9031-R3_CC_Hollis_2023-2024_AnnualReport_Web

Town of Hollis Annual Report

July 1, 202 To June 30, 2024 3

Table of Contents Town of Hollis Annual Town Report July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 Dedication to Anna McClay .............................................................................. 05 Dedication to Our Firefighters ........................................................................... 07 Boston Post Cane Award - Denyse Parent, & Centurion Dedications............... 09 In Remembrance .............................................................................................. 11 Municipal Officials Elected ................................................................................ 12 Municipal Officials & Employees Appointed ..................................................... 13 November 7, 2023 Special Town Meeting ........................................................ 15 November 7, 2023 State Referendum .............................................................. 16 March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary................................................................... 17 June 11, 2024 Annual Town Meeting................................................................. 18 Select Board’s Report ....................................................................................... 49 Town Clerk’s Report ......................................................................................... 52 Code Enforcement Office ................................................................................. 53 Fire-Rescue Department .................................................................................. 54 Parks and Recreation Department ................................................................... 57 Road Commissioner’s Report ........................................................................... 59 Salmon Falls Library ......................................................................................... 60 Hollis Center Public Library .............................................................................. 61 Appointed Boards and Committees .................................................................. 62 Appeals Board .................................................................................................. 64 Christmas Fund Committee .............................................................................. 65 Community Day Committee .............................................................................. 66 Conservation Commission................................................................................. 69 Finance Committee .......................................................................................... 70 Planning Board ................................................................................................ 71

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Table of Contents (Cont.) Town of Hollis Annual Town Report July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024

Saco River Corridor Commission ..................................................................... 72 Sports Complex Committee .............................................................................. 73 Governor Janet T. Mills ..................................................................................... 74 U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins ......................................................................... 75 U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. ........................................................................ 76 U.S. Congress, Chellie Pingree ........................................................................ 77 York County Commissioner, Justin Chenette ................................................... 78 House of Representatives District #137, Nathan Carlow .................................. 80 State Senator District #32, Henry Ingwersen ................................................... 81 Auditors’ Report ................................................................................................ 82 Delinquent Taxes .............................................................................................. 88 Tax Commitment Information for 2024-25 ......................................................... 93 June 10, 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant .................................................. 94 General Information ........................................................................................ 100 EMS Subscription Enrollment Form ............................................................... 101

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Town of Hollis 2023-2024 Annual Report Dedication

Anna McClay It is with great pride and pleasure that the Select Board recognizes Anna McClay for this year’s Annual Report Dedication. Anna McClay has served the public for the Town of Hollis as our Tax Collector for the past 33 years. She provides a professional, caring approach to each resident she helps, whether in person or on the phone, consistently and reliably. Her approach to any town matter is one of clarification and a provision of information in such a way to make people feel truly helped and informed. Anna is unassuming and always willing to explain things in a different way or by an example so that her customers better understand, whether it’s regarding taxes or registrations. Quiet and (mostly) soft-spoken, Anna is patient and takes her time making every customer feel at ease and that they are valued-- always treating them with respect. She rarely turns away customers who arrive just minutes before closing time-- she is always there to help them. Anna often stayed late to finish her work and never complained about the long hours when tax season came along. She also has an amazing ability to associate people’s faces to their name and address. A wealth of information, Anna spent many hours teaching staff—both her deputies and new members of all Town departments, the intricate duties of the Tax Collector and Motor Vehicle Agent. The wisdom and training she has provided to her co-workers throughout the years has been invaluable. Concise and well versed in the State tax laws, Anna also has good rapport with State agencies to help the Town resolve and fine-tune issues, both technical and procedural. Anna is always willing to assist our assessing staff with the completion of the tax commitment, making sure that changes in valuation are completed for the next year’s taxes. She also assists with both the abatement of taxes and supplemental documents that the Town collects or pays back to the property owners. If a tax payer or resident communicates difficulty in making ends meet, Anna always explores options for them or speaks to the Select Board about resources that might be available to help.

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Throughout the years, Anna has been an active member of our community. She volunteered and supported both the Hollis Christmas Fund and the Parks and Recreation Walking Program that helps to supplement our local food bank. She enjoys spending time with her family--especially cooking with her grandchildren and playing cribbage with both family and friends. Anna also enjoys playing trivia at local establishments. All members of the staff here at Town Hall, both current and past, find it hard to find the words to express how grateful we truly are for Anna’s years of unwavering commitment of service to the Town. She is a great mentor and friend to many. As Anna’s final term as our Tax Collector is coming to a close this June, her wit, sense of humor (and fashion), infamous corn-cob pipe and overall calm presence at the Town Hall will be missed by all of us. We wish Anna all the best in her upcoming retirement adventures.

