The one-man Board of Selectmen met in-person on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Selectman Jonathan Selig began the meeting with the tedious task of approving minutes, warrants, bills, payments, and recycling abatements.
Town Administrator Search
Selig told those in attendance that they had formed the Search Committee who will be reviewing candidates for the open Town Administrator position. Town Accountant Sandra Nolan is currently filling in as an interim acting Town Administrator until the position can be filled on a permanent basis. Town Clerk Sue Lawless will be serving as the Chair of the Search Committee. Other municipal employees serving include Police Chief Joao Chaves, Fire Chief Mike Witham, and Nolan. Three citizens- at-large will also be serving. “It’s… a common practice to have both people in Town Hall as part of the Committee and then outside of Town Hall as well,” Selig explained. He said the three citizens that would be serving are Mel Conroy, Frank Johnston, and Candy Kniffen.
“Our post is live now; the ad is out and being advertised as we speak for our new Town Administrator; it will remain open for four weeks. After that time, the Sub-Committee will gather those resumes, look through, screen them, then after that screening process, hopefully whittle them down, bring in some folks for interviews and then whittle them down again to hopefully present to the Selectmen,” Selig explained of the process and the role of the Sub-Committee.
Veteran’s Day Celebration
Selig said that the town’s Veteran’s Day celebration will be on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. “If you forget, just remember 11,” Selig joked. He said that more details will be to come from acting Veteran’s Agent Steve Littlefield.
Election Updates
A number of appointments were made for election day workers. They included Pamela Adduci, Frederick Corrigan, Anne Hodge, Robert Kniffen, Dorothy Lamoureux, Hope McIver, Christina Palmer, Linda Saviano, Sarah Sloat, and Karen Thompson.
Selig provided an election update saying that they do now have candidates for the two open Selectmen positions. For the term expiring in 2025, there is one candidate, John Bruno. For the term expiring in 2024, there are five candidates – Dennis Carman, Mary Gravinese, Dave Mascio, Najwa Nessralla, and William Smith. Selig said, “I would like to personally thank those guys and gal for taking the time to get into the race. It’s not an easy thing to do; I think they deserve our appreciation and our credit; it’s not always easy to throw your hat in the ring and put yourselves out there so good luck to all of the candidates.”
Selig also voted to approve early voting for the Nov. 8 Selectmen’s race. Dates for early voting include Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the week of Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The week prior to the election the hours will be Saturday, Oct. 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the week of Oct. 31.
EV Charging Station and ADA Ramp
“Some exciting news, we now have an electronic vehicle charging station that will be here at the parking lot at Town Hall… we hope to have that up and running next week,” Selig said of the new EV charging station. He said it will be on a card system.
Selig also provided an update on the ADA ramp at the Town Hall. “It was taking up our main stairway, we’ve been able to move it over to our permanent home,” Selig said. He thanked Scott Materna and the building crew and said he was happy to provide better access to the Town Hall.
Nolan said that the lining of the handicap spots in the parking lot would be happening soon as well.