LIMESTONE, Maine — About 26 Limestone residents voted to pay back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service and allow the Public Works Department to buy a plow truck.
In a 25-minute special meeting Tuesday at Limestone Community School, residents and the town’s select board elected Town Clerk Kelly Johndro as moderator. The group passed four financial items with little discussion, but debated the vehicle purchase.
Warrant article 4 asked voters to approve spending up to $260,000, which would come from the highway department’s reserve account, on a new or recent model plow truck.
The town’s two newest plow trucks are 2008 models and there is one 2005 vehicle, Interim Town Manager Alan Mulherin said. Highway crews have worked to repair the vehicles for use this winter.
“Our fleet is very old and has to be replaced,” Mulherin said. “At some point, the town of Limestone has to realize you can’t keep running junk.”
Estimates for a newer plow truck, whether bought or leased, range from $238,000 to $252,000. The truck would not be available this winter, but should be able to be delivered before next winter, he said.
Last month, the town’s budget committee recommended delaying the plow purchase until the entire town could vote on it at next June’s annual meeting. Committee members said they wanted to see a comprehensive plan from the highway department which would include a building to keep vehicles and equipment in better condition.
Some residents on Tuesday suggested a building was necessary, and questioned what the town’s plan was to keep its equipment from falling into such disrepair in the future.
In response to a resident who asked how things got so bad, Mulherin said townspeople have opted for budget cuts at previous annual meetings and haven’t allowed much highway department spending.
Select Board Chair Randy Brooker said the highway department actually needs $1 million to bring all its vehicles up to date. Two plow trucks were dispatched during the season’s first snow, failed to work properly and now need more repairs, he said.
“We have to start replacing stuff or our guys are going to walk out,” he said. “There’s nothing there but iron, and I urge everybody to think about that before you vote.”
A resident moved to wait on approving the funds until the annual town meeting in June. The motion failed after not receiving a second.
Residents voted 19 to 9 to authorize the highway department to spend no more than $260,000 on a new snow removal truck.
The town also voted to pay up to $54,000 in back taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service for not paying payroll taxes when due. Town officials learned in October the IRS placed a lien against Limestone for under- and unpaid employment taxes from January 2019 to June 2023, along with interest, penalties and fees.
A motion to appropriate the funds passed with no discussion.
Residents also approved $15,000 for the assessment of a Green 4 Maine land purchase at the Loring Commerce Centre and a local food and community self-governance ordinance, which would permit local farmers, school greenhouses and other food producers to sell to the community.
The group also authorized the select board to seek and accept bids for the sale or lease of the Trafton Lake Campground and Recreation Area. The venue has lost money and failed a recent inspection, and town officials want to sell it to an operator who can properly administer it.
A resident requested the town hold a public hearing prior to the sale or lease so residents can weigh in, and the motion passed with that amendment.
The next regular select board meeting was slated at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20.
