TURNER — Selectmen set annual town meeting date along with a host of other decisions earlier this week.
The meeting was scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center on Route 219. Elections will be held Friday, April 10, at the Town Office.
Terms are expiring for selectmen Richard Keene and Kurt Youland. Terms for Peter Ricker and Jo Ann Nickerson on the School Administrative District 52 Board of Directors also are expiring. On the town’s Budget Committee, the expiring seats held by Roland Harris, Robert Kelenowski and Rodney Shaw need to be filled. All positions are for three-year terms.
Nomination papers are available.
In other action:
* Selectmen approved a liquor license renewal for Trenchy’s at 1355 Auburn Road.
* A long discussion took place on foreclosures, during which Selectman Ralph Caldwell commented that he was tired of seeing the list at every meeting and wanted closure. Selectman Dennis Richardson said if people didn’t keep up payments on back taxes, the town should foreclose.
On a motion by Richardson, all selectmen voted to foreclose on eight properties for a total of $6,293 in back taxes. Each property was voted on separately and Richardson recused himself from voting for reasons of relations.
* Turner resident Jody Goodwin spoke for the Grand Army of the Republic in requesting to add a bathroom to the GAR Hall in North Turner, which requires selectmen’s approval to dip into the town’s GAR fund.
The hall is owned by the town of Turner and all revenues gained from rentals go to the town. The hall, which is maintained by volunteers from North Turner Union Presbyterian Church, has a chemical toilet. It was stated at the meeting that there is $7,181 available in the GAR fund to put toward the addition.
The board suggested residents at town meeting be asked to spend an additional $2,500 to help finance the project, which would include installing a septic system. The facility is rented for special functions, and members feel the bathroom is essential to increase rental possibilities.
Selectman Youland pointed out the necessity of making the bathroom wheelchair-accessible.
The selectmen said they would take a closer look at the project, as well as at the siting of the septic system, and then have more discussions before the project is finalized and possibly sent out to bid.
* The Fire Department reported to the board that it had an option to buy a forestry truck from Minot for $2,500. Board members suggested that Fire Department personnel examine the 1-ton truck and come back to the board with more information and, if desired, a formal request for approval.
* An audit showed a fund balance of $1.749 million, just short of the town’s target of $1.75 million. The board agreed to put the auditing out to bid next year.
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