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Town of Hollis 2023-2024 Annual Report Dedication To Our Firefighters

This year’s annual report is dedicated to all our firefighters-- those who are still active in our ranks, the many who have served their community previously that are still with us, and those who have passed away. Fire Departments demonstrate their dedication through rigorous training and preparation, and unwavering commitment to public safety for our communities. Members undergo extensive and ongoing training to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to a variety of emergencies. The training is both physical and mentally demanding, requiring individuals to push their limits and develop resiliency to continue. Firefighters must be proficient in not only responding to the fire itself, but also emergency care, hazardous material handling and other critical skills to have the best outcome to the event. Each of them continues to learn and improve their skills so that their delivery of service is tactical and strategic. When a fire call comes, it is the unknown that is the challenge—“Where, what, how did it start, where is it now, how big and how dangerous?” are among the thoughts that present themselves to those responding. Firefighters are dedicated to protecting both lives and property, placing them at great risk. They respond 24/7, regardless of the weather or time of day. They are often the first on the scene and the last to leave, assessing the situation promptly and taking immediate action as needed. Our firefighters often make significant sacrifices to their personal lives to serve our community. Responding to a call, they often miss family events, holidays, and other important occasions. It is also not unusual for someone on call to have back-to-back emergencies with little time in between to rest and recharge. The Fire Department staff have many other responsibilities that are often unseen by the public.Such things as restocking and checking that equipment is functioning properly; providing safety education to schools and the community. Although the funding required to manage and administer public

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safety may be high, it is a price well spent for the proper training and equipment for our firefighters ensuring our community’s safety. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” - Ambrose Redmoon To the firefighters who risk their lives every day to keep us safe, we say a simple but heartfelt thank you. Your bravery and selflessness are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for dedicating your life to protecting our community. We sleep soundly at night knowing that heroes like you are watching over us. The entire community and those communities that surround us are forever grateful for your service.

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Town of Hollis 2023-2024

Boston Post Cane Award and Centurion Dedications

Presentation of the Boston Post Cane to recipient Denyse Parent along her daughter Marie C’es; by Mary Hoffman, Select Board Chair and Crystal Gaudet, Deputy Town Clerk

It gives the Select Board great pleasure to honor Denyse Parent as the newest member of the coveted Boston Post Cane award bestowed on her on May 13, 2025. As noted in last year’s Annual Report, Denyse was born in Paris in 1924 and was only 15 years old when World War II broke out. Her journey from Paris to a small town in Maine was interesting, eventful, and often challenging. When Germany invaded France, her father, a well-known clarinetist and member of the French Republican Guard Orchestra, moved his family to the unoccupied city of Chamalieres. Denyse stayed in occupied Paris with her grandparents so that she could attend school there. As much of France was under German Occupation, life was difficult. Denyse remembers being constantly hungry and riding her bike everywhere to find food. After the war, Denyse studied law and met her first husband, a wine merchant who took them to Morocco to live. After their divorce, she met her second husband, a First Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Infantry. When the king of Morocco returned to power, it became unsafe for French citizens to stay. Her husband Maurice, A Lewiston native, suggested moving to Maine to find a business to buy. In 1957, they purchased Clear Spring Fish Hatchery in Hollis, whose name they

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changed to Shy Beaver Trout Hatchery. It is the oldest continuously running trout hatchery in the United States. After her husband died, Denyse ran the business for 10 years and it has been recently taken over by her grandson. As a newcomer to Hollis, she was impressed by how Mainers made her feel welcome, although she initially felt like a bit of a curiosity. Denyse was involved with the Portland Symphony Women’s Committee and the Junior League. She was President of the Alliance Francaise du Maine for many years. She is an avid reader and has always encouraged education through reding by donating to the Portland Public Library and the West Buxton Library. Denyse has enjoyed an active retirement. She enjoys nature and walking her land, reading, swimming, watching the French television channel and staying in touch with a large family that live all over the world. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. The Select Board would like to also acknowledge other recent eligible recipients who have since passed away: Louis DeSilva - Born in Biddeford in 1920, one of 11 children. He lived during the Great Depression and worked for many years at Westpoint Mill in Biddeford. His lifetime passion was gardening and having dogs with Leo being his latest dog, a boxer mix. Louis was the recipient of the Boston Post Cane award from May 2, 2024 to April 14, 2025. Louis lived to be 104. James DeVou - Born in Hammonds Plantation in Houlton, Maine on December 30, 1922. James was a member of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. As a young man, he worked at the Portland Shipyard building liberty ships for WW2 until “Uncle Sam sent me an invitation to join the war.” He then departed on the Queen Mary to Scotland. He was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940 and was a part of the Air Corp. Army in 1943 serving in WW2 as a heavy truck driver. James’ hobbies included playing guitar and performed in many musical bands during his lifetime. He was the loving father of 6 children and grandfather to many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He died in February 2024 at the age of 101. Marcia Nutting Lawson - Born in Pleasant Grove, Minnesota on December 5, 1920. After attending Rochester Jr. College, she was employed at the Mayo Clinic Medical Library. After her mother died, Marcia moved to Boston and took a job as a Medical Editor for several Pediatric cardiologists at Children’s Hospital. In 1952, she married Theodore Lawson and moved to North Reading following the birth of their first child. Much of their time was donated to North Reading organizing Aldersgate UMC, a Christian Community organization helping those in need and the local Food Pantry. Marcia lived to be 103. She was the recognized as a centurion in the Town Report and was a recipient of the Boston Post Cane award from March 16, 2016 to May 1, 2024.

