By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — With many civic organizations scrambling for money as the result of Covid-19 shutting down usual fundraising drives, one person eyed returnable bottles and cans collection at Harrison’s Transfer Station as a possible source.

Currently, proceeds go to the Harrison Youth Boosters, but a local citizen recently inquired to Town Manager Tim Pellerin whether the group had exclusive rights to those funds, and whether the town has any accounting of how much money is turned over to the non-town committee and how it is spent.

After Pellerin filled in some of the blanks, the individual — who asked to remain anonymous — requested the issue be brought before the Selectboard. Admittedly, Pellerin does not know the back story as to when the arrangement was made between the town and Boosters, and whether there was any formal agreement.

Pellerin told the board last Thursday night that the individual justifiably raised a red flag since the collection point is on town property and transfer station personnel do spend time on it. Since tax dollars are involved, the town has a right to ask how the bottle money is spent. The town’s auditor agrees.

Selectman Ray Laplante pointed out that there is a fine line the town can walk regarding seeking certain information because the group is a private entity.

Selectman Rick Sykes agreed with the letter writer that the questions raised should be answered.

“We should be able to stipulate what we want to know, and if they say ‘no,’ we say good-bye,” Sykes said. 

Selectboard member Penny Bean, who is involved in the town’s Christmas is for Kids effort, added, “There’s a lot of non-profit entities that would like the chance to be able to do the same thing…Funding is an issue, organizations are struggling.” 

Bean wondered if there was a way to “rotate it” between various organizations.

In Bridgton, non-profit groups can request to be put on a monthly schedule to manage the bottle/can collection area and receive the funds from the returnables.

Pellerin was instructed to reach out to the Youth Boosters and pose the questions raised by the letter writer. Officials will follow up on the matter once Pellerin has answers, including developing a policy.

“A long time ago, that’s how things were done,” Pellerin said of the current informal approach. “I understand where these people are coming from. I’ve had other groups say to me ‘where does the money go’ from the recycling stuff.” 

In other meeting news:

• New school rep on board. Mark Heidmann hopes his past experiences as a teacher, professor and member of policy and curriculum committees at the college level will help represent Harrison on the SAD 17 School Board.

A 23-year resident of Harrison and small business owner, Heidmann was introduced to the Selectboard by fellow rep, Albert Lisowski. He thanked the board for the opportunity to serve.

Lisowski offered an update, as well as addressed questions raised by Selectman Rick Sykes as the board’s last meeting. On the news front, Lisowski noted he is serving on the Superintendent of Schools search committee.

Regarding Sykes’ questions: 1. SAD 17 received three rounds of Covid-19 funding, totaling $6,768,000. Because of Covid-19 funding, as well as savings in other areas (transportation and athletics) due to postponements and cancellations related to the pandemic, SAD 17 projects $2 to $2.5 million to be carried over to the next fiscal year, Lisowski said.

Lisowski said there is conversation regarding adding ed techs, as well as a nurse and psychologist. He was opposed to the addition of resource officers in Paris and Oxford, citing that both towns sport police departments if law enforcement is needed and questioned the fairness of not having resource officers at other schools like Harrison, which is covered by the sheriff’s department.

Sykes hoped that with either $2 or $2.5 million carried forward that the town not see an education tax increase this coming year.

Heidmann did want to give “credit” where credit is due regarding SAD 17 leadership and school board for their quick response in applying for and thus receiving grants during Covid-19. He noted that other districts failed to meet deadlines and were shut out of funding to help school systems cope with the pandemic.

• Ordering now, ready for fall? Harrison needs to replace its 2006 dump truck and purchase plowing gear for it. Public Works Director Randy Gazza knows time is of the essence to get the order in to take ownership by fall.

“We need to get the ball rolling,” he told the selectboard.

Once the town puts the purchase out to bid and award the sale, then it will take six to eight months to get the truck and install components — hopefully ready to take possession in October (at which time, payment is due). After extensive research talking with other towns, the frontrunner is the Mac — considered the top of the line when it comes to quality. Gazza noted that the Mac’s price has also become comparable to other truck lines — expecting the cost to run about $198,000.

The selectboard authorized the town manager to seek bids to replace the dump truck and bring back the bids at their March meeting.

• Budget work ready to begin. Let the budgeting process begin. One group ready to make its formal pitch, starting this Thursday night, is the Broadband Committee. Pellerin said the group will request $23,785 (which has not been included in the preliminary budget).

Pellerin said the group has had discussions with vendors Spectrum and Consolidated regarding what equipment is needed to improve the town’s broadband and Internet access, and next week, they will talk with a Red Zone representative. Red Zone offers wireless broadband.

Selectboard member Ray Laplante asked Pellerin what the committee’s specific “charge” is? Pellerin said the group was charged to look into weaknesses of the present system, where current broadband stands, possible solutions and ultimately, the costs involved to upgrade.

• Posting roads. March 1 to May 1.