LIVERMORE FALLS — Rural Community Action Ministry supporters Tuesday night protested the selectmen’s decision not to fund the nonprofit agency in the 2018 municipal budget.
It was reported that at a public hearing on the budget April 23, selectmen had previously decided not to fund RCAM because alcohol was being served at its meetings.
“We were surprised that it was said we served alcohol at our meetings,” RCAM Executive Director Mary Beth Paquette said. “We don’t do that. Never have, never will.”
She said a fundraiser was held last year at Boothby’s Orchards in Livermore where a wine tasting was held. All of the proceeds went to help RCAM’s services for homelessness, shelter, housing, hunger prevention, families, seniors and volunteers.
Last year, with $1,000 from Livermore Falls voters, RCAM chose to do a pilot project because there were many in town who needed services, Paquette said. Twenty families and 30 individuals benefited, she said.
“We can’t do that without your help,” she said. “We’re continuing to provide rides for (Livermore Falls) seniors until this gets figured out, because that’s so very, very important.”
RCAM requested $2,700 from the town for the coming year.
Board Chairwoman Heather Bronish said the board considered all of the budget requests, and board members were asked which ones they wanted to support.
“It’s not voting no, it’s voting yes,” Bronish said. “When we came to those letters, it’s either yes or silence.”
She said that before requests were considered, Selectman Tom Barker said he didn’t feel comfortable supporting RCAM this year because from what he understood, alcohol was served at one of the events.
“We did not all say that we did not vote for your charity because you served alcohol,” Bronish said. “I cannot speak for the rest of the board, but I could care less if you have alcohol at your meetings.”
Resident Jody Robertson, a part-time RCAM employee, said she was appalled at the hearsay about alcohol being served at RCAM meetings.
“In my opinion, you’ve slandered our agency,” she said. “I just can’t believe that someone didn’t question it or call RCAM and question it.”
Robertson asked selectmen if they were looking out for the best interests of Livermore Falls residents.
Bronish said there weren’t enough funds to meet all of the agency requests so selectmen were forced to choose.
Robertson asked who would feed the hungry if RCAM didn’t, or provide other services.
“Our funding is very low,” she said.
Resident Jean Metcalf said RCAM provides a critical service by helping provide transportation to her medical appointments.
Resident Denise Rodzen said, “It is unfortunate that what I understand from today’s conversation was that Mr. Barker said he couldn’t support it because of alcohol. You didn’t do your due diligence.”
She said that although selectmen had to take the budget into consideration, there are many needy residents in Livermore Falls who can use the kind of services RCAM provides.
In another matter, it was announced that the Town Office will be closed May 9 for election training. The next selectmen meeting is at 6:30 p.m. May 15 at the Town Office.
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Livermore Falls Town Office. (File photo)
“In my opinion, you’ve slandered our agency.” — Jody Robertson, part-time Rural Community Action Ministry employee
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