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Rangeley staff propose new director of planning and community development; idea to fund part of salary from TIF draws debate
Summary
Town staff proposed creating a director of planning and community development (roughly $90,000) to oversee code enforcement and TIF projects; about $28,000 of that salary could be charged to the town—s TIF fund, and some committee members urged delaying the hire or using a consultant.
Town staff proposed creating a director of planning and community development who would oversee a full-time code enforcement officer and supervise TIF-related projects, arguing the role better aligns economic and community development duties.
Jerry (town staff) said the position was benchmarked against statewide salary surveys and local inputs and that the annualized budgeted salary in the proposal is about $90,000. He told the hearing that approximately $28,000 of that cost could be charged to the town—s TIF account to reflect duties tied to economic development.
Budget committee members and selectmen debated whether to reclassify an existing part-time position or hire externally. A majority of the budget committee recommended waiting to convert the second deputy to full-time and instead suggested hiring a part-time consultant to provide specialized skills such as grant writing and economic-development planning until the need is clearer.
"Can you hold off a year?" asked Joan (committee member), urging caution given the budget—s overall pressures and the potential tax effects on long-term residents. Several members said consultant Darryl Sterling had provided similar services in the past at about $50,000 per year and that hiring short-term expertise could fill immediate needs without committing to a permanent new salary.
Jerry and others also tied the staffing question to TIF-funded projects, including proposed town park and Main Street sidewalk work. He said those projects may need phased warrants and design-first budgeting to avoid unexpected bid overruns.
The board did not finalize a staffing decision at the hearing; members asked staff to prepare options that show the fiscal tradeoffs of reclassification, consultant contracting, and partial TIF funding for the role.
