SANGERVILLE, Maine — In a Nov. 29 letter, Selectman Irving McNaughton resigned from his position, citing health and other related issues. But his resignation was short-lived. On Dec. 10, McNaughton notified town officials he planned to remain as a board member and participated during the Dec. 11 meeting from Florida over the Internet.
McNaughton presented his resignation letter a few days prior to his departure for Florida. He plans on spending the next 10 weeks in the Sunshine State. The selectmen approved a measure last month that allows him to use videoconferencing technology to participate in the meetings during his extended absence.
The two selectmen attending the Dec. 11 meeting in person responded to McNaughton’s resignation letter by voting not to accept it. McNaughton will continue to participate by Skype until mid-February, when he plans to return from his winter vacation.
In the board’s first attempt at video conference, the audience could view his image on the computer screen, but the audio feed proved to be problematic. Town officials plan on connecting speakers to the computer in hopes of improving future audio transmissions.
“It worked, but it didn’t work real well. The video was fine, but the audio was just awful.” Town Manager Dave Pearson said. “The audience couldn’t hear him at all, so a selectman had to relay what he was saying.”
In other action, the selectmen were informed that the state Department of Environmental Protection agency had approved the removal of contaminated soil from the Abbie Fowler lot. CES Inc. of Brewer, an engineering consulting firm, discovered 1 cubic foot of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls last month on the former school grounds.
CES was excepted to remove the contamination on Dec. 10, but the appointment was postponed until Dec. 13 due to poor weather. Town officials were also to meet with the Abbie Fowler Committee on Dec. 18 to consider disposal options for the building.
The town voted two years ago to have the former school building demolished. Those efforts to demolish the building have been delayed over environmental concerns about disposing of the PCBs located within the building.
“We need to have another discussion about the cost of demolishing the building and the possibility of replacing it with something else,” Pearson said.
The board also received a legal opinion from Maine Municipal Association’s senior staff attorney, Rebecca Warren Seel, that the Sangerville Public Library was a private organization, not a public one. The attorney indicated that since the library association was not created by either the board of selectmen or by a town meeting’s legislative body, the organization is a private organization.
Since the Sangerville Public Library is a private group, it is not required to allow public attendance during its business meetings or respond to Freedom of Access Act requests.
The selectmen will meet next at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, in the municipal building.
Serving those who elect from Florida via teleconferencing……wow, I hope this news doesn’t reach Augusta and (you know who?)…….
Even from afar he could do a better job than the worthless Dems whose only interest is getting elected and staying in POWER by promising to be everything to everyone.
This appears to have opened a can of worms. If the Sangerville Library is a private organization why is the town giving them tax monies, free rent, insurance coverage and utilities and why aren’t they registered as a non-profit organization, Seems the directors are in deep dodo with the IRS.
Wow! There is some information here that was not discussed in the Selectmen’s Meeting. “XFactor” where are you getting your information? Keep on dripping your poison. Who in their right mind attacks a public library?
It is not a public library. Didn’t you read the article? It wants to keep it’s meetings secret but accept taxpayer money to operate. They are not registered as a 401c so are not a non profit organization. They do have trust funds. What happens to that money? It is illegal for the town to provide money to a private organization. That would be like the town supporting the Masonic lodge with tax funds. I’m sure not everyone would approve.
I have heard the same rumor and checked it out. “exfactor”, you will be happy to know, that is exactly what it is, a nasty rumor. The Library is fine, no problems with the IRS, all filings are up-to-date, and ‘Private” only means that the Board is not appointed by the Town. They are all volunteers and always have been. This was GOOD news. Please check it out and help put a stop to this meaness.
Maybe the audience couldn’t hear Mr. McNaughton over Ms. Randal’s constant interruptions, sighing and rolling of eyes.
Irving McNaughton is an honorable man who cares very deeply about Sangerville. Knowing him, I know that he feels obligated to do what he was elected to do. Though his health is prohibitive during this period, I know that the teleconferencing will work out. He can get the same statements, the same paperwork, hear the same testimony as the other’s do. This is just the first time now, they will get it going. It makes sense for a town to at least attempt to join the 21st century, I know Guilford won’t even attempt it.
Fax me a beer.