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Hope Select Board accepts $3,000 security grant, approves warrants and accepts deputy clerk resignation
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting the Hope Select Board approved warrants and minutes, authorized acceptance of a $3,000 Risk Reduction Grant to buy and install security cameras via Pro‑Tech Security, accepted Deputy Clerk Sarah Chapman’s resignation, and held an executive session on a personnel matter.
The Hope Select Board met on Nov. 12 at the Hope Town Office and approved a series of routine actions, accepted a $3,000 security grant and handled personnel and administrative business.
On a motion by Charlie Weidman to adjust the agenda to accommodate attendees (seconded by Wayne Luce), the board rearranged the order of business and proceeded. The board approved the Oct. 22, 2024 minutes on a motion by Weidman, seconded by Luce (motion passed 4-0), and approved Treasurer and Payroll warrants 33, 34, 35 and 36 on a motion by Weidman, seconded by Crystal Robinson (motion passed 5-0).
The board authorized acceptance of the full $3,000 Risk Reduction Grant and empowered the Town Administrator to contract with Pro‑Tech Security for the purchase and installation of security cameras after a motion from Wayne Luce, seconded by Crystal Robinson (motion passed 4-0). The board also accepted the resignation of Deputy Clerk Sarah Chapman with thanks on a motion by Joe Tassi, seconded by Wayne Luce (motion passed 4-0).
During the Town Administrator report, officials noted 1,458 registered voters in Hope and 79% turnout in the Nov. 5 election (1,148 ballots cast, including 518 absentee ballots). The Town Administrator reported an operational issue that required every ballot to be rescanned after polls closed because of the way thumb drives were programmed; staff completed counting and reporting by 2:30 a.m. The report also included praise from the Pen‑Bay Soccer Club for maintenance of True Park, notification of a Mid Coast Solid Waste Board meeting on Nov. 20 in Camden, and a school board subcommittee meeting on Nov. 18 to begin the superintendent search. The FY23 school audit has started but the municipal audit timing is delayed due to an understaffed auditing firm.
The board noted several board and committee vacancies and updates on the new website, building and plumbing permits issued since Oct. 8, and outstanding real‑estate tax accounts (1,011 FY2025 accounts totaling $1,858,168.99; 22 FY2024 accounts totaling $42,538.09 with foreclosure set for Feb. 20, 2026 if unpaid; eight FY2023 accounts totaling $24,167.98 with foreclosure set for Feb. 11, 2025 if unpaid).
The Select Board entered executive session at 7:14 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to 1 M.R.S. §405(6)(A)(1) (motion by Charlie Weidman; seconded by Crystal Robinson; motion passed 5-0) and exited at 7:51 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. on a motion by Sarah Ann Smith, seconded by Wayne Luce (motion passed 5-0).
