WEST PARIS — The Board of Selectmen honored two Town Office employees Thursday night for pitching in with extra effort during the illness of former Town Manager John White.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Denny Henderson thanked Donna Diconzo, deputy clerk, and Karen Wilson, deputy treasurer and tax collector, with certificates of appreciation for their hard work in picking up extra duties during the town manager’s absence.
“We want to thank you very much for what you have done this past year,” Henderson told the employees, “because we understand the circumstances. That was over and above the call of duty.”
In other business:
• Selectmen opened a public hearing for comments on the renewal application from Ring McKeen Post 151 of the American Legion for a bottle club. There was no public comment, and the selectmen closed the brief hearing and voted to approve the application.
• Selectmen considered bids from four vendors to buy 16 replacement U.S. flags and one POW/MIA flag for the town. The Flags and Emblems Co. of Oceanside, Calif., offered the lowest price of $395.47 for the U.S. flags, plus $24.95 for the POW/MIA flag. The prices included poles and brackets for all. The selectmen voted to accept the bid.
• The rock rake that was discussed at the previous selectmen meeting has been purchased and should be delivered next week.
• Interim Town Manager Wade Rainey reported the town has received three applications so far to fill the vacant town manager position. The applicants are from Texas, Massachusetts and Connecticut, he said.
• Rainey reported three businesses were asked to submit bids to replace flooring material in the Town Office lobby area, but only Ken and Thom’s Floor Covering responded with a bid of $831. The selectmen voted to table the discussion until there was a decision for the best value of material and durability.
• Selectmen assigned the cases of several residents and businesses who are behind in personal property and real estate tax payments to the interim tax collector. The total of delinquent taxes to be collected is $174,479.
• Selectmen had an extended discussion about the best arrangement of traffic control signage for the intersection of Tuell Town, Forbes, and Ellingwood roads. Selectmen decided to add a yield sign on Tuell Town Road and keep the existing yield sign on Forbes Road.
• Resident Arlene Kerr reported she found a bag of discarded hypodermic needles while out for a walk on Tuell Town Road near the intersection with Morse Hill Road. Rainey said the matter has been turned over to the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.
• Rainey reported the town has started the process of acquiring title to seven residential properties whose owners are behind in making tax payments. The town has had difficulty contacting some of the owners. One couple has died, he said, so he is trying to locate next of kin.
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