First Selectman Ed Pentaleri said he had not known Sutter had any interest in continuing, and the contract expired last June. “Had we (talked) at any time from the end of June last year through the end of February of this year, we might have been able to produce some accommodation. But having already issued the RFP (request for proposals), I just don’t see how ...”

 

In opening the envelopes, Pentaleri said whoever gets the new contract needs to have their harvest plan in to the state by April 20.

 

Reading from Sutter’s bid, Pentaleri said it stated Sutter is not interested in a new five-year lease if the weir-and-trap method is not allowed, but if it is, he would pay $10 a bushel.

 

Pentaleri said it was his understanding Maine Department of Marine Resources does not allow that harvesting method there. Sutter said based on his queries to the state, he did not believe the DMR commissioner has the final say.

 

Thomas Keister bid 30% or $10 a bushel, Pentaleri said. Keister’s bid stated he harvested alewives on the Sebasticook River for 20 years, Pentaleri said. He said he will make sure Keister understands the terms listed in the RFP. “And we’ll go from there.”

 

According to Maine.gov, many of the 35 municipalities with commercial harvesting rights to alewives lease those privileges to independent fishermen.

 

Resident Ralph Hilton said the board normally does not address alewife harvesting until after town meeting. “Here this comes out of the blue.”

 

“Didn’t come out of the blue. It was at a public meeting” Feb. 22, and was on the agenda announced five days ahead, Pentaleri said. 

 

Due to Sutter’s service in maintaining the resource, “I think he should be the one at the top of the list,” Hilton said at another point.

 

Sutter’s bid had “some ambiguity” due to its stipulation on the harvesting method, and she would be concerned about making the April 20 deadline, Second Selectman Linda Kristan said.

 

Also March 8, the board announced a vacancy for one of Alna’s seats on Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission’s board of directors. Gordon Davis has been a really valued and warmly regarded board member, said Pentaleri, Alna’s other representative. He added, he would love to see new takers for one or both seats. 

 

The town’s new plowing contractor, Whitefield’s Mike Jewett, drew praise for this winter’s service. “Kudos,” Third Selectman Charles Culbertson said. Pentaleri cited a lack of complaints except for one he did not consider valid. “Kind of an amazing, dramatic change.”