REGION — Nov. 7 elections around Oxford Hills promise to be quiet as far as ballots go. While there are eight referendum questions on the state ballot there are no federal or state elections.

The referendum questions and their purpose can be reviewed on the state of Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions: .

Issues include the future of Maine’s hotly debated electric utility ownership. Currently the two major utility providers are owned by foreign corporations.

Proponents of shifting to a locally owned and operated model point to skyrocketing utility rates and poor customer service.

Those in opposition see local ownership – a quasi-government entity that would be established – as a potential boondoggle that will hurt taxpayers financially.

Another question getting voters’ attention is Question 4, right to repair. The initiative seeks to ensure that owners and independent auto repair businesses have electronic access to diagnosing and repairing vehicles.

In Oxford, voters will also be asked to approve transferring the Kay House Museum on Pleasant Street from the town to the Oxford Historical Society.

It is a change supported by historical society trustees, Oxford selectmen and Town Manager Adam Garland.

Once owned by OHS, its trustees will be able to use its non-profit status to fund raise for the building’s upkeep, an option not available to the town. It will also be possible to apply for grants to improve and maintain the property, a financial strategy the town does not get involved with.

The historic Kay House was donated to the historical society in 1985 by the heirs of its last owner, Mary Kay Wilder.

Kay Wilder intended the house and property, including all of its contents, be used to preserve artifacts associated with Oxford’s history and managed by OHS.

At that time, Oxford town and historical society officials agreed that the best way to execute Kay Wilder’s wishes would be for the town to assume ownership and the historical society manage the building and its collections.

The terms of the agreement dictate that if OHS ever became unable to execute its responsibilities that the property would be returned to its grantors, or be sold with a trust established to provide scholarships for local nursing students.

Cooperatively fulfilling the agreement has proven to not be the best way to maintain the property. Any changes, maintenance or repairs done to Kay House must be submitted to and approved by the board of selectmen. The agreement also stipulates that the town act as the Kay House’s fiscal agent, that selectmen are to refer any expenses the historical society is unable to meet to voters to be funded, and that the town is responsible to maintain insurance for the property.

Even with an established account to cover maintenance and improvements, Oxford officials have deferred doing them over the years. This has resulted in an improperly repaired roof that later caused water damage and for the heating system to degrade to the point it is no longer usable.

Earlier this year, Oxford’s new municipal insurer inspected the Kay House. Upon seeing the water damage, which had already been repaired, the insurance inspector amended the insurance policy and no longer covers liability for people to occupy the building, including OHS’ board of trustees. Currently they are not allowed to use the building even for meetings and have had to conduct all society business at another location.

“As a non-profit, the historical society is better equipped to care for the Kay House,” Garland told the Advertiser Democrat. “We are all excited that transferring the property will enable it and its trustees to take the lead role in managing the museum.”

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