FARMINGTON – Selectmen on Tuesday revisited the idea of a town representative serving on the Mallett School building committee.

James Andrews last week told selectmen they should have an interest in any future renovation or in the location for a new elementary school.

A Mallett School building committee member, Andrews did not represent the committee, but appeared before the board to request that it provide a liaison to the building committee.

The board voted to wait until the committee presents a report on the advantages of various sites before requesting that someone represent the town on the committee.

The board then requested that Town Manager Richard Davis talk with SAD 9 Superintendent Michael Cormier this week about the liaison position.

Selectman Dennis Pike motioned for Davis to serve as the liaison. Knowing the operation of the town and its goals makes Davis the best representative, Pike said.

The board agreed that it would be best to have one of the board members or Davis represent the town on the committee. Davis agreed to serve.

Cormier told Davis that the public can attend any meeting of the building committee, but it has not asked for public input yet on any construction plans.

In other business, selectmen voted unanimously to have Davis look further into a proposed hydroelectric project for Walton’s Mill Dam. Ron Greenwood suggested that he would like to see lights at night at the dam after completion of the work is done this summer.

Davis considered the idea and talked with Glenn Kapiloff from Foster Applied Technology Center about generating enough power to light the dam and walkway as a demonstration of a clean, renewable energy source.

Some students have expressed interest in the project, Davis said, and the board voted unanimously to have Davis explore the project’s costs and viability.

The board also approved hiring Lucinda Gelinas as planning assistant to replace Sabra Sterling when she retires next spring. Gelinas has been working part-time for over six years as the assessor’s assistant.

Assessor Mark Caldwell met with the board to discuss filling Gelinas’ position. Although she has worked six years, Caldwell was concerned about hiring part-time people who generally haven’t stayed for extended time periods. Caldwell told the board it takes a full year to learn the demands of the assessor’s office, but he wasn’t sure the town was ready for a full-time position either. The board agreed to keep the position part-time.

The board accepted the resignation of David Averill from the Planning Board due to his move to New Sharon. Planning Board alternate Clayton King Jr. was promoted to fill Averill’s position on the board.

Selectmen accepted the IRS standard rate for mileage reimbursements to town employees. The rate will rise to 50.5 cents per mile effective Jan. 1. The 2007 rate was 48.5 cents per mile.