Poland Select Board approves Camp Connor payback cut, library shelving RFP

The Poland Select Board on Oct. 6 approved a reduced $8,000 payment on the town's Camp Connor debt, authorized a $1,170 request from the Community and Economic Development Committee for a business after hours event, and approved a request for proposals for new library furniture and bookshelves. The board also accepted the financial report and approved disbursements totaling $525,218.63.

Key points

• The board voted 5-0 to accept the financial report, with the town about 27 percent through the fiscal year and motor vehicle excise revenue slightly above projections.
• The board voted 5-0 to approve $1,170 for the CEDC business after hours event at Agassiz Village, above the group's usual $1,000 limit.
• The board voted 5-0 to authorize an $8,000 Camp Connor payback instead of the usual $14,000, citing higher than expected costs and a need to build up funds for minor repairs.
• The town manager said the camp's registration fee is roughly $107 to $135 per week and that officials will look at donations, possible fee increases, and cost savings rather than raising fees sharply.
• The board voted 5-0 to approve a request for proposals for library furniture and bookshelves, with bids expected back by Nov. 17 and installation targeted for March.
• The town manager said the library fundraising effort brought in nearly $63,000 over the summer, and that the Maine State Prison wood shop has shown interest in the shelving work.
• Selectperson Mark described a historic society field trip to the Hagee mine, praising tour guide Jeff Morrison and encouraging residents to arrange tours.

Next steps

• Town officials will meet with interested shelving vendors by video to review requirements, with bids to come back to the board on Nov. 17.
• The town manager and camp staff will discuss possible registration fee changes, donation efforts, and cost savings in the activity and field trip budget.
• A production meeting is scheduled for Friday to review library funding levels.

Read the full transcript