WILTON — The Board of Selectpersons unanimously agreed Tuesday to hold a special town meeting June 27 on two Community Development Block Grant applications.
During the 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Town Office, voters will also consider appropriating up to $300,000 “for hazardous abatement and/or demolition of a portion of the town-owned Forster Mill property,” according to the warrant.
The money is being sought through a potential loan from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s hazardous waste cleanup program.
“The amount available for the loan is not known yet … but we should know in a couple weeks,” Town Manager Rhonda Irish said.
The board held a public hearing Tuesday for Lovett Woodworks, LLC, dba Maine Made Furniture, which is seeking a $50,000 grant from the Department of Economic and Community Development under the Workforce Development Program for training of employees.
The customized furniture company at 128 Weld Road seeks to cross-train employees to cover all aspects of furniture making, according to owner Tim Lovett. They can then also participate in the training of new employees.
The training will also provide people with good jobs, potentially earning $16 to $26 an hour, he said.
Lovett anticipates about 107 hours of training needed per person.
He expects to add other positions, potentially up to six by the end of the year, and some office and support staff, he said.
Another warrant article asks voters to consider a $240,000 CDBG grant application under the Economic Development Program for Carrier Welding and Fabrication, LLC, on Depot Street.
Nathan Carrier seeks $240,000 in grants and will secure $270,000 in loans to purchase more equipment and provide operating capital for the business.
As applicants on the grants, the town agrees to administer the grants and acknowledges that the funds must be repaid to the state program if the intended objective for the funds is not met.
The board agreed to move their June 20 meeting to June 27, meeting after the town meeting.
abryant@sunmediagroup.net
Town of Wilton
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