DIXFIELD — To better inform residents and raise awareness of community events, selectmen Tuesday authorized forming a committee to buy and install an electronic message board.

The committee members are Charlotte Collins, Bev Glover, Dana Whittemore Jr., Scott Belskis and Aaron Jamison.

Town Manager Carlo Puiia said Tuesday that after discussion and research last week, it was decided to raise $15,000 to buy a good quality, double-sided sign.

To that end, selectmen approved the committee’s request to allow residents to vote whether the town could spend up to $10,000 from the Ione Harlow Community Fund for the sign, Puiia said.

He said the committee gathered a list of names of people who donated money for the town bicentennial clock and is also looking at businesses that contributed to see if they would like to donate to the electronic message sign.

While fundraising started last week, Puiia said they will wait until town meeting next March to put the request before voters.

He said the committee is hoping to raise enough money through private sources or donations from businesses to complete the project and avoid using tax dollars.

If the $15,000 can be raised by next spring, the sign could be purchased and installed by summer 2015, “unless some large donation comes in prior,” Puiia said.

Letters seeking donations were mailed last week. Some members of the committee have already donated money.

“I think people will support it,” Puiia said. “A lot of people didn’t think it would enhance the Town Office and Post Office.” However, after seeing conceptual images of the project, they now believe it will look nice and not be a detraction, he said.

Contributions can be sent to: The Town of Dixfield — EMB Fund, and either mailed or hand-delivered to: Town of Dixfield — EMB Fund, 46 Main St., P.O. Box 808, Dixfield, ME 04224.

Puiia said the committee has established a bank account in town for the sign fund.

tkarkos@sunjournalcom

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