Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — The Selectpeople meeting in Limestone drew an unusually large crowd of about 20 people on May 6 for an informative meeting that touched on library expansion; dedication of the 2008/09 Annual Report; the rate of interest, rate given on abated taxes, and date when taxes are due as well as various reports from the manager and elected officials. The Library Expansion Committee presented the Selectpeople with an announcement that A&L Construction had the winning bid for the library expansion project. After making some revisions to the initial plans, A&L Construction informed the Library Expansion Committee that the required amount to complete the expansion project was reduced to $536,899.
Though the cost of the new building is lower than anticipated, the Library Expansion Committee is still about $35,000 to $40,000 short in their funds, though they believe that they will be able to raise the money within the next two years and requested that the Selectpeople permit them to move forward. The Selectpeople unanimously approved their request. The Selectmen also unanimously approved the award of the library expansion contract to the Presque Isle based A&L Construction.
Selectperson Jim Leighton addressed the other Selectpeople during the elected officials reports regarding the proposed contract with Crown Ambulance.
“The only thing I have a problem with on this contract, really, is we asked them to be written in the contract as 50 percent, we supposedly get 50 percent of the calls compared to Fort Fairfield and Mars Hill. We asked to be written in as 50 percent, and they’re not,” Leighton said. “They’re adding in long distance transfers into the equation [dictating time spent in Limestone]. There’s no equation; it’s 12 hours a day,” he added. “They get 24 hours in Fort Fairfield. If we get half the calls, we get 12 hours a day.”
Leighton also requested that the Industrial Park sign be put up as soon as possible, and informed the audience and selectmen that phase II of the Water and Sewer project has started, which includes replacing some of the lines. He also informed that approval for phase III has been received and bids will be open at the end of May.
Also during the elected officials report, Walter Elliott made a motion to hire D.J. St. Pierre as a full time employee at the Public Works Department starting June 1, 2009, which was unanimously approved by the Selectpeople. Elliott also made a request to present an article in the warrant this year regarding the continuation of the Budget Committee which was moved by the Selectpeople, though it was opposed by Selectperson Paul Poitras.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Arthur Thompson made recommendation to the Selectpeople that the town move forward with phase III of the Limestone 2020 Vision study. The Selectmen unanimously voted to continue on with phase III.
Also announced in the public comments, Fire Chief Paul Durepo stated that Mike Jalbert and himself have completed writing a grant for a new truck worth $116,000 that would cost the town $5,000. Durepo feels that the $5,000 can be raised through the sale of the current pick-up used by the fire department.
Town Clerk Marlene Durepo, filling in for the town manager, gave the manager’s report which announced the election of Michelle Albert and George O’Bar III to the RSU School Board based on the April 28 voting results, as well as announcing that there are four candidates vying for two Selectpeople positions on the Limestone Board of Selectpeople. Mary Louise Morin, Brad Nadeau, Fred Pelletier and Wade McLaughlin are all running for election. Charles H. Kelley is currently running unopposed for the Water and Sewer District.
In regards to setting rate of interest, rate given on abated taxes, and discount on 2009/10 property taxes as well as the due date of taxes, the Selectpeople unanimously voted to set the rate of interest to 8.5 percent, interest starting after January 31, 2010; set the rate of discount to 3 percent, naming October 31, 2009 as the due date; and approved an 8.5 percent interest given on abated taxes.
The Selectmen also voted to dedicate the annual report to Marilyn and Robert King.
The next meeting of the Limestone Board of Selectpeople will be tonight at 6:30 at the Municipal building in Limestone.
