Palermo council accepts changes to general assistance ordinance

by Jonathan Strieff

Two thirds of the Palermo Town Council met Thursday, February 8, to vote on changes to the towns General Assistance Ordinance. Codes Enforcement Officer, Darryl McKenney, read six minor changes to definitions in the 2023-2024 ordinance, included “earned income, unearned income, and appropriate uses.” The present council members voted unanimously in favor of adopting the changes.

Next, the council discussed preparations and personnel needs for the upcoming, Meet the Candidates, event to be held at the town office on Thursday, February 15, at 6 p.m. Candidates running for open positions on the select board, road commissioner, assessor, general assistance, and the RSU #12 school board will have this opportunity to introduce themselves to residents and respond to questions and concerns. The local elections will coincide with the Presidential Primary Election, to be held at the Palermo Town Office, on Tuesday, March 5.

Council member, Pam Swift, provided a report from the most recent meeting of the Waldo County Broadband Company. Swift shared that select board would be required to elect a representative from Palermo to serve on the Broadband Company’s leadership team. Without discussion, council member, Bob Kurek, was nominated and unanimously elected.

During the meeting, deputy clerk, Melinda Smith, informed the board that the 2023 tax maps had just been uploaded to the town of Palermo website.