The Raymond Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday evening to discuss the town’s need for mapping technologies and services.

In essence, Raymond is paying for services that would allow for easy reference to different locations without having to create maps from scratch. The town is working in collaboration with GIS Coordinator, James Thomas, from gisSolutions.

“I do this kind of work for eight or nine towns,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to working with Raymond. The town has a great staff.”

The town hired Thomas at $60 per hour to work in conjunction with town administrators. This hiring is part of a pilot project, according to Town Manager Don Willard, which will save the town money by enlisting Thomas part time instead of full time-costing the town around $15,000 for the year, after which time the town will reevaluate their needs.

Selectmen Michael Reynolds expressed concern with the amount of investment in a Geographic Information System (GIS), especially with upcoming development in the area that would require more work for mapping services.

“If you create more lots, you’re creating more work for GIS,” said Willard.

Another concern for selectmen was the role of Kevin Woodbrey, the town’s network administrator, whose job includes, among other duties, the management of GIS data.

“It’s not that I have any problem with Kevin personally-absolutely not-but how many hours do we need to have this person working?” asked Selectman Dana Desjardins.

Selectman Joseph Bruno said he did not want to see Woodbrey overloaded with work, therefore forcing him to hire an assistant-a cost, he said, the town should not be in a position to pay.

In other business, the board recognized Lori Rand, program coordinator for the Raymond Mentoring Partnership, for her “faithful dedication” to children and the prevention programs she directs through her organization.

The partnership offers tutoring, recreation and community service projects to grade school children through a grant from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse.

During a brief speech, Rand thanked the town for its acknowledgment and said that Raymond residents should “look for changes with prevention efforts not only with children but with parents… the program is really extending into the community.”

Willard offered his gratitude on Wednesday, saying that Rand’s “level of commitment to at-risk children is exceptional. She’s a truly dedicated volunteer.”

On Tuesday night, Willard nominated Selectmen Bruno to represent Raymond on the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) Legislative Policy Committee, where, if elected, he will negotiate issues such as spending limitations and tax reform.

There were some changes made in fines on Tuesday, including a $25 fee for the transportation of stray animals to the pound in Westbrook.

Animal Control Officer Don Alexander said that if he knows the owner of animal, he will return it to their residence, but if the animal is unidentified and unlicensed-a “throwaway,” as he called it-he has to transport the animal to Westbrook, costing the town money for the mileage.

Willard pointed out that if the owner doesn’t claim the animal because of the $25-which is sometimes the case-“the animal deserves to be adopted by someone else.”

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