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IN REMEMBRANCE

The Town of Hollis wishes to remember our residents who passed away from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024:

Decedent Name

Age

Decedent Name

Age

Bagley, Helen Beverly

91 68 80 65 67 89 85 76 73 82 62 57 81 86 47 85 70

Nichuals, Richard Brian Ouellette, Carma J. Ouellette, Richard A. Palmer, Chad Rae Pierce, Michael E. Ponzetti, Anna Marie Quimby, Stephen Bayne Randall, Louise Mae Reichenberger, Dorothy Lou Sack, Richard Patrick III

54 60 58 30 71 93 83 93 90 68 88 91 73 95 61 83 90 67 80 66

Bigda, Mary Ann

Boucher, Marguerite C. Campbell, Shaun Patrick Clement, Robert Anthony

Crowley, Merle R. DeVou, James L.

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Duff, Sandra Elizabeth Fisher, James Lorenzo Gallant, Edward Leo Gilikson, Sally Louise Girard, Linette Marie Halterman, Mark Wayne Hase, Barbara Korf Howard, Marlene Jane Hurtubise, Brian Roland Kelley, Jacqueline C. Kuschke, Carole Ivah Lawson, Marcia Grace Miner, Clara Leona Nelson, Joshua Richard

Sargent, Jacqueline Smith, Helen A. Smith, Sandra Susan Smith, Vilma Lillian

Stevenson, Anthony Paul Sturgis, Margaret Ruth Thompson, Joan H. Thompson, Steven L. Travis, Maybelle A. Wiles, Bickford Leo

103

78 48

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Elected Municipal Officials for the Town of Hollis, Maine July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Municipal Officials are elected for three-year terms unless specified

SELECT BOARD, ASSESSOR & OVERSEER OF THE POOR Roger Hicks 2024 Mary Hoffman 2023 John “Jack” Rogala 2022 David McCubrey 2021 (Resigned August 2023)

TAX COLLECTOR MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY AGENT Anna M. McClay 2022

TOWN CLERK Martha E. Huff 2023

TREASURER Diane M. Meserve 2024

ROAD COMMISSIONER (two-year term) Robert M. Hanson, Jr. 2024

MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #6 SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR Donald G. Marean Kelley C. Heath

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Appointed Municipal Officials & Employees for the Town of Hollis, Maine July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Town of Buxton ACO/Dispatch (Jan. 2023 to Dec. 2024) Sean Cabral (Jan. 2025 to present) ASSESSING OFFICE Assessing Agent – John E. O’Donnell and Associates Administrative Coordinator – Tammy Thompson

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector and Electrical Inspector – Duane Hanson Administrative Coordinator: Tammy Thompson Deputy CEO, Deputy Building Inspector, Deputy Plumbing Inspector: Patti McKenna DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR

DEPUTY TOWN CLERK DEPUTY TREASURER Faith Plummer DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS DEPUTY TOWN CLERK Crystal Gaudet FIRE-RESCUE DEPARTMENT Fire-Rescue Chief & EMA Director - Christopher Young Assistant Fire-Rescue Chief - Crystal Berry FREEDOM OF ACCESS OFFICER Martha E. Huff GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR Mary Hoffman

