By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE, Maine — The Limestone Selectpeople met Wednesday night for their regular meeting. A number of important issues were scheduled to be addressed at the meeting, most of which revolved around or reverted back to concerns regarding the upcoming budget for the fiscal year. It seemed to be the unconfirmed suspicion of the elected officials that this year, much like last year, would involve budget cuts with an upward of $175,000. Also included on the agenda were discussions on the community sign board for the Rotary Park, the issue of cost-sharing the town’s summer maintenance program and two resignations that may have major impacts on the town’s immediate future on complete opposite sides of the social-spectrum.
First and foremost on the agenda was the issue of the community sign board for the Rotary Park, which the town is looking to erect at a currently undecided location. The original plan was for the sign to be located at the end of Foster Ave., but before its merger with Main Street. The issue was brought forth at the meeting in order to discuss possible options for placement of the sign, as well as to broach the subject of any fiscal ramifications the sign may have in the upcoming budget year.
According to Limestone Town Manager, Donna Bernier, the first appraisal brought to the town’s selectpeople was estimated to be around $6,000. This was a price which, at first, the board viewed as feasible. However, recent estimates have now placed the cost of the sign around $12,000, double the original estimate and twice what the board would feel comfortable spending.
“We’re already looking at possibly having to cut $150,000 to $175,000, once again, from the upcoming budget. This is something we’ll have to figure out because we can’t cut bare bones,” said selectperson, Gary O’Neal. “In my opinion, the town should get a chance to vote on it.”
Other board members reiterated O’Neal’s thoughts with a seemingly growing concern for what can afford to be slashed in the apparent likelihood of budget cuts. Bernier mentioned late in the meeting that she had hoped to have an initial budget proposal done in time for Wednesday’s meeting, but it wasn’t possible due to the unforetold state revenue sharing information the town was still waiting on. Bernier, then told the board further knowledge regarding potential revenue sharing will hopefully surface sometime next week.
“We need to make sure our budget is in order before we can buy any signs,” said selectperson, Jesse Philbrick.
Board member, Marilyn King was also skeptical about the affordability of the budget, after being informed that the new estimate for the sign would now include wiring and electricity costs that would inflate the bill for the sign by 100 percent.
“It’s a budget year where everything is still ‘up in the air,’” said King. “I don’t see us being able to spend over $12,000. Perhaps, we could do some fundraising, but I just don’t see it.”
Town Manager Bernier also concurred with the overwhelming sentiment of the board by admitting that it would never be good to take taxpayers’ money for a sign.
There was also the issue of where the sign would be located within the town’s small commercial area. As mentioned, the initial proposal called for the sign to be located toward at the end of Foster Ave., close to the center of town. However, for some board members such as Tom Albert, this proposed placement of the sign was not only impractical, but would result in a hindrance for traffic.
“If we’re going to have a sign it should be in front of the town office not in the middle of town. It’s not like Caribou, where there’s a long stretch of road,” said Albert. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been driving behind someone when they’re trying to read one of those signs in a town like Caribou, but it will slow down everything.”
There was no doubt the general consensus at Wednesday’s meeting was more discussion would be needed before any permanent decisions could be made regarding either placement or finances.
For some board members the topic of a community sign board is one that should be agreed upon by the entire town before any action is to take place. For others, the idea of erecting the sign any time in the near future is not only frivolous, but simply not affordable so close to upcoming budget negotiations. Despite being momentarily placed on the back burner, discussion on the potential sign will likely continue throughout the next several meetings, as the board progresses through the budget process.
Also on the agenda Wednesday was a discussion about the possibility of cost-sharing the town’s summer maintenance position with the Limestone Water and Sewer District. Jim Leighton, from LWSD, was in attendance Wednesday, to help explain why LWSD could use the town’s help with their summer maintenance.
“We haven’t hired anyone to mow lawns or do any other maintenance in two years, now. We didn’t have much choice but to do it ourselves,” said Leighton. “Unfortunately, we may have to hire a contractor this year, but we’d really like to see the work done in-house.”
Leighton’s comments were followed by a debate on the possibility of whether or not one summer maintenance employee would be able to take on almost double the workload, while still only working 40 hours per week. Selectperson, Tom Albert was unsure of how the logistics of such a cost-sharing venture would be worked out.
“The trouble I foresee would be if it were to rain one day and we run in to the issue of who’s lawn is going to get mowed, or if LWSD could wait until the next day,” said Albert. “The top priorities are our lawns. Are we going to forego our lawns to mow theirs?”
The discussion of the cost-sharing idea was closed without an absolute resolution as more talk would need to occur between town officials and LWSD. However, with the town occupying the sole summer maintenance employee for between 30-40 hours per week, it would seem there simply aren’t enough hours in the day for one worker to cover, or in this case, mow that much ground.
Lastly, the board accepted the resignation of both Limestone police officer, Ivan Maizus and Rea Caldwell, the town’s librarian. Maizus’ resignation will become official on Feb. 14, while Caldwell’s resignation date is set to be enacted on Feb. 28.
Caldwell, who attended Wednesday’s meeting, has been involved with the town’s library for over 16 years and there was a resounding feeling of regret among the entire board.
“We accept Rea’s resignation with regret. We’ve always appreciated what you’ve done over the years and we’ve tried to say it numerous times, but we still probably haven’t said it enough,” said O’Neal.
King also shared some written sentiments she had prepared, in which she praised Caldwell for all the great work she has done with the library, and tried to put into words how greatly she would be missed.
“We’re really, really sorry to accept Rea’s resignation. No one will be able to replace her and what she’s done as our librarian for the last 16 years,” said King.
The town of Limestone and its police dept. will no doubt feel the impact of their loss, as well. One board member was quick to point out that Maizus is currently one of only two officers who previously received any formal police training. Upon Maizus’ departure, Police Chief Stacey Mahan, will once again be the lone officer in the town with these training credentials.
With less than three weeks before Caldwell’s resignation takes effect the board felt it necessary to speak with Caldwell regarding how to handle the transition. One idea mentioned was for Caldwell to possibly help train the next librarian for a short time after her resignation, as the board is still in the early stages of the hiring process. The council members then decided to go into executive session, declared as a personnel matter, which involved the process of hiring and training a new librarian to replace Caldwell.
The board convened to announce the town had recently undergone two state audits from both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Labor. Town Manager Bernier, informed the meeting’s attendees that complete sticker reports and registration checks were done by the DMV, while things like payroll records and W2’s were inspected by the DOL. Bernier assured everyone that both audits went well.
Before the meeting adjourned elected officials were given a chance to voice any questions, concerns or comments they may have had, and the conversation was ultimately steered back to the upcoming budget. Marilyn King offered her opinion with the idea of cutting things like supplies in areas such as the police and recreation departments.
“All costs go up, so we have no choice but to make tough decisions,” said King. “Also, if Maizus’ police officer position isn’t already filled we may be able to look at keeping that vacant.”
Cutting the vacant position entirely will save the town approximately $40,000-$50,000 while also avoiding having to lay off a current officer.
“It’s certainly not ideal, but if we do need to find a way to cut over $150,000 from the budget, taking off $40,000 to $50,000 with a single cut could be part of the solution,” said King.
The next Limestone Selectpeople’s regular meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Limestone Municipal Building.
