Jon Assam

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key agenda items included tabling the approval of minutes from the December 2nd, 2025 meeting and tabling the approval of warrants, including FEMA reserve and community action grant expenditures, until after the executive session. Reports were provided by various departments (RSU 10, Constable, CEO, ACO, Fire) noting generally no significant action. The Treasurer's report addressed missing mail, stop payment fees, and bank reconciliations for November. Various committee minutes were approved, with the Planning Board postponing approvals until after the new year. Discussions under unfinished business focused on selling tax-acquired property, with a realtor investigating title concerns, leading to a motion to put a 1976 grader out to bid. New business involved a letter of support requiring signatures and discussion concerning the sale of the grader, noting its liability risk and the need for a new rental agreement for road work if it is sold. Finally, discussions touched upon acquiring a new range hood for the town hall and necessary electrical updates.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the 250th-year celebration event, specifically addressing concerns regarding the parade route, financing, and logistics. Key discussion points included whether the town required funding, the donation of tents, and the cost of portable toilets for event locations, with a consensus suggesting rentals for short events only. There was extensive debate concerning the parade route, focusing on minimizing hills for safety, particularly concerning elderly attendees and children on bikes. Proposed routes ranged from the current plan near the museum to starting further up on Tucker Road or Gurnie Hill. Discussions also covered the need for an event manager or coordinator to handle category recruitment for participants such as marching bands, fire trucks, and antique cars, and setting a date for further collaboration on planning during the next scheduled meeting.

The meeting included a discussion regarding the CEO Report, emphasizing the need to include names and locations of issued permits. The primary focus was the Shoreland Zoning Application for Ronald and Laurie Deane concerning property at 91 West Cove Dr. Following a site visit and consultation with MMA regarding height measurement definitions and prior non-actionable events, the board determined that planned additions were within the allowable 30% square footage limit and voted to issue Permit Number 2025 12 01 01, subject to specific restrictions on structure height, removal of ramps and deck as planned, and compliance with square footage limitations. Additionally, the board reviewed an "after the fact" Shoreland Zoning Application from Wesley Barry for a walk and stairs constructed in 2023 at 124 Lake View Drive, ultimately voting to deny the application because the construction was within 100 feet of the shoreline, violating the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance.

The Selectmen's meeting addressed several items. The 250 Year Celebration Event discussion was tabled. Reports were reviewed, including the Road Commissioner's report, and the Board noted that checks reissued due to lost mail in November had their stop payment fees waived by the bank. In unfinished business, the Board approved the purchase and installation plan for a new range hood for the Town Hall, to be paid from Community Action Grant funds. New business included signing a letter of support for an AVCOG grant concerning waste services, putting a grader up for bid, and approving updates to the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and the Emergency Response Plan (ERP). The Board entered into three separate executive sessions concerning the Health Officer, a Superior Court Complaint, and Junkyard Violations, following which they authorized the Town Attorney to take action on the junkyard violations and approved signing a contract for emergency services. Warrants were also approved for payment.

The meeting focused on the solid waste situation, noting that Almighty Waste and Andy Valley (Troiano) currently have no capacity. Casella expressed limited interest in curbside pickup but was willing to discuss a transfer station model. The committee discussed converting to a Transfer Station model, noting the availability of grants to assist with expenses. A survey indicated favorable response regarding central bulky waste stations instead of town-wide pickup. The Selectboard requested the committee to research relevant grants and invite a representative from the DEP or AVCOG to attend a future meeting. Assignments included contacting the DEP for transfer station regulation information and contacting AVCOG regarding the 2012 plan and CEBE for grant information. The concept of a Swap Shop was also discussed in relation to grant applications.