Short takes from Tuesday’s Bridgton Selectboard “virtual” meeting:

Better record keeping needed? As Timothy Gill of Runyon Kersteen Ouellette (RKO) ran through a bunch of numbers from a recent town audit, $118,000 was the figure that stood out most. 

Either caused by software or recording problems, Gill said data could not be located to determine the revenue came from.

“We should be able to account for where it came from,” Selectman Bear Zaidman said.

Town Manager Bob Peabody and Finance Officer Charisse Leach noted that the previous auditor created “miscellaneous” as a “dumping account” or placeholder until further dissecting of information could be done while trying to balance the books. It was never completed, officials said.

Gill said when RKO started its review in October, the balance actually topped over a million dollars. 

“We were able to whittle it down to $118,000,” Gill noted.

Peabody appreciated comments from the auditor, and noted that the town has since “tightened up procedures.”

Curb cut changes. As work on Main Street continues, a few changes to the streetscape plan were addressed by the Selectboard.

Number 1 was a change of the entry point to property to be developed near Pondicherry Square by Main Eco Homes (MEH).  The Maine Department of Transportation will not allow entry from an existing driveway to the property because of its close proximity to the traffic signal. Instead, that entry point will be moved 30 to 40 feet to the west, thus also eliminating one Main Street parking space.

Colin Dinsmore of HEB Engineers said MDOT will also eliminate the two curb cuts on Portland Road, which previously allowed access to the garage, last used by a granite company.

Selectboard Chairman Lee Eastman raised concerns about traffic leaving the property trying to make a left turn onto Main Street is “asking for trouble.”

Mike Connolly of MEH said traffic leaving the property will only be able to turn right. When MEH brings plans to the Planning Board regarding development of the site, it will include signage restricting turns only to the right.

Dinsmore said a change in the streetscape plan would be “minor,” translation, $2,500. That cost will be picked up by property owner, McIver Properties LLC.

Number 2 was a change in front of the Big Apple on Main Street. CN Brown (owner) had concerns about the proposed opening in regards to gas delivery trucks entering and exiting the property. To increase the opening by 8.7 feet, CN Brown had to seek an agreement with abutter Judith Evergreen regarding an easement.

CN Brown would pick up the tab on costs associated with the streetscape plan change (again, roughly $2,500).

Any bidders? The town remains hopeful a bidder — willing to meet a minimum $40,000 bid as well agree to demolish the existing structure as part of the sale — will emerge at the May 15 auction of the First & Last Resort property on Portland Road.

“My fear is that it will just sit there because we just can’t sell it,” Board Chairman Lee Eastman said. “I’d like to see it put back on the tax rolls.”

There might be interest. Peabody had a new inquiry Tuesday regarding the property.

What do ballot questions mean? Like the town did trying to educate the public regarding the wastewater project, Bridgton will launch an education effort regarding the marijuana and Land Use Ordinance amendment questions that will appear on the July 14 ballot.

They focus will be, what a “yes” or “no” vote means regarding each question. Community Development Director Linda LaCroix and Planning Board Chairwoman Deb Brusini will work on a public educational plan, which will likely include a local mailer, as well as spots on LRTV and in The Bridgton News print edition.

LaCroix noted that with her late hiring in the fiscal year, money exists in the Community Development line to assist with costs associated with mailing out an info sheet.

Looking presentable. Because of meeting restrictions caused by Covid-19, town boards conduct business via “virtual” means. Chairman Eastman encouraged fellow officials to follow “meeting etiquette” when virtual sessions are being held, since the public in attendance can see them in their home settings.

He reminded all that they are “still representing the town and doing town business” and discouraged them from “doing things you wouldn’t do at the (board) table.”

— WER