BETHEL — Eighty-one voters came out to pass a Town of Bethel budget of $5.91 million.

The annual town meeting at Crescent Park School on June 12 was moderated by Terry Hayes, of Buckfield, who said in 25 years of moderating meetings, she had never moderated one with so many articles. There were 66 in all.

The town’s assessment to Maine School Administrative District 44 is $4.33M, an increase of $573,947 from $3.79M million.

The Oxford County assessment is $803,779, an increase of $221,910 from $581,869.

Sheriff contract

After much discussion, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office coverage will remain status quo with four dedicated officers and overnight coverage at a total cost of $573,450. A lesser option for three deputies and no overnight coverage for $428,349 was rejected by residents.

Last year’s cost was $431,404.

Former sheriff’s department employee Andrew Whitney said the Oxford County Sherriff was, “noticeably not there.”

“My main issue is the lack of transparency [from the sheriff]…  My vote will be no on both of these motions,” said Whitney.

“It seems like there are some pretty large concerns that this contract doesn’t serve us,” said another resident.

Former Bethel Police Chief Darren Tripp said, “We are here because a former [town] administrator decided we don’t need a police department … if you choose to go with three deputies you need to understand that from midnight to 7 … he is going to be home asleep … you are looking at an extensive response time when someone is kicking in your garage door …

“I grew up in this area. When I was a kid I was a hellion. We didn’t screw around in Bethel. Why? It had cops. we went to Gilead, Woodstock, Albany … that’s why there are no calls now in Bethel. You have a police department, you have a patrol. If that changes you’ll see those [incidence] numbers increase. I assure you.”

Airport

Voters opted to reclassify Bethel Regional Airport on North Road as a town department in a newly-worded town code. Town Manager Sharon Jackson said the airport has not supported itself for several years. She said auditors pointed out that the airport is not an “enterprise account,” as it was previously classified.

“Their budget [at the airport] cannot go over the amount that is voted on here tonight,” said Jackson. Voters later approved $305,987 in article 50 for airport operations. She said in the past airport budget money has been taken from the general fund.

Jackson said the Town pays around $100,000 for the airport after revenue from fuel sales, payments from Maine Energy Systems and hangar payments. Airport Authority Chair Randy Autrey explained that the airport has revenue sources, unlike other town departments.

In response to a comment, Jackson clarified that Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit anyone but pilots and their passengers from using the airport building.

Solid Waste

Article 23 to appropriate $825,955 for solid waste, up from $670,969 in 2023, passed.

The major increase is due to the elevated cost of solid waste disposal said Jackson.

If the Town had scales they would have taken in over $500,000 in revenue the last two years, said Jackson. “That is a fact and my figures show that,” she said. She added that the percentages billed to Hanover and Newry at the  tri-town transfer station have not changed in many years.

In response to a question from resident Ron Savage, Jackson said the contract was last put out to bid five years ago.

Jackson said it would be relatively easy to set up scales for contractors. She and Public Works Director Scott Sumner had been to the transfer station for her to see the set-up. Jackson had worked on a project with a similar set up in Fryeburg. She said it would take about six months to implement in Bethel.

“It’s a hole in the ground, we are pouring money into,” said a resident who added that area construction and the cost to the Town will only increase.

Savage said, “Everyone that has had their houses built obviously wants the new people that build to pay for construction debris… I am a builder so full disclosure.”

Contributions

The Bethel Library received $20,500 as recommended by the Select Board.

The Bethel Historical Society received $15,000 for operations, as recommended.

Passage of article 37 gave the Food Pantry/District Exchange $19, 250. The select board had recommended $10,000.

Article 38 gave the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce $500 toward Summerfest fireworks. They had requested $5,000.

Article 39 recommended $0 for Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Village Christmas decorations. Last year they appropriated $4,000. A resident said the zero amount would equate to living in Grinchville. Selectboard Chair Meryl Kelley said the board discussed trying a more community-inclusive holiday decorating initiative for 2024.

Select Board Member Sarah Southam clarified that the SADD-44 school budget allots money to Bethel Area Arts and Music (BAAM) and that the amount they had requested of $900 for was to be for a rental fee for the Winter Market held at Bethel Conference Center. The select board had recommended $0. Others spoke on behalf of BAAM and arts in Bethel.  A motion was made to amend the contribution to $500. It passed.

The $2,212 requested for Androscoggin Home Healthcare (AHH) is for people who are uninsured said resident and former AHH employee Laurie Winsor.

Other business

Savage asked why employee benefits were up about $100,000. Jackson said there were several increases: medical insurance, MEPERS retirement, and health reimbursements.

Resident John Walker motioned for the pass-through money that in the past has gone to the Snowtwisters Club be held until next year and distributed to the clubs that groom the trails in Bethel. Voters agreed and the motion passed.

Voters chose to hire a full-time Bethel Rescue chief and a part-time recreation director.

A sign ordinance that prohibits signs at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street was passed.

Winsor’s successful motions to bundle and vote on several articles at once helped move the meeting along. Nevertheless, it still lasted two and a half hours.

Despite the long meeting, many citizens stayed after to help Sumner stack all the folding chairs.

 

 

 

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