Dresden, in response to a request from a citizen, is researching the possibility of expanding the three-member Dresden Board of Selectmen to a five-member panel.
Mary Haven requested a vote on the expansion in a letter to selectmen, citing the inconvenience of a two-man board in a recent period following former First Selectman John Rzasa’s resignation.
Phil Johnston won a June election to replace Rzasa.
According to Haven, a five-member board could also spread out a workload that has grown with the town’s population.
Second Selectman David Probert acknowledged the potential benefits of a five-member board while questioning the practicality of expansion.
“If one of us got sick and the other one got run over by a bus we’d be in tough shape,” Probert said. However, “In a town of this size it would be a strain to find people that would be willing to step up to being on the select board,” he said.
“We’re already having trouble” staffing volunteer committees, Probert said.
“I can see where there would be good things and I can see where there would be tough spots,” Probert said, admitting “we were put in a bind this past spring” after Rzasa’s departure.
Johnston advocated for a public hearing to “ask the townspeople” for input, while Third Selectman Allan Moeller Sr. stressed the importance of researching the issue and consulting the Maine Municipal Association for assistance.
“We need to do our homework,” Moeller said, so “we’re not bombarded with questions we don’t know answers for.”
The individual would represent Dresden as a member of the Board of Directors of Kennebec Intra-District Schools (KIDS), otherwise known as Regional School Unit (RSU) #2.
The title of director, which the selectmen believe might intimidate potential volunteers, belies a position similar to that of a school board member, they said.
The town normally elects directors to one-year terms, but no one ran for the position this year. The appointment would run through June 2012.
The town is also looking for a volunteer to fill a vacancy on the Dresden Budget Review Committee.
For more information or to volunteer, call the Dresden town office at 737-4335.
Time Warner must provide service to any area with at least 15 homes per linear half-mile, the selectmen said.
Probert expects some areas, including parts of south Dresden, to qualify as a result of recent growth.
“There are quite a few residents” that only have dial-up Internet because that’s the only service available, Johnston said.
Dresden officials, as recently as last summer, worked with ConnectME and Midcoast Internet Solutions to offer residents the option of wireless Internet.
“That would have been perfect,” Probert said.
Dresden would have to re-apply for ConnectME funds if another opportunity presented itself, Probert said.
Dresden’s comprehensive plan dates to 1993. The town rejected a 2003 update.
Johnston agreed to approach the Dresden Planning Board to request its assistance with the update.
Probert hopes to bring a plan to voters next year.
In a related matter, the selectmen unanimously appointed Ken Stewart Jr. to the planning board.
The selectmen don’t make any decisions at the workshops, but are available to listen to citizens’ concerns and discuss “anything,” Moeller said.
“We used to do it every Thursday night,” Moeller said. “We’re going to see if we can’t get ourselves back out in the public again.”
The next workshop is scheduled for Mon., Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.
