DURHAM – In their first session since the annual town meeting, selectmen re-elected Wesley Bennett as chairman of the board for the coming year.

Bennett was authorized to sign payroll warrants and Kirk Asselyn was designated as the authorized person to sign them in Bennett’s absence.

Approved was a request from David Bushnell, representing Tri-Town Penguins Snowmobile Club, for a $1,000 donation, which will come from the recreation account.

A computer hardware maintenance contract for the coming year with Network System Inc. was approved at a cost of $3,650; and a $3,888.14 one-year contract with Coastal Humane Society of Brunswick was signed.

Acting in their capacity as the Board of Assessors, they voted to grant two tax abatements on property currently owned by Lucinda St.Amand at 169 Davis Road – a 2002 tax bill for $1,295; and 2003 tax bill for $230.60.

Following a public hearing on the discontinuance of an unused portion of Newell Brook Road (Route 9), selectmen set a special town meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at the town office for a formal vote for discontinuance. The board also awarded token damages of $1 to affected abutters, Gary and Janet Glatz, Geraldine Guenther and Francis Pinette Jr. The action will officially discontinue the right of way and a public easement, which has been unused since the road was reconstructed by the state Department of Transportation many years ago.

Seth Koenig, Brett Groh and Frank Dumont were appointed to the Telecommunications Committee.

Information on changing telephone companies was received, but no action was taken pending further research. Tabled until the next meeting was Jon Snell’s request to renew his mowing contract with a 2 percent increase. Bennett reported he had received a request from Russ Jabaut of the Conservation Commission to petition a limit on boat motor size permitted on Runaround Pond.

Road Commissioner Clifton Larrabee reported that all town roads are now posted for weight limits; and also that he has contacted engineer Barney Baker regarding the use of a culvert arch with a thicker plate for the Shiloh Road bridge as recently suggested.

Local Emergency Management Agency Director Deborah Larrabee reported that an anticipated check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for salt used in early snowstorms has not yet been received.