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Pownal Select Board approves warrants, hires town attorney and clears grant‑writing contract; hears Civic 101 proposal
Summary
At its May 27 meeting the Pownal Select Board approved an accounts payable warrant and payroll journal, accepted a town attorney engagement, authorized a grant‑writing contract pending attorney review, and heard a presentation on a Civic 101 course for residents.
The Pownal Select Board on May 27 approved an accounts payable warrant for $357,101.99 and a payroll journal for $10,163.77, accepted a letter of engagement for a town attorney and authorized a contract for grant‑writing services to support plans for a new fire station and public works building.
The board voted 3‑0 to approve FY25 AP Warrant #27 for $357,101.99 and Payroll Journal #448 for $10,163.77. Selectperson Andy O'Brien moved and Selectperson Kate Day seconded both motions; there was no discussion recorded prior to the unanimous votes.
Selectperson O'Brien moved and the board voted 3‑0 to accept a letter of engagement from attorney Ben McCall of the law firm DrummondWoodsum and to authorize Town Administrator Becky Taylor‑Chase to sign the engagement. The board also approved, by a 3‑0 vote, a contract with Isabelle Oechslie doing business as IOV Community Planning and Consulting to pursue grants for a new fire station and public works facility; the motion was amended to make final execution contingent on town attorney review and to authorize the town administrator to sign after vetting.
Town Administrator Becky Taylor‑Chase told the board she will work with the attorney to schedule an introductory meeting and will run the proposed IOV contract by McCall before final signature.
During new business the board heard a presentation from Peter Wagner, director of community programs with the local regional school unit, about a Civic 101 course he ran in Freeport that attracted 20 residents. Wagner urged the Select Board to consider offering a similar six‑week course in Pownal, ideally in January, to increase civic knowledge and recruit volunteers.
Other items: Fire Chief Jesse Peters reported the town will receive roughly $43,000 from FEMA for the April 2023 windstorm; the town received about $29,000 in reimbursement for a water capacity study grant. The board discussed election‑day counter hours for the June 10 election and approved temporary operational adjustments—signage and limited counter services—to reduce lines on the tax payment due date. The meeting moved into executive session under 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) for personnel matters and then adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Votes at a glance • AP Warrant #27, $357,101.99 — motion by Andy O'Brien; second Kate Day; vote Yes 3, No 0 (approved). • Payroll Journal #448, $10,163.77 — motion by Andy O'Brien; second Kate Day; vote Yes 3, No 0 (approved). • Minutes of May 12, 2025 — motion by Andy O'Brien; second Kate Day; vote Yes 3, No 0 (approved). • Town attorney letter of engagement (Ben McCall, DrummondWoodsum) — motion by Andy O'Brien; second Kate Day; vote Yes 3, No 0 (approved). • IOV contract for grant writing (Isabelle Oechslie / IOV Community Planning and Consulting) — motion amended to require town attorney review and permit Town Administrator signature; vote Yes 3, No 0 (approved pending attorney review).
Next steps and context: The town administrator will share proposed contract language with the new town attorney and schedule a meeting. The Select Board discussed outreach about the proposed Civic 101 offering and a January rollout tied to the town’s printed activity catalog.
