[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5966776,"mediaKeyId","5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac","parentId",5900371,"title","Rangeley fire department’s ISO rating improves, potential insurance savings for property owners","audioSeconds",270,"startMs",1426000,"endMs",1696000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac&start=1426&end=1696","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac/thumbnail_1426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5966776/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Rangeley-fire-departments-ISO-rating-improves-potential-insurance-savings-for-property-owners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966776-380136bad63e53d4fa5050865e9ad213/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006955&Signature=VnIQcYonNjgzm8ndMbdkOYSAXRS8AT4gvxcsuX~AaUKA0DYBiZcnRpQXtBg0IB8CqF~mnNGOYnST2Jz0m3jzZpyXvcn1z5YEGXdJEF3l3~srIG4PWzxieWjUwbb4QfySt8l6l0kkrnBmD7jFmjNAgKEP4C-kMK8cY23imMy1qkwOig-KkBqvndQajscESa8hz1g9heIPXNHDwByH~Tv~pi5amLATkj0S-n2cgxwZDz2B-4-GXD2g4V-gJffGf6QQBI94OQ6VCIMKViiwtJ9-gEZESvg29PdqC4zpr~iDfODR2CYstNg192Pv~SsKWmZ6pJKR1wF16TeN38rgUJcJgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Rangeley","date","2025-10-07T11:23:57Z","article","The Rangeley Select Board was briefed that the town’s fire protection classification, as measured by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), improved — a change the department said could produce savings for property owners beginning Jan. 1.

Sam (fire department chief) presented the ISO audit results and said the town’s overall protection score rose in multiple categories, driven in part by investments in community risk reduction, additional full‑time staffing and emergency communications upgrades. “We knocked it out of the park,” Sam told the board, saying the town’s score moved from the fifties into the low sixties on ISO’s scale for comparable communities.

Sam said the upgrade could result in “up to 20%” savings on some insurance policies and that the new score reflects sustained work on hydrant maintenance, flow testing and improved dispatch and training. He said the department’s addition of a second full‑time firefighter was a major driver in the improved rating because ISO evaluates 24/7 coverage capacity.

Board members and local stakeholders discussed next steps to extend benefits beyond the immediate station area. The board heard that ISO scores are calculated by drawing five‑mile circles around fire stations; scores outside that radius can be higher (worse) unless the town adds resources such as dry hydrants or additional stations. The chief and attendees noted several possible actions, including placing dry hydrants in strategic plantation locations and pursuing grant funding for forest-fire mitigation and dry‑hydrant installation.

The board asked the chief to prepare a package for outreach to plantation residents and to explore grant opportunities with county and state partners. The board also discussed holding a public presentation at the next quarterly meeting so residents can learn whether and how the ISO change might affect their insurance and what investments (for example, dry hydrants) locals might consider funding.

Ending: The chief will provide fuller documentation of the ISO report to the town manager and prepare materials for outreach; the board asked staff to include an ISO update on the next quarterly meeting agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular BOS Meeting 10 06 25","oneSentenceSummary","The town’s fire department reported an improved ISO protection rating that could lower property insurance premiums; discussion focused on water-point improvements and dry-hydrant installation to further raise the score for outlying areas.","taxTitle","Rangeley, Franklin County , Maine","taxId",73952,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5966779,"Rangeley approves $25,214.50 transfer to buy used military-spec rescue boat",2537,45000,2582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac&start=45&end=2582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac/thumbnail_45000.jpg","/articles/5966779/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Rangeley-approves-2521450-transfer-to-buy-used-military-spec-rescue-boat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966779-74ba18c5cec19e8ffee37dc53a813645/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006955&Signature=hKvGf7i3rFHVInXQZu1w3UYLijRaDP-Pg5lMrTU3MYE5kMJMjRiy~f38lcLeP7WAx0dtj8Xc4WL9AaTSw24fn7nTscIAlNxBLZR3ub4R7iNafTtp2znn6UJ0224z9fLQksNDlLlYjcDZNPlRY2UIcQNvYwhh7G6aotjCqDCvzCYZ-hf4fZ0aO~UxY24JBkUdn6HaLX6GOEIgA1vFi7fEMs~Lzm47~jugsoNxQjtvR7xLxCyN9wj5T~DQ1J1ULQqpS0a42KGA0KD32sjHLsC7~R5TuC1FfAAW5C0ROVK-DvVJSHqvbi1PtBKNbrz5alxgay4KqZvJWBJOEuwL~nfadg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rangeley Select Board voted to transfer $25,214.50 from the fire department reserve to purchase a used 22-foot military-spec rescue boat for the department.

