Selectpeople set mil rate at 24.25

    LIMESTONE, Maine — The Limestone Selectpeople held their regular monthly meeting on Aug. 20 where they voted on the town’s proposed mil rate. The board of selectpeople voted on a mil rate of 24.25, the same rate the town approved last year.
“The only difference with this year’s mil rate is the town’s overlay,” said Town Manager Donna Bernier. “The overlay is used in case the assessor has made any mistakes in valuing people’s property.”
This year, the town has an overlay of $64,000, which increased from $48,000 last year.
Board chairman Tom Devoe posed the question of whether or not Bernier believed $48,000 was enough overlay for the town. Bernier replied by explaining that she didn’t believe $48,000 was enough, and the $64,000 overlay gives the town a small cushion to work with, in case of any mistakes.
The proposed mill rate of 24.25 with an overlay of $64,000 was voted on and passed with three votes for and one vote against.
The town also reviewed and approved the Limestone Union Local 220 Council 93 union contract for the upcoming year. The contract was reviewed and approved with no further discussion.
Bernier explained that she posted the recreation department’s director position, and the only change that had to be made was the information that it could potentially turn into a full-time position in the future.
Bernier also informed the board that she has collected all the resumes for the Town Manager position, which will soon be vacant, as Bernier is retiring in the very near future.
“I’d like to review them,” Bernier said. “I think it’s something we can do in executive session.”
Board member Tom Albert agreed that the board should meet to review the applicants for the position, but he added that he felt the number of applicants should be cut down before any review were to take place.
“There’s no sense in bringing 10 people in for interviews,” said Albert. “Instead, if we score them, so we can bring five, or maybe even just three good candidates in for the interview process.”
The board decided to hold a special meeting to review the applicants for the Town Manager position, which will be held Wednesday, Aug. 27 at the Limestone Town Office. The meeting will only include the one agenda item, and it will be handled in executive session.
Albert posed a question regarding the recent vandalism that occurred in the Michaud Park last week. According to Albert, an unknown number of people painted graffiti on some of the walls by the concession stands. The graffiti is clearly visible to those driving by the park.
“It’s certainly an eyesore,” said Albert. “Can we put cameras up in the park to try to stop what’s been going on down there. Even if we just put a camera up at the top of a pole that would probably make a big difference. We have one cop, so when he’s gone, people can do whatever they want.
At first, it was the understanding of the board members that this act of vandalism happened during the day at the park, but as more comes out about the incident, it’s believed it occurred sometime at night.
“This happened not too long ago on the tennis courts, as well,” said Albert. “I think we need to find out if Stacey has any ideas about where to go from here.”
Selectperson Fred Pelletier has spoken with local police in Limestone and explained they are currently trying to get footage from the camera on Griffith Blvd, but right now, the police are still not sure at what point in the day the incident happened. Nothing has been discovered yet.
Pelletier took the opportunity to speak to members of the town, telling citizens, “when you see something going on, call the police department. Some people will witness a crime and they call the police a full day later, which doesn’t help us at all,” said Pelletier.
Board members for the town of Limestone are urging anyone who knows anything about crimes being committed in the town, or anyone who knows anything about the vandalism that occurred in Michaud Park, to please contact the Limestone Police Department at 325-4702.