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LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER Chad Poitras MAINTENANCE & CUSTODIAN Allen Scott PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT Recreation Director – Debbie Tefft Assistant Recreation Director – Amy Paul (Resigned Aug. 2024) Charles “Chip” Currier (Eff. Aug. 2024) Childcare Director – Meghan Trask (Eff. Aug. 2024) Administrative Assistant – Dawn Lundeen REGISTRAR OF VOTERS Martha E. Huff SECRETARY - PLANNING BOARD Angela Chute SECRETARY - FINANCE COMMITTEE Vacant SECRETARY - APPEALS BOARD Bennet S. Flinner SELECT BOARD OFFICE ASSISTANT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR WEBSITE & MAIL SERVER MANAGER Bennet S.Flinner Appointed Municipal Officials & Employees for the Town of Hollis, Maine July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

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Hollis Special Town Meeting Election Results - November 7, 2023

Article 1: To elect a moderator by written ballot to preside at said meeting. Lila Wilkins was elected Moderator. Lila Wilkins took the Moderator’s Oath of Office and opened the polls for voting at 7 a.m. Article 2: To elect the necessary Town Officials: One (1) Select Board Member/ Assessor and Overseer of the Poor for a term to expire in June of 2024.

790 Hicks, Roger B. 596 Perron, Rita B. 89 Blanks 1475 Total ballots cast

Hollis, Maine Certified Count of Votes Cast November 07, 2023 Hollis Special Town Meeting Martha E. Huff, Hollis Town Clerk 10:30 p.m.

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Hollis Town/City Clerk, 34 Town Farm Rd, Hollis, ME 04042

State Referendum Results 11/07/2023

Yes

No

Question 1: Do you want to bar some quasi-governmental entities and all consumer-owned electric utilities from taking on more than $1 billion in debt unless they get statewide voter approval? Question 2: Do you want to ban foreign governments and entities that they own, control, or influence from making campaign contributions or financing communications for or against candidates or ballot questions? Question 3: Do you want to create a new power company governed by an elected board to acquire and operate existing for profit electricity transmission and distribution facilities in Maine? Question 4: Do you want to require vehicle manufacturers to standardize on-board diagnostic systems and provide remote access to those systems and mechanical data to owners and independent repair facilities? Question 5: Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to change the time period for judicial review of the validity of written petitions from within 100 days from the date of filing to within 100 business days from the date of filing of a written petition in the office of the Secretary of State, with an exception for petitions filed within 30 calendar days before or after a general election? Question 6: Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require that all of the provisions of the Constitution be included in the official printed copies of the Constitution prepared by the Secretary of State? Question 7: Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to remove a provision requiring a circulator of a citizen’s initiative or people’s veto petition to be a resident of Maine and a registered voter in Maine, requirements that have been ruled unconstitutional in federal court? Question 8: Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to remove a provision prohibiting a person under guardianship for reasons of mental illness from voting for Governor, Senators and Representatives, which the United States District Court for the District of Maine found violates the United States Constitution and federal law?

993

444

1293

164

374

1096

1253

216

768

671

1052

390

379

1040

574

850

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STATE OF MAINE RETURN OF VOTES CAST DEMOCRAT Hollis Town/City Clerk, 34 Town Farm Rd, Hollis, ME 04042

MUNICIPALITY: HOLLIS - 1 (1-1) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

138 BIDEN ,JOSEPH R., JR. 21 PHILLIPS, DEAN B. 0 LYONS, STEPHEN P. (Declared Write-In) 15 BLANK

STATE OF MAINE RETURN OF VOTES CAST REPUBLICAN

MUNICIPALITY: HOLLIS - 1 (1-1) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

1 BINKLEY, RYAN L 8 DESANTIS, RON 110 HALEY, NIKKI R. 3 RAMASWAMY, VIVEK G. 355 TRUMP, DONALD J. 4 BLANK

655 VOTES CAST March 5, 2024

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Town of Hollis Select Board Annual Report July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024

