Dresden selectmen

Dresden election moves to July 14

Wed, 05/13/2020 - 8:15am

    The Dresden town election will be July 14, along with the state primary and the town’s special election previously scheduled for April 7. Town meeting will be Saturday, July 18 at 9 a.m. The location has not been set due to the ongoing changes in COVID-19 precautions. Selectmen voted on the schedule in their Zoom meeting May 12.

    The board reviewed a draft of the town warrant. A final draft will be prepared for the next meeting on May 26. One warrant article has voters consider changing future town meetings to Tuesdays, the most popular day in a survey that went out. Officials said the article can be amended at town meeting. First Selectman Allan Moeller Sr. asked if the amount of money taken from surplus could go up or down. Town Administrator Michael Henderson said he would confirm an answer for the next meeting. And the one-year proposed contract with Wiscasset Ambulance Service was still awaiting an answer from the Wiscasset Select Board.

    Selectmen also discussed the town clerk vacancy. Henderson noted the staff is OK for now but will definitely need help as things open up. He said even having someone who is trained come in one or two days a week would be extremely helpful. He is in touch with several surrounding towns to see if they would be willing to collaborate.

    Having reviewed bids for a solid waste contract from Riverside Waste Disposal, Pine Tree Waste and EcoMaine, the board voted to stick with Pine Tree Waste, the cheapest option. Selectmen plan to enter into a three-year contract that starts July 1.

    Henderson discussed the possibility of installing plexiglass shields for employees at the town office once it re-opens. Henderson reported the town is slightly behind on tax collection versus last year, but still at 95 percent.

    The board went into executive session to discuss a memo from the town attorney. After exiting the session, they voted to move ahead with the legal action on the Beasley gravel pit.