Bring your own chair, if you want to sit. That was one of the first measures Alna selectmen announced Wednesday night, Sept. 16 for a 6 p.m. Oct. 6 special town meeting in the fire station’s bay, with six-foot social distancing. The full plan will be announced, selectmen said.

The board proposes a $2 an hour raise for the town clerk to $20, reflecting the new clerk’s experience. The raise will be a wash budget-wise due to lowering the cap on deputy clerks’ funding, First Selectman Melissa Spinney said.

Voters will also consider moving to surplus the $15,180 left after the town fixed North Old Sheepscot Road; and consider adopting the state-modeled E 911 ordinance, selectmen said in the Zoom meeting they and Town Clerk Sheila McCarty attended from the town office. In the meeting and in a phone interview earlier in the day, McCarty said she liked Alna’s new town office. She also liked resident Ralph Hilton’s suggestion in public comment for selectmen and the registrar of voters to educate residents on registering and how to vote at the polls or absentee for the Nov. 3 election. McCarty told Hilton she plans to, online, via email, on the door to the town office and maybe local bulletin boards.

“I will over-inform people,” McCarty said.

“She is great, she’s got a ton of experience,” Spinney said as the board appointed McCarty clerk and tax collector moments later. “We’re very happy we have her.”

McCarty said husband Michael’s new dream job as a 5-axis programmer at University of Maine in Orono means she only has to work part-time. “I have grandbabies I intend to continue to help with and enjoy.” And her mentor, past Palermo town clerk Janet Potter, 86, lives with the couple in the house they bought from her. “So, I still have someone who understands what I do and can mentor me graciously.”

McCarty still takes classes, said she has “probably ... every certification there is,” and hopes all her experience helps Alna. “So, here I am.”

“She has jumped right in. It’s almost like she’s been here forever and she’s been here 12 hours,” Second Selectman Doug Baston said.

Also Sept. 16, Anne Simpson said the recreation committee is exploring a citizen’s idea to decorate the Head Tide Dam site around the holidays or Winter Solstice. Simpson said any greenery or lighting would need to not distract motorists or bother wildlife. Selectmen voiced support. Simpson expects to get back to the board with details.