Livermore Falls selectboard approves routine warrants, conditionally adopts sewer billing changes and tables camera purchase

Livermore Falls — The selectboard met in regular session and handled a series of routine and substantive items, approving payroll and general-fund warrants, conditionally adopting revisions to the town’s sewer-billing policy and tabling a proposed security-camera purchase while setting aside reserve funds to preserve the option.

The board unanimously approved minutes from June 16 and accepted payroll warrants number 25 ($26,338.80) and 26 ($35,813.80), and general-fund warrant number 61 ($91,407.81).

Why it matters: The board’s conditional approval of the sewer-billing policy and the decision to move forward with most planned foreclosures keep the town on track to collect delinquent sewer bills while preserving the board’s legal safeguards; tabling the camera purchase creates time to solicit additional bids while preserving funds for public safety.

Sewer policy and foreclosures Staff presented a redline version of proposed sewer-billing policy changes reflecting adjustments discussed at a prior public hearing and at a rate-setting meeting. A committee member proposed an amendment requiring written legal guidance confirming that the revised policy may be implemented while the existing wastewater ordinance remains unchanged. That amendment was accepted and the board approved the policy as amended. The staff report on sewer foreclosures identified accounts for civil foreclosure and explained timing: “When somebody doesn't make a payment after 90 days ... We start the lien process for the 30 day notice,” staff said, adding that a lien matures after 18 months and that mortgage servicers such as CoreLogic had been contacted about several accounts. The board indicated it would follow established practice and proceed with sending foreclosure notices unless there was a compelling reason to withhold a particular account.

Security camera procurement Staff described a proposal from the town’s existing IT/security contractor to upgrade cameras at the recreation field and police office, noting the current system was installed in 2018–19 and is “getting to be outdated technology.” The vendor’s quote was $68,627.71 for equipment and installation, plus a recurring support fee of $459.24 per month. Board members questioned whether the purchase had been competitively bid and asked for clarity about the monthly support and failed-equipment replacement scope. A motion to table the purchase while staff sought two additional quotes passed after the board amended the tabling motion to carry about $72,300 from public-safety budget overages into a reserve account to cover the purchase and roughly $6,000 set aside for ongoing service costs.

Other actions The board approved a five‑year contract with San Susie Associates to revalue hydroelectric plants (the company offered one‑year and five‑year options at $6,000 per year; the board voted to approve the five‑year option). The board also authorized a staff member named Bryce to hold an “80 k” court-process certification and represent the town in court if needed.

What’s next Board members asked staff to provide the additional procurement quotes for the camera proposal and requested written legal guidance on the sewer-policy implementation relative to the wastewater ordinance. The meeting proceeded toward executive session on an enforcement consultation and took a short recess.

(Reporting based on the Livermore Falls selectboard meeting transcript.)