Highest payroll ever for Woodstock firefighters

WOODSTOCK — Woodstock selectmen signed off on an unusually expensive firefighter payroll during a meeting of the board last week.

The expense is a side effect of an extremely busy three months.

"It is the highest payroll the fire department has ever had," said member Tom Hartford.  He said that there have been a lot of calls, some of which required fire fighters remaining on scene for over eight hours.

The payroll covered the first quarter of 2011. Selectmen also approved the reelection of Fire Chief Geff Inman.

Despite an impassioned appeal from Road Commissioner Randy Eastman, Woodstock town officials will be getting at least one more quote on a new plow truck.

Eastman likes a particular International that will be built to order by H.P. Fairchild, complete with a new plow and sander, under the $135,000 appropriated at town meeting last week. "I would hate to let this one slip," he said, urging selectmen to purchase it.

Town Manager Vern Maxfield agreed, noting that "Fairchild puts trucks together for towns and it is a good price."

Selectman Ronald Deegan said that he liked the idea of "one-stop shopping; it would be a turnkey deal," as the truck would come all set up.

However, "due diligence and ethics" require another bid, said selectman Rick Young, newly elected Chairman. Maxfield said that he plans to obtain a competing bid this week.

After a brief discussion, a motion was approved 3-0 to offer for sale the town's 1999 plow truck, complete with sander. Anticipated sale price is at least $20,000.

A new truck is expected to last at least 10 years.

In regards to Bob Breau's application for a license to sell hard liquor at Breau's Too, Maxfield said "everything is working towards a vote." Selectmen anticipate holding a public hearing on the matter at a later date. A town-wide vote will be held at the same time as the school-budget referendum in June.

Hartford discussed a visit from a Maine State Trooper, who advised the department on rules and regulations for when sirens should be used, and that fire department personnel are expected to obey all traffic laws responding to a call out.

Although no figures were available, Maxfield reported on a conversation with SAD 44 Superintendent David Murphy, who said the school budget is a bit rosier than it was last month.

Commenting on "a three year payback period" new Selectman Stephen Bies voted with the others to to approve a contract for $4,060 with C&C Insulation, of Greenwood, to insulate the Whitman Memorial Library. The town is spending about $5,000 a year to heat the building. New insulation is expected to reduce this by a third.

The Department of Environmental Protection notified the town of a received complaint about an old junkyard on Cushman Hill Road. Now that the town has been formally notified, action must be taken to rectify the "rig farm," which is encroaching onto the road.

Selectman Ronald Deegan said the issue could be addressed under the Health and Safety Ordinance and that the board would work with the land owner as needed.

Request for bids for summer mowing will be going out after some fine tuning, as will a bid for the sale of the old fire station. Voters approved the sale without discussion at town meeting. A proper appraisal of the land and building will be performed soon.

Maxfield closed by noting he is awaiting a proposal from Pine Tree Waste as to a potential change at the G&W Transfer Station.

The next regular Selectmen's meeting is April 19. The next G&W meeting is April 26.