The request came from the fire department’s representative, identified in the meeting as Sam (fire department chief), who told the board the boat is a military-built shallow-draft Willard with twin rebuilt 130-horsepower motors, a reinforced hull and radio equipment that could be adapted to the town’s systems. “It was designed for shallow draft, search and rescue operations,” Sam said. He said the seller reduced the price because navigation electronics had been removed and that the town could install its own units.

Board members questioned long-term maintenance, compatibility with local freshwater use and alternatives. Mark (Select Board member) and others urged caution about saltwater‑exposed hulls and storage costs; Sam said the marina told the department the boat had been “gutted and rebuilt” and the motors were suitable for local servicing. Keith (Select Board member) asked for more comparables and noted the cost-benefit trade-off of buying a new vessel with a warranty versus a used one.

The board voted to transfer the requested funds from the fire department reserve; the motion was made by Jim (Select Board member) and was approved by the board as recorded in the meeting minutes. The board also recorded the department’s plan to: (1) place the current Marine 1 on surplus immediately (the chief requested permission to surplus that vessel), (2) test the newly acquired boat in the water for training before final outfitting, and (3) wrap and letter the new boat and install marine radios and lights (Sam estimated lettering and lights would cost under $500).

Sam told the board the department plans to try the boat in the water for training for two weeks before final modifications and noted the purchase is “as is” with no warranty. He also told the board the department has the reserve balance required and that the transfer would not affect planned capital improvement projects.

The board instructed staff to follow purchasing policy and town procedures for the transfer and surplus process; members asked staff to confirm winter storage and trailer pricing and to provide any additional comparables if available.

The motion to transfer funds passed; the minutes record the transfer and the board’s direction to surplus the existing Marine 1 as requested by the chief.

Ending: The new boat will be put into training use before final outfitting; the department and town staff will handle surplus of the old vessel and report back on final costs and any required additional maintenance.","The Select Board authorized a transfer from the fire-department reserve to purchase a 22-foot ex-military shallow-draft rescue boat; board members debated trade-offs between buying used and buying new and set next steps for training and surplus of the old vessel.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5966775,"Select Board dissolves comp-plan committee and forms implementation/review committee; consultant to provide draft ordinances",648,3720000,4368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac&start=3720&end=4368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/5966775/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Select-Board-dissolves-comp-plan-committee-and-forms-implementationreview-committee-consultant-to-provide-draft-ordinances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966775-b35efae6de0c1bff92d37ad515fd63b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006955&Signature=jm0rrhje0ZItNw44ASJ2P6StS0KyTHkZPx4dwzMcEgPFskuE3G7kri59s2tH5rQBU94LuYZ9~5km83ZIbItQww~7o~oH3j5KzJCajGxfpCAWd~zNPyxDX0LRj48GgHrfRfeA4EVRauNMOLKe7JGUhMwC4KG2waodJ7ic1SctCxCTpnRCwnRCAmCBNvDS4i7l~~ePbMWdVDse-48wU4aJm0dOhsr9~lmAJJLLDdYQvT6Xw9UASA9L2nTOi-yrqv8yM7b7lLvkg-A82Y6H-XtwidZpq~X6KAp33nf74h9eB0hsSg9KK1~VOUxrkWs1pdyXxUxfDVLaxPSP46ZFuJbfrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted to dissolve the existing comprehensive‑plan committee and create a Comprehensive Plan Review and Implementation Committee to guide implementation of the town’s recently adopted comprehensive plan.

Donna (planning consultant) presented a proposed approach focused on three priorities: housing, economic development and natural‑resource protection. She recommended drafting a site-plan review ordinance and targeted chapter 38 amendments (including density and accessory dwelling unit provisions) and said drafts would be provided to local committees for review and refinement. “I would give those drafts,” Donna said, describing the consultant role as producing text for local review rather than replacing local oversight.

Board members emphasized local oversight and wanted the new committee to include a planning board member, an ordinance-committee member and a select-board representative, with additional stakeholders from the community. Several members urged that the town draw committee members from the former comp-plan committee for continuity and also include residents familiar with local priorities. Cindy (Select Board member) and others stressed that local input should shape drafts so the ordinance language fits Rangeley’s character and residents’ expectations.

