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Hancock Select Board approves payables, schedules Citizen of the Year meeting; tables permitting software decision
Summary
At its March 18 meeting the Hancock Select Board approved multiple payables and payroll warrants, set the Citizen of the Year meeting for April 9, voted to forward a clean copy of bylaws from Hancock Happenings to MMA for review, and deferred a decision on permitting software pending staff follow‑up.
The Hancock Select Board met March 18, 2026, and approved a series of payables and payroll warrants, scheduled the Citizen of the Year meeting for April 9 and asked town staff to seek vendor and conflict information before deciding on permitting software.
The board voted unanimously to submit a clean copy of bylaws from the new community group Hancock Happenings for review by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) and the town attorney. Amy Johnston of Hancock Happenings presented a draft of the group’s bylaws and a vision for community events, and asked that the town confirm insurance coverage for proposed activities. The board said it would expect quarterly updates from the group if MMA approves the bylaws.
In financial business, the board approved Payables Warrant #84 for $20,523.78 (motion by Adam Foster, second William Birdsall), Payables Warrant #85 for $4,956.58 designated for the HVFD (motion by William Birdsall, second Carol Lowrie), payroll Warrant #83 for $4,453.54 (motion by Carol Lowrie, second Adam Foster) and payroll Warrant #86 for $4,541.15 (motion by Adam Foster, second Robin Stratton). All four motions carried on recorded 5–0 votes.
Departmental reports included a briefing from Fire Chief Chris Holmes that the HVFD has added three new members, is promoting a junior firefighter program for people 14 and older, and held suicide prevention training. Holmes said he invited the Orland fire chief and the E‑911 dispatcher to discuss addressing in Coastal Estates so emergency responders can more quickly locate properties; Holmes is preparing a map of proposed address changes.
Code enforcement officer Kevin Brodie reported permitting activity: two internal plumbing permits and one septic permit totaling $690, and one structure, sign, solar and driveway permit together totaling $1,032.65. Board members discussed purchasing permitting software but agreed to table any decision until the April 1 meeting and asked Cheri/Cheryl Robinson and Diane Simmons to look into possible conflicts with Payport and consult the current vendor TRIO about the CEO module.
Road Commissioner George Moon said he had inspected Peaslee Road after a resident complaint and found issues possibly related to frost; there were also complaints about excess sand left on roads after recent snowstorms. Selectperson Adam Foster reported receiving a complaint about trash, debris and police activity at a residence on Eastside Road and said Town staff (Nick Branca) would inspect the property the next day.
Selectperson Carol Lowrie said the town website contains incorrect information and a Google search link is wrong; she will deliver details to town staff. Selectperson Robin Stratton asked that the Community Resilience Partnership be added to the April 1 agenda. The board adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Votes at a glance: the board recorded unanimous (5–0) approvals for the bylaws‑submission motion (to forward a clean copy to MMA for review), minutes approval for March 4, and the four warrants listed above. No ordinances or policy adoptions were finalized at this meeting; the permitting software question was tabled for further review.
