Westport Island selectmen will hold a workshop with the town’s Budget Committee to discuss a proposed eight-page purchasing policy being recommended by the Budget Committee.

Budget Committee member Dennis Dunbar asked the selectmen during their meeting Monday evening, Feb. 4, when the board would be available to meet with the budget committee to discuss the adoption of the policy. The policy had been given to the selectmen some time ago for their review.

First Selectman George Richardson reminded Dunbar that Westport Island is a small town, not a large metropolis, which would need such a comprehensive purchasing policy that will end up costing the taxpayers more money.

“We (the selectmen) try our best to get the best deal for the taxpayers,” Richardson said. “What is wrong with the bidding process we use?

Dunbar said this is the reason the budget committee is asking for a workshop to discuss the proposed policy.

“It isn’t our intent to make the process more burdensome,” Dunbar said. “I believe you are overreacting to the proposal.”

After the exchange of a few more words between Richardson and Dunbar, Selectman Gerald Bodmer and Ross Norton agreed to meet with the budget committee to discuss the policy. No date was set for the meeting.

Richardson apologized to Dunbar for his reaction to the policy and agreed to discuss it further in a workshop. He also told Dunbar the town recognizes and appreciates all the work he does for the town. Dunbar serves on several town committees, including the RSU Withdrawal Committee and Conservation Commission; he is also the town’s webmaster and an elected member of Budget Committee.

Ordinances under review

Planning Board Chairman Ruth Nelson gave the selectmen a new Mobile Home Ordinance and a revised Mobile Home Park Ordinance for their review.

Nelson explained the town’s current Mobile Home Ordinance related mostly to Mobile Home Parks with just one small paragraph relating to mobile homes.

The Mobile Park Ordinance has been reviewed by the town’s attorney William Dale to insure it is in compliance with all state statutes, according to Nelson.

Nelson said her goal was to have the ordinance on a referendum in June. There will be several other ordinances for the town to vote on with minor revisions, she said..

Traffic mirror replacement

An accident on Route 144, and the Ferry Road on January 10 took down the traffic mirror and the pole it was mounted on. The selectmen will notify the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident and they will be submitting a claim for a new mirror and pole.

Norton will contact Maine Department of Transportation for instructions on having the mirror and pole replaced.

The mirror was put in place in 2010 to assist motorists coming out of the Ferry Road turning left, to see northbound traffic coming off the Island.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 207-844-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.