Durham board backs brush truck repair, traffic signals, new committees

The Durham Select Board approved $65,000 to repair and refurbish the fire department's forestry truck and about $46,000 for automated traffic signals for public works. The board also agreed to place a straw poll question on the November ballot about exploring an alternative method of voting on the annual budget, land use, and other ordinances, and voted 3-2 to create a community engagement committee.

Key points

• The board unanimously authorized up to $65,000 from the fire department's capital reserve account for a new engine and refurbishment of the 2011 forestry truck, which suffered a catastrophic engine failure; the truck responds to about half of the department's calls.
• The board unanimously approved roughly $46,000 from the public works capital funds for two automated traffic signals on trailers, replacing flagger costs; the low preferred bid was $44,290 plus a $1,300 sign package.
• The board unanimously approved a straw poll question for the November 3 election: "Do you support the select board in the town of Durham exploring an alternative method of voting for the annual budget, land use, and other ordinances?"
• The board voted 3-2 to establish a five-member community engagement committee with two alternates; one member said she wanted written bylaws before supporting it.
• The board unanimously approved moving the town office's late night from Thursday to Tuesday beginning January 2027, and approved two election clerk applications.
• The board unanimously approved last week's meeting minutes and the consent agenda, and moved the fire and public works capital requests ahead of the goals discussion so those present could leave early.

Next steps

• Chair to email Assessor Donna Hayes and Jerry to set up a September 28 meeting on business personal property tax revenue; Josh offered to join.
• Chair to contact Jerry about the town's real property inventory; John and Joe will work on that item.
• Deb and Rebecca will meet within two weeks on committee structure and guidance, then bring a presentation to the board.
• Chair to email George about preparing for the 2028 comprehensive plan.
• Chair to follow up with Jerry on putting out a call for community engagement committee members and on facilities expansion materials.
• Board members to contact state legislators if Maine DOT does not respond by early October on Route 9 and Runaround Pond safety concerns.
• Town office closed October 7 for the Maine Municipal Association conference; next Select Board meeting October 13.

Read the full transcript