Alna’s new general assistance administrator is the man who has done the work as, until recently, a selectman. In January, after deciding not to run to stay on the board, Charles Culbertson told Wiscasset Newspaper general assistance was the most rewarding aspect of his service as a selectman. “Being in a position to help those in need is truly gratifying and I hope to remain involved with this program going forward,” he said at the time.

The new board is making that happen. April 6, selectmen appointed Culbertson general assistance administrator for a non-paying, one-year term. 

Resident Ralph Hilton opposed the idea. He said Culbertson is “a nice guy, he did a nice job,” but general assistance is the board’s duty as overseers of the poor. One reason for that is “the privacy and protection” of those being helped, Hilton said. “I think it should stay within the board.” 

Pentaleri said according to Maine Municipal Association, “there’s no reason we can’t delegate this aspect of our responsibilities,” to one selectman, as prior boards have, or a clerk or other community member. Second Selectman Steve Graham said whoever does the work has to maintain confidentiality and respond to needs quickly.

Selectmen said they trusted Culbertson. The board would still “absolutely” be responsible, Graham said.

Third Selectman Coreysha Stone recalled speaking with a resident whose family member Culbertson had helped immensely. “I’m not giving that (work) away because I’m not interested.” Access, inclusion and equity are a major passion of hers, she said. “I’m just helping (general assistance) to be sustained by someone who did such a good job that folks would lament the loss of (his) skillset.”

Selectmen named Greg Lumbert of Pittston code enforcement officer and licensed plumbing inspector for an annual $6,500 stipend. He succeeds Washington’s Corey Fortin.

In yearly reappointments, the board kept Sarah Perkins as town clerk, tax collector and registrar of voters; Lynette Eastman, deputy town clerk and tax collector; Amy Stockford, treasurer; Amy Preston, deputy treasurer; Calvin Cooper, Stone, Xavier Comas, Jeff Averill and Toby Stockford, roads committee; Honor Sage, civil constable; Beth Whitney, welfare hearing board; Joan Belcher, health officer; Tom McKenzie, emergency management agency director; and Doreen Conboy, archivist. Pentaleri explained, because the roads committee is advisory, Stone, elected third selectman last month, can still serve on it.

Selectmen kept Katie Papagiannis and Laurie Hiestand on the planning board, for new five-year terms; announced plowing bids are due at noon April 20 and will be opened at that night’s selectmen’s meeting; and noted a record turnout of 326 and close to $5,000 raised for the fire department in an April 1 supper. Volunteers did a fantastic job, Pentaleri said.

When selectmen eyed tapping building maintenance funds for a shed for the community garden at the town office, resident Mike Trask said if it had been a town meeting item last month, taxpayers would have known. Talk turned to the possibility of donations. Selectmen planned to take up the matter again April 20. A town email April 7 invited people to contact the town clerk at alnaclerk@gmail.com or 586-5313 if they could “support and express ... appreciation for Alna's Community Garden volunteers by either building or donating a shed or donating to the purchase of the shed.”