RANGELEY — Selectmen convened their annual organizational meeting Monday, electing Ethna Thompson as chairwoman and Ethan Shaffer as vice chairman.
The board, which also include Samantha White, Wendyll Caisse and James Jannace, decided it should adopt bylaws after Thompson emphasized the importance of having that document for town governance.
“I don’t think any board or committee should be working or operating without a set of bylaws, and this board doesn’t have any bylaws,” Thompson said, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines to govern the board’s operations and decision-making processes. She expressed her intention to prioritize the creation of new bylaws, with discussions planned for an upcoming meeting.
During the meeting, selectmen discussed the schedule for regular meetings and unanimously agreed to keep them the first and third Mondays of each month at 6 p.m.
They also deliberated on the procedure for notifying the public about emergency meetings, emphasizing the importance of timely dissemination of information. Selectmen adopted Roberts Rules of Order as their guiding framework for conducting meetings and retained the services of the Portland law firm of Preti Flaherty as the town’s legal representatives.
Town policies, including the code of ethics and conduct, harassment and sexual harassment, investment, fund balance-General Fund, and remote participation, were reviewed with all board members.
The newest members of the board were informed about mandatory Freedom of Access Act training, which they must complete within 120 days of taking office, as well as a workshop for newly elected officials.
Vendor licenses were approved for Freedom’s Forage, a food truck seeking permission to park at Rangeley’s Hideaway on Tuesdays and at the farmers market on Thursdays, pending certification of liability. Richard and Kim McMahon, owners of Gourmet Mini Donuts, were also granted a vendor’s license, subject to certification of liability.
Selectmen also voted to renew and extend the Rangeley Inn’s liquor license.
Appointments unanimously approved were Town Manager Joe Roach as airport manager, Robert Duplisea Jr. as assessor and Traci Lavoie as assistant town manager.
Additionally, the board discussed an initiative by Dark Skies, an organization advocating for efficient light use to protect wildlife and preserve the night sky. Rangeley has taken steps to update streetlights to combat light pollution.
The initiative received unanimous support from selectmen.
A draft of the town’s feasibility report, due by Friday, will be accessible on Rangeley’s website July 28. The public is invited to submit comments on the draft report by Aug. 11.
Selectmen expressed gratitude to outgoing board members Cyndy Egan and Shelly Lowell for their service, and thanked the fire chief for organizing an impressive fireworks display.
Upcoming meetings include a tax commitment workshop at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 17, followed by the regular board meeting at 6 p.m.
Town meetings are conducted via Zoom and posted on YouTube.
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