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Pownal Select Board re-elects Jon Morris, approves warrants, appointments and paving contract
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the Town of Pownal Select Board re-elected Jon Morris as chair, approved multiple fiscal warrants and carry-forwards, confirmed committee appointments, authorized a sealed-bid sale of Truck 2 and awarded a $104,521.25 paving contract to Crooker Construction.
Jon Morris, re-elected chair of the Town of Pownal Select Board, won the board's nod after Selectperson Kate Day nominated him and Selectperson George Pottle seconded the motion; the vote was Yes 2, No 0, Abstain 1.
The board approved routine fiscal business early in the meeting. On a motion by Selectperson Kate Day, seconded by Selectperson Pottle, the Select Board approved FY25 accounts payable Warrant #1 for $32,789.03, FY26 accounts payable Warrant #2 for $63,532.62 and Payroll Journal #15 for $13,876.86 (each vote recorded Yes 3, No 0). The board also approved minutes from its June 23 regular meeting (Yes 2, Abstain 1) and June 23 Annual Town Meeting minutes (Yes 3, No 0).
The board confirmed a slate of volunteer appointments for town committees, including appointments to the Future Facilities, Budget, Capital Asset Planning, Economic Development & Sustainability, Mallett Hall, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Recreation Committee and Solid Waste Committee. The packet lists all appointees and terms; most appointments passed unanimously. A single procedural vote about appointing Susan Briggs Peters to the Future Facilities Committee recorded Yes 1, No 1, Abstain 1 before other appointments proceeded.
On fiscal carry-forwards, the Select Board approved a $50,000 carry-forward for the Future Facilities Committee, intended to honor the town's May 9, 2025 contract with IOV Community Planning. The board also transferred $3,081.44 from the unassigned fund balance to cover EcoMaine tipping and recycling fees for the prior fiscal year, approved a $2,600 carry-forward for Mallett Hall maintenance to cover wage differences, and approved a $2,413 carry-forward for the Fire Department (the figure discussed initially in the packet was $2,113 but an additional $300 for health screenings was added and approved). All four carry-forward/transfer motions passed Yes 3, No 0.
On infrastructure and equipment, the board authorized the sealed-bid sale of Truck 2 with a minimum bid of $10,000; sealed bids will be accepted through the town office and posted to the Maine Municipal Association site, with the Town Administrator receiving and presenting bids to the Select Board. The Select Board also appointed Selectpersons Day and Pottle as delegates to the Greater Portland Council of Governments annual meeting, with Chair Morris as alternate (Yes 3, No 0).
The board reviewed paving quotes for Chadsey, Leighton and Verrill roads and awarded Crooker Construction the surface/base and shim/overlay work for $104,521.25 (motion by Chair Morris, seconded by Selectperson Pottle; vote Yes 3, No 0). The board noted bids from other firms and discussed material sourcing; Crooker was selected based on price, capacity and prior work history.
The board authorized the Town Administrator to release tax lien #036816 on 407 Hallowell Road once the property owner deposits $901.41 to satisfy the outstanding lien, and authorized the Town Administrator to record the release upon receipt. The motion carried Yes 3, No 0.
The meeting closed with housekeeping items and scheduling: a July 28 workshop with North Star Planning on an impact-fee ordinance was set, the August 25 meeting was canceled and the board adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
What happens next: the board will post details about the Truck 2 sealed-bid sale and the paving schedule; the Future Facilities Committee will be asked to prioritize projects identified in its contract and in the salt shed report discussed separately at this meeting.
