York Town News
Manager gets contract extension and raise after first year on the job
By Larry Favinger
YORK - Town Manager Rob Yandow has received a unanimous vote of confidence - and a raise - from the Board of Selectmen.The selectmen voted the manager a year's extension to his contract and a 5 percent increase in pay at their meeting Monday night, Nov. 13, at the York Public Library.
Yandow joined the town in November of last year.
The selectmen had met in executive session to evaluate the manager's performance.
Selectmen Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell, who made the motion to extend the contract with the pay increase said, "This is a really good process. It's fair and we all said what we had to say."
Following the unanimous vote, Chairman David Marshall echoed Bardwell saying, "The process went very well."
During the meetings with the manager, goals were established for the coming year. These include continued focus on customer service, moving forward with the aims of the town's Comprehensive Plan and cost containment along with seeking other sources of revenue.
Poor communication and some sloppy work were blamed for the controversy that arose during a discussion of carryovers earlier this fall and a deficit of about $60,000 in a public works account.
Revenue from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was placed in the general fund and not immediately transferred into the various accounts, including one for paving.
The town will receive a total of about $180,000 from FEMA to cover the cost of storm damage. Thus far, $139,000 had been received.
Yandow said there was a combination of factors leading to the misunderstanding but the deficit really never existed, and has been taken care of by proper posting of the funds. Yandow said there was "some sloppy work done" but it has been rectified and steps taken to assure "we're not going to make those errors again."
Amendment in the Works
The town is working with the Maine Municipal Association to prepare an amendment to Legislative Document1535, the state law that will replace the town's growth control ordinance and allow more than 130 residential building permits per year instead of the 84 now allowed by the town.
Yandow said York is fighting the legislation alone at this time.
"We're pretty much on our own," he said, and "there is no hope the bill will be repealed."
The amendment will be discussed by the selectmen at a future meeting.
Road Work Progressing
Yandow said the work on Logging Road and Clay Hill Road is progressing. Clay Hill could be open by the end of the week, he said, but there have been some slight problems with the weather and Logging Road's opening will be delayed.
The work on Route 91, which is a state-funded project, has progressed faster than anticipated and the town could also open that road later this week.
The roads were damaged in the Mother's Day Weekend storm.
Banner on Hold
A request from the Bog Road Community Playground Project to display banners in support those backing their project was put on hold because the selectmen were unaware of just where the proposed playground would be located.
Bardwell noted work is being done on a master plan for the Bog Road land and there has been, to date, no mention of a playground there.
Estes said there is probably room, but the process should be followed and the project presented to the selectmen before activities like the one proposed can be approved.
Directional Sign Approved
A request for three directional signs for Jewett Farms and Co. was approved unanimously for the intersections of Route 91 and Bog Road, Chase's Pond and Scituate Road and Bog Road and Scituate Road.
Blanket Approval for Games of Chance
The board unanimously approved an open-ended approval for games of chance for American Legion Post 56, Knights of Columbus Council 11940, Parents for York Wrestling, St. Christopher's Church, VFW Post 6977. York Beach and York Village Fire Departments, the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, Junior Wildcats, Kiwanis, Little League, Music Boosters, Rotary, Athletic Boosters and York High School activities.
This is an annual action to allow the groups to schedule raffles, Bingo games and other events that include games of chance as fundraising projects.
Although voting for the approval, Selectman Torbert Macdonald, Jr., said it is ironic that a town that led the "Casinos No" battle a few years ago allows these activities on an on-going basis.
