Rangeley selectmen authorize $50,000 grant intent for childcare, approve hangar transfer and appointments; residents raise office‑hours and fire‑reimbursements

The Rangeley Board of Selectmen on Feb. 18 approved several routine actions including authorization for the town manager to sign a letter of intent for a state Community Development Block Grant and approvals related to airport hangar occupancy and a comprehensive‑plan committee appointment. The board also heard public comments urging the town office be open on Fridays and a proposal to adjust the formula for regional fire‑service reimbursements.

Grant letter of intent: Town Manager Joe asked the board to authorize him to sign a letter of intent for the Maine Community Development Block Grant program for the 2025 cycle. The letter of intent would allow the town to submit a full application for $50,000 to support a childcare project related to the Mahmoon Lake Road project; Joe said the funds would be used to help the service and that the town would administer the application on behalf of the applicant organization. A motion to authorize the town manager to sign the letter of intent was made and seconded; the motion carried.

Airport hangar transfer and appointment: The board approved a consent to occupancy for Hangar No. 7, transferring responsibility from the prior tenant to Steven Walters. The board also appointed Christopher Farmer, Esq., to the comprehensive‑plan review committee (CRC) for the term noted on his application; the motion to appoint was approved.

Public comments — office hours and regional fire funding: In a public‑comment item, resident Liana told the board she had received multiple complaints about the town office being closed on Fridays, noting seasonal residents often come on Fridays and cannot access town services. "Friday is the only day that many of our seasonal residents come to the town of Rangeley and do their work," Liana said, asking the board to consider staggering staff days off so the office can be open five days.

At the same time, Selectman Jim and others discussed the town's reimbursement formula for regional fire services, where Rangeley carries the cash flow for services and is reimbursed later by neighboring plantations. Jim proposed adjusting the percentage formula to account for the town's carrying costs (an illustrative change from 48% to 46% to cover an implied financing cost), saying the adjustment could be made transparent to the other towns and spread across them to cover the cash‑flow loss. The board said it will discuss formulas and hold meetings to pursue fairness in reimbursement calculations.

Other business and calendar: The board scheduled a special‑town‑meeting public hearing for March 17 and set a warrant public hearing for May 5. Board members also discussed progress and timing for the comprehensive plan and decided to table the comp‑plan item until the committee proposes a date for further review. Several routine minutes and meeting minutes were approved.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to authorize Town Manager to sign CDBG letter of intent for 2025 childcare project: mover not recorded; seconded by Ethan; outcome: approved. - Consent to occupancy (Hangar No. 7) to Steven Walters: mover recorded as recommendation by Town Manager; outcome: approved. - Appointment of Christopher Farmer, Esq. to comprehensive‑plan committee: motion approved (mover and second recorded in meeting record); outcome: approved. - Motion to schedule special meeting public hearing for 03/17/2025 and to set warrant public hearing for 05/05/2025: motions approved.

The board took these votes as part of its regular agenda and directed staff to proceed with grant application steps and follow up on scheduling and reimbursement discussions as noted.