Tremont Select Board approves appointments, equipment purchases and Wharf lease

The Tremont Select Board met Nov. 18, 2024, at the Tremont Town Office and carried a series of routine municipal actions, including confirming an administrative appointment, authorizing planning funds for a potential public safety building, approving equipment purchases and renewing a Wharf Garage lease.

Chair James Thurlow called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. and the board formally excused Select Board members McKenzie Jewett and Howard Goodwin. Kevin Buck and Eric Eaton were present and made/seconded motions throughout the meeting.

On administrative appointments, the board confirmed Angie Chamberlain as Code Enforcement Officer, LPI and 911 Addressing Officer after a motion by Select Board member Eric Eaton and a second by Select Board member Kevin Buck; the vote was unanimous.

The board approved multiple FY25 warrants as presented, moving payment of items listed in the warrant motion. The motion text in the record lists warrant numbers and dollar amounts; the transcript duplicates a warrant number in that list (see clarifying details). The board approved the warrants by unanimous vote.

The Public Safety Building Committee requested use of reserve funds for planning; the board authorized use of up to $15,000 from the Public Safety Building Reserve for planning purposes, in a motion by Eaton and second by Buck that passed unanimously.

Town staff presented a Wharf Garage lease for the board’s review; the board authorized the Town Manager to renew the Wharf Garage lease with D&R Bait as a seven-month lease at a rent of $1,000 per month. The motion passed unanimously.

On marine infrastructure, the board authorized the purchase of 30 concrete ramp panels from American Concrete for $6,800, to be paid from the Seal Cove Fund, and directed the Town Manager to advertise 20 concrete ramp panels for sale as surplus; both actions passed unanimously.

The board also authorized purchasing a plow and sander for the new Ram plow truck, using the Truck Reserve for up to $19,700, and approved a letter confirming fulfillment of a prior consent agreement for 54 Clark Point Road (Tax Map 005 Lot 081-01).

The Select Board adopted the FY26 budget preparation schedule and the 2025 meeting schedule (with July 21 removed), approved the Town Office holiday schedule (closing at noon Dec. 24 and closed Dec. 26), and voted for Aaron Huotari for the Municipal Review Committee Board of Directors. Jesse Dunbar, the town manager, gave a verbal report on staff activities. The board confirmed its next regular meeting for Dec. 2, 2024, and adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows unanimous votes on all motions, including: approval of minutes; approval of warrants (amounts listed in the minutes); confirmation of Angie Chamberlain to the code enforcement/911 roles; authorization to use up to $15,000 from the Public Safety Building Reserve for planning; Wharf Garage lease renewal with D&R Bait at $1,000/month for seven months; purchase of 30 concrete ramp panels for $6,800 and advertisement of 20 panels for surplus sale; authorization to purchase a plow and sander up to $19,700 from the Truck Reserve; approval of a consent agreement letter for 54 Clark Point Road; adoption of the FY26 budget calendar and the 2025 meeting schedule; authorization of Town Office holiday closures; and election of Aaron Huotari to the MRC Board. All motions are recorded in the meeting minutes as passing unanimously.

The meeting was largely procedural and focused on routine municipal governance and small capital or maintenance expenses; no votes on ordinances or zoning amendments were taken. The board heard a request from Pete Madeira and the group 'Friends of Tremont and Lopaus Point' to discuss steps to amend the Subdivision Ordinance, but took no action at this meeting.

The minutes list signatures by Town Clerk Sarah Abbott and show James Thurlow as chair on the signature line.