March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Town to develop safety program > Council hopes to cut insurance costs

MADAWASKA — The Madawaska Town Council took the first step Wednesday night to cut the town’s Workers’ Compensation insurance costs by hiring a Houlton company to develop a safety program for municipal employees.

It is estimated that the town could save as much as 15 percent of its annual $76,000 Workers’ Compensation costs.

Medical Arts Inc. of Houlton’s bid of $3,250 was accepted from among three bidders to become the town’s loss control agency. Even with the cost of the contract, the town could save about $8,100 in 1994. The savings, town councilors were told, would add up every year thereafter with minimal cost to the town.

Alexander and Schmidt of Yarmouth and Stephenson and Brook of Boothbay also submitted proposals. While the Yarmouth company’s price was lower, Town Manager Arthur Faucher recommended the Houlton firm because it had taken the time to visit the town and look at some work sites and the town’s problems.

“They came here and looked at our losses and visited the work areas,” said Faucher. He said they were already more familiar with Madawaska’s problems than the other firms.

Faucher and John Ezzy, the town’s insurance agency representative, said other communities and companies using the services of Medical Arts Inc. were happy with their service.

The town’s Workers’ Compensation carrier, they said, is Maine Employers Mutual. The program could be in the works for two to three years.

In other business, councilors reviewed bid and contract documents for the replacement of the roof on the town’s multipurpose building. The huge building, which seats more than 2,000 people, has had a problem with leaks for several years.

Plans for the project have been developed by the Wright-Pierce engineering company. Wright-Pierce will develop the necessary papers and oversee the bidding procedure.

Councilors set Feb. 23 as the day to open the bids for the project. It is stipulated that the work will be done in July and August 1994.

The price of the project will be included in the warrant of the 1994 town meeting in March.

Councilors also discussed the celebration of Madawaska’s 125th anniversary in 1994. They are looking for volunteers to serve on a committee for activities that could be held throughout the year.

Finally, Faucher released a short survey of the Madawaska business community. The survey was conducted after the Christmas shopping season from a sampling of the business community.

According to the survey, 52 percent saw increases in Christmas sales and 33 percent said sales decreased.

Through side conversations with business owners while doing the survey, 47 percent said the Aroostook Centre Mall at Presque Isle had an adverse affect on their sales.


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