Meeting Thursday, Sept. 24
Compiled by Julie Huss
THE TOP STORY
Chester Selectmen fielded concerns from resident Brian Remillard, voicing his displeasure over the way road agent Michael Oleson does his business. Remillard, also a contractor, told selectmen he felt Oleson was using his own construction business, MLM, for town road jobs and not playing fair by putting jobs out to bid for other contractors to bid on.
"If MLM can do the work cheaper, I'm all for it," Remillard said, "but people are out there starving, and other people are willing to do the work."
Remillard wondered how the selectmen could stand behind their bidding process when it seemed MLM had all the work to do.
According to the board, jobs totaling more than $5,000 have to be put out to bid.
Remillard added MLM is not the road agent and if Oleson's company wants to receive the funds, they should bid on work like everyone else.
Selectman Steph Landau told Remillard that Oleson is an elected town official and has the authority to choose how to do things. Oleson told the board he hires out plenty of road work, hiring people to do work for the town, with most jobs falling under the $5,000 limit before the bidding process would kick in.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Becoming the road agent doesn't give you the right to give the work to your company." Brian Remillard
OTHER BUSINESS
Selectmen heard updates on the planning Stevens Memorial Hall 100th birthday re-dedication ceremony planned for spring of 2010. Some work is still needed in the historic hall, according to Chester Historical Society's Hilary Hall. The Society is currently planning the event with a corps of volunteers. Local organizations and groups will be involved in the special day, paying tribute to the longstanding building in the center of town.
Selectmen also discussed the fate of a town truck, in need of much repair and now being deemed dangerous for use.
Called "not road worthy" by some, selectmen heard details about the truck's problems, from corrosion in the brake lines to other troubles.
The truck originally came to town from the White Farm, the state's surplus farm in Concord, at a cost of about $4,000. Landau said he saw no reason to sink thousands of dollars into its repair.
"I would send this one back up to the White Farm," he said.
Landau suggested trying to find another vehicle from the state's surplus collection.
