OXFORD — After tabling a $62,675 property tax rebate for Oxford Solar 1, LLC, selectmen grudgingly approved the company’s application during their Feb. 1 business meeting.

The company requested the rebate following the town’s 2023 property revaluation. Under Maine law, the Renewable Energy Investment Exemption program allows owners of renewal energy equipment to be exempted from paying local property taxes. Municipalities may recover 50% of revenues lost from the program.

Following the vote to approve, Selectman Caldwell Jackson, who also serves in the Maine Legislature representing District 80, stated if Oxford loses tax income by hosting renewal energy producers in town that a moratorium on future projects should be put in place until officials determine ways to make up the lost revenue.

Selectman Sharon Jackson said she supports the proposal. They asked Town Manager Adam Garland to organize a special town meeting  in the near future for residents to vote on the moratorium.

Two other residential rebate requests totaling $920.88 were approved without additional discussion.

Recreation Director Kayla Laird presented an analysis showing what and how neighboring communities charge for private parties held at town-owned facilities. Some charge by the hour or in two-hour increments or by the day. She proposed that Oxford set the rate to rent the Station House Community Center at $50 for the first hour and $10 for each additional hour, with an additional $25 flat fee for non-residents.

Almost half the parties who use the rec. center are from other towns. The board voted to adopt the fee schedule effective immediately, although any groups or individuals who have already paid for upcoming events will be grandfathered. Laird said the facility is almost completely booked through February.

A boater safety class will be held at the rec center May 5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Other upcoming events include indoor pickleball for beginners and a skill builders workshop, Oxford’s annual Easter egg hunt, a 5K Walk/Run on May 4 to raise money for summer camp scholarships, a Red Sox trip in June and a lobster bake on Cabbage Island.

Laird said that despite recent warm weather, thanks to the fire department the ice rink at the rec center is in good condition and seeing use day and night.

Acting Fire Chief Shawn Cordwell informed selectmen that the department has traded recently acquired battery-pack extrication tools for lighter-weight equipment, substituting the battering ram for a high power fan for clearing smoke and other exhausts from fire and accident scenes; the department already has multiple rams, although the older equipment is hydraulic and must be powered by field generators.

Vice-Chair Scott Hunter took issue that town-owned capital equipment had been bartered by employees without select board approval, adding that when he asked questions about the situation he received conflicting answers.

Chairman Dana Dillingham said he had been made aware of the swap and saw no reason to involved the entire board as it was an even swap involving no financial transactions.

In his manager’s report, Garland said that a recent RFP for renovations to the town office’s conference wing did not attract any bids, although contractor said they would submit one if the deadline was extended from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.

Garland also that they will need to have more election clerks before the presidential primary elections on March 5.

In other business, the board unanimously approved Oxford Casino Hotel’s casino operating license and Honey Badger Bar & Grill’s liquor license renewals.

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