LIVERMORE FALLS — The Livermore Falls Board of Selectmen has agreed to put forth a warrant article to voters to spend up to $650,000 to repair the Livermore Falls fire station.
A date was not set for the special town meeting.
Selectmen noted that while $650,000 was the maximum amount that could be spent, they felt that bids on the project would be as much as 30 percent lower than estimated. The town has been consulting with architect George Parker, who provided cost estimates for the fire station.
The proposed repairs to the fire station include putting on a new roof, installing a new boiler, putting in handicapped-accessible bathrooms and installing new bar joists in the front and back bays.
In October 2015, the town was forced to move its equipment out of the station and to other venues in Jay and Livermore Falls because of deficiencies identified in the building. The town’s insurance company refused to insure the facility until the deficiencies were corrected.
In June, voters approved the construction of a new fire station at $1.5 million. However, when another special town meeting was held in October, asking citizens to finance the building, the money was turned down.
Selectmen debated at Tuesday’s meeting about whether the roof should be replaced and whether the fire station needed a new floor.
Chairperson Louise Chabot grew visibly frustrated with the bickering. “How many more times are we really going to play with this?” she asked.
In other business, demolition of a house on Baldwin Street has been completed. Jean Castonguay Logging & Excavation tore down the building for $9,966 and $1,500 in lead and asbestos abatement work was done. A total of $5,493 was spent in tipping fees to ReEnergy.
Selectmen noted that the cost to demolish the building was below the budgeted amount of $30,000.
The board tabled a decision on whether there should be a moratorium on marijuana-related businesses in town. Maine citizens narrowly approved the use of recreational marijuana in a November referendum, but a recount is underway.
“The population of the state voted to approve this,” Selectman Tom Barker said. “What right do we have to say no?”
Chabot said she thought the matter should be tabled to let the state do more research on it.
bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net
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