The Dresden Board of Selectmen had some strong words Monday about the current snow removal contractor’s job, citing at least 23 mailboxes damaged along with some posts.

“I spoke to Ben Goodall twice,” Selectman Allan Moeller told the board. “This contractor is in deep jeopardy.”

Moeller said he has received innumerable phone calls lately labeling the contractor “incapable.”

“You will take care of the issue or we’re going to take care of it,” Moeller said about the contractor. “If you don’t know where the end of your wing is you shouldn’t be driving.”

County ACO proposal

During its Monday night session, the board debated the recent Lincoln County proposal for its hiring of animal control officers (ACO) Monday, but remained undecided for fear of losing the current, town-hired officeholder.

Board Chairman Phil Johnston said the county initiated the proposal because several communities complained they have had a hard time keeping their officers.

Currently, the town of Dresden employs Terry MacGregor as its certified ACO. Although there seemed to be no doubt MacGregor would qualify as a county ACO employee, MacGregor informed Johnston and Administrative Assistant Trudy that she would not be interested, Johnston said.

“She said she didn’t want to go to other towns,” Johnston said. Under the county contract, an ACO would have to cover for an ACO in another own if that town’s ACO becomes unavailable.

MacGregor, who works at a veterinarian clinic in Bath, currently serves Dresden (for a $3,500 annual salary plus mileage) and Woolwich. If the town agrees to contract with the county for its ACO service, the officer would have to be on call to fill in for other contracting communities.

“I would hate to lose Terry,” Johnston said.

The county would pay $15 per hour plus the IRS mileage rate, which selectmen believe might not represent a savings to the town anyway. Each call would be considered a minimum of two hours.

“I would just as soon keep it as is,” Moeller said. He pointed out the cost to the town for MacGregor under the present arrangement amounts to $67 per week.

“I’m OK with that,” Moeller said.

At the close of the discussion, Johnston suggested he would call the county manager and discuss the county’s proposal further before the board makes a final decision on the matter.

Special town meeting

Selectmen approved the special town meeting warrant for Tuesday, March 11 concerning a proposed change from elected town officials to appointed.

The measure if approved will make possible the consolidation of two separate positions of excise and property tax collectors for a three-year term instead of a one-year elected term. The proposal would also make possible the combining of the currently separate positions of town clerk and treasurer into one three-year term instead of the customary one-year term of office.

Johnston informed the board the Maine Municipal Association recommends limiting the term to three years instead of leaving it indefinite to make possible changes of the office holders if desired. Otherwise, there might be some sticky legalities otherwise, he said.

The special meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Pownalborough Hall on Tues., March 11 following the informational meeting this week held on Tuesday.

Winter salt savings

During the Monday session, Foss reported a considerable sum of money the town has saved this year as a result of a two-town deal.

Last winter, the town paid a total $32,999 for 527 tons of salt, she said. However, this year so far by comparison the town has rung up a bill of $20,928 for 425 tons.

Foss attributed the savings to the deal the town made for its accepted bid of $49 per ton compared to last year’s bid of $62 per ton.

Fire department funds

Chairman Johnston told Assistant Fire Chief Ron Theriault, who was present at the meeting Monday, to inform Fire Chief Steve Lilly about the concern the board expressed about current expenditures, namely a $500 bill for training purposes.

Speaking about the budget, Selectman Gerald Lilly, former fire chief, said the expenses are going to be really close given current funds. Lilly mentioned the department missed out on a grant it usually receives amounting to about $2,000.

Johnston is asking the fire department to report any expenditures if may have to the board. “We’re responsible fiscally for the town coffers,” he said.

On a positive note for the fire department’s financial status, Foss reported North East Mobile Health ambulance service credited the town with $7,374 as a reimbursement for overpayment.