LIVERMORE — Selectpersons Tuesday night, Aug. 15, by consensus increased the amount of excise tax revenue to use when determining the tax commitment from $375,000 to $400,000.

“We have consistently gone over our goal of $375,000,” Selectperson Scott Richmond said before asking if the amount should be raised to $400,000.

Chair Mark Chretien noted the excise tax revenue figure was used when the tax commitment is determined.

When Richmond first joined the Select Board, the number was $300,000. He said it went to $325,000 then $350,000, has stayed at $375,000 for several years.

“We probably could have changed it last year,” he stated. “Excise tax in July last year was $50,000. We took in $54,000 this year.”

Cars aren’t getting any less expensive, Selectperson Brett Deyling said.

Selectpersons voted to amend the Building Ordinance to comply with state mandates and put it to voters for approval at the Nov. 7 elections.

In May 2022 selectpersons first discussed L.D. 1981, a bill passed in 2020 regulating tiny homes. “The statute allows for a smaller footprint than what our ordinances say,” Aaron Miller, the administrative assistant at the time said. “We can’t be more restrictive than what state law says. I will be doing some more research on this.”

In June, the board discussed proposed changes to the Building Ordinance that were being drafted by the Planning Board.

“You have to allow for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit on your property,” Deyling said then. “A bunch of other things crammed in to that bill. It’s a shame to see the state say ‘everybody’s got to do this and we don’t care if you don’t have the infrastructure, if you are not ready for it, make it happen.’ It’s a garbage bill but we have to abide by it.”

“We do not have a choice on this,” Deyling said Tuesday.

“It has to go to a town vote,” Chretien noted. “The state overrides town ordinances, it is still going to happen.”

September would be the earliest a town vote could be scheduled, it would cost the town money, Richmond said.

Also under new business, selectperson Jeremy Emerson stated he had a few people call him about having a mirror put up on Federal Road near the turn onto Waters Hill Road. Is that something the town does, he asked.

That would have to be discussed with the state, Chretien said.

“A couple of my buddies said they almost got hit turning onto the road,” Emerson said.

“The state needs to trim around the corner there,” Richmond noted.

Under old business, purchasing four signs for Brettuns Pond beach was approved. They will feature black lettering on a yellow background. The signs will be five feet wide and seven feet tall or whatever size is needed to include all the rules now in force at the boat launch and beach area.

“Do we really have to write ‘no bathing’ on the sign,” Emerson asked to which several responded, “Yes!”

People have been seen in the early morning with bars of soap, it was noted.

Other rules that will be posted on the sign are:

• Hours: Dawn to dusk.

• Beach use restricted to Livermore residents/taxpayers.

• Beach passes must be visible on vehicle dash.

• No overnight parking, violators will be towed at owners’ expense.

• No loitering after hours.

• Park in designated areas only.

• No parking on boat launch or shore.

• No drugs, alcohol, tobacco.

• No dogs on beach.

• Carry out all trash.

Numbers for Androscoggin Sherriff, 207-753-2500, and Maine State Police, both local and toll free – once correct ones to use have been determined – will also be posted on the signs.

Deyling suggested four signs: one near the boat launch, one on the far side of that parking area and two for the back parking area.

Chretien thought one sign should be placed at the boat launch and two for the back parking area near Keith Street. Purchasing four would allow for a spare, he noted.

The signs should be taken down over the winter when the beach isn’t used as much and put back up in the spring, Deyling stated. “That way it’s kind of like a different thing, it will be new,” he said.

Taking them down will save the signs, make them last much longer, Chretien added.

Administrative Assistant Carrie Judd noted it would cost about $29 to create laminated eight by ten inch beach passes. The passes can be put in vehicle windows of residents and taxpayers, now that beach use is restricted to them, she said.

Selectpersons also agreed the Town Office would close on Thursday, Sept. 21, when two office staff will be in Augusta attending an all day training class on voting.

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