Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
An Intent to Cut was approved for David White.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the minutes of the December 8, 2021 meeting. (Selectman Cloutier abstained).
A Memo of Understanding for the 45th Parallel EMS was signed by Chairman Cloutier.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved an Abatement Application for the Great North Woods Center of the Arts.
A Veteran’s Tax Credit was approved for Timothy Fuller.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to encumber $25,000.00 from the 2021 Summer Road Budget to be used in 2022 for the purpose of culvert replacement and surface repair of a section of Gray Road pursuant to a contract with Cloutier Sand & Gravel to do the work.
Marcia informed the Board that 95% of the 2021 property taxes have been received.
At 6:30 pm Donald Dawson from Netafy entered the meeting. Mr. Dawson came to the meeting at the request of the Board to discuss partnering with the Town to expand broadband using ARPA funds received from the federal government. Mr. Dawson explained his company’s existing presence in Town and what they hoped to achieve in the future. Selectman Stohl said that he had been talking to State Senator Erin Hennessey who had expressed the idea that there may be State monies that could match what the Town puts into this project. Selectman Stohl will contact Senator Hennessey to see if we can set up a meeting where the Board, Senator Hennessey and Mr. Dawson could meet altogether. Mr. Dawson said that at that meeting he would provide more information in the form of slides, Goggle Earth images, etc. of their present towers in Town, etc. Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 8:10 pm.
A contract for the Northern Borders Dispatch Center was signed for a five-year period. Selectman Campbell reviewed for the other Board members issues at the Center regarding staffing, budgets, etc.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen