2,282, $16 less than the highest figure on the comparison list.

If the fee was based on the square footage of the new home the permit cost would be $1,796.

Neal said more communities are returning to square footage as the basis for their building fee permits. He said it would be difficult to use square footage for renovations because usually it’s only part of a building.

Select Board Chairperson Stephen Robinson said, “That’s not where we want to be, that’s not what we’re trying to portray” at being the highest in the building permits and fees.

Sheila Foley, who with her husband, Charley, have spent two years working on Poland Provisions, a café and general store on Main Street, told the board that building fees between the state and town have totaled over $50,000 – with $7,706 going to Poland.

“We didn’t budget $50,000 to get at this point,” Foley said.

The cafe/store is due to open in April.

The Select Board will hold a public hearing when a new fee schedule is determined.

In other business, Garside said he met with architect Michel Giasson, who designed the addition to the Ricker Memorial Library, to review costs of the expansion.

Garside said due to higher heating, ventilation and air conditioning system costs, the revised estimate for the expansion is over $1 million.

Garside added Giasson recommended hiring a construction estimator “to provide a more accurate cost estimation.”

The higher expenses may require increasing the $850,000 bond note or use money from the town’s fund balance.

Giasson said in December 2022 that the children’s room will be expanded, allowing for separate play area as well as a reading room.

Extensive work is also planned for the downstairs area, allowing for more meeting rooms, storage space, and a custom-made table dedicated as a work area for community groups, such as two quilt societies that meet at the library on a weekly basis.

Giasson pointed out the parking for the library and its entrances will be revamped to offer easier and safer access.

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