KINGFIELD — Selectmen face some tough financial decisions that involve taxpayer money in an uncertain economy.
Public Works Director Brian Collins told selectmen Monday that Les Jordan has offered to sell up to a three-quarter-acre parcel that abuts the town garage. Administrative Assistant Leanna Targett said the land would have to be surveyed to determine the exact dimensions and boundaries. Collins suggested the acreage would provide room for the garage to grow and be a place to dump snow during the winter.
Jordan has offered a $5,000 purchase price, he said. Selectman Wade Browne said he didn’t see the advantage of buying more land when the town already owns plenty of acreage.
Selectman Walter Kilbreth said the one-time option to acquire abutting land would be a wise choice, rather than moving the garage if the department needs to expand in the future.
“That’s a good price,” he said.
Selectmen agreed to consider paying for a survey of the parcel and continuing the discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the purchase. A land purchase will require a vote at the June town meeting, Targett said.
Selectmen revisited the town’s options to rebuild the Tufts Pond Road, which has eroded badly and has become increasingly expensive and difficult to maintain. Recently, contractor Bruce Manzer gave selectmen a rough estimate of $820,000 to rebuild about 2 miles of road. The project will include ditching, new culverts, rebuilding of the road base and paving.
Targett said selectmen and the Budget Committee can recommend paying for the entire project at once or spreading the project into yearly sections over several years. Manzer has provided what his costs would be currently for materials, labor and equipment.
Targett expects costs will be higher if the project is spread over a longer period. Voters could approve borrowing the entire project’s cost from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank and repay the loan with interest. Selectmen would have to decide the length of the loan and the corresponding interest rate.
Voters also could choose to raise and appropriate tax revenue to fix the road. Before making recommendations to the Budget Committee, selectmen agreed to revisit their financial options with Manzer.
In other matters, selectmen appointed Assistant Fire Chief Fred Nichols to be the new fire chief, fire warden and emergency management assistance contact for the town, beginning on Jan. 1. Long-serving Chief Chuck Twitchell announced in the fall that he planned to retire Dec. 31.
Selectmen also approved closing the Town Office on Dec. 26.
Last year’s New Year’s Eve celebration at the snowmobile club’s sled shed and recreational area will happen again this year, according to volunteer organizer Jim Boyce. There will be a big bonfire, snacks and sledding, and plenty of good cheer, he said.
“We had a lot of fun last year,” he said. “I hope everyone can make it.”
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