Dresden selectmen on May 26 considered the ambulance contract with Wiscasset for $25,000. It did not appear Dresden would be responsible for uncollectibles for the past year, but Town Administrator Michael Henderson and selectmen want to be sure. Henderson will find out. 

Henderson determined that, at town meeting, voters can lower, but not increase, the amount of surplus listed to use to ease the tax burden. The board increased the proposed amount from $25,000 to $50,000.

Henderson said the survey results of the preferred day for future town meetings were added to the warrant, as suggested at the last board meeting.

Henderson noted the town office phones have been very busy and a second line could help, even after the pandemic. He also looked into partnering with another town for a part-time town clerk. Most could not, but there may be a possibility with Richmond. The board encouraged Henderson to continue to pursue this. For now, a part-time town clerk job has been posted on the town website.

A decision about whether or not to fully reopen the town office will wait until the board’s June 9 meeting. Selectman Gerald Lilly noted Maine still has an increasing number of COVID-19 cases so holding off on the decision makes sense. Pownalborough Hall will be available for town committees to meet as long as those groups are under 10 people and practice social distancing in the building.

After an executive session with Ben Goodall of Goodall Landscaping to discuss the snowplow contract, the board voted to continue the contract with the business, which is in its final year of a three-year contract. The final year will be about $198,000, $20,000 less than last year. Moeller said if there are any issues with the contract over the winter, Goodall would be responsible for any more costs.

The board appointed Henderson town clerk and registrar of voters so he can handle election-related duties a town clerk normally would.