The board approved two motions: to dissolve the comprehensive‑plan committee and to create the Comprehensive Plan Review and Implementation Committee. Motions were made by Jim (Select Board member) and seconded by Sam (Select Board member); both motions passed as recorded in the meeting minutes. The board instructed staff to develop bylaws for the new committee and bring them to the next meeting.

Donna said she would prepare a packet of draft ordinance language and an appendix of priority actions drawn from the comprehensive plan; the board asked that the draft amendments be ready for the June meeting cycle and recommended the new committee review and prioritize the consultant’s proposed items before finalizing language for public hearings.

Ending: The board created the new review and implementation committee, asked staff to prepare bylaws and asked the consultant and staff to supply draft ordinances and a priority action spreadsheet for committee review.","After a presentation from consultant Donna on priority actions from the town’s comprehensive plan, the Select Board voted to dissolve the existing comprehensive-plan committee and create a new Comprehensive Plan Review and Implementation Committee; the board discussed local committee composition and consultant support for drafting ordinances.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5966768,"Votes at a glance: Select Board actions on minutes, permits, reserves and committee changes",1900,2468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac&start=2468&end=4368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5900371-60a607df5870d9f13da82c29232413ac/thumbnail_2468000.jpg","/articles/5966768/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Votes-at-a-glance-Select-Board-actions-on-minutes-permits-reserves-and-committee-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5966768-b5ed6edc55646493ee7dad8b5eafde9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006955&Signature=X1Qfrm77-Yj4rYUXGKPPv3qzTOxevaHlQoC13wNizF9CnQhH10a1EVDtYIE4vIJ-kPInciI57KkmNrwXt2wAu0aoNdSx0ZqKkDrzfivw-6pWlwW7GBgDxqGmOwaVDYORSZvsmWecZBSvFxgLcFlp0YE30lUQQDVs9JtdQIxEXWsCwVfLxZvuZtHmqRMdkTTZOKsFRNpB0JLSYDr7-rkchQNsaYWvD1W-52SC5CdHkbZsMus2HEFxqQ46dVkWilXS0K80OtOq4RqhVYlhHwc2sY-Fcc0Hf-zxe0jBhpZXNOzk5Eh9KsnauX9~pCaU~dtGTg31H01Ni0wcJXBphsSlNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its meeting the Rangeley Select Board approved a range of routine and substantive items. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes include:

- Minutes and routine permits: The board approved minutes from multiple board and committee meetings, a liquor license for Corner Side Operation LLC and event permits including the Kenneth Perry Park trunk-or-treat and the Rangeley Rotary Halloween cookout (pending certificate of liability).

- Fire boat purchase: The board approved a motion to transfer $25,214.50 from the fire department reserve to buy a used 22-foot ex-military rescue boat (motion made by Jim). The department will test the boat in-water for training and surplus the existing Marine 1.

- Road projects: The board approved a motion to transfer $7,000 from the road projects reserve for paving-related work.

- Select Board bylaws: The board approved the second reading of Select Board bylaws, including a change in meeting time.

- Gateways project: After reviewing bids and DOT coordination, the board voted to forward the gateways contract to the low qualified bidder (M&H Logging) with oversight and attention to construction costs and inspector presence.

- Surplus and disposals: The board declared the conference-room overhead projector and smart board surplus and authorized sale/disposal of assorted light bulbs from airport storage (proceeds and disposition to follow municipal policy; the board asked staff to contact the school about the smart board first).

- Comprehensive plan committees: The board voted to dissolve the existing comprehensive-plan committee and to create a Comprehensive Plan Review and Implementation Committee; staff will draft bylaws and advertise openings.

Several motions were recorded as passed in the minutes; the transcript did not include a full roll-call vote tally for every motion. Where the minutes show a motion and passage, this summary records the motion, mover (when named) and the documented outcome in the meeting record.

Ending: Staff will carry out the approved reserve transfers, complete surplus and procurement steps, draft bylaws for the new planning committee, and provide follow-up materials (ISO report, boat outfitting costs, gateways project oversight) at upcoming meetings.","The Select Board approved routine minutes and permits, transferred reserves for the fire boat and road projects, updated bylaws, declared small items surplus and formed a new comprehensive-plan implementation committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rangeley fire department’s ISO rating improves, potential insurance savings for property owners

Rangeley approves $25,214.50 transfer to buy used military-spec rescue boat

Select Board dissolves comp-plan committee and forms implementation/review committee; consultant to provide draft ordinances

Votes at a glance: Select Board actions on minutes, permits, reserves and committee changes