After months of talks, Alna selectmen Jan. 11 passed a policy for the roads committee. Final changes before the vote were to pull a reference to home rule, call the document a policy, and state: “The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity only, providing advice and recommendations to the road commissioner and the selectboard  ...” and making annual operating budget and capital spending recommendations by each Dec. 30.

First Selectman Ed Pentaleri and Third Selectman Coreysha Stone approved the policy. Second Selectman Steve Graham abstained. In the discussion, Graham said: “If this is in place, and there is a disagreement between a (road) commissioner, whoever that is, and this body, will ... what this committee has to say be given more weight than the road commissioner? And I think that could become awkward and notwithstanding (its being advisory), the fact that we have a committee that we’ve appointed, that’s advisory, carries a lot of weight, and I’m concerned about that.”

Stone told Graham she appreciated his trying to foresee a potential problem, but someone with a gripe with the road commissioner would probably not be on the selectboard-appointed committee; the plan is for collaboration; and if the committee and the commissioner have different stances on a road matter, “I don’t foresee those things being so contentious that it would blow up in our face,” she said. 

The policy puts the selectboard’s expectations for the committee in “black and white,” Pentaleri said.

Resident Jeff Philbrick supported the policy as a way for the road commissioner and fellow townspeople to collaborate. The road commissioner candidates will know going in, about the policy, resident Chris Cooper said. According to the discussion, both incumbent Jeff Verney and his predecessor, Mike Trask, are running for the next one-year term voters will decide in March. Nominations close Jan. 22. Trask did not seek re-election in 2012, and Verney has been elected every year since, according to Wiscasset Newspaper files.

Also Jan. 11, Pentaleri praised food pantry volunteers for improving winter access to the pantry; and he said the newly installed, Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded generator kept the town office open, kept food pantry stock from spoiling, and allowed storm-related messages to go out to residents; he said Deputy Town Clerk Sam Cameron started Jan. 2. “She’s hit the ground running. We think she’s really going to be a great addition to the team, and we’re really happy to have her onboard.”

Abby Manahan told selectmen, Wiscasset Public Library’s request this year is for $5,200; last year, the town gave $4,730.

Pentaleri honored longtime planning board member, cemetery trustee and ninth-generation farmer Everett “Tom” Albee, who died Dec. 31. Albee was “Alna proud (and) I think maybe most importantly, Tom was a loyal and dependable friend and neighbor, who was happy to lend a hand, provide advice, talk politics and share a good story. He was always good for a tow, a hoe, a safe haven for bee colonies and any piece of machinery a friend and neighbor might need. And he will be deeply missed.”