Wells Select Board approves equipment purchases, easement and appointments; schedules public hearing on tire fees

At its July 15 meeting the Wells Select Board approved a series of procurement, land and personnel actions. The board also scheduled a public hearing to consider proposed changes to transfer-station tire disposal fees.

Key votes and outcomes

- Accounts payable warrant: The board moved to approve and sign the warrant dated July 15, 2025, in the amount of $1,988,402.64. Motion passed (vote recorded as 4–0 with one abstention). The transcript records the motion and a board member’s abstention but does not identify both mover and seconder by name.

- Parks & Recreation equipment: The board approved a sole-source purchase of playground additions (shelter and an inclusive seesaw) from Main Recreation and Design through Sourcewell, in the amount of $33,959.32. Motion passed, 5–0. Parks & Recreation staff said the purchase will match and expand previously installed components and is funded by recreation commission fundraising rather than taxation.

- Open-space easement (Burnt Mill Estate Subdivision): The board accepted an open-space easement deed for a 254-acre open-space parcel tied to the Burnt Mill Estate subdivision; the easement will preserve public access to a trail network and river frontage and requires the homeowners’ association to maintain the trails. Motion passed, 5–0.

- Trackless municipal tractor for public works: The board approved purchase of a Trackless MT7 municipal sidewalk tractor (snowblower, plow and flail-mower attachments) through Sourcewell for $244,086.71 and authorized auction of the town’s older MultiHog tractor using electronic advertising. Motions passed, both 5–0. Public works staff said the new machine is intended to replace a model that required frequent repairs and that the Trackless unit will support summer mowing and winter sidewalk operations.

- Quick-claim deed / release of lien: The board approved a quick-claim deed to release lien on a property foreclosed on March 29, 2025; the 60-day buyback period ended May 29, 2025. Motion passed, 5–0.

- Donations and bequests: The board accepted several modest gifts: $1,000 from the Drakes Island Improvement Association and other smaller donations directed to the Founders Park Community Center, the Wells Public Library and a local fund. Motion passed, 5–0.

- Minutes and appointments: The board approved minutes for its July 1, 2025 meeting (as amended) and appointed or renewed terms for a slate of committee members including Pamela McDonough and Ronald Avery (lodging facility advisory committee), Scott DeFelice (alternate), Diana Hasson and Michael Livingston (personnel advisory board candidates), and Nancy Ford (voter registration appeals board). Motions passed, 5–0.

- Transfer-station tire fees: The board discussed a 2022 recommendation from the Waste Management Advisory Committee to update tire disposal fees. A motion to increase fees was placed on the table and a public hearing was scheduled for August 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to take comment on proposed changes: small tires (up to 15 inches) $12, medium tires (over 15 inches) $30, heavy/tractor/track tires $50. The board also asked staff to clarify handling of very large equipment tracks and whether a prohibition or separate weight-based charge is needed. The public hearing date was approved, 5–0; the fee changes will be finalized after the hearing and any required notice.

What this means

Most items were routine procurement and administrative actions that the board approved unanimously. The Trackless tractor purchase represents a capital equipment replacement the department said is intended to reduce downtime and improve sidewalk service; the playground purchase was funded by donations and fundraising. The open-space easement secures public trail access in a major subdivision. The scheduled public hearing on tire fees begins a required public-notice process before any fee changes are adopted.

Next steps

The board will consider the outcome of the August 5 public hearing on tire fees and may adopt fee changes after that hearing. Staff will return with any follow-up materials or draft letters (for example, a proposed letter of support for the NNEPRA site recommendation was requested earlier in the meeting).