Rangeley’s Board of Selectmen heard updates and requests on several town projects, including the ongoing workforce housing development, snowmobile parking and an archway near the town cemetery, at its Sept. 21 meeting.

Matt Teare, the developer of the workforce housing project on Cross Street, told the board all 12 prefabricated structures were installed on schedule. The bulk of the work now is to connect utilities and finish the interiors of the units so they can be made ready for tenants. Teare said they are looking for the first leases to start this winter.

“What our goal is is to get enough done so we can get a temporary certificate of occupancy for, I would say, it’s somewhere in between, probably Dec. 1. We’re saying Jan. 1 is going to be the first move-in, but it might be a little bit sooner,” Teare said.

Selectman Leeanna Wilbur asked Teare to look into clearing up the application and rent calculation process for prospective tenants. The development operates on a sliding scale for rent. Tenants will pay 80% of the area median income

Wilbur said residents have been asking, “‘What happens in a year? If for some reason I’m successful at getting a better job, or you know, my family size increases.’ So, if there is some feedback information that might help with maybe some of the traction, I think that is kind of a red flag for some people of concern.”

Teare said he didn’t think there would be a drastic annual recalculation of rents, but he would get updated information on the questions back to the board.

OTHER PROJECTS

Chris Farmer spoke about a proposed arch installation behind Evergreen Cemetery. The arch would be 36 feet tall and 46 feet wide and commemorate the area’s long history of snowmobiling and the people who have made it possible. Additional arches are being considered for other locations in the area.

The installation of the arch would require using a cemetery roadway to access the section of the snowmobile trail. Farmer requested that the board consider adding a vote to the agenda to approve access to the cemetery roadway as a consent item because the arch had a long time frame and a decision needed to be made quickly to allow for a winter installation.

The board had tabled discussion of the project at its Sept. 8 meeting until the cemetery committee could review the proposal and further information was provided.

The board also heard information on a park-and-ride that the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club is pursuing on town land near the transfer station on Loon Lake Road.

Selectman Jacob Beaulieu said parking would alleviate some of the winter congestion at other lots in town. The club would fund the project using a roughly $100,000 grant, costing the town nothing. They would also be responsible for plowing and upkeep of the property. No action was taken, but the board expressed interest in moving forward with the project.

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