4072-R2_ML&P_TownOfBuxton

Town of Buxton Selectmen’s Report 2016/2017 A lot has happened since the last Selectmen’s Report was written.

Mark Blier was elected to the Board of Selectmen. Nicole Welch was hired as our new Recreation Director, and more recently Grace Bibber was hired to fill the full-time position of Recreation Supervisor. Kimberly Beam was hired as the Town’s new Treasurer, Mike Crockett was hired as a PublicWorks Laborer/Equipment Operator, and Tim Martin was hired as the Town Mechanic replacing our long time mechanic, Larry Anderson. Three full-time personnel, Shawn Hebert, Denise Mayberry, and Julie Suiter were added to the Fire-Rescue Department. Voters approved a new Business and Commercial Zone Design Standards Ordinance for the Commercial District at the June, 2016 Town Meeting. A similar proposal for the Rural and Village Districts is being discussed and will be presented to the voters. Along the same lines, the Board voted to increase the Building Permit Fees and a new Fee Schedule was put into effect this winter. A six month Moratorium Ordinance Regarding Retail Business Establishments in the Village District was approved by Buxton citizens at a Special Town Meeting. The Town established this Moratorium due to the sudden threat of increased development from large, retail establishments in a village zone and the size of businesses that are currently allowed in our village zones. At this time, one public meeting has been held and a second has been scheduled for March 28. It is our hope that an agreeable solution can be found. A new plow truck was approved by the voters last June and the truck arrived just in time for snow season. Buxton Toy Box had another successful year. Many thanks to Mia Dodge, to all those who made contributions and volunteered, and to all of the Toy Box Elves who helped make it possible for 132 Buxton children to have a wonderful Christmas. Mark Blier has reorganized the Comprehensive Plan Committee and they have had several productive meetings thus far. There have been many new businesses going up around town this past year including River Drive, a wooden barrel processing facility, Stonecraft Inc., a concrete countertop sales office, EnergizeME Electric Company, Big Moose Harley Davidson, Timber Ridge Farm, a new kennel, a new garage facility and business office for Peters Construction, a compost toilet manufacturing facility for boats, and a yoga studio. Two large issues that confronted the Town were the completion of the new Bar Mills Bridge and passage of legislation to legalize marijuana. Although it seemed like it took forever, the bridge was finally completed and officially opened with a fantastic ribbon cutting ceremony on November 7,

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