BUCKFIELD — After years of uncertainty, the Zadoc Long Free Library Trust was dissolved, with all assets awarded to the town, following a ruling by the Oxford County Superior Court last month.
Town Manager Cameron Hinkley announced the court ruling during Tuesday’s Select Board meeting.
The one-page ruling, signed Nov. 20, ratifies the transfer of the library’s real estate to the town by deed that was dated July 1, 2015. The ruling also states that all other library property will be transferred to the town and used to maintain the library, terminating the trust.
Questions have surrounded whether the apparent transfer by the library trust to the town in 2015 was handled legally.
Former Selectman Martha Catevenis frequently brought up her concerns about the legality of the deal in the town’s acquisition of the library and its trust fund. Her question centered on whether the town acted properly when accepting the trust and spending the funds without a court order.
Catevenis had urged the board to seek a legal opinion on the transfer. After becoming town manager, Hinkley sought guidance from the Attorney General’s Office. With no legal hurdles to maneuver through, an order was sought to officially terminate the trust.
In other business, Hinkley reported that general administration revenues is up significantly. Just five months into the fiscal year, he noted that interest earned on operating cash is nine times the amount projected for the year. He added that motor vehicle excise tax revenues are also above projections.
Hinkley added that the Buckfield Town Office is processing motor vehicle registrations and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife transactions for the town of Sumner, which is looking for a new Town Clerk.
Ruby Cyr was appointed to a one-year term on the Recreation Committee.
The Buckfield-Sumner Solid Waste Committee met before the start of the Select Board meeting. The board voted to begin issuing residents new stickers with a different color to gain access to the transfer station beginning on July 1. Don Berry was appointed interim director for the Swap Shop.
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