Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — While the Limestone Selectpeople viewed a small agenda during their Jan. 20 meeting, the majority of their time was spent discussing various important items that fell into the category of “other.” Selectperson Wade McLaughlin announced his intentions to resign from his recently elected temporary term, stating that he will be working on a gubernator campaign. At the time of the meeting, McLaughlin was unable to name the candidate due the fact that the candidate has not yet made it public knowledge about intentions to run for office.
With the anticipation of decreased state funding for FY2011, the Limestone Selectpeople and budget committee members face the challenges of possibly having to be creative with budget allocations, a few suggestions made by Selectperson Mary Morin have caused quite a stir in the small town.
Openly stating that while she knew that many would disagree with her suggestions, Morin offered five possible areas where the town might decrease spending: eliminate the stipends of volunteer firefighters, freeze wages, review possible savings resultant of hiring the services of the Sheriff’s Department, and collecting outstanding taxes.
“Department heads need to understand that when the state is cutting back on personnel and spending, we’re gong to have to do that also,” she explained, mentioning that if the state is going to be giving the town less money next year, the town is going to have to cut costs.
As she expected, many disagree with Morin’s suggestion to remove the volunteer firefighter stipend. She explained her reasoning, describing her experiences as a volunteer with the local ambulatory service when she was in high school.
“I went there, I paid for my own gas, my own meals — I never got a cent,” she recalled. “The definition of a volunteer is a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service for undertaking; a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.”
“If we cut volunteer pay, we would save $6,969 a quarter and $27,876 a year,” she added. “That may not sound like much, but it’s a start.”
During her manager’s report, Limestone Town Manager Donna Bernier updated the Selectpeople on previously discussed items including the possibility of offering already established businesses a tax Increment Financing (TIF) variation; she informed the Selectpeople that a TIF isn’t applicable unless the business is in the beginning stages or expanding significantly, though Bernier mentioned the possibility of assisting existing businesses with various grants. She also informed the board of a possibility for the town to obtain snow removal equipment through the Maine Department of Transportation.
Wrapping up discussion items from the last meeting, Bernier also discussed with the Selectpeople the importance of having an appealing Web page. Though the town Web page is currently managed by the technology students of the Limestone Community School, Bernier suggested that the town might benefit from increased Web attention. They also discussed the town’s current Internet provider contract, and the possibility of reducing the amount spent on Internet.
Limestone Police Chief Stacey Mahan informed the selectpeople during the meeting of the resignation of Officer David Salkind. Mahan also informed the board that Officer John Deveau has filled the full-time position.
Code Enforcement Officer Rebecca McBreairty presented the Selectpeople with an update on the clean-up initiative; her report indicated that the town continues moving forward toward the elimination of dilapidated structures in disrepair that create hazardous eye sores around Limestone.
Representatives of the Downtown Revitalization Committee Adam Kohler and Pat Kilpatrick updated the board on recent committee development, including a multi-step plan to create a walking trail. The next meeting of the Downtown Revitalization Committee is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the town office.
There were two items to be addressed during New and Old Business of the agenda: the selectpeople approved tax abatement for Edgecomb Farms, LLC and signed a quitclaim deed for a property.
The selectpeople will meet tonight at 6:30 with President and CEO of the Loring Development Authority (LDA) Carl Flora to discuss FY11 contribution to the fire and police services shared by Limestone and the LDA.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the selectpeople will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building in Limestone.