During the Fiscal Year of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, the Town of Hollis Select Board continued to be an integral part of decision making related to the highly anticipated new Town Hall. The goal to construct a new Town Hall building without obtaining any long term bonds or increasing the taxes to the residents of the Town of Hollis was actualized. This work included finalizing approval for the $2,000,000 Federal Grant awarded and overseen by the Maine Rural Development Agency, and amending the Town’s Tax Increment Financing Agreement (TIF) to be able to utilize those funds towards a new Town Hall. In addition, we also hired an Owner Representative to guide us through the building process. Members of the Select Board continued to coordinate the recruitment of additional staff as the staffing needs of the Town changed to include a new Code Enforcement Officer (Duane Hanson - hired July 5, 2023); a new Assessing Agent (John O’Donnell & Associates - hired February 2024) and exploring additional resources for the Animal Control Officer position. We also increased the Fire & Rescue Department to a total of six (6) full-time staff, a full time administrative assistant, and allowance for the Fire Chief to respond to the increased number of calls for both medical and fire assistance. Members of the Select Board have attended and actively provided input towards the proposed Bar Mills Dam Decommissioning project of Brookfield White Pine Hydro, and also to the Maine Department of Transportation regarding the following projects: update of Route 202 through Hollis; installation of a light at the intersection of Routes 35/4-A and 202; and proposals for traffic control during the update of the Salmon Falls Bridge. The Select Board has worked closely with available resources for grants and funding, and has received support from Narragansett Number One Foundation; Wilkinson Foundation; and Poland Spring/BlueTriton Foundation. We also actively participated in fund-raising activities for both the Lewiston Mass Shooting and Hollis Community Day. We thank those agencies for their generosity to the Town of Hollis and their continued support. The Select Board participated in the arbitration process with Brookfield White Pine Hydro LLC concerning the over taxation of both the Bonny Eagle Dam and West Buxton Dam to reach an agreement with Brookfield on the percentage of each dam owned by the Town; value of each dam; and taxes that were owed for each year. Select Board member David McCubrey submitted his resignation unexpectedly in August 2023. We thank David for his input and dedicated work for the Town, and wish him and his family well in the future. In the fall months, the remaining Select Board members worked hard to complete the tax commitment, address assessing issues in collaboration with our Tax Collector, and pursue hiring a new Assessing Agent to ensure improvement in our tax assessment process. We

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thank the residents for your patience during this transition and we are confident future commitments will be successful under our new Assessing Agent, John O’Donnell and Associates. The Town elected and we gladly welcomed Roger Hicks to the Hollis Select Board in November 2023, and again in June 2024. Roger has brought knowledge and experience from his prior term on the Select Board. As a full Board, we worked closely with the Town’s attorneys to resolve ongoing issues involved with flooding of the homes in a subdivision; improper completion of the roads, clear cutting of open space, and neighborhood issues due to the increased water. We also continued to work with legal and the Planning Board on completing requirements proposed by LD 2003 to increase number of houses that could be built on a lot and availability of accessory dwelling units on single family lots. We also collaborated in updating the Floodplain Management Ordinance to accommodate recent state changes in Floodplain maps and authorization for insurance coverage. With the increased number of houses built since 2020, we reviewed the current Trash contract in November of 2023 with our vendor, McCormick and Sons and the Finance Committee. Based on the increased number of houses, the payment for trash & recycling pick-up was increased to cover the additional burden, with the Town’s support. Select Board member Jack Rogala continues to provide assistance with coordinating costs for upgrades to Town buildings and properties, such as updates to the Salmon Falls Library, the dredging of the Town Memorial pond, rebuilding the walking path and upgrading the playground which are both located at the Sports Complex. The Select Board collaborated with the Hollis Freewheelers ATV Club to develop two ordinances for approval by the legislative body in June 2024, to be able to utilize Saco Road and Deerwander Road to access ATV trails in Hollis. We also collaborated with our auditing and legal firms to develop the General Fund Balance Ordinance, which helps the Town establish and maintain a target level of monies in our General Fund. The Select Board provided information to the Five-Member Select Board/Town Manager Form of Government Committee so they could formulate a detailed ordinance for review and approval by the legislative body. The ordinance was voted in by residents on June 11, 2024. The Town continues to offer an Emergency Medical Subscription Plan to all residents, which is administered by our Office Assistant, Bennet Flinner. This subscription gives residents access to emergency transport services at a minimal cost to individuals and families. We highly encourage residents to sign up for this invaluable service. The Select Board actively supports both the General Assistance program as well as the Heating Assistance program to make sure that no individual or their family in Hollis goes

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without basic necessities during a period of financial difficulty. The Town also provided community members with support during multiple winter storms, which included additional road work and clean up. To continue fiscal responsibility and becoming more cost efficient, this year the Select Board converted all of the Town’s heating fuel resources to propane for all Town buildings and properties. Spirit of America Awards for 2023 were awarded by the Select Board to the following: Individual - Paula Hodgdon, and Group – The Hollis Community Clothing Closet. Spirit of America Awards for 2024 were awarded by the Select Board to the following: Individual - Charles “Chip” Currier, and Group – The Hollis Conservation Commission. The Select Board would like to take the time to thank and recognize each of the Town’s employees—without your compassion and enthusiasm in your daily work, and your commitment to our Town, the Select Board would be lost. Town Hall staff and elected officials: Anna McClay, Faith Plummer, Martha Huff, Crystal Gaudet, Diane Meserve, Bennet Flinner, Tammy Thompson, Duane Hanson and Allen Scott. The full-time staff at Parks and Recreation: Debbie Tefft, Charles “Chip” Currier, Meghan Trask, and Nate Martin. The full-time staff at the Fire & Rescue Department led by Chief Chris Young; Jordan Barbour, Seth Bougie, Nicholas Hegarty, Caleb Hege, Dawson Libby, Joshua Waterhouse and Sariah Lambert. Please know that the Select Board is willing to meet with any concerned citizens or to answer questions in a timely manner to abate any negative perceptions of how the Town is managed. Our door is always open. Finally, the individuals and families who reside in Hollis are what make our community great! Your willingness to share your concerns to improve the functioning of the Town and maintain its greatness are what makes a small community like ours flourish.

