The Rangeley Board of Selectmen held the final public hearing for the Annual Town Warrant prior to the start of their May 15, 2023 meeting.  Franklin County Commissioners estimate a 25% increase in county tax which would result in the Town’s county tax bill rising to $912,328.00.  The education budget is up 8.4% to a cost of $4,740,554.00 with Rangeley’s 83.43% share totaling $3,955,044.00.  The municipal portion of the budget is up 2.2%.  This change is mostly due to increases for Capital Reserve accounts and wages.  This results in an expected  6% increase in the overall Town budget.
The Selectmen worked hard over many meetings analyzing data, asking questions and offering solutions so that a fiscally responsible budget would be presented to the voters.  The Selectmen placed an Article on the Warrant asking voters to use $500,000.00 from the Unassigned Fund Balance and non property tax revenue to pay for budget expenses.  This use of unassigned funds will reduce the increase in property taxes for fiscal year 23/24.
The Board voted to ratify and sign an amendment to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  The CBA is with Teamsters Local 340 which includes Rangeley Public Works and the Rangeley Police Department.
Laura Reynolds, of Rangeley Plantation, was reappointed to a three year term on the Rangeley Region Economic Opportunity Committee (RREOC).
Town Manager/Airport Manager Joe Roach was authorized by the Selectmen to sign an Airport General Consultant Agreement with Stantec.  Stantec is the current airport planning and engineering consultant and the new agreement will be in effect until 2028.
The Town of Rangeley received a letter from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) informing them that they are testing for the presence of PFAS.  The sites being tested have been identified using DEP licensing information.  Several areas in town were issued DEP permits for the land application of septage.  The results of this testing will be provided to the town when the analysis is completed.
The Rangeley Planning Board held a public hearing and meeting on May 10, 2023.  The public hearing was for a property on the Loon Lake Road identified as Map 008, Lot 67-B.  The applicant was named as the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund For Children.  The application was for a Conditional Use Permit that would allow a child care facility to be established on this lot that abuts the Rangeley Lakes Regional School property.
The proposed facility would have a curriculum based program for up to seventy-two children six months of age and older.  A major goal of this non-profit venture is to provide reliable day care with expanded hours so that parents can engage in the workforce.  Organizers of this project intend to have a Director that can meet with parents to help fill out applications for subsidies available to households with incomes up to $96,000.00.  It is also a goal to have child care center costs not exceed 10% of household income regardless of income.
After the public hearing closed the Planning Board reviewed the Findings of Fact Worksheet and voted unanimously to approve the application.  With the application approved the organizers are hoping that groundwork will be started in 2023 and an opening of the facility will be in 2024.
Rangeley Annual Town Meeting voting for all Warrant articles and elected officials will be June 13th at the Rangeley Town Office from 8:00am to 8:00pm.  Absentee Ballots are available at the Town Office now.
The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Candidates Night at the Rangeley Friends of the Arts Theater on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 fro 6:00pm to 8:00pm with the Office of Selectmen hopefuls.  This is an opportunity for the public to learn about a candidate’s commitment, plans and visions for the the Town of Rangeley.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held June 5, 2023 at 6:00pm.
Have an enjoyable Memorial Day with friends and family, pause to remember those that died fighting for our freedoms and always thank a Veteran for their service.

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