By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

When a town spends over $100,000 for legal representation, Lee Eastman expects a certain level of service.

As a local businessman, Eastman is familiar with the average time frame when an inquiry is made with an attorney and when a response is delivered.

So, Bridgton’s Board of Selectmen chairman was a little annoyed by the level of service the town was receiving from its longtime legal counsel, Drummond Woodsum, as well as the firm admitting some matters weren’t handled as “quickly as they should have been.”

Eastman posed a simple question, “Let’s see what’s out there.”

Bridgton had an expensive 2019 in terms of legal costs. Some budget lines were exceeded due to municipal projects such as drafting the Land Use Ordinance and working on streetscape and wastewater, as well as Planning Board matters including marijuana ordinance creation and review of Hotel Bridgton (when the project went to the Appeals Board, the town was paying for two attorneys during these sessions, one representing the Planning Board and another for the Appeals Board). One example, the code enforcement line is $14,477 over budget.

While $66,140 was budgeted for legal costs, money paid to Drummond Woodsum reached $109,200 — $55,236 was tied to wastewater treatment facility land purchase.

If selectmen decide to send out a request for proposal to other law firms, Town Manager Bob Peabody encouraged selectmen to seek feedback from department heads, who work with the attorneys on a regular basis.

Selectwoman Carmen Lone felt the exercise would be a “waste of time.”

“I don’t interact with the attorney, and the information given to me is secondhand,” she said. Lone felt service provided “has been fine.”

“I felt it’s time to take a look and see if there is something better,” Eastman responded.

Selectman Bear Zaidman saw no harm in going through a review process and getting a better idea “what’s out there.”

Peabody noted that some inquiries made to the law firm were without his knowledge, and the time has come to have “firmer controls” on legal counsel use.

Selectmen voted 4-1 (Lone against) to seek out proposals.

In other meeting notes:

Hired. Holly Heymann has been hired as finance clerk. She started her duties on Jan. 6.

Touch of art. As Bridgton freshens its look with streetscape work, Greg Bullard sees another way to dress up the town.

As members of the Community Development Advisory Committee, Bullard and Nelle Ely are spearheading the creation of an Art Development Committee, a subcommittee of the CDC. The idea is “to bring art to the community” through classes, workshops, exhibits and a performing arts center, Bullard told selectmen. So far, the committee has six members, but could still add two or four more people interested in this effort.

Bullard noted that the group is working on a mission statement, goals and core values.

“The history of Bridgton is its deep in arts and culture,” said Bullard, and should be part of the economic development the town is undergoing. One simple way to add a splash of color to the town scenery is to work with local businesses about displaying these pieces.

“Everyone I’ve talked to has jumped up and down about the idea,” Bullard said. “It’s a good thing.”

Selectmen questioned the formation of the subcommittee before running the idea past them, since the CDC “takes direction from the board.”

“That’s what we’re doing now,” CDC member Bob McHatton responded. “We’re introducing the concept.”

Town Manager Bob Peabody pointed out that citizens can form a committee, and work under the “umbrella of the CDC” along with new Community Development Director Linda Lacroix.

“The CDC can appoint a subcommittee, and get direction from the board of selectmen,” Peabody said.

“We think this is a good idea,” McHatton added.

“I just want to be sure we’re all on the same page,” Board Chairman Lee Eastman said.

Recommended. The Ordinance Review Committee is always looking for interested residents to help them with the task of examining existing town ordinances for possible revisions.

ORC member Deb Brusini informed selectmen that the group received interest from Mary Tworog, and would recommend her approval by selectmen.

The group is reviewing ordinances regarding disorderly housing, consumer fireworks and adult entertainment (nudity). If changes are to be made to these ordinances, the group will have the town’s attorney review them and the committee’s recommendations have to be filed with selectmen by Feb. 10. 

Selectman Bear Zaidman suggested the group look at changes the state made in regards to fireworks.

Tax relief for seniors. The idea of giving longtime Bridgton residents a tax break is one Selectman Bear Zaidman would like to see happen. The question is how to fund it.

A Senior Tax Relief Program Ordinance could reach the annual town meeting warrant this June, and one part of the equation is how much money will be set aside to run it.

Zaidman wondered if $63,000 budgeted for outside agencies could be the funding source.

As Bridgton Community Center director, Carmen Lone sees firsthand how outside agencies serve the community and feels it would be a mistake to cut their funding.

Chairman Eastman voiced his disappointment that some agencies fail to send a representative to budget sessions to explain the benefits their groups have on the local community. He finds it difficult to support funding when he has no knowledge of actual benefits to Bridgton residents.

Lone said making an appearance before the board can be included in letters sent out to organizations.

As for senior tax relief, the program’s use would be contingent on funds available year to year. Applications for relief would be taken in July.

Reminders. 2020 dog licenses are available at the town office. Dogs not licensed after Jan. 31 are subject to a $25 late fee. Fees are: $11 for male/female, $6 neutered/spayed, $30 nuisance dogs, $100 dangerous dogs.

New transfer station stickers are available at the town office and transfer station; cost is $10 for a two-year sticker. A sticker is required to dispose of trash and recyclable items. Staff will be checking for stickers.