The Dresden Board of Selectmen accepted a three-year $579,091 bid from snow plowing contractor Goodall Landscaping of Topsham at its regular meeting Monday night.

Goodall’s bid was the low bid of two the board discussed at its April 6 meeting after rejecting a third bid from local contractor R. Lilley & Daughters because of a lack of the required bid bond.

Goodall’s total bid contract for three years consists of payment increments of $187,354, $192,974 the second year, and $198,763 the third year. Goodall has been the contractor the last two years for the town’s plowing after Holbrook Excavation of Woolwich backed out of the previous three-year contract.

Appropriation of funds for this year’s payment for the contract must go before a vote at Dresden’s annual town meeting on Saturday, June 13.

The other contractor, Steven McGee Construction of West Gardiner bid a total $616,000 for three years broken down into increments of $198,000 the first year, $207,00 the second year, and $211,000 the third year.

Animal control

Richmond Town Manager Janet Smith attended the board’s Monday session to discuss the prospect for Dresden hiring Richmond’s animal control officer.

The subject of whether to continue with the Lincoln County animal control officer or to look at the Richmond option has been a matter for board discussions lately.

The board did not make any decision on the matter Monday and stated its desire to consider staying with the Lincoln County officer, since the county has been training two or three other people to serve as animal control officer thus making it more palatable. Selectmen indicated their intentions to pursue the matter further before coming to a final decision.

MMA inspection

Selectmen spoke about the recent Maine Municipal Association inspection it makes periodically for insurance clients like Dresden.

The board listed several items the town has to take care of, including a concrete base for the propane tank at the Old Town Hall and a tree leaning toward the porch of the building, ceiling insulation handing from the ceiling of the firehouse in the Village and examination of the outside stairway there, and repositioning of some ceiling tiles in Pownalborough Hall.

Roadwork update

Selectman Allan Moeller reported on roadwork scheduled for the town. One of the projects entails riprap on about 500 feet of road on Blinn Hill to prevent the area from washing out in heavy rains.

Another project the town road crew will tackle includes tree cutting on Call’s Hill for 1,000 feet from the Wiscasset line and on. The tree cutting will prepare the area for roadwork later.

Fire department/transfer station

Dresden Fire Dept. now has a trailer on permanent loan from Lincoln County EMA to haul its six-wheel ATV for use for fires in the woods.

The transfer station held an E-waste day on Saturday, reporting another successful collection filling the entire truck there.

The board also discussed updating the FEMA map, which requires a public hearing followed by a town meeting vote. So far the board has set no date for a public hearing.

New business permit

Selectmen said the Freedom Center, a place for recovery from various issues like alcoholism, has not yet received a business permit. The center needs to supply a map of the first floor for fire security purposes and a fire drill plan before it can receive a permit from the town, according to selectmen.

Gardiner ambulance report

Gardiner Fire Chief Al Nelson gave a report to the board on the Gardiner Ambulance Service, which Dresden has contracted for its emergency service.

Nelson said the city’s service made 89 emergency trips for Dresden residents. The average time amounted to 17 and one-half minutes, with a low of four minutes and a high one time of 37 minutes due to complications.

Community meetings

Maple Grove Cemetery Association will hold a meeting on May 9 at 10 a.m. in Pownalborough Hall. This meeting is open to the public. 

Dresden Historical Society members will meet on Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the Yellow School House on Route 128 (River Road).

Dresden Comprehensive Plan workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Pownalborough Hall. There is a public hearing set for Saturday, May 30 from 9 to noon at the hall. Check out www.dresdencompplan.weebly.com. or www.facebook.com/DresdenCompPlan.