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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Natalie Bazinet Limestone Rotary Club members proposed installing an electronic community sign in the town’s “Rotary Park” as a way of advising the public of upcoming events |
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Finding out what’s going on in Limesotne could be as simple as driving down Main Street — if the town approves contributing to a new community message board.
The idea was pitched to the Limestone Selectpeople during their Dec. 19 meeting by Limestone Rotary Club member Fred Edgecomb, who described how there are plenty of activities going on around town but no central way of informing the community of upcoming events.
Representing the club, Edgecomb discussed the possibility of placing an electronic community sign on the edge of the up-and-coming “Rotary Park,” the unofficial moniker that’s been placed on the Rotary Club’s efforts to develop a park on what was the vacant site of a burned-down gas station. Once the park is complete, the Rotarians’ intention is to gift the land to the town.
Describing difficulties local clubs and groups have faced in spreading the word about their community events, Edgecomb suggested the community message board as a way to reach most everyone in town.
“Our thought is since we’re going to have a park and it’s going to be downtown, why don’t we have a community message board at the park?” he said.
The price quote Edgecomb obtained from a Florida-based business put the total cost of the sign at approximately $8,500 — $7,400 for the sign itself plus $500 for shipping and $500 needed for installation costs, like electrical work and a concrete slab.
“As a group, we would certainly contribute toward a message board, and we can, but to be able to pick up the whole thing … we’re still in the process of trying to complete the [park] project,” Edgecomb said.
While Edgecomb was confident that the Rotarians would be able to raise $1,000 for the sign through the assistance of other organizations around town, the remaining $7,400 would need to be accounted for by the town unless grant funding could be obtained.
“We need to build our downtown,” Edgecomb said. “We need to draw people into the downtown and anything we can put in downtown that will draw people to that point and then building — that’s why we’re doing the park there to start with.”
As only three board members were able to be in attendance, they decided that the subject would need to be discussed by a full board; Selectperson Gary O’Neal did, however, mention to Edgecomb that the park looks great.
Being three of a five-person board, they also tabled action on an abatement request from the Rotary and Friends for Development of Limestone on the 2012/13 property taxes.
Town Manager Donna Bernier also described to the selectpeople a possible change in policy to ensure that the town’s bills could continue being paid if all three selectpeople — O’Neal, Tom Devoe and Jesse Philbrick — were recalled in the Tuesday, Jan. 8 election.
“Right now, for any treasurer’s disbursement or any bills, you have to have at least three [Selectpeople] signatures,” Bernier explained. “This would allow for two signatures. I guess it’s very evident that we’re looking at a recall election in January; this is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” she added.
Bernier described that the selectpeople have the authority to reduce the number of signatures needed for any state fees, any warrants that pertain to employee wages and benefits. They are also allowed to reduce the number of signatures for school reimbursements — but as the town’s school is a municipal school, it’s a non-issue.
While reducing the number of signatures would make sure state fees and employees wages are paid, Bernier explained that if all three selectpeople are recalled and only selectpeople Marilyn King and Thomas Albert remain on the board, it would require a special town meeting for Limestone to be able to pay their other bills — like utilities, heating oil and electricity.
Should none of the selectpeople be recalled in the Jan. 8 vote, Bernier explained they could make null and void any of the policy changes at their next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16.
The town’s legal counsel suggested changing the policy to accommodate two signatures.
As only O’Neal, Devoe and King were present, not action was taken on the subject so that it could be reviewed by a full board during their next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 2
During her town manager’s report, Bernier also informed the selectpeople about a positive update regarding the Ward Road MDOT project.
“I had a very long conversation with Bob Watson and he has graciously [said that MDOT] will be paying the full amount, $27,840,” Bernier said, with sincere emphasis on “graciously.”
The Ward Road project has been discussed by the selectpeople during past meetings this summer and fall — recently, there was some confusion as which entity would be responsible for which costs on the Ward Road, which Bernier informed the board has now been clarified.
While most minds around this time of the year are geared toward the New Year, Limestone’s budget committee is quickly starting to think about the upcoming town meeting in June.
By the fourth Wednesday in January, Bernier said she hopes to have the mid-year review completed “and hopefully the first meeting in February we’re hoping to get a draft of the new budget.”
The next meeting of the Limestone selectpeople is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Limestone Municipal Building.
