Rangeley Select Board approves minutes, accepts landscaping bids and authorizes CEO pay increase; budget and permitting concerns raised

The Rangeley Select Board handled routine business and several formal actions during its Jan. 21 meeting, approving Jan. 6 minutes, accepting competitive bids for grounds and cemetery contracts, authorizing a wage increase for the CEO, and discussing multiple budget and planning items.

The board approved the minutes of its Jan. 6 meeting on a motion by Sam, seconded by Ethan, with the board voting “Aye.” Later in the meeting the board moved to accept bids from Green Thumb for cemetery and mowing contracts; the motion to accept the bids was made and seconded on the record and carried after discussion about experience and cost differences.

Board members also voted to authorize an hourly wage increase for the town CEO effective January 2025. A member moved to authorize the increase; the motion was seconded by Sam (second) and Ethan (second) and the board voted in favor. That vote drew public comment: an attendee warned that out-of-budget wage changes should be handled carefully and suggested such adjustments belong in a future budget cycle. “Any decisions to alter compensation outside of [the approved budget] really should have had additional review and consideration,” a commenter said during public comment.

Other items discussed in the meeting included: - A service agreement with Maine Health (presented for board consideration and to be discussed in detail at the joint budget meeting on Feb. 11). Board members asked whether the town could negotiate rates and noted the agreement reflects regional cost drivers. - Planning department fee schedule updates and permit processing workload associated with recent software changes; staff said updates reflect administrative cost recovery and changes in permit workflows. - A comp-plan update and public comments urging stronger focus on year-round population growth and housing issues rather than emphasizing seasonal homeowners. - Multiple procurement items: mowing and cemetery contracts were evaluated not only on price but on contractor experience and local responsiveness.

Board members and the public repeatedly returned to budget discipline and transparency. One commenter urged the board to avoid establishing a pattern of approving unbudgeted wage increases mid-year: “I just hope this isn’t a common practice… Any adjustments outside of that framework really should have had additional review.” Town staff said identified line-item savings can absorb the immediate cost of the CEO salary change and that the board will make its budgeting approach clear in upcoming meetings.

The meeting included routine administrative motions (approvals, contract awards and a disposal of a vehicle referenced in agenda paperwork) and closed after an executive-session return with “no action to be taken.” The board adjourned at 6:58 p.m.