By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — Unless voters pass a modified Administration budget line this Friday, the Town of Harrison faces a complete shutdown July 1.

Taxpayers rejected Question 13 on the warrant calling for $740,406 for town administration by a 285-251 margin.

The end result is when the fiscal year ends June 30, there will be no money for daily operations.

New Town Manager Cass Newell reached out to Maine Municipal Association for guidance regarding this never-seen-before circumstance.

“There is no historical precedent for the core articles of the town being voted down,” Newell said.

Taxpayers also rejected four other articles — $196,166 for code enforcement, $150,000 for the Comprehensive Capital Reserve Account, which is targeted for the downtown beautification project, funding to move to a full-time fire chief and two per diem firefighters/EMTs, and approval for bonding of the already-approved new Public Works garage.

MMA informed Newell that the town would be required to address allarticles that failed, not just Administration.

Also, standard notification of a special town meeting was altered so that the town could act before the fiscal year ends.

The special town meeting is set for this Friday, June 24, at 6 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School.

Last Friday, an open public budget workshop was held at the town office. Residents filled the meeting room, and others listened to discussion over a loud speaker in the parking lot. A few watched via Zoom. Colleen Densmore served as meeting facilitator, having residents interested in asking questions, stating an opinion or making a recommendation placing their names on one of five clipboards — one for each ballot question.

The nearly four-hour session stumbled out of the gate when some residents were hesitant to wear a mask after Board chairman Ray Laplante — citing the large gathering in the small room and the current high Covid infection rate in Cumberland County — made the request. When some sensed that if they declined the request they likely faced removal from the meeting by local sheriff deputy Andy Ward, they complied.

Densmore encouraged residents to “stay on track” and be “focused” on the question being discussed, noting each speaker would be given just five minutes to talk.

The Select Board decided they would first listen to citizen input, and then deliberate as to how they would proceed with each question that would be put before a special town meeting vote.

The focus on Administration was sidetracked when the issue of Laplante remaining at the head table and leading the Select Board came into question for the second straight night.

On Thursday at the board’s regular monthly meeting, newly-elected Select Board Penny Bean — who defeated Laplante and two other opponents — questioned why she had yet to be sworn in and why she had yet to take Laplante’s seat on the board.

Citizen Renee Carter raised the same question Friday, wondering if Laplante’s continued presence makes him an “illegal board member.”

Select Board member Matt Frank explained that officially, Laplante’s term expires on June 30, and Bean assumes the job on July 1. From a practical standpoint, Laplante was part of the budget process and is versed in how decisions were made, whereas a new member was not part of the process and would be unable to answer citizens’ questions.

“Ray is still a member of this board and is entitled to chair this meeting,” Frank said.

“I respectfully disagree,” Carter responded.

When the focus returned to the Administration budget line, citizens praised the efforts of municipal workers but questioned the growth of town office staff and whether Harrison truly needs an assistant town manager. Carter cited several nearby municipalities, larger in population than Harrison, that don’t employ an assistant town manager.

“We don’t have deep pockets,” she said, noting many retirees need to pinch every penny especially during this inflationary period.

Renee Joyce, a former clerk who now fills in, says staff needs to be paid better based on all of the required training and responsibilities they assume, especially when a shift leader at a fast-food restaurant is working for $19 per hour.

Walter Riseman agreed staff turn in Herculean efforts and it is not “unreasonable” for them to be paid accordingly. However, he suggested that if an assistant town manager is needed to help in response to Harrison’s growth over the past two years, maybe the position should be part-time, not full-time.

Newell noted that while serving in the assistant manager’s role, she earned $58,000 and took no other benefits, since she is a disabled veteran and is covered by the U.S. Navy (she later noted that arrangement continues as town manager, earning a $85,000 salary but accepting no benefits).

“We’re getting a heck of a deal,” Laplante noted.

Frank noted that the assistant manager position, which was approved by the Select Board by a 5-0 vote, was created after previous Town Manager Tim Pellerin said demands were growing and more help was needed.

“We want Cass not to be overwhelmed,” Frank said.

Select Board member Rick Sykes called for a 6% increase in the Administration line from a year ago, $625,049 to $662,498 — a reduction of $77,908.

