Short takes from the Harrison Select Board meeting, Jan. 11:

No bus to be found. It sounded like a good idea — buy a used school bus and use it for Recreation field trips and adult trips, as well as transporting youngsters from library programs.

The 68-passenger bus could be purchased using American Recovery Act federal funds. Unfortunately, after an extensive search by Town Manager Cass Newell, town staff and Selectman Fred Ross, an adequate vehicle in the town’s price range was unattainable. She noted that the town was looking for a bigger bus due to the popularity of rec-sponsored trips, which often exceed 50 participants.

“I can’t find a bus. I can’t find a bus that fits mechanically what the Public Services Department is looking for that fits our needs as a town. As much as it pains me to do this, I think maybe it’s time that we release holding those (ARPA) funds. I am really okay with that,” Newell told the Select Board. “I am recommending with a heavy heart that you rescind my request for the bus at this time.”

Select Board Chairman Matt Frank suggested that the town could tap into capital funds to add to the $35,000 in ARPA money to purchase a bus.

“I think we can absolutely figure something out,” Newell said.

After contracting for a fire department study at not to exceed $17,500, the ARPA balance is $57,420.57.

Where to take brush? Resident Rick Sykes asked town officials if any progress has been made regarding how citizens can dispose of brush?

Town Manager Cass Newell said the Public Services Director Dennis Michaud has been “actively searching.” One option might be creating a spot at the Transfer Station. Newell hopes to find a solution soon so any costs can be figured into the budget and placed on the June warrant.

More public notice needed. A Main Street resident wondered why more public notice wasn’t given regarding downtown revitalization efforts, noting he learned about possible options by reading a recent story in The News.

“I’m not being notified of things that are going on that affects my street, my house,” he said. “I was very surprised at what was in the article. I did attend a meeting. There were a lot of things discussed.

He asked why the town doesn’t advertise in the newspaper when revitalization meetings are held or Select Board agendas.

Town Manager Cass Newell pointed out that the revitalization effort is a “work in progress” and the information presented in The News was from a “huge report” filed by engineering firm Wright-Pierce.

“We intend to keep everybody informed as progress goes on. Decisions haven’t been made,” Newell said. “(The newspaper report) is a decent synopsis of a lot of the different possibilities that have potential for the future of this town. There’ll be lots and lots of public hearings and public meetings. The goal of Wright-Pierce is to involve the public in whatever capacity possible. There was an online survey that was on our website, but it wasn’t really utilized as well as we had hoped. Public engagement is the goal. We want to know what the public would like us to do. If the public says stop, we’ll stop. If the public wants overwhelmingly to add more sidewalks, we’ll do more sidewalks potentially, if we can get some matching grants. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle. Nothing is set in stone.”

Newell pointed out that publishing the agenda in the newspaper could be difficult due to timing of items being added and the paper’s deadline for submissions. The agenda is posted on the town website and local public billboards.

Garage open house. Expect an Open House at the new Town Garage facility to happen soon. The event has been delayed due to a water pressure issue at the new facility. This week, officials announced the the issue “has been worked out.”

A grand opening and two open houses will be held — dates still to be determined.

Newell noted that even though the garage is in full use, tarps have been used to preserve the “newness” of the facility so when the public enters the Public Services Garage for the first time, it will still have that “new feel” to it.

“15 years in the making, I am a stickler that the garage looks as close to new for our citizens. They deserve to see it as close to new, shiny, beautiful when it is available for the public to see. They deserve that,” Newell said.

Coffee Time with Cass. Do you have a question or concern or simply want to meet Town Manager Cass Newell? You can...over coffee or tea and dessert.

Coffee Time w/Cass will be held at the Harrison Town Office meeting room on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Those interested should RSVP to Executive Assistant Denise Dumont either by calling 583-2241 ext 311 or e-mail ddumont@harrisonmaine.org

To keep an intimate setting and able to facilitate conversation, the coffee time will be limited to 10 people (first come, first serve by RSVP).

Newell looks to run Coffee Time the second Wednesday of each month.

By the Numbers. In December, 11 new building permits (164 to date); five new single-family homes permitted (34 ytd); 106 plumbing permits; 27 inspections (408 ytd).

“Since they (Code Enforcement) began tracking walk-in customers in April, there have been 580 people who have come into the Code Department for assistance (April 1 to Dec. 31), an average of 64 per month,” Newell pointed out. “Based on nine months, that projects to 773 customers (realtors, contractors, citizens) over the course of the entire year if that were to continue as the average.