Board: Sabattus Board of Selectmen

Met: Tuesday night

Mill rate down

Issue: Selectmen met last week to set the new mill rate, after the town finally adopted a school budget.

The scoop: It dropped. The old rate: $14.50. The new: $12.58. Tax bills, with the new rate, went out Tuesday.

Proceed with caution

Issue: In light of several accidents, local Emergency Management Agency Director Don Fournier asked selectmen about the possibility of installing lights at routes 126 and 132.

Up next: Awaiting traffic count results from the Maine Department of Transportation.

Dam meeting

Issue: Some property owners on Sabattus Lake are upset about water levels and erosion.

The scoop: Letters are being mailed out Thursday to selectmen in Wales and Greene and the Sabattus Lake Dam Commission, calling for a meeting to “discuss what the policy really is for regulating the water level in Sabattus Pond; who has the final say on how the water is regulated on the pond; and what is the procedure if some amendments need to be made on the Water Level Order.”

Up next: The commission is being asked to set a date for the future meeting, which would include lakeside property owners. Selectmen decided to wait for a legal opinion on whether the town could retake the dam, and control water levels itself, until after that meeting.

No to new joint 911

Issue: Lewiston, Auburn and other local towns have been in talks to create a new dispatch center for 911, with the costs split in varying ways.

The scoop: Selectmen voted 4-0 to have fire Chief Bob Scott cast a “no” vote at a Sept. 10 meeting of the Androscoggin County Combining Dispatch Committee, indicating Sabattus isn’t interested in the consolidation. (Vice Chairman and Androscoggin County Sheriff Guy Desjardins abstained.)

Trick or treat

Issue: The Girl Scouts asked selectmen for the OK to hold a sleepover in the community room of the town office on Halloween night. It is a first for the town.

The scoop: Sure, as long as they provide proof of insurance and sign a community use policy form.

Contact reporter Kathryn Skelton via phone at 689-2844 or via e-mail at [email protected]