The board did not move to cut the assistant manager position, but to keep it or alter it, Newell would need to possibly reallocate funds.

The board voted 3-2 (Sykes, Fred Ross and Phil Devlin for; Frank and Laplante against) on the recommendation, moving it forward to Friday’s special town meeting vote.

Question 22regarding Code Enforcement, discussion was short. Devlin’s only concern was a 125% increase in supplies. Newell said the sharp increase was due to purchasing electronic measuring equipment, as well as updated maps.

The Select Board voted 5-0 to keep the current request.

Question 24regarding money for the downtown beautification project, it seems many voters didn’t realize the $150,000 was earmarked for this work. 

Newell said the town needs to address several sidewalks, which fail to meet the American Disability Act standards and the town’s insurer is pushing for improvements. This money tackles Phase 1 of a two-phase project.

Newell also noted that the town is seeking grant money to assist with this effort, appearing it could be in line for a 60-40 or 50-50 split. But, this is a matching arrangement, which is why $150,000 is being requested.

Devlin wondered if there was some way a statement could be included with the article explaining what the money is for. Newell said the beautification project information is available for public review at the town office.

The Select Board voted 5-0 to move the same question to voters on Friday.

Question 25regarding raising $306,054 for a full-time fire chief and two per diem FF/EMTs to provide 7 days a week coverage rather than the current 1 day.

Officials clarified that if Question 25 passed, it would negate Question 15 calling for $151,038 for the fire department (Q15 passed 295-242).

Admittedly, this issue was the hot topic around town. Fire Chief Dana Laplante noted that this proposal was hardly a spur of the moment idea. He and former Town Manager Tim Pellerin, who was a decorated firefighter over his years of service, researched and developed the proposal over a three-year span.

Laplante cited the continue decline of volunteerism, as well as the aging of long-time firefighters, who no longer are certified to enter a burning building. The proposal is an attempt to “get ahead of the problem” of shrinking manpower, caused also by the inability of firefighters to respond to day-time calls due to work commitments (many work outside of Harrison).

Mike DiBiase is one such firefighter. He volunteers in Harrison, but works full-time as an EMT in Windham.

“We’re not around during the day. We have to work,” he said. “We don’t get to choose when calls happen. If we could, I’d like it to be after dinner.”

Citizen Jamie Dayton wondered if the town could settle on some type of compromise, such as a full-time chief and one per diem FF/EMT.

Frank rolled out a price list for taxpayers to consider: a full-time chief and one per diem, $155,000; full-time chief, 5 days per week, $40,000; full-time chief and one per diem Monday-Friday, $99,280; 1 per diem, Monday-Friday, $59,280; 2 per diem Monday-Friday, $118,560.

Several people questioned whether other alternatives might exist and should be looked into. Many admitted they were “torn” on this question — some citing trying to keep taxes down, others noting that when emergency strikes and a loved one is either hurt or their home is burning, they want the peace of mind knowing when the call for assistance goes out, someone will show up.

Chief Laplante pointed out that neighboring towns that could provide mutual aid are dealing with the same issues — limited manpower during daytime hours. He noted that on several occasions, several departments respond to a call, but each has one or two firefighters available.

Deputy Andrew Ward made two quick points — in one case, he started CPR and it took 18 minutes before other emergency personnel arrived at the scene; and at a house fire, two firefighters showed up, and “I put the fire out.”

Select Board members Devlin and Sykes suggested more study is needed, and recommended zero dollars. The board 3-2 (Devlin, Sykes, Ross) in support of this recommendation.

Question 27 deals with authorizing the town to seek a bond for the already-approved new Public Works facility.

Citizen Wendell Scribner wondered if now is a good time to move ahead on the project due to the higher cost of building materials and with a possible recession ahead.

Select Board member Frank proposed that rather than seek a 15-year bond at 3.99% interest, which Androscoggin Bank was willing to offer until Friday’s vote, that the town instead dip into some of its capital reserves to pay for the $3.4 million project, avoid the high interest, and then replenish the accounts.

Laplante noted that under the bond scenario, the town can always pare down early what is owed and save money.

The Select Board voted 4-1 (Frank against) to move the article forward as previously written.

Now, the issues fall back into the hands of voters Friday.