Selectmen accept Black Bear gift

OXFORD - In a 10-minute meeting, December 2, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to accept $5,000 from Black Bear Entertainment, but questions were raised about a public hearing on the proposed casino Black Bear plans to build.

The only item on the agenda was a discussion and vote on $5,000 donated to the town.

Two gifts were designated by the donor for specific uses. Keep Oxford Warm, which provides assistance to families in need of heating fuel subsidies, received $4,000. The town's holiday food account is to get $1,000, which went to finance 35 holiday food baskets distributed to families in need.

Town Manager Mike Chammings said that the Fire Department Auxiliary assembled the baskets, and officers of the Police and Fire Departments delivered them before Thanksgiving.

Town Clerk Ellen Morrison explained that in years past, the United Way had supplied the annual baskets of food. However, this year the broad-based charity was more hard-pressed than usual, and since the town had been offered the money by Black Bear, the selectmen suggested that the town relieve the charity of the responsibility this year. The results will be reconsidered over the coming year to determine if it will become a routine annual gift or was a one-time-only donation.

Some question was raised from members of the public about the timing of a public hearing on the casino. Some residents had received letters from Black Bear informing them that the hearings would start at 6 p.m. on December 7, while others, Chammings among them, insisted that the correct time was 7 p.m.

Morrison noted that the December 7 event is being presented by Black Bear for informational purposes. It is not an official function of the Town of Oxford.

Contacted by phone, Black Bear Community Development Director Scott Smith said both times are correct. The meeting itself starts at 7, but refreshments and a period for informal social interaction will begin at 6. Smith said the social hour was added after the basic meeting was planned and notices sent out. He apologized for  confusion.