Westbrook selectmen approve armored‑car funding, library gift use and temporary alcohol waiver for June craft fair

The Westbrook Board of Selectmen met May 12 and unanimously approved several administrative motions that will affect town events, finance operations and personnel.

First Selectman John Hall announced the removal of three agenda items at the chairs’ requests before the board considered a request from Edgewood Estates Winery to offer small sample tastings at the DTC Spring Arts & Crafts Fair on June 7. The town’s Use of Town Property Ordinance prohibits alcohol on town property, but the board voted to waive that provision for Edgewood Estates for the June 7 event. Audience members raised concerns that requiring a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from every small vendor would be cost‑prohibitive; the board agreed to waive the COI requirement for this year and asked the Town Attorney to draft a clearer insurance policy for future events.

The board also reviewed a five‑year proposal from Loomis for armored‑car service to transport weekly tax deposits to the bank. The packet shows costs as $259 per month (approximately $3,200 per year). Selectmen said the service is intended to protect employees and town funds; the request is funded in the proposed FY 2026–27 budget. The board authorized the First Selectman to sign a contract with Loomis pending final Town Attorney approval.

Library Director Michelle Centore asked the board to approve the use of $19,000 from the Library Gift Fund for materials, equipment, furnishings, landscaping and stipends. Centore clarified these are privately donated funds managed by the Library Board and are not funds raised by the Friends of the Westbrook Library. The board voted to forward the request to the Board of Finance and a Town Meeting for final action.

On personnel matters, the board appointed Dave Foster as an alternate member of the Board of Fire Commissioners and accepted the resignation of Zoning Enforcement Officer Eric Salmon, effective May 22. After executive sessions for probationary reviews, the board extended permanent employment to Library Assistant 2 Lisa Pauszek, Maintainer 3 Chris Kostek and Groundsman Erick Gutzmer, and approved a revised job description for the Assistant Town Clerk (the union had approved the change). All motions recorded in the minutes passed unanimously.

First Selectman Hall’s report noted $5,000 from the General Engineering line will be used to finalize the Town Dock survey, engineering costs for a proposed sidewalk from Daisy Elementary School to 'Stone Henge' came in higher than expected, and a Town‑initiated FOIA hearing will be rescheduled after the defendant failed to appear on May 11. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Waive Use of Town Property alcohol prohibition for Edgewood Estates (DTC Spring Arts & Crafts Fair on June 7) — motion passed unanimously (mover: Mr. Bialicki; second: Mr. Campbell). • Authorize funding and contract signature for Loomis armored‑car service (pending Town Attorney approval) — motion passed unanimously (mover: Mr. Campbell; second: Mr. Bialicki). • Forward $19,000 Library Gift Fund use request to BOF and Town Meeting — motion passed unanimously (mover: Mr. Bialicki; second: Mr. Campbell). • Appoint Dave Foster, accept Eric Salmon resignation — motions passed unanimously. • Extend permanent employment to Lisa Pauszek, Chris Kostek and Erick Gutzmer; approve Assistant Town Clerk job description — motions passed unanimously.

Next steps: the Town Attorney will finalize the Loomis contract language and assist drafting a vendor insurance policy for future events; the library request will be considered by the Board of Finance and at a Town Meeting for final approval.