By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Back in December, Limestone Rotarian Fred Edgecomb suggested that the town purchase a community sign to display all the different group activities going on in town for an estimated cost of $7,400.
Discussed for the third time during the Feb. 6 meeting, the Limestone Selectpeople decided to let the community decide whether or not to purchase a community sign during the annual Town Meeting in June.
Edgecomb had initially proposed that the sign be placed on the developing downtown park, currently called the Rotary Park, as it sits more or less at the center of downtown; board members suggested that a new sign purchased through taxpayer funds should be placed in front of the Municipal Building, but the theoretical sign’s permanent location had not been further solidified when the project was put on hiatus pending taxpayer approval.
As the town is looking at a harsh budget process for next year, the selectpeople expressed their hesitance to spend money on a sign when they’re unsure as to what amount of revenue sharing they’ll be receiving from the state this year.
“From my perspective, and this is why I proposed it now, I know the money is in the Economic Development account,” Edgecomb explained. “I know that’s what the money was put there for, and it’s the choice of the selectmen to make that decision as to whether [this warrants] development money.”
Clarification from Town Manager Donna Bernier specified that there’s currently about $36,000 in the economic development account, which can only be used for economic development projects like matching funds for grants and funding grant writing.
Selectperson Tom Albert clarified that the $36,000 in the economic development account can only be used for community development — any expenditure from the account outside its intended parameters would be misappropriation of funds.
Weighing in different factors, the selectpeople ultimately decided to let the taxpayers decide during the annual Town Meeting this summer.
With three of the five Limestone selectpeople winning an election not to be recalled last month, the board decided during the Feb. 6 meeting that certain ordinances in the town should be reviewed — such as the recall ordinance, the fireworks ordinance and the snow removal ordinance.
Selectperson Marilyn King was asked to chair the committee to review the ordinances; she is joined by community members Harold Grass, Jim Cote, Dickey Edgecomb and Melissa Devoe with the caveat that Limestone department heads will also serve on the committee for relevant ordinances.
On the budget since late last year, the selectpeople also agreed to not open bids submitted for the antiquated 1982 ladder truck shared between Limestone and Fort Fairfield — the towns have been trying to bid out the fire vehicle since November, but the Limestone board has found multiple reasons for not opening the bids received. The topic is slated for action again this evening, during the 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Limestone Municipal Building.
