The Town of Rangeley Board of Selectmen convened on March 4th, 2024, to deliberate and address various matters concerning the community.
Dr. Richard King, MD, a trauma surgery specialist and a Maine Trauma Advisory Committee committee member, set the tone for the meeting by shedding light on the evolving landscape of rural trauma response. Hospitals frequently operate at a “Code Help” or “Capacity Disaster” status capacity designation. “Code Help” occurs when inpatient beds and monitored hallway stretchers are full, and “Capacity Disaster” is triggered when the emergency department is full, all hallway stretchers are being used, and a surge of inpatients are boarding in the emergency department awaiting a hospital bed. Meaning that they can’t transfer you until there is capacity available for you.
The meeting featured an Investments RFP Presentation by Camden National, First National, and Franklin Savings Bank. Presenters addressed questions regarding service charges, familiarity with municipal investments, and investment approaches.
During the public commentary segment, Gary Shaffer, Luke Booker and Jamie Eastlack expressed apprehensions about the town’s police protection. Chair Ethna Thompson reaffirmed the board’s support for a local police presence, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding and operational efficacy. Matthew Johnson proposed acquiring a storage shed for field maintenance equipment and T-Ball and Baseball equipment storage, while discussions also touched on the recent resignation of Chief French.
The meeting included accepting meeting minutes from various boards and committees and discussing consent items such as investment policies and the RFP presentations and an agreement to wait until after the elections in November. Liquor licenses and event permits were approved. A review of Wright-Peirce proposals and estimates was submitted for the Oquossoc Park Improvements and Boat Ramp Redesign: Wright-Pierce $79,400, Oquossoc Park $336,500, Rangeley Lake Boat Ramp in Oquossoc $325,300.
New business items, including discussions on administrative ordinances and changes to town office hours of operation, elicited debate and consideration of the community to include visitors and second homeowners’ impact. Town Office Hours of Operation Change: The office will move to a four-day work week, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The expected rollout is April 15th, 2024. This affects Code Enforcement, the Parks and Recreation Director, the Front Counter, the Finance Clerk, the Town Manager and the Assistant Town Manager. Ethna Thompson was nominated and approved to fill the Franklin County Town Caucus/County Budget Committee vacancy. A thank-you letter from Maine Public Radio was acknowledged, and the Town Manager provided updates on upcoming initiatives, financials, and community programs.
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