| Joanne Cole |
Money matters dominated the conversation at the Select Board’s September 16 meeting. Demolition bids in over budget, unsuccessful attempts to fill open Public Works positions, guidelines for next year’s budget planning and more were discussed over the three-hour meeting.
But the meeting opened with acknowledgments and appreciation for the 250th celebration held the previous week. Her voice breaking with emotion, Linda Chase, chair of the Semiquincentennial Committee, stepped to the mic to thank by name her fellow committee members, Town staff, Select Board members and others for their hard work to mark New Gloucester’s 250th.
The 250th festivities culminated with a parade and fair on September 7, but Chase wanted to let the community know that it’s not quite over. Still ahead is a 250th commemorative book, and the committee welcomes photo submissions. Contact them at 250bday@newgloucester.com.
Public Works staffing woes. Public Works’ staffing challenges are taking on extra urgency with multiple positions open as winter plowing and sanding loom. Public Works Director Ted Shane told the board that the department would normally be gearing up now to start hauling winter sand to the Public Works facility—some 500 truckloads—but he lacks the manpower.
Efforts to fill two open positions have so far proved unsuccessful, Manager Bill Kerbin said. Wages are on the table, but he wanted the board to look at “other options as well, just to get us through the winter.” Kerbin mentioned seeking seasonal workers, offering signing bonuses and contracting out work, among other possibilities.
When it was his turn, Shane noted that a third employee had announced his imminent retirement that very day. “So now there are three openings,” he said. The department has eight full-time positions, including for Buildings and Grounds work, counting Shane himself.
Discussion centered on pay. Shane described current employees departing for better compensation in other towns and applicants declining offers here in favor of more attractive alternatives. New Gloucester had been offering $20-21 an hour, then increased it to $21-$23, but still “got nothing,” he said. “The towns around us are much higher than that.”
Kicking up the hourly rate was an agreed first step. An ad is now up with a $23-26 per hour figure.
But if that doesn’t draw qualified applicants, and soon, how to manage the sand-hauling and other work? And what about increases so current employees’ wages keep pace? Kerbin and Shane will develop a detailed plan and return to the board. They’ll also provide alternatives for covering near-term work, like the sand hauling, should hiring prove slow or unsuccessful despite the higher rates being offered.
Bids for salt and sand shed demolition over budget. Nine bids came in to demolish and dispose of the former salt and sand building in the Upper Village. Bids ranged from $44,000 to $140,000, all exceeding the $40,000 budgeted for the work. Board members discussed whether it’s permissible ‘find the money’ elsewhere in the budget to close the gap, or whether that’s precluded by voters having authorized only $40,000 from the town’s surplus. Legal will be consulted.
A representative from Almighty Waste, in the Meetinghouse for the demolition bid opening, had heard the board discuss the lack of offers for Fire Rescue’s old squad truck that’s for sale online. Drawing laughter, the contractor spoke up, “I’ll take that truck and 33 grand” to do the salt and sand shed work. Another contractor sitting nearby commented, “That’s a good offer.”
Shane will review the bid details and return with recommendations. He expressed hope that Legal would approve of using other existing funds to avoid further delay. Having to secure additional funds from voters would push the timeline way out; the demolition was to be completed by Thanksgiving.
RFP approved for Fairgrounds bathroom building design work. Bids to develop full design documents for the Fairgrounds bathrooms and storage structure will be due October 21, following board approval of a draft RFP.
The conceptual drawing prompted cost concerns from some board members. The sketch shows an attractive addition to the existing pavilion building with four bathrooms, some water fountains, a window for concessions and a golden retriever on the grass out front. Concerns touched on whether the proposed facility is “over the top,” as member Steve Hathorne put it, and whether the funds budgeted so far—some $160,000, Parks and Recreation Director Sarah Rodriguez said—will be sufficient.
Rodriguez said that having detailed drawings will help clarify what’s involved and likely construction costs. Once that’s known, the town can adjust the plan—make two bathrooms operational instead of four, for example–or stretch the timeline and defer elements until later, as needed. The design work is the first step toward the vision.
Also Fairgrounds-related, Rodriguez will take steps toward safer traffic flow and parking there, especially on congested weekend days. Board members have fielded complaints about drivers speeding during games or parking on the track, as well as from residents feeling shut out from walking the track.
Rodriguez said that traffic flow has been a challenge on Sunday mornings, when schedule and space limitations mean that vehicles are arriving for Patriot Soccer Club games at the same time that flag football players are departing. She will communicate with the two groups; cones and signage are also likely ahead. Longer-term solutions like allowing parking along Bald Hill Road by the Fairgrounds fence will be explored, all agreed.
Economic and Community Development Committee to pursue grant. The board authorized the Economic and Community Development Committee to apply for a $10,000 no-match Community Connections grant. New Gloucester is eligible to apply as a designated age-friendly community.
If awarded, the funds would be used for a safety project with Fire Rescue: providing reflective street numbers for homes that lack them. An estimated half of New Gloucester homes/mailboxes don’t have the numbers, which are required by town ordinance to help speed emergency response.
Under the plan supported by Chief Craig Bouchard, Fire Rescue would make the rounds in official vehicles, speak with homeowners and provide the needed numbers. ECDC Chair Connie Justice explained to the board that the grant would cover the cost of the numbers and Fire Rescue personnel’s time and mileage. The board was on board.
FY26 budget parameters. With FY26 budget planning coming soon, the board set guidelines for the manager and departments. Those include a target of a five percent max increase in each departmental budget, absent “solid reasons” justifying more, and up to three percent “merit” increases for employees. The merit pay is a change from last year’s three percent cost-of-living increases across the board.
As he builds a preliminary budget, the also board wants Manager Bill Kerbin to consider changes to the employee benefits package, including whether new employees should shoulder a higher proportion of health insurance premiums than currently. Another benefits question is whether the town should continue to contribute more toward health insurance premiums for an employee with a family plan than with an individual plan.
Other items the board asked Kerbin to keep in mind as he works up his proposed budget include an engineering study of Town Hall to determine its suitability for future uses, funds to continue moving the Upper Village plans forward, and possible full-time director positions for Buildings and Grounds and the Transfer Station. All are topics that emerged in board discussions over the course of the year.
Date set for Annual Town Meeting. The board set Monday, May 5, 2025, as the date for the annual town meeting. The budget will be on the agenda. So far, the weather forecast looks fine.
View video of the September 16, 2024, Select Board meeting at this link. Find contact information for Select Board members and links to meeting agendas, minutes and related documents at this link.
