RANGELEY — Voters approved a $244,134 budget Monday to fund the town’s Planning Department and Code Enforcement Office, ending a dispute that sent the proposal back to residents after they rejected an earlier version in August.
The town held a special town meeting Monday at Rangeley Lakes Regional School to consider department funds.
Tricia Roy was elected moderator by written ballot and sworn in before the meeting began. Voters also unanimously agreed to allow Town Manager Joe Roach and Kenneth Haley, who are not registered Rangeley voters, to speak.
The article asked residents to raise and appropriate the $244,134 for planning and code enforcement operations, including restructuring the department.
Roach said the proposed structure was unanimously recommended by the Budget Committee 6-0 and the Board of Selectmen 4-0.
The budget keeps the current staffing: one full-time code enforcement officer and two part-time deputy officers.
A resident questioned why the proposed spending plan was about $13,000 more than the budget voters rejected Aug. 18.
Roach said the increase reflected health insurance and other benefits for the incoming full-time code enforcement officer, including about $8,000 in MainePERS retirement contributions.
The previous code enforcement officer did not use those state benefits, so the costs had not been included in past budgets.
One full-time code enforcement officer is typical for towns of similar size, while Rangeley’s two deputy positions reflect its heavy tourist spikes, seasonal homes and ongoing construction activity.
Town officials also addressed questions about the department’s workload and staffing needs. One part-time deputy code enforcement officer works about 15 to 20 hours a week and focuses on commercial permits, while another works 20 hours a week while training.
Officials said keeping two part-time deputy code enforcement officers also supports succession planning, noting the town has struggled to find and retain qualified code enforcement officers for the past five to six years.
As of July 31, the Planning Department had reviewed 271 applications, or “cases,” this year and is on pace to process about 250 permits. A case can involve anything from a permit matter, complaint, violation, inspection or neighbor dispute.
Officials said the department’s responsibilities also extend beyond permits, including helping real estate agents access property files and working with public schools.
In response to a question about unauthorized moorings, officials said the department has partnered with the Rangeley Fire Department and is using the Company Stand software to identify unauthorized moorings before contacting the responsible property owners.
Voters approved the appropriation 57-15.
