By Bethany Zell
Special to the Aroostook Republican
LIMESTONE, Maine — Only a small group of residents was in attendance for the Nov. 20 selectpeoples meeting held at the Limestone Municipal Building.
Immediately after the standard call to order and approval of minutes for both the Nov. 4 and Nov. 6 meetings, an executive session was called and the five selectmen and Town Manager Donna Bernier exited the boardroom for a private session with an attorney that was present. When asked what the executive session could be regarding, one meeting attendee responded as he and the eight other community members in attendance waited for nearly 25 minutes, “I don’t know, but I wish they would put the information out there. They use these ‘executive sessions’ a lot.”
When the group reassembled in open session, Chairman Tom Devoe explained “it is an ongoing litigation on a legal matter. That’s all that I can say.”
Selectpeople opened 13 sealed bids on four available tax-acquired properties. The motion to accept the highest bid for each parcel carried. Three warrants were also approved.
In her town manager’s report, Bernier reported that a grant written to the Maine Municipal Association for safety enhancement on behalf of the Limestone Fire Department was successful. The fire department will receive two thirds of the cost of two sets of turn-out gear up to $1,119.
Bernier also reported that a new amortization schedule has been created for the $140,000 loan that began in November 2009 for the Robert A. Frost Memorial Library. Only $10,450 remains on the debt. Bernier concluded her report by introducing Limestone’s new code enforcement officer, Chris Guda.
Limestone resident, Randy Brooker, requested that the board consider adopting an ordinance that would establish a 5-foot setback for all permanent structures, including fences, on private property. “Although undocumented, three feet has been the rule of thumb, but with most standard mower decks now at 60 inches, a 5-foot clearance makes sense,” said Bernier. A motion to proceed with a new ordinance and/or article and public hearing on this matter carried.
Limestone Masonic Lodge Master, Paul Poitras, shared that the lodge had recently celebrated their 100th anniversary and had been fundraising to somehow pay tribute to Dr. Albert Hobart Damon. Discussion included memorializing him through either the newly town-owned “Rotary Park” or the Limestone Fire Department. Preference of the board seemed to lean toward doing something at the Fire Department as board members, Devoe, Marilyn King and Gary O’Neal vocalized their support of such an endeavor.
A motion to support the Masonic Lodge in finding a location for the memorial passed unanimously. Selectman O’Neal said, “Dr. Damon brought so much to the community of Limestone, Maine. We have gotten away from remembering the people who made this town great.”
Just prior to the meeting’s adjournment, a second executive session was called regarding a personnel matter. The next meeting of the Limestone Board of Selectpeople will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.
