Dresden selectmen  announced the narrowing of the search for an administrative assistant at the board’s meeting on Monday, Oct. 2.

“We have made a great deal of progress,” said Selectman Dale Hinote. He said the board is in salary negotiations with the finalist. He hoped to announce a completed contract by the Monday, Oct. 16 board meeting.

Longtime board assistant Trudy Foss plans to retire by the end of the year.

In other business, selectmen agreed to contact Planning Board Chairman Jeff Pierce to discuss proposed fee increases for various categories of site review. Selectman Dwight Keene said a jump from $25 to $75 for a home site review appeared high.

“We are going to restrict future development in Dresden,” warned Hinote.

Hinote said contacting Pierce might clarify whether selectmen or the planning board had jurisdiction over fee increases.

Selectman Allan Moeller Sr. said last’s year’s review of a gravel pit application had exhausted the planning board’s budget for the year.

“They blew $2,500 on the gravel pit alone,” said Moeller.

Hinote said the board would attempt to contact land owner Bruce Alexander over code violations at his property on Alexander Road.

“It is uninhabitable,” said codes enforcement officer James Valley. He said an outhouse was being used for waste disposal.

“It probably can be resolved,” said Hinote.

Hinote announced that public hearings on a proposed $27 million K-8 school construction project in Monmouth will be held at the Monmouth Middle School on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Richmond High on Wednesday, Oct. 11 and at Hall-Dale High School on Thursday, Oct. 12.  The RSU 2  vote on the project is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Moeller said road closures of sections of Bog Road for culvert replacements are scheduled for either the week of Oct. 23 or Oct. 28.