Fire Rescue Station Project
The pre-bid meeting with the three selected consultants was held this week at the Fire Rescue Station. The prospective bidders in attendance toured the station and asked questions about the building along the way. More questions followed at the meeting, especially about the types of existing information they could receive. Digital and/or paper versions of architectural drawings will be provided to each firm.
The venue for the bid opening and subsequent presentations has been changed. Instead of using the Town Office conference room, this event will occur at the Fire Rescue Station on July 31, 2012. All proposals must be received by 1:30 p.m., and the opening and presentations will begin at about 2:15 p.m. Each firm will have 30 minutes to present its proposal, and the committee will deliberate and formulate its recommendation thereafter.
The Code Enforcement Officer has been alerted to the fact that the plan for the Fire Rescue Station renovation and expansion will need a slot on a Planning Board agenda probably in September, as the contract is scheduled to be awarded in August.
In regard to financing, the Town has received four quotes for interim construction bond anticipation note (BAN) financing, and selection of a bank appears on the Board of Selectmen’s July 5th agenda. The application to use the Maine Municipal Bond Bank for the bond for this project is 99% complete and under review by the Finance Director. Preparation of this lengthy application has been a joint team effort, and I thank all involved who have identified and assembled the required information.
Public Works
Most all of Public Works’ time these past couple of weeks has been monopolized by repairing road washouts and making other repairs to infrastructure weakened by the incessant rain. The crew has done a fine job keeping up with the workload. All members of the department have requested to take July 5th as a vacation day, so they will all have a long holiday weekend from Wednesday, July 4th through Sunday, July 8th. They will, of course, be at the ready to respond to public works emergencies, as required, however.
Recreation Personnel
T.J. England has been hired to work part-time with the Teen Program and part-time with the Summer Program. T.J. is a year away from graduating from U-Maine with a degree in childhood development and family relations. He comes highly recommended from several people. Welcome, T.J., and best of luck to you throughout the summer.
Employee Assistance Program
I was recently notified that the Town’s contract with Affiliated Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is about to expire and asked about our intention to renew the contract. Because town employees now have an employee assistance program included with their health insurance from the Maine Municipal Employees’ Health Trust at no additional cost, it does not make sense to provide a duplicate service that costs more. Therefore, the Town is discontinuing its contractual relationship with Affiliated EAP, and the Town will save about $1,800 by doing so.
AVCOG
Ferg Lea of AVCOG has notified AVCOG member towns of the opportunity to purchase culverts and/or plow cutting edges at state bid prices through AVCOG’s bidding process. We understand that AVCOG will request bids for road salt later this summer. The Public Works Department has been notified about this opportunity to acquire necessary equipment at reduced prices.
Assistant Town Manager
I would like to congratulate Rosemary E. Roy on a title promotion she receives effective July 1, 2012. After several months of evaluating town employment positions and the duties and responsibilities of town employees, I have reached the conclusion that the most appropriate title for the position held by Rosemary Roy is Assistant Town Manager. Due to the broad range of responsibilities, knowledge and understanding of town operations, assistance to management and other departments, and leadership of substantial programs and projects that Rosemary provides, Rosemary’s contributions to the Town of Poland will not only be recognized for their substance, but through the title of the position, as well. Along with this new title and its responsibilities comes encouragement to grow and develop as a public
administrator via professional development opportunities as available and as budget allows. Congratulations, and thank you, Rose!
Respectfully submitted,
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Rosemary E. Kulow
Town Manager
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