Raymond select board adopts AI policy, insurance safety resolve and several administrative measures; tables fire fee changes

The Raymond select board on July 14 approved a package of administrative actions and policies and tabled proposed fire-department fee changes after members asked for clearer documentation.

Among adopted measures, the board approved an updated information-technology policy that sets rules for municipal use of artificial intelligence tools, including prohibitions on feeding personally identifying information into AI systems and a requirement that IT approve any town licenses. Town staff recommended a vendor (Claude/Anthropic) based on data-security considerations. "It does not replace accountability, but it creates controls and permissible uses," staff said during the presentation. The board voted to adopt the AI/IT policy and requested training for staff.

The board also voted to join the Maine Municipal Association workers' compensation safety-incentive program and authorized staff to execute the necessary forms. Staff estimated initial premium savings of roughly $4,000 to $5,000 and additional possible credits up to 15 percent over time as safety steps are implemented.

On property administration, the board adopted an updated tax-acquired property policy to conform with state law (transcript reference: 36 M.R.S. § 9494(3)(c)). The revision limits repayment arrangements to five months and disallows repayment plans for commercial properties, a change staff said is intended to reduce town risk from long-term installment contracts.

The board authorized the town manager to accept a Luneco Land Trust grant (roughly $50,000–$60,000) to update the open-space master plan, and it approved two quitclaim deeds — one returning a tax-acquired property to a prior owner following repayment and another clearing a long-standing 2003 lien. The board also appointed Ryan Pacaro to the conservation commission.

A proposed update to the fire department fee schedule — which would add fees for sprinkler and alarm reviews and revise apparatus billing rates — drew questions about whether new charges would duplicate existing inspection fees. After discussion, the mover withdrew the motion and the board voted to table the item to the August meeting so staff can provide historical fee schedules and clearer operational detail.

During public comment the board heard residents describe repeated dangerous driving and asked staff to contact Cumberland County about increased patrols or special details. The board said it will explore options, including asking the sheriff’s office about special-detail rates or other short-term measures to increase enforcement.

Votes at a glance

- Business license for Zebon Fitness: approved, conditioned on completion of life-safety corrections (motioned by a board member; seconded; voice vote in favor). - MMA workers’ compensation safety-incentive participation: approved (motioned; seconded; voice vote in favor). - Tax-acquired property policy update: approved (motioned; seconded; voice vote in favor). - Open-space master plan grant (Luneco Land Trust): authorized acceptance and RFP issuance (motioned; seconded; voice vote in favor). - IT/AI policy: approved (motioned; seconded; voice vote in favor). - Fire department fee schedule: motion withdrawn; item tabled to August for clarification. - Quitclaim deeds (Map 52 Lot 12; Map 16 Lot 56): approved (motions; voice votes in favor). - Appointment of Ryan Pacaro to the conservation commission: approved (motioned; seconded; voice vote in favor).

Board members thanked staff for workshop work on annual goals and asked staff to track progress with GPCOG technical assistance; the town manager reported a $45,000 vulnerability-assessment grant for culverts and said staff will post the revaluation presentation online. The meeting adjourned after routine business.