Pittsfield council applauds staff’s hard work during tax week

PITTSFIELD – Town office employees were given a pat on the back by councilors Tuesday night for their hard work last week – the week taxes were due.

Town Clerk Yvonne Mailman reported that on one day alone, Friday, Oct. 17, the office staff collected $675,294. “And when the dust settled, we were able to account for every single penny taken in,” she said.

The earlier days of the week were equally impressive: Tuesday, $132,239; Wednesday, $237,017; and Thursday, $320,197.

In praising the above-and-beyond service of the staff, Councilor Tim Nichols joked, “There must have been smoke rolling off the carpets up there.”

“That’s a job well done,” commented Councilor Robert Stackhouse.

Town Manager Kathryn Ruth told the council that with the recent installation of a new bookkeeping system, all the receipts already have been posted. When pressed by Councilor Peter “Andy” Vigue about what percentage of the taxes have been collected, Ruth said, “We’re behind last year,” but did not give a specific amount.

She said a full report will be made before the end of October.

Along with the new bookkeeping system, she reported, the town has made a job offer to the finalist of more than 30 candidates for the bookkeeping position. Current bookkeeper Deborah Fletcher is making a career change and will be leaving on Oct. 30.

Ruth said the new position will emphasize bookkeeping first and office management second and will begin Nov. 1.

In other business, the council approved three changes to the town’s land use ordinances. Code Enforcement Officer Claude Rounds said that the changes included allowing sheds on small in-town lots, aligning the subdivision ordinance with state standards, and removing burdensome requirements for minor subdivisions.

There was no public or council opposition or discussion of any of the changes.

Kathy Frost, who appeared before the council to complain that her neighborhood was overrun with stray and roaming cats, proposed a leash law to help solve the problem. “I have lived in my home for 35 years,” she said. “My property, my garden are being damaged. This is an issue that needs to be addressed,” said Frost.

Frost had submitted an ordinance request for a leash law two weeks ago but later withdrew it fearing repercussions from animal lovers. But since the Bangor Daily News carried a story about the roaming cat problem, Frost said she has been offered a lot of support. “There are a lot of people concerned about this,” she said.

The council referred her to the town council’s ordinance committee and Frost said she will be resubmitting the ordinance request.

The council also authorized Ruth to seek proposals to move a town-owned duplex on Library Street to prepare for a public library expansion. They appointed Troy Lord as a planning board member and Kristina Lord Linde as an alternate.