BETHEL — Five people sat in the audience at the Nov. 1 selectboard meeting, while the full board discussed asking people nominated for a seat on a committee to come to a selectboard meeting ahead of their nomination.
Board chair Meryl Kelly asked Southam if she would set up a protocol for appointing people as part of their policies and procedures. Mitchell Benedict has taken a leave of absence, creating an open seat on the Planning Board. Applications for that seat and others will be posted on the town website.
Kelly said she would like to look at their contracted services. For instance contracting with a lawyer that better supports their town. She said she feels they spend a lot of money on job postings and human resources’ consulting, a contracted service.
She questioned what they spend annually. She suggested they could potentially keep that money in the budget for specific instances, “but not as a retainer for whenever there is a job posting.” Maybe we can put it on a future agenda? Kelly asked.
Vice Chair Michelle Cole recognized Interim Town Manager Sharon Jackson, “and the work she was doing identifying all the contracts we have.”
Selectwoman Pat McCartney said, “a big thank you to Jackson.”
Waste fees
Selectwoman Sarah Southam asked about a charge of $59, 995 for recycling, trash and tipping fees in that month’s finance report. Jackson said this amount is based on tonnage and varies each month. She said she would deliver a report to the board based on what Casella is charging. It will be helpful to have this information for the upcoming interlocal waste meeting, said Cole.
“We pay tipping fees for the dumpsters around town,” said Kelly.
A business owner asked if her dumpster could be paid for. “It’s not the rental fee for the dumpster, it is for the truck to pick it up and haul it and dispose of it,” said Cole.
The bill you get is for the dumpster only, said McCartney.
The Interlocal Solid Waste Committee meeting with Newry and Hanover representatives will be held Wed. Nov 15 at 5 p.m.
Public comment
During public comments, resident Candice Casey said she felt all the selectboard members, except McCartney, should resign. Casey complained about the town not paying personal property tax and about unfilled and temporary town office positions in a four-minute excoriation. Kelly interjected, correcting some of Casey’s inaccuracies about the board’s responsibilities. “Please don’t interrupt,” said Casey.
Ordinance Review Committee Member Aaron Osterhage, from the audience, said he felt the process for retaining Jackson was wrong. Kelly responded, “We put a pause on looking for a permanent town manager so she could get budget season in order … We thought it would be unfair to hire someone in mid-budget season … We had about 10 applicants.”
Cole added that the selectboard chair can call or cancel a selectboard meeting whenever they like. Posting is fairly liberal, added Cole. Although they are required to notify the media, added Jackson.
Other business
Cole asked if the dashboard on the town web site could be changed. Jackson said there are a lot of issues, “It is not user friendly,” she said. Individual committees have to rely on the town clerk to make updates which further complicates using the site. Jackson will meet with the software representative. Osterhage, in the audience, offered his expertise.
TD Architect had done a feasibility study for the Ethel Bisbee School submitted in 2021 for $1,680 that had not been submitted or paid. The board voted to pay them.
They approved the license renewal application for The Elizabeth Guesthouse and Restaurant, located at 32 Main Street. It includes the outdoor patio. A representative said they will likely seek an entertainment license, too.
Because of confusion with the expiration date, they tabled the application for Automobile Graveyard/Junkyard permit for Todd Wilson, on Gore Road.
The board voted to remove Natalie Andrews from the Town of Bethel accounts with Norway Savings Bank, Northeast Bank and Androscoggin Bank and signed the account agreement documents. Kelly asked if there could be a policy for off-boarding future town employees.
The Board voted to approve the Town terminate the sewer bill on the empty Ethel Bisbee lot. The ice skating rink is unaffected as they use the fire hydrant for their water.
Under new business they asked the Ordinance Review Committee to work on LD-2003. This would be to fulfill the mandate from the State of Maine. Bethel will be out of compliance, if not. LD-2003 is “an act to implement the recommendations of the commission to increase housing opportunities in Maine by studying zoning and land use restrictions.”
The Board accepted a $500 donation from Go Aviation, Inc. It will be deposited in the general usage fund.
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