Alna selectmen said Nov. 1, the modular town office they were expecting Nov. 15 is now set to arrive Nov. 30. And project volunteer Ralph Hilton said the roof and some other parts get added on-site. So the building could take until mid-December, he said.

“Some assembly required,” Second Selectman Ed Pentaleri explained in response to questions after the meeting. Asked when the town office will open, he said that is now a wild card. Members learned earlier in the week about the change in arrival date. Third Selectman Doug Baston predicted a “rolling opening” where town business will transition from the cape to the modular behind it.

The septic tank and a 300-foot deep well are in, and plans called for pouring the concrete floor Nov. 5,  Hilton said. KBS Building Systems of South Paris is custom-building the town office. Production takes a week and has not started, Baston said. He said he found out when he asked for photos of the work.

Also Nov. 1, the board split on keeping auditor William H. Brewer. The Bath firm bid $7,100 for 2019, $7,200 for 2020 and $7,300 for 2021, plus $50-$100 an hour for other work. RHR Smith & Company of Buxton bid $5,500 a year, plus $100-$150 for other work. First Selectman Melissa Spinney said Brewer also helps with QuickBooks. “It’s a better deal because of the services they provide throughout the year.” 

Pentaleri suggested the board further review the offers. Spinney said she didn't want the board to miss out on a good firm. Only two applied due to the town’s fiscal year ending Jan. 31, she said.

In their majority vote for Brewer, Baston and Spinney said the audit will have a deadline and a penalty for missing it. In June, a Brewer representative told the board the wait for this year's audit was due to an issue on the town's end, not the firm's.

The town will pay Burgess Technology Services of Bath $130 an hour for information technology (IT) work including monthly backups, selectmen said.

The board meets next at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the town office.