Alna Third Selectman Doug Baston told fellow board members June 29, the chairman of Whitefield’s board of selectmen believes a handshake deal would be enough to ensure Alna’s Bailey Road doesn’t hit a dead-end in Whitefield. However, Alna selectmen and resident Ralph Hilton said getting the deal in writing would hold Whitefield’s future boards of selectmen.to it.

“I think we should have something in writing because elections change things,” Hilton said.

“People come and go,” Baston agreed.

Selectmen began talking June 17 about approaching neighboring Whitefield with the idea of Alna taking over maintenance of a Whitefield stretch of Bailey Road, if Whitefield agreed not to discontinue that stretch without Alna’s approval. The possibility that a Whitefield gravel pit owner could someday offer to pay that town to discontinue the stretch has been a concern in Alna for years, Alna selectmen have said.

Baston said Monday that Whitefield Selectmen’s Chairman Dennis Merrill told him that, while he couldn’t speak for the full board, he doesn’t like dead-end roads; and that he is not aware of any interest by the pit’s owner in trying to discontinue that portion of the road.

Alna selectmen decided Monday to measure that stretch; talk with Alna’s plowing contractor Hagar Enterprises about possibly plowing it; and seek a meeting with Whitefield selectmen. In addition to the Bailey Road issue, the two boards could discuss other topics of mutual interest, such as how to address personal property tax, Alna selectmen said.

Added pay possible for treasurer

Selectmen talked about possibly paying Treasurer Honora Jordan for her time spent sorting out the town’s payroll tax issues. The pay would be in addition to her treasurer’s stipend because Jordan’s work to determine how much, if anything, the town still owes or overpaid the Internal Revenue Service, goes beyond the treasurer’s regular duties, selectmen said.

“It’s not part of the job description to be cleaning up after someone else’s mess,” First Selectman David Abbott said. Jordan, of Newcastle, was treasurer prior to Aaron Miller; she began serving again after MIller resigned in April.

Board members also discussed possibly paying Jordan’s mileage if she travels to an IRS office for a meeting.

Trash deal renewed

Selectmen signed the next year’s contract with WIscasset, for Alna to use the Wiscasset Transfer Station. The cost is up $687 to $71,823.

The board meets next on July 15.