DIXFIELD — The town report for Dixfield will be dedicated to three residents, selectmen decided at their meeting Monday nights.
Carmelo Joseph Puiia, Tim Frost and Thirza Towle will have the annual town report dedicated in their memory. All three were lifelong members of Dixfield and passed away this year.
Puiia, who ran a barber shop in Rumford for years, established the first successful cable television service in Maine. He was also a member of the Dixfield Historical Society.
Frost, a 40-year volunteer firefighter for the Dixfield Fire Company, was a loved figure in town and participated in many community fundraisers and events.
Towle, a lifelong citizen of Dixfield, was a member of the Dixfield American Legion Auxiliary Unit 100, the VFW Auxiliary and the Dixfield Historical Society.
Selectman considered several members before making the decision to have the dedication be a memorial to the three residents.
David Phair, foreman for the Public Works department, gave a report to the board about savings his crew has made.
Phair said 18 sets of flag brackets would need to be replaced at an estimated cost of $1,350 if purchased. Phair’s crew instead worked to create their own steel brackets, which cost the department only $300.
Phair also mentioned work on a waste oil furnace located at the town garage. The furnace runs off used oil and saves in excess of $10,000 dollars a year in heating the facility.
“We take in used car oil also,” he said.
In other news the board discussed the need for a fireworks ordinance; the issue had been tabled from the previous meeting.
Selectman asked the opinion of Dixfield police Sgt. Jeffery Howe on the significance of having a fireworks ordinance.
“I think we are going to be facing a problem, and the town should be doing something to curb it,” Howe said.
Howe said he believes multiple issues could arise because of a new law that passed allowing fireworks in the state. Besides the danger associated with fireworks, he mentioned the noise complaints that would be generated during late hours.
“I think we are going to be seeing a lot of disorderly conduct calls,” Howe said.
Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said he thought Howe brought up some important issues, but he thinks the town needs to give the new law some time to see if action is needed.
Selectmen Steven Donahue and Malcolm Gill agreed, saying they would like to see a report from both the Police Department and Fire Department in six months on issues the departments have had with fireworks.
After a short discussion, the issue was tabled for six months.
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