Mechanic Falls Council

Met: Monday Night

Snow and fallout

Scoop: Town Manager John Hawley advised the council that the public works budget is being eaten alive by the ravenous hounds of early winter. Road crews have had to deal with 10 plowable storms that have brought 50 inches of snow in total. Three hundred tons of salt and 1,500 yards of sand (half the amount planned on for the winter) have been applied to roads, and 430 of the 800 hours of budgeted overtime have been used. All this, Hawley noted, with the potential of three more months of winter weather.

Up next: Roads will be plowed even if the budget is overdrawn. By statute, town officials can overspend for winter road maintenance and worry about finding the money later.

Dispatching contract

Scoop: The council approved a new contract with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office to provide emergency dispatch service at costs that will double what the town has been paying. Town Manager John Hawley said that the increase reflects the findings of a cost study undertaken in conjunction with 911 consolidation services discussions. Annual costs for the town are estimated to rise from less than $5,000 to about $10,000.

2008-09 employee wages

Scoop: The council recommended a 4 percent raise in salaries for town employees for the next budget year. The increase is less than the 4.7 percent raise employees received last year but council members concluded sufficient to keep wages near the midrange of salaries for municipal employees around the state.

School consolidation

Scoop: Existing legislation would have required towns to hold school budget validation elections this year, however, Hawley told the council that it appears the school consolidation process will be postponed for a year. Mechanic Falls, Hawley noted, was part of the 85 percent of the state’s school districts that filed incomplete consolidation plans.

Rabies clinic

Scoop: A rabies clinic will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the public works garage behind the fire station. Dr. Warren Frechette will be vaccinating dogs and cats for $10 each. Deputy Clerk Lisa Palmer will be taking registrations for dogs.

Town office hours

Scoop: The town office will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays to give people an option beyond the customary 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– Winslow Durgin