Respectfully submitted,

The Hollis Select Board

Mary H. Hoffman, Chair John “Jack” Rogala Roger Hicks

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Town Clerk of Hollis Annual Town Report Fiscal Year 7/1/2023 - 6/30/2024

41 36

Number of Deaths: Number of Births: Number of Marriages:

34 IFW – Fish & Game licenses sold Oct. 15, 2023 - Oct. 14, 2024: $5,289.50 Dogs Licensed in Hollis Oct. 15, 2023 - Oct. 14, 2024: 93 Dogs capable of producing young 661 spayed/neutered dogs 2 replacement tags 0 transferred tags from other towns 1 Service dog 2 Kennel Licenses Issued

Submitted by Martha E. Huff, Hollis Town Clerk

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Hollis Code Enforcement Office Permits fees collected the past 3 fiscal years are as follows: Type Fees Fees

Fees

2021/2022

2022/2023

2023/2024

Building Electrical Demolition Driveway

$ 242,403.50 $ 7,950.00 $ 2,850.00 $ 5,770.00 $ 11,165.00 $

$ 76,062.00 $ 7,375.00

$ 246,882.31 $ 8,400.00

$ $

600.00

$ $

350.00 650.00

Internal Plumbing Septic Systems Home Occupation

$ 3,050.00 $ 7,380.00

$ 2,775.00 $ 6,765.00

$ $

225.00

$ $

675.00

$ $

300.00 750.00

Violations

Total

$270,363.50

$ 95,142.00

$ 266,872.31

We would like to welcome our newest full-time Code Enforcement Officer, Duane Hanson. He joined us full-time after filling in for us on a part-time basis. The Code Enforcement office receives many e-mails each day, some days upwards of fifty. In addition to the e-mails are all the phone calls. The Code Enforcement office is quite busy most days serving the public. The Code Enforcement Officer has investigated numerous complaints and ordinance viola tions. The Code Enforcement Officer attended required continued certification classes in the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Codes and Standards, internal plumbing, subsurface systems, land use, shore land zoning, legal issues, and other areas required for continual certification, involving many hours of classes and training exercises. Goals for the upcoming year: 1. Continue to work closely with the Select Board to resolve ongoing code issues and violations throughout the Town of Hollis. 2. Continue to streamline our office practices to strive for continued proficiency. I would like to give special acknowledgment to Tammy Thompson, Code Enforcement & Assessing Administrative Coordinator. As you can see, she handles two jobs at a time and is very proficient at both. I would just like to give her a big thank you for all she does for our office and the Assessing Office as well. There are many thanks that need to be said for the individuals in our Town Hall with whom the Code Enforcement Office interfaces. All staff provides support and encouragement which enables our office to succeed.

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Hollis Fire-Rescue 34 Town Farm Road Hollis , ME 04042 207-727-3623 Office of the Fire Chief

