Board of Selectmen Meeting, September 18, 2023
[Note to subscribers: Sorry for the reporting delay. I’ve been on vacation.]
Alcohol Vending Proposal for Halloween Festival
The Recreation Department requested permission to have a vendor selling alcohol at its Halloween Festival on October 21. 400 people attended last year. The Recreation Department aims to instill a sense of community, like what happened with National Night Out. The goal of the proposal is to make the event fun for all ages, not just families. Approval requires an override or amendment to the town’s ordinance against alcohol on town property.
Selectman Dabrio asked if there will be anything else for the adults to do other than drink. The Recreation Department plans to create events for the adults, to add to the smores and fire pit events last year. Adults also enjoy watching the kids in their costumes. Food will also be sold.
The Police Chief said that she was confident that no one would get so intoxicated as to create a problem. Alcohol will only be allowed within a controlled area. Other towns do this with their similar events. The Police Chief also said that in the past people were sneaking alcohol into the Halloween Festival.
Vice Chairman Morin opposed permitting alcohol. The vote was 3 to 1 in favor. Chairman Bartlett was absent.
Facilities Assessment Report
The Facilities Assessment Committee presented their final report, detailing a large number of problems and deficiencies in the town’s buildings and how they are cared for. [A future article will cover the details of this report.] The $40k approved by the voters this year for maintenance issues has been held waiting for this report.
There was a discussion about what problems should be prioritized. The committee said that the top priority was the need to designate a single person within town government to oversee facilities. That person should be charged with setting priorities.
The Town Administrator noted that the firm used for janitorial services in the town hall, City Wide Services, provides maintenance and contracting services, too, and that she has discussed with them the possibility of addressing some facilities issues, such as the unsafe conditions in the closed-off portions of the town hall building.
The board plans to conduct a workshop session to discuss the findings.
Other News
Town Beach Access. An issue arose that someone who knew the combination unlocked the gate to Town Beach. This should not have been done. This road goes over private property. The owners permit access only from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Violations of this may cause the town to lose access to its beach.
The town is looking for a volunteer to join the Capital Improvement Program board.
In the period for public comments, there was a presentation of new issues about the termination of the Fire Chief and Lieutenant. [An article in the near future will cover this information]. The board set a hard limit of 3 minutes for public comment and moved to end the presentation at the 3 minute mark.
Town News Not from the Board of Selectmen Meeting
The town is seeking public input on whether Marston Fields should be renamed. Submit your vote.
The Recycling Center has begun winter hours.
Hazardous waste collection opportunity in Raymond, 8 am to noon, October 28.
Watch the video: