Wiscasset Town Manager Arthur Faucher was absent from the regular Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday night when selectmen approved the nomination of a deputy town manager and briefly discussed advertising to hire a new town manager.
In other business, the board also approved an updated ambulance service contract agreement and collection policy.
At the start of the meeting, Board Chair Bob Blagden announced that the town and Faucher have worked out an agreement, which has yet to be finalized by the board and signed by all parties.
Selectmen entered into an executive session toward the end of the meeting with the town’s attorney to discuss contemplated litigation. They returned roughly 30 minutes later and authorized the town attorney to proceed as discussed in the private session.
Selectmen nominated and approved Assessor’s Agent and Human Resources personnel officer Sue Varney as Deputy Town Manager.
In a seemingly unrelated issue, Budget Committee Chair Steve Mehrl addressed the board regarding his concern in getting information out to the public as it relates to the town budget. He said he had someone in mind who could write a press release to be printed in local newspapers, but needed the support of selectmen to do so. Speaking for the committee, Mehrl said they would support selectmen to move the process forward. Selectmen agreed it would be a good idea to get budget information out to the public.
Blagden said the town attorney Irving Snyder recommended a person who might serve as town manager. He said Don Griswald, who had previous experience, gave a presentation to the board regarding the duties and responsibilities of a town manager at one point in the past.
“I called him and asked if he would be interested,” Blagden said, adding that Griswald would be glad to come before the board to fill the position in the interim. “It’s just another option.”
Selectman William Curtis said he thought inviting Griswald to speak with the board would be a good idea. Blagden also asked the board if they ought to discuss advertising.
Selectman Pamela Dunning said she had a copy of what the town used in 2002 to advertise for a town manager.
“I think with a little editing that would do,” she said, adding the board could then send the document to the Maine Municipal Association to distribute.
Judging from the hesitation of the rest of the board, Blagden said there would probably be no reason to discuss advertising for a new town manager any further. He said that duty would become the responsibility of the deputy town manager.
Resident Clark Jones said, “If we’re going to hire a town manager, can’t it be someone from the town?”
Dunning said Varney is, “very good” and after many years employed by the town of Wiscasset is dedicated to her work.
Varney is allowed to act in the capacity of Deputy Town Manager for 30 work days. She said she has also acted in the capacity of town clerk.
“I’m trying to administratively keep things going,” she said Wednesday morning.
Having entered the town manager’s office, she said it looked as though Faucher had cleared out all of his personal items.
“We have a lot of long-term employees,” Varney said. “Everybody knows their job and we will work together. It will be fine. We’ll work it out.”
Abbott said the contract, which by his estimate is fairly standard, charges 7.5 percent of collected accounts receivable. He said this charge is the “going rate” and the town has contracted with the same billing, accounting and business services company since 2005.
As described by a copy of the write off policy at the meeting, its purpose is to allow ambulance transport service to be waived for those who can’t afford to pay. Financial hardship is determined by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines.
Patients who do not have secondary insurance and cannot afford to pay the co-pay amount can fill out a Request for Transport Fee Hardship Waiver form (WAS 2010), which are available at the town office. People may also request a form by contacting the billing company at 223-5733.
Applicants must provide proof of income (current W-2 form, three most current pay stubs…) with the form, which can then be mailed to Town of Wiscasset Ambulance, 51 Bath Rd., Wiscasset, ME 04879.
Abbott said if someone disagreed with the decision as to whether or not they qualify for the hardship waiver, the question could be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen, with Abbott’s recommendation.
Patients have 30 days after the billing date to make payment arrangements, according to the policy. It further states patients will be sent a final notice after 90 days if they have not contacted the billing company to discuss insurance or payment arrangements.
Blagden asked Abbott how often patients surpass the 90 day period without paying, to which Abbott replied, “once in a while.”
The ambulance service does not currently have a collection agency. Dunning asked if the ambulance service would help those who have difficulty filling out forms. He said they would. Dunning said considering the service offers the option of the hardship waiver and time for people to arrange payment she did not have a problem with the service using a collection agency.
“All we ask is that people make an attempt,” Abbott said.
