KINGFIELD -- The selectmen in Kingfield discussed the status of town-owned Commercial Road and some plans for future improvement last Monday, April 6.

Town voters decided to take over the road at the annual town meeting in 2008.

Some local businesses owners and abutting property owners were present that evening.

Board chair Heather Moody confirmed that the road will never be posted.

At the meeting, members acknowledged that the road needed to be reconstructed to its 22-foot width with new culverts, drainage ditches and catch basins. The commercial road, which provides access to the town's fire department, is 1,220 feet long.

"We are with you and we want to try to make it right. It might not happen yesterday - -but we're on our way," Selectman Neal McCurdy said.

It was estimated that the road reconstruction may cost upward of $25,000 with 325 tons of paving material needed.

There was additional discussion about the possible need to move the Nostalgia Tavern sign. This sign will act as the electrical source for a future blinking red emergency light that will signify that fire trucks are entering Route 27 during an emergency.

Moody stressed that they'll have to work with several parties involved to find the final placement of the sign.

The road project is in the tax increment financing district and a qualified project for TIF expenditure. However town voters will have to be called for a Special Town Meeting to allow the use of any TIF funding.

Moody did stress that they would like to think "outside of the box" for other revenue sources noting that the road is crossed by local snowmobile and ATV traffic as examples. She was referring to any possible grants or funding sources outside of town funds.

The selectmen did note that they would work toward the project completion and agreed that the project should be done once and done right. However there was no specific commitment on a start date.

The selectmen went onto to disapprove a request from Road Commissioner Bruce White to enter a contract for weekly/monthly uniform supply. Although the initial weekly cost sounded reasonable, selectman Merv Wilson noted the annual costs at $1,200 and stated that it sounded too high.

Wilson used his own practical experience in the construction field and his own use of work clothing and cited pricing.

Members then went on to hear from Bentley Woodcock of the Kingfield Quadrunners ATV Club. Woodcock explained that a similar amount of ATVs were registered in Kingfield to snowmobile registrations and stressed the value of allowing these riders to have access to the downtown business community for economic development purposes.

The selectmen unanimously approved the use of townowned land near Stanley Avenue to connect the downtown community with the club's trail network. They also acknowledged that the riders will travel down Stanley Avenue, use a short section of Maple Street before they cross the Memorial Bridge to refuel or get supplies and food. The town land of discussion also houses existing town septic beds.

Members stressed the need for the club to consult with wastewater superintendent Michael Durant and other abutting property owners.

The board decided to have the wastewater department join the Maine Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network. There is no cost or commitment in joining the Network and it could be useful in terms of emergency response and assistance, administrative assistant Greg Davis noted.

In other business, members heard from resident John Goldfrank who suggested that the selectmen consider dividing the town-acquired Newell property into three parcels. One parcel on the west side of Route 27 could be divided and deeded to the cemetery for future expansion plans. The other lot on the westward side of the road could be divided to contain a lot with a dwelling that could be sold by the town. The third portion on the easterly side of Route 27 would be retained by the town for future wastewater expansion plans.

The board authorized Davis to obtain a cost for a surveyor to subdivide the parcel.

In other municipal news outside of this meeting on April 6, the administrative assistant scheduled an emergency meeting on Monday, April 13 to discuss the timeframe associated with his resignation from the position.

After town meeting in March the selectmen did not renew the term of the administrative assistant which expires on May 1. The emergency meeting occurred after the Irregular went to press Monday.