By Lorraine
Glowczak
The Raymond Board
of Selectmen held a meeting on Tuesday, July 9 from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. before
entering into executive session for an annual review of the town manager.
The evening’s
agenda included an approval of the Gore Road Agreement with the Town of Gray as
well as an update on the RSU14 withdrawal process.
Briefly, the
first segment of Gore Road starting at the intersection at Webbs Mills Road in
Raymond is a publicly accepted town way. As one travels toward Little Sebago
Lake, the road becomes a private road, for approximately ¼ of a mile -and then
at the Raymond/Gray town line becomes a public roadway again in the Town of
Gray.
The Town of
Raymond currently plows and maintains the public way portion of Gore Road
located in Raymond but does not maintain the private portion of the road. The
issue is that this section of the road, which is used by both Raymond and Gray
residents, is filled with potholes, causing damage to both public and private
vehicles. Since the private road is a major connecting point between the two
towns it has become nearly impassable, causing damage to both private and
public vehicles – not to mention the lack of safety from a patient care
standpoint.
The road’s
condition is beyond capacity of the private landowners to improve.
Additionally, what makes this private road unique is that it is a thoroughfare,
and not a dead end as is the case for most private roads.
Through many
discussions between the two towns, public works directors and municipal
attorneys, Raymond Town Manager Don Willard has described the proposed
resolution as a “creative solution to a unique situation. It is a win-win for
both towns.”
A resolution has
been developed and written between the two towns in which there is a quid pro
quo exchange of services. The resolution is both cost effective and financially
neutral. Presently, the Town of Gray has a contract with a private plowing
company, and thus, the plowing agreement will begin in 2021. The Raymond Board
of Selectmen voted unanimously to have Willard sign the agreement.
An update on the
RSU14 withdrawal process was discussed by Chair, Rolf Olsen. He stated that working
on the separation agreement and that subcommittee work is in the beginning
stages. The Budget Committee, which is working on the outline of the Raymond
school budget, needs more volunteers.
“We would prefer that someone who has a stake in the
school system, and a member from the community be involved,” stated Selectmen
Marshall Bullock who is also the Chair of the Withdrawal Budget Committee for
the RSU14. “We now have a Select person, and a member of the Raymond Budget
Finance committee on board. We would prefer that the persons are willing to
assist in the development and see all facts before forming their opinion.”
The
committee will first look at the cost of physical assets (computer technology
and facilities maintenance) with the student services portion of the budget as
a second part of the process (superintendent, nurse, guidance counselor).
Another
subcommittee will consider resurrecting the “One Raymond” concept. The intention of this
approach is to explore all assets available within the town without duplicating
services for both the town and Raymond schools’ needs. An idea borrowed from
the Town of Cape Elizabeth, the purpose is to improve efficiency by sharing assets,
personnel and functions between town and school to minimize property tax
impacts.
The next
RSU14 withdrawal meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10. That
meeting will have both a public side and possibly an executive session
depending on where things are with the withdrawal agreement.
For
more information, contact the Raymond Town office at 207-655-4742, or to watch
the full meeting: www.raymondmaine.org/video-archives
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