JAY – Citing the loss of paper mill jobs and recent increases in the tax rate, members of a local snowmobile club asked selectpersons to not place an article raising money for a new snowmobile on the town meeting warrant.
In a letter read by Club President Mark Bickford on behalf of the Andy Valley Riders, the snowmobile club said that in light of recent events, “the members of the snowmobile club do not wish to be any part of an increase in taxes during these trying times.” The letter went on to ask that no article requesting $5,000 for a new snowmobile appear on the 2016 town meeting warrant.
The issue arose last meeting, when the Andy Valley Riders requested that selectpersons utilize $5,000 out of a recreation fund to go toward the purchase of a new snowmobile. That machine, which would be more fuel efficient, would assist the club in grooming trails.
That recreation fund is sustained through $893.50 monthly payments to the town for a communications tower located on town property, near the school campus, as well as wood harvesting on that property. The account currently carries a $165,000 balance.
Last year, selectpersons agreed to put $5,000 toward the purchase of a snowmobile for the Andy Valley Riders, one of two machines the club requested. The board also paid for Jay’s liability insurance in relation to the Area Youth Sports. Another, similar expenditure, insurance for the Spruce Mountain ski slope, is paid for through the “donations” section of the annual town meeting.
Selectpersons expressed support for having all recreation-related expenditures paid to outside agencies be funded the same way, be it through the annual town meeting or board-approved use of the recreation fund. The board unanimously voted to have three expenditures: the AYS liability insurance, the Spruce Mountain ski slope insurance and the snowmobile, added to the town meeting warrant.
At Monday’s meeting, selectpersons said they appreciated the Andy Valley Riders coming forward. The club’s request will presumably result in the $5,000 request not appearing on the town meeting warrant.
In other business, Board Chair Justin Merrill said that talks between Livermore Falls and Jay town officials over ways to collaborate on providing fire protection were focusing on the use of Jay fire stations. Jay facilities had empty bays available, Merrill said, offering an opportunity to potentially share space with Livermore Falls.
“Neither of us can really afford to be going out and building anything new right now,” Merrill said.
Jay is currently leasing two bays at Station No. 2 to Livermore Falls, in exchange for that town paying heating costs and half the water bills. The agreement lasts until Sept. 30, 2016.
Further out, Merrill said, the towns might consider looking at equipment in a bid to avoid duplication. Discussions were in the preliminary stage, selectpersons noted.
The board also authorized the sale of a 2004 Crown Victoria to Anthony Violette for $1,000. That was the highest of 10 bids received on the vehicle. The funds will go to the transfer station’s capital expenditure line.
Merrill also noted that the town had received an award from the Androscoggin Land Trust for its work along the river and at the French Falls Recreation Area, which was leased by the town for $1 from the ALT. Jay received the 2015 Androscoggin Partner Award.
Good call