The Dresden Board of Selectmen discussed the possibility of joining other neighboring communities in a Maine Rural Water/Wastewater Agency response network for mutual assistance in catastrophic events.

Joining the network of communities would mean Dresden could get state help if something like a hurricane did extensive damage to an area of town, and Dresden would be expected to provide aid to other communities in the network, according to Town Administrative Assistant Trudy Foss.

Foss told selectmen on June 18 that membership in the network would mean contributing manpower resources to other towns in emergency situations – not funds – after selectmen expressed concerns about the cost involved.

Third Selectman Allan Moeller said the board does not know enough about the program yet to make a decision on whether to join the network.

Chairman Phil Johnston asked if Moeller would ask Richmond officials about the program, since he works for the highway department there and Richmond has joined the network.

According to the information the board received, towns can make a request orally or in writing for help. By joining the network, the town would be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, which it might not otherwise be able to receive, Foss said.

"I think it's a great idea, but I would like to have a better understanding of the background," Johnston said. Therefore, the board tabled the matter until it receives more information about the pros and cons of enlisting in the state program.

Fire department news

Fire Chief Gerald Lilly said the fire truck door and relief valves, damaged in a recent explosion, will cost an estimated $1,783 to repair. Lilly said the fire department has replaced the door but awaits new relief valves to install. The accident occurred due to faulty relief valves that needed replacing, according to a report Lilly made at a board meeting earlier this month.

Lilly also reported that in a recent call for mutual aid, no drivers were available for the tanker-pumper truck needed at the scene. He said the truck requires special training to drive, as well as a Class II license. Only three people qualify.

Handling the 3,100-gallon truck during an emergency could be dangerous for personnel who may have a Class II license but lack special training, according to Lilly. "That's my concern," he said.

In the future, he suggested trading another truck, which he described as a pumper, for a smaller tanker-pumper, which has automatic transmission and carries 2,000 gallons of water instead and does not require a Class II license to drive.

In other fire department news, the board voted to approve the re-appointment of Lilly as fire chief and Steve Lilly as assistant fire chief.

Other business

The board voted to stay with Central Maine Power for its electricity. At a past meeting, the board discussed the prospects for staying with the CMP and voted not to go with Glacial Energy, which had made a lower bid. Selectmen did not feel comfortable with the bid and sought other possibilities.

The board also decided to ask for consultation from OSHA for the solid waste operation in town. "It's in our best interests," Moeller said. The federal agency operates through the Maine Department of Labor, according to Foss.

The board announced it will meet Thursday, June 28, at 6 p.m. to sign the warrant due to the upcoming holiday week when there will be no meetings and the town office will closed all week for vacation.

The board has slated July meetings on Mondays, July 16 and 30, at 6 p.m. The next workshops will be held Mondays, June 25 and July 9, at 6 p.m.