Bremen selectmen clear old liens, approve $329K plow contract and set April abatement hearing

The Bremen Board of Selectmen met on March 20, 2025 and took a series of administrative and operational actions, including approving a quit-claim deed to resolve unpaid liens on an Anderson family property and adopting a new three-year plowing contract.

Chair Wendy Pieh called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. and the board accepted a quit-claim deed to remove county tax liens placed on the Anderson property for the years 1980 through 1987. The action, which the board said had been reviewed with Town Attorney Peter Drum, passed on a 3-0 vote after a motion by Chair Pieh and a second from Selectman John "Boe" Marsh.

The board next acknowledged and accepted the Lincoln County Assessors' Return, approving Bremen’s portion of county taxes, $420,340, which the board recorded as due by Sept. 1. That motion, made by Selectman Marsh and seconded by Selectman Steve Page, passed 3-0.

A central operational decision at the meeting was approval of a three-year road-plowing contract with Sprague Transportation covering 27 miles of town roads and specific additional plow/sand duties (Town Center, top of Hay Property, Fire Station, Town Landing and three fire hydrants). The contract sets the first-year price at $329,393, the second year at $362,482 and an optional third-year price of $375,637. Selectman Marsh moved to accept the contract; Selectman Page seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Because a previously scheduled abatement hearing had been postponed, the board set a new hearing date of April 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. for the property listed as Map 004 Lot 065-001. Selectman Marsh moved the date, Selectman Page seconded and the board approved the schedule.

During routine business, the board invited residents to submit suggestions for the cover of the Annual Town Report and reviewed an MMA Loss Prevention audit finding that no emergency plan was on file. The Selectmen reviewed and approved an Emergency Action Plan on a 3-0 vote (motion by Selectman Marsh, seconded by Selectman Page).

Jim Corbett, representing Bremen Fire and Bremen Rescue, asked the board to support pursuing Maine EMS funding available under the Maine Sustainability program to cover items such as a heat pump, a television for the training room and replacement AED units. Corbett also requested permission to install a bottle-return collection box at the fire station and said he would collect bottles on Saturday mornings to raise funds for the department. The board expressed support and said it would vote to finalize the box’s location and design once plans and the grant application were complete.

Ann Nesslage of the Beach and Conservation Committee reported on an invasive-plant informational meeting and sought approval to acquire two picnic tables for the Hilton O'Connor property; Naomi Martin will enroll in a Stewardship course and the committee will cover the cost.

The board approved warrants dated Feb. 28 and March 14, 2025 and the minutes of the Feb. 20, 2025 meeting. On motions by Chair Pieh the board voted to enter executive session at 5:26 p.m. and later voted to adjourn at 5:44 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Accept Quit Claim Deed to Bruce, Todd and Gerald Anderson (motion: Chair Wendy Pieh; second: John "Boe" Marsh) — outcome: approved, vote 3-0. - Accept Lincoln County Assessors' Return (motion: John "Boe" Marsh; second: Steve Page) — outcome: approved, vote 3-0. Amount: $420,340 due Sept. 1. - Approve three-year plow contract with Sprague Transportation (motion: John "Boe" Marsh; second: Steve Page) — outcome: approved, vote 3-0. Prices: Year 1 $329,393; Year 2 $362,482; optional Year 3 $375,637. - Set abatement hearing for Map 004 Lot 065-001 for April 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (motion: John "Boe" Marsh; second: Steve Page) — outcome: approved. - Approve Emergency Action Plan (motion: John "Boe" Marsh; second: Steve Page) — outcome: approved, vote 3-0. - Approve warrants (2-28-2025 and 3-14-2025) and minutes (2-20-2025) — outcome: approved, vote 3-0.

What happens next The abatement hearing on April 3 is scheduled to proceed at 4:00 p.m.; the board said it will finalize any approvals related to the fire station bottle return box after reviewing the application materials and planned siting. The town will be responsible for paying the recorded county tax share by Sept. 1, 2025.