Lee hired as town manager

BUCKFIELD — The board of selectmen officially hired Dana Lee as Buckfield's new town manager, signing an employment contract with him during its June 5 meeting.

"I look very much forward to working with you all," said Lee after signing.

Lee's two-year contract begins July 1. His annual salary is $49,000 and he will initially be on a six-month probationary period, after which either the town or Lee can terminate the contract.

The contract also calls for the board to provide Lee with a yearly performance evaluation every February. The board is required to provide Lee with a written evaluation as well as goals for the coming year.

Lee has served as interim town manager since the departure of Glenn Holmes from the post in January. Lee has previously served as town manager of Mechanic Falls and Poland.

In other news, the board: 

• Discussed closing Sodom Road to winter maintenance – a public hearing on the matter will be scheduled in the future.

• Accepted a fireworks ordinance for the town. The ordinance will be voted on at a future town meeting.

• Accepted a bid from Octagon Cleaning and Restoration for mold removal and from Steamatic for preventative work to address mold at the Zadoc Long Free Library. The total work will cost $11,486. The board approved allocating $6,000 from the emergency fund to cover its portion of the cost; the library trustees will cover the remainder.

• Decided to begin the hiring process for a third public works employee.

• Announced that the bricks and base of the town's WWII monument will be repaired by the American Legion and volunteer mason Rusty Brown.