LIVERMORE — Selectpersons unanimously voted Tuesday to hold the annual Town Meeting by referendum ballot a week after some favored holding an open meeting. A decision on the style and date of Town Meeting was to be made at the April 26 meeting.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with people and they all seem to want to go to a referendum style meeting, at least again this year,” Selectperson Brett Deyling said. “People don’t think it will be representative of the town if we have a traditional meeting because people will be scared to go.”
“I’ve had a lot of people calling me with the same thing,” Selectperson Scott Richmond said.
The town office closed temporarily March 29 because of a possible COVID-19 exposure.
“I was leaning toward having a Town Meeting until we had the issues here last week,” Selectperson Benjamin Guild said on April 5. “I don’t really want to see the same issues happen with a large gathering.”
Speaking in support of an open meeting last week were Deyling and Selectperson Tracey Martin. Richmond asked what would happen if they get to the point where the Town Meeting can’t be changed.
Selectperson Benjamin Guild was not present for the vote Tuesday.
“We all got the same feedback, I like it,” Martin said after the vote.
In other business, the board agreed to fund the town’s portion of the annual July 4th fireworks if the other towns are participating.
The Jay-Livermore-Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce puts on the display with funding from the three communities. The fireworks were canceled last year because of COVID-19.
Waiting until May or June to decide was suggested but money is in the budget.
“We have the money allocated. Let’s just say yes we’ll do it unless we’re the only town putting money into it,” Deyling said.
Bids were also awarded for two tax-acquired properties. Jean and John Castonguay’s bid of $2,150 was accepted for property located on Map R08 056. Jamie and Timothy Chambers submitted a bid of $1,100 while Christopher York’s bid was for $1,000.
The property tucks around the Castonguay lot, Martin said.
A nonconforming lot on Federal Road/Route 4 identified as Map U26 006 was awarded to Benjamin York who bid $1,500. The Chambers bid $1,100 for the property.
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