Searsport Newsletter

November 30, 2021 

SELECT BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENTS - There were no announcements.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - There were no comments.

OLD BUSINESS – The board heard from Wendi Hammel and Gerry French explaining why they would like to represent the town on the RSU board. Members of the Select board all had questions for both candidates.  After the questions, the board appointed Wendi Hammel to the RSU 20 School Board. The board tabled the General Assistance Maximums to a public hearing to be heard at a later meeting. The board heard a report from the manager about the process that Grimmel Industries is required to follow to test the storm-water ponds. This testing record is kept and reviewed by the Department of Environmental Protection. He had called four DEP numbers to confirm that Grimmel is not in violation. As of this date they have not called back. The board approved the permit conditional pending a positive report from Maine State DEP. 

NEW BUSINESS – The town manager explained that many towns are using Cost Recovery to collect fees for Fire Department actions. This is mostly used when the Fire Department has responded to accidents. Searsport residents have had many discussions about this over the years and overall, the discussions were in favor of trying to recover costs. Moving forward will require the Board to develop a policy. The board authorized the manager to develop a policy and move ahead.

11^th HOUR – There was none.

SELECTBOARD REPORTS – Mark Bradstreet thanked the applicants for the RSU20 Board it is good to see people interested in boards. He commented that the sign at the community building looks very nice. Linda Payson also commented that the community building sign looks nice. She asked about the ribbon cutting and the manager will have economic development reschedule. She informed the board that the Waldo County Budget Committee will meet on Saturday all day. They categorize their Warrant different that we do and she would like to see if we can do the same. The manager will look into it. She lastly commented that Norris Street is shaping up. The manager reported that this is scheduled to be pave early next week. Sandra Otis Anderson commented on the sign and reported that there will be free vegetables are given away at the Public Safety Building on Friday. They have a lot of potatoes. She also announced that Kindness will have a Thanksgiving take out meal and you should sign up ahead of time for it. Steve Tanguay asked Sandra if the Kindness program will be getting any State Aid for the food program. The Governor just made an announcement about it. He let everyone know that there is new Facebook groups called EAT Searsport. This is to highlight to dinning opportunities here. He finally commented that a lot of Federal transportation is coming to Maine and most of it is coming to Searsport including dredge money.

SELECTBOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENTS - The town manager announced and introduced Brian Lunt as the new full time police officer for the Town of Searsport.  He comes to us with over 20 years in law enforcement and is an EMT. Welcome to Searsport, Brian!  

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - A resident asked for an update on the Broadband Project. The manager stated that we are reviewing the contract and also reviewing another proposal from another company.  We are making sure we are in line for the funding that is coming from the state for Broadband.  Right now, the contract with Axiom is on hold as we review proposals and other opportunities.

An executive session was held to talk with the Chief of Police and Town Manager about employment contracts Directly after the session the board voted to enter into a Pilot Program for a Public Safety Director for a 7-month period starting December 1, 2021 and to add a full-time day police officer position. The police chief, Todd Boisvert, was named as Public Safety Director. Coming from executive session the board also voted to offer a $1000.00 sign on bonus to new EMT's and drivers as an incentive to attract employees to the service.  Anyone interested should see the manager for details.  

OLD BUSINESS - The manager presented a policy for Cost Recovery with fee schedules for the Selectboard to consider which would recoup fees when the Fire Department responds to accidents for non-residents and also for residents if the resident is negligent in any way. Any money that is received would go to replace revenue in the Capital Reserve Account for the fire Department.  Being a policy, the board tabled this to the next regular meeting for public comments.

NEW BUSINESS - The board approved the assessing contract for 2022 with RJD Appraisals. The board then approved a Quit Claim Deed for Account 610. The manager explained that the property taxes are now current but multiple years had been liened which required a Quit Claim deed to be signed and recorded.  

ELEVENTH HOUR - Chair Doug Norman proposed on behalf of the entire Selectboard a new program to be implemented at the Community Building for Game Day for Senior Citizens – the Selectboard will be the Committee and will use seed money from the Miscellaneous operating budget of $100.00 to start the program.  This program will be implemented once the Covid numbers start to decline.

SELECTBOARD REPORTS – Mark Bradstreet is pleased with the overlay on Route 1 and says he has residents checking in with the same good news! He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Mark Bradstreet reminded residents that the office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26 for Thanksgiving Holiday. Linda Payson thanked the town for the paving of Norris Street and said it looks great. She also wished everyone a great Thanksgiving Holiday.  She said there will be a Tree Lighting in the near future! Steve Tanguay wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Doug Norman thanked Janine Carpenter, Historic Preservation Commission for helping research and find the builder of his home. Doug Norman encouraged other residents with historical homes to contact the Historic Preservation Commission and look into having their home researched.

COMING SOON

Meetings

Selectboard Meeting on December 7th at 6pm - Union Hall

Selectboard Meeting on December 21st at 6pm - Union Hall

EVENTS

Christmas Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 4 at 6:00 P.M. On the Crescent, Main Street, Searsport!

Come join the fun as we officially switch on the lights of this year's Town Christmas tree!

There will be hot cocoa and treats. If you have a musical instrument that doesn't require electricity (guitar, accordion, sleigh bells, etc.!) please bring them along and join us as we sing some Christmas carols and just hang out! You need not be a professional singer, it's Christmas, and we just want to make some happy noise!

Many thanks to the fine folks of HOBBA (Head Of the Bay Business Alliance) for supplying and decorating our Town's Tree this year!

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday! Happy Holidays!