Hollis Fire-Rescue has a very dedicated staff, many of whom are cross trained iLni cbeontshe df i rPeaar na md Ee dMi cSs. ,O4f aoruer l ti oc et anlssetda fAf do vf a4n0c, e3d0 EaMr eTt’ rs aai nn ed d6 f ai rreef ilgi chet ne rs se ,d1B3 aasri ec EMT’s. I am proud to say that Hollis Fire-Rescue has made a name for itself as a lPeraorgnri anmg ahnads abdl ovsasnocme me de, natnfdo cwues ecdo ndtei pn aurotums el yn ht . aOvue rmReemc rbuei trms aecntti vaenl dy Re ne rt eo nl l tei do ni n ab da sviacnEc Me mT esncth toroali na inndg .t wC uor irne nf itrl eyf, i wg het ehra vr oe of ok ui er smc heomobl . eLras sitnypeaarrasme ve edri ca lsmc heomo lb, eornse i n aptrtoevniddeedr ec gl auslsaersdteopbaer ct mo me ne tFwi ried eI ntsrtariunci nt ogr tsoaos uwr eml l eams bF ei rres Ot of f ki ceeerpc ol ausrs es tsa. fWf we e l l versed in evolving techniques that make us better at serving the community. It is my intent to continue these trends of improvement for our department ay ne adr c. oI nwt ii snhu et ot or eocfof eg rn it zhee tbhees dt es edri cvai ct ee dp, ohsasri db l we toor koiunrg ci onmd imv i ud nu iatlys ewahc ho ma nadk ee vuepr yo u r av me r ayzpi nr go us dt aaf fnfdo ra pc op nr et icni auti invge toof pa rl lotvhi ed ewpornodf ee sr sf ui ol nmael ms ebr ev ri cs eotf oHooul lri sc oF mi r em- Ru en si tcyu. eI . a m Respectfully submitted with pride, Chris Young Fire Chief HOLLIS FIRE-RESCUE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024 As we close out 2024, it is essential to reflect on the progress, challenges, and accomplishments of our Fire and EMS service. This year has been one of growth, resilience, and a continued commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. We have faced significant challenges, particularly during the major storm in April, but our team has responded with dedication and professionalism. This report summarizes our service metrics, training efforts, community engagement, and response times over the past year. Service Overview: Total Responses: 876 EMS Responses: 625 Fire Responses: 251 Throughout 2024, we have seen an increasing demand for both fire and EMS services. This surge in call volume reflects the growing needs of our community, as well as our commitment to providing timely and professional emergency response services. April Storm Response In April, we faced a major storm that resulted in a record number of emergency calls. Our team responded to 64 calls within a 48-hour period, a record for our service. The storm tested our resources and coordination, but our crews handled the pressure with professionalism and efficiency, providing crucial care and support to our community. Mutual Aid and Assistance Mutual Aid Responses (to other communities): 117 Requests for Mutual Aid Assistance: 69 Our mutual aid contributions continue to be an essential part of our service. In 2024, we responded to 117 mutual aid calls, assisting neighboring communities in times of need. We requested mutual aid assistance 69 times, with 25 of those requests being automatic due to the nature of the emergency. This collaboration strengthens the overall response network in our region, ensuring no community is left without the resources they need in times of crisis.

54 Chief Chris Young

Hollis Fire-Rescue 34 Town Farm Road Hollis , ME 04042 207-727-3623 Office of the Fire Chief

Overlapping Calls As the year progressed, we continued to face an increasing volume of overlapping incidents. In 2024, there were 141 overlapping incidents (not including the additional 66 during the major storms). The rise in overlapping calls highlights the increasing demand for emergency services, and we are continually adapting our resources and strategies to address this challenge. Hollis Fire-Rescue has a very dedicated staff, many of whom are cross trained iLni cbeontshe df i rPeaar na md Ee dMi cSs. ,O4f aoruer l ti oc et anlssetda fAf do vf a4n0c, e3d0 EaMr eTt’ rs aai nn ed d6 f ai rreef ilgi chet ne rs se ,d1B3 aasri ec EMT’s. I am proud to say that Hollis Fire-Rescue has made a name for itself as a lPeraorgnri anmg ahnads abdl ovsasnocme me de, natnfdo cwues ecdo ndtei pn aurotums el yn ht . aOvue rmReemc rbuei trms aecntti vaenl dy Re ne rt eo nl l tei do ni n ab da sviacnEc Me mT esncth toroali na inndg .t wC uor irne nf itrl eyf, i wg het ehra vr oe of ok ui er smc heomobl . eLras sitnypeaarrasme ve edri ca lsmc heomo lb, eornse i n aptrtoevniddeedr ec gl auslsaersdteopbaer ct mo me ne tFwi ried eI ntsrtariunci nt ogr tsoaos uwr eml l eams bF ei rres Ot of f ki ceeerpc ol ausrs es tsa. fWf we e l l versed in evolving techniques that make us better at serving the community. It is my intent to continue these trends of improvement for our department ay ne adr c. oI nwt ii snhu et ot or eocfof eg rn it zhee tbhees dt es edri cvai ct ee dp, ohsasri db l we toor koiunrg ci onmd imv i ud nu iatlys ewahc ho ma nadk ee vuepr yo u r av me r ayzpi nr go us dt aaf fnfdo ra pc op nr et icni auti invge toof pa rl lotvhi ed ewpornodf ee sr sf ui ol nmael ms ebr ev ri cs eotf oHooul lri sc oF mi r em- Ru en si tcyu. eI . a m Respectfully submitted with pride, Chris Young Fire Chief Staff Commitment Our staff dedicated over 36,000 hours throughout 2024. This includes time spent on: Training, Work Details, Call-Company Responses, and On-Duty Hours. Training & Preparedness In 2024, our service remained focused on enhancing the skills and capabilities of our team. We completed extensive training in the following areas: Hazardous Materials, Structural Collapse, Water Supply, Vehicle Extrication, Technical & Ropes Rescue, and Monthly Fire and EMS Training. This rigorous training regimen ensures our staff is equipped to respond effectively to any situation, from routine calls to complex and hazardous incidents. Community Engagement Community outreach remains a priority for our service. In 2024, we were actively involved in several key community events, including: Summer Rec Program, Fireworks Detail, Station Tours with homeschool students and scout troops, Wreaths Across America, Annual Fire Prevention Week: Engaging with local daycares, the Hollis Center Library, and the Elementary School, and CPR Classes conducted for local businesses, Hollis Rec staff, and daycare staff. These community engagements allowed us to connect with our residents, educate them on fire and EMS safety, and reinforce our role as a trusted community partner.

