Pownal Select Board Approves Warrants, Stetson Farm Contracts, and Appointments

The Pownal Select Board approved two financial warrants, a materials testing contract for the Stetson Farm subdivision, and a land management plan for the Stetson Farm Preserve at its September 28 meeting. The board also accepted a $48,750 Community Resilience Partnership grant, agreed to donate surplus air packs to Mount Vernon, and made several committee and clerk appointments. Members discussed federal ADA compliance requirements for the town website and recorded meetings, with the town administrator noting an April 2028 deadline.

Key points

• The board approved AP warrant number 10 for $410,792 and payroll journal number 128 for $8,532.20, and approved minutes from the May 26, 2026 meeting.
• The board accepted a contract with S.W. Cole Engineering for third-party peer review of construction materials testing at the Stetson Farm subdivision, with the developer having escrowed the funds.
• The board voted to donate roughly 10 surplus air packs to the Mount Vernon Fire Department, which has a certified air pack technician on staff.
• The board accepted the land management plan for the Stetson Farm Preserve after review by the town attorney and code enforcement officer.
• The board accepted a $48,750 Community Resilience Partnership grant for lighting upgrades at Mallet Hall and authorized the town administrator to sign the acceptance letter.
• The board appointed Bradford Holden to the Future Facilities Committee, Paul Schuman as election clerk, and Leslie Tasey as a representative to the EcoMaine board.
• Town Administrator Becky Taylor Chase reported on federal ADA compliance work for the website and recorded meetings, including closed captioning and describing on-screen materials; the board chair raised the possibility of pushing back on unfunded requirements.

Next steps

• The town administrator will author a letter to Mr. Edgely stating the town's position that it owns Map 8 Lot 9, based on a September 15, 2026 letter from former attorney Natalie Burns.
• The town administrator will finalize the letter of irrevocable credit for the Stetson Farm subdivision, the last remaining piece contingent on the planning board's August 19 approval.
• The town office will close at 5:30 p.m. next Monday so the administrator and deputy clerks can attend an open election collection forum in Freeport.
• The board entered executive session under 1 MRSA 405 6A for a personnel matter.

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