Sangerville selectmen change meeting schedule

SANGERVILLE — With the most recent monthly meeting starting at 4 p.m. on May 10, the selectmen opted to remain with a regular session schedule of the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. at the town hall — with additional meetings taking place as needed.

In the past the selectmen have gathered twice a month, on both a Tuesday and Thursday evening during different weeks, with their meetings beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sangerville does not have a town charter, so there is no established date and time for select meetings in such a document.

During open session on May 10 some of the 21 residents present expressed concerns with the 4 p.m. start time, mentioning how many citizens work and late afternoon select meetings could pose a conflict for those who would like to attend.

The question of having just one regular sessions was also raised. “I do think two select meetings is appropriate so the town can keep abreast of what’s going on,” Bill Rowe, a former selectman, said.

“That would be our minimum,” Select Chair Michael Wark said about the meeting at 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. He said there may be more sessions scheduled if needed.

“We are going to be on Wednesdays because the planning board meets on Thursdays,” Interim Town Manager Matthew Pineo said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the selectmen discussed their possibilities and opted to remain with the new schedule as the next regular session will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14.

Wark said in the past town employees may have had to be paid for the hour and a half before the 6:30 p.m. start “and that was the thought process” for the earlier time.

Board member Jody Cabot, who said she had no objections to a later time, mentioned a 4 p.m. opening of the meeting would enable an earlier start and finish should the meeting last for multiple hours.

Selectman Dale Gray suggested splitting the difference with a 5 p.m. start, but he withdrew his motion after the board opted to remain on a consistent schedule moving forward.

In other business, the selectmen discussed the process for the board members to make appointments to town committees such as the budget, economic development, recreation department and road committees with about five members and several alternates serving on each group

“We haven’t had a consistent process, some years you sign up at town meeting,” Wark said.

The selectmen scheduled a workshop for all residents interested in serving on a community committee for 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18.

“We are trying to make sure everything is done correctly,” Pineo said. “We do need a workshop to figure this out.”

“Right now from this day going forward, we are going to be asking people to sign up,” Gray said.

Pineo said interested residents can call him at the town office at 876-2814.

The selectmen tabled taking any action on agenda items concerning two roads, with one pertaining to an approximate .4 mile stretch of the Gray Road as well as access to the gated Grant Road.

Whether or not the Gray Road from the .6 mile mark on the travelway to 1.0 miles just past the driveway entrance to the Burgess residence is a town road has been in question and the selectmen are awaiting an updated legal opinion from the town attorney.

A separate agenda item on the Grant Road was tabled as the board is researching whether a public easement was ever granted for this travelway. With more information the question of the permissibility of Grant Road gate may be answered.

“If you are hearing something that sounds like it doesn’t make sense, call me, call Matt, call Jody, call Dale,” Wark told the audience about rumors concerning the two roads and other town business.