Chief Chris Young

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Hollis Fire-Rescue 34 Town Farm Road Hollis , ME 04042 207-727-3623 Office of the Fire Chief

Hollis Fire-Rescue has a very dedicated staff, many of whom are cross trained iLni cbeontshe df i rPeaar na md Ee dMi cSs. ,O4f aoruer l ti oc et anlssetda fAf do vf a4n0c, e3d0 EaMr eTt’ rs aai nn ed d6 f ai rreef ilgi chet ne rs se ,d1B3 aasri ec EMT’s. I am proud to say that Hollis Fire-Rescue has made a name for itself as a lPeraorgnri anmg ahnads abdl ovsasnocme me de, natnfdo cwues ecdo ndtei pn aurotums el yn ht . aOvue rmReemc rbuei trms aecntti vaenl dy Re ne rt eo nl l tei do ni n ab da sviacnEc Me mT esncth toroali na inndg .t wC uor irne nf itrl eyf, i wg het ehra vr oe of ok ui er smc heomobl . eLras sitnypeaarrasme ve edri ca lsmc heomo lb, eornse i n aptrtoevniddeedr ec gl auslsaersdteopbaer ct mo me ne tFwi ried eI ntsrtariunci nt ogr tsoaos uwr eml l eams bF ei rres Ot of f ki ceeerpc ol ausrs es tsa. fWf we e l l versed in evolving techniques that make us better at serving the community. It is my intent to continue these trends of improvement for our department ay ne adr c. oI nwt ii snhu et ot or eocfof eg rn it zhee tbhees dt es edri cvai ct ee dp, ohsasri db l we toor koiunrg ci onmd imv i ud nu iatlys ewahc ho ma nadk ee vuepr yo u r av me r ayzpi nr go us dt aaf fnfdo ra pc op nr et icni auti invge toof pa rl lotvhi ed ewpornodf ee sr sf ui ol nmael ms ebr ev ri cs eotf oHooul lri sc oF mi r em- Ru en si tcyu. eI . a m Respectfully submitted with pride, Chris Young Fire Chief Response Times and Performance Community outreach remains a priority for our service. In 2024, we were actively involved in several key community events, including: Summer Rec Program, Fireworks Detail, Station Tours with homeschool students and scout troops, Wreaths Across America, Annual Fire Prevention Week: Engaging with local daycares, the Hollis Center Library, and the Elementary School, and CPR Classes conducted for local businesses, Hollis Rec staff, and daycare staff. These community engagements allowed us to connect with our residents, educate them on fire and EMS safety, and reinforce our role as a trusted community partner. Looking Ahead As we reflect on the challenges and successes of 2024, we remain committed to improving our services, expanding our capabilities, and engaging with the community in meaningful ways. The increasing volume of calls and the complexity of emergencies we face requires constant adaptation, and we are prepared to meet these demands head-on. In the coming year, we will continue to focus on training, optimizing our response systems, and fostering stronger community partnerships. Our goal remains clear: to provide the highest level of service to our residents, ensuring safety, care, and professionalism in every situation. Conclusion We extend our gratitude to all the members of our Fire and EMS service, as well as the community we serve. Your support and trust in our team are what drive us to continually strive for excellence. Together, we will face whatever challenges lie ahead with the same dedication and professionalism that has defined our service in 2024.

Thank you for your continued support.

Chris Young Fire-Rescue Chief