Discussion of the Chief position for Fire Rescue, the now-open Town Planner position, recent actions by Select Board chair Peter Bragdon, and the town’s ARPA funds are among items on the Select Board’s February 6 agenda. The board will also consider fees for Fire Rescue to cover special events and hear an update from Manager Bill Kerbin.
The meeting begins at 7 pm in the Meetinghouse and will be broadcast on local cable and live-streamed on Castus Cloud at this link.
Fire Rescue Chief position full-time or part-time? The board is expected to re-visit whether the Fire Rescue Chief position should be full-time or part-time. The board previously discussed the full-time vs. part-time question after an unsuccessful search for a full-time replacement for Jon Kiernan, who resigned in December 2021. Interim Chief Craig Bouchard has led NG Fire Rescue since then; he also serves with the Auburn Fire Department. Find the most recent job description for the Chief position at pp. 8-11 of the meeting agenda packet.
Town Planner position. With Town Planner Natalie Thomsen having recently accepted a position in Brunswick, the board will discuss the Planner position. Manager Bill Kerbin is asking the board to consider options, including contracting out for services, sharing the position with another town, or keeping the position in-house, according to the agenda. The most recent Planner job description can be found at pp. 12-15.
Select Board Chair Peter Bragdon. The board is slated to discuss recent actions by Chair Peter Bragdon and possible sanctions [p. 2]. Few details are provided, but the item likely concerns Bragdon’s actions during the December snowstorm and/or a separate incident involving text messages. Both matters were addressed by Bragdon and in public comment at the Board’s January 9 meeting.
ARPA spending, future and past. Of the $615,000 the town received in ARPA funds, some $274,000 is not yet spoken for. If the board were to decide on additional ARPA spending, that could affect the FY23-24 budget, planning for which is under way. Find a recap of ARPA spending to date and a list of projects proposed for the balance at pp. 16-18.
Fees for Fire Rescue to cover special events? The board will discuss whether Fire Rescue should begin charging for providing safety coverage at special events. The topic emerged at a recent budget workshop in discussion with Fire Rescue Interim Chief Craig Bouchard.
For the full agenda and related documents, including an update from Town Manager Bill Kerbin, click here. Public comments can be submitted by email before 10 am on Monday, February 6, to townmanager@newgloucester.com and smyers@newgloucester.com. If you want your comment read aloud, please indicate that in the subject line.
— Joanne Cole
