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Town administrator reports a missed mutual‑aid response; board hears complaints, foreclosures and other operational updates
Summary
In the Town Administrator’s report, officials said a Knox County mutual‑aid partner failed to respond to a Dec. 19 fire call at the Hannaford Supermarket, calling the mutual-aid agreement a 'handshake'; the board also heard of a resident complaint about a snowplow incident and was told nine foreclosure notices had been filed.
The Town Administrator reported at the Jan. 13 Hope Select Board meeting that one of the town’s Knox County mutual‑aid partners did not respond to a tone for a structure fire at the Hannaford Supermarket on Dec. 19. According to the administrator’s report, the partner is a 24‑hour department that did not communicate it would be standing down for a holiday party; the administrator said that left Hope relying on uncertain verbal understandings.
"I have discovered that our mutual agreement is nothing more than a handshake and an understanding someone will show up (maybe)," the Town Administrator said, urging the board to consider more formal assurances so smaller towns can rely on mutual assistance.
Under the Town Administrator’s Report the board also heard about a complaint from resident and snowplow driver Jeremy George, who the minutes say claimed he was nearly hit by one of the town’s drivers during a snowstorm. The administrator reported Mr. George had created a private Facebook page resembling the town page and that the page "does not allow anything but negative comments regarding the Town." The administrator said Mr. George filed a complaint with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and that the sheriff’s office closed the case after Mr. George refused to return calls.
The Town Administrator reported the town’s fire chief suffered a head injury and concussion on New Year’s Day; the minutes say the administrator characterized the injury as not job or town related and that the chief is improving.
The administrator told the board nine foreclosure notices were filed on Jan. 8 and that automatic foreclosures are scheduled for Feb. 20. The board was also reminded that dog licenses are due Jan. 31 and that late fees of $25 per dog apply after Feb. 1; staff have been calling license holders instead of sending notices and the calls have been described as effective.
When the board addressed scheduling, members agreed to keep the Feb. 10 meeting and move it to 5:00 p.m., with Wayne Luce attending by phone under the remote participation policy.
Later in the meeting, Charles Weidman moved at 6:50 p.m. to enter executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. §405 6(A)(1) for the Town Administrator’s annual performance evaluation; the motion was seconded by Crystal Robinson and passed 4-0. The minutes record the motion and the statutory citation; they do not record discussion that occurred in executive session.
