Votes at a glance: Select Board authorizes waste contract renewal, multiple capital expenditures and liquor license

The Skowhegan Select Board on Aug. 26 voted on a slate of motions covering licensing, contracts, capital projects and administrative approvals. Below are the actions taken at the meeting and key details recorded in the public minutes.

Votes at a glance - Joe's Flatiron Cafe: The board approved an on-premise beer, wine and spirits license for Joe's Flatiron Cafe at 65 Water Street. Motion: moved by Amber; seconded by Ethan; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Minutes approval (consent agenda): The board moved to approve minutes from the previous meeting. Motion: moved by Amber; seconded by Elijah. After requests and one abstention (Elijah), the motion carried 4-0 with Elijah abstaining.

- Pole-location permit: The board approved a pole-location permit for Central Maine Power Company and Consolidated Communications to place one pole on Pennell Street (approximately 338.77 feet northerly of the intersection with Route 2). The board amended a typographical route reference before approving. Motion: first from Ethan; second from Kevin; outcome: approved as amended, vote 5-0.

- Casella five-year renewal: The board authorized the town manager to sign a five-year renewal contract with Casella for recyclable marketing and related services. Staff described Casella as the town's long-standing buyer and hauler for recyclables. Motion: moved by Amber; seconded by Kevin; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Pollution-control equipment rebuild (Uber Technology): The board approved an expenditure not to exceed $24,216.95 from the pollution-control capital-reserve account to Uber Technology for a complete rebuild of a step-screen and wash press (equipment installed originally in 2004 and rebuilt in 2014). Motion: moved; seconded; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Preseli Drive drainage: The board accepted the low estimate from Central Maine Septic for the Preseli Drive drainage project at $49,850 and authorized expenditure from the Public Works Roads and Sidewalks capital-reserve (road resurfacing designation). Motion: moved by Ethan; seconded by Amber; outcome: approved, Kevin abstained (motion recorded as passing 4-0, Kevin abstaining).

- Oak Pond culvert: The board authorized Public Works Director Jason Finley to go out to bid for the Oak Pond culvert crossing project. Motion: moved by Ethan; seconded by Elijah; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Tax liens filing preapproval: The board approved pre-approval of a warrant not to exceed $6,517 payable to the registry of deeds for filing 2025 tax liens. Staff explained registry fees are increasing and the preapproval covers expected filing costs. Motion: moved by Amber; seconded by Kevin; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Ball field change order: The board approved change order No. 12 to Ranger Construction and an expenditure not to exceed $44,012 from the Recreation Department capital-reserve account (ball field complex) for on-deck batter's boxes required under federal funding rules for youth play. Motion: moved by Amber; seconded by Kevin; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Clerk of the works procurement: The board accepted a written proposal from Wentworth Partners and Associates for continued clerk-of-works services (no amount specified) and separately voted to put clerk-of-works services out to public bid with specifications including timeline, activities and not-to-exceed amounts. Motions: acceptance of the proposal (vote 5-0); to issue an RFP for clerk-of-works (vote 5-0).

- Athletic Complex environmental assessment: The board approved a Plymouth Engineering proposal to complete the environmental assessment for the athletic-complex project and to expend up to $10,000 from the Recreation Department capital-reserve account (athletic complex). Motion: moved by Ethan; seconded by Elijah; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

- Treasurer's warrants: The board approved the treasurer's warrants as presented. Motion: moved and seconded; outcome: approved, vote 5-0.

Meeting notes Many of the votes were unanimous; several items involved reserve-account expenditures. The athletic-complex items generated the most discussion, with board members asking for clearer, itemized bids on lighting, foundations and fencing before making larger commitments. Staff clarified funding sources and which expenditures are contingent on receipt of CDS/HUD grant funding.

Speakers (selected) [{"name":"Amber","role_title":"Select Board member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Skowhegan Select Board"},{"name":"Ethan","role_title":"Select Board member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Skowhegan Select Board"},{"name":"Kevin","role_title":"Select Board member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Skowhegan Select Board"},{"name":"Elijah","role_title":"Select Board member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Skowhegan Select Board"},{"name":"Gail","role_title":"Treasurer/Tax Collector","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Town of Skowhegan"},{"name":"Nick","role_title":"Town Manager","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Town of Skowhegan"}]

Actions [{"kind":"motion","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"1"},"motion":"Approve application for on-premise beer, wine and spirits license for Joe's Flatiron Cafe at 65 Water Street","mover":"Amber","second":"Ethan","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"License approved as presented."},{"kind":"contract_award","identifiers":{"project_slug":"casella-contract"},"motion":"Authorize town manager to sign five-year renewal contract with Casella for recyclable marketing and related services","mover":"Amber","second":"Kevin","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Staff described Casella as long-term partner for recyclable marketing."},{"kind":"contract_award","identifiers":{"project_slug":"plymouth-ea"},"motion":"Approve Plymouth Engineering environmental assessment contract up to $10,000; expend from Recreation capital reserve (athletic complex)","mover":"Ethan","second":"Elijah","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"EA is required for the HUD/CDS application."},{"kind":"contract_award","identifiers":{"project_slug":"ranger-change-order-12"},"motion":"Approve change order No. 12 to Ranger Construction; expend up to $44,012 from Recreation Department capital reserve (ball field complex)","mover":"Amber","second":"Kevin","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"On-deck batter's boxes for youth fields."},{"kind":"contract_award","identifiers":{"project_slug":"uber-step-screen-rebuild"},"motion":"Expand amount not to exceed $24,216.95 from pollution control capital reserve to Uber Technology for step-screen and wash press rebuild","mover":"Donnie","second":"Kevin","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Equipment originally installed in 2004 and rebuilt in 2014; 5-year service contract included."},{"kind":"motion","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"preseli-drainage"},"motion":"Accept Central Maine Septic estimate $49,850 for Preseli Drive drainage and expend from Public Works Roads and Sidewalks capital reserve","mover":"Ethan","second":"Amber","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"abstain"}],"tally":{"yes":4,"no":0,"abstain":1},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Kevin abstained."},{"kind":"motion","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"oak-pond-culvert"},"motion":"Authorize Jason Finley to go out to bid for Oak Pond Culvert crossing","mover":"Ethan","second":"Elijah","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Standard bid authorization."},{"kind":"motion","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"tax-liens"},"motion":"Pre-approve warrant not to exceed $6,517 for filing 2025 tax liens with registry of deeds","mover":"Amber","second":"Kevin","vote_record":[{"member":"Amber","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Kevin","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Ethan","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Elijah","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Randy","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Registry fees rising; preapproval covers expected filing costs."},{"kind":"motion","identifiers":{},