DOVER-FOXCROFT – Municipal officials and Piscataquis County economic development officials are working with the Canadian owners of Pleasant River Lumber Co. to secure funding for a planned multimillion-dollar expansion.

The company, located on the Milo Road, wants to expand its sawmill in order to compete with overseas competition. Roadblocks to that expansion include a slow market and an unwillingness of larger banks to provide large loans for expansion unless they are part of a guaranteed loan package.

Selectmen on Monday briefly discussed a meeting held earlier this month between local, regional and state economic development officials and the management of Gerard Crete et Fils Inc., owner of Pleasant River Co.

The town has been supportive of the company’s effort, changing the zoning regulations for land surrounding the proposed expansion site, and approving tax increment financing for the initial $7 million upgrade that has been completed.

To help toward the expansion, Selectman Tom Lizotte said Monday that discussions should begin with the Department of Transportation about the need for exit-entrance lanes in front of the business.

Meetings will continue to be held with company officials in an effort to solve their financial problems, according to town officials, who want to see the creation of more jobs.

In other business, the board brainstormed what qualities they want the new town manager to have. Owen Pratt, who has served as town manager for 26 years, will retire in February.

Town officials have contracted with Maine Municipal Association to conduct a search for candidates and to narrow the field for their consideration. They agreed Monday that the successful candidate would be one who is: community-service oriented; knowledgeable about state government; a visionary; a good communicator, and organized.

Selectmen want someone aboard before Pratt’s departure. They will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 to review resumes.

A special election will be held on Nov. 4 to fill a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen created by the resignation of Patrick Gosselin.

The board agreed Monday, however, not to conduct a special election to replace Tom Lizotte, who resigned at the close of Monday’s meeting, in order to accept his new role as Piscataquis County commissioner. Lizotte’s resignation came in too late for his position to be included during the general election.

Considering that the town is $1,000 over budget for elections, the board chose not to hold a special town meeting to fill Lizotte’s position; rather, the members agreed to wait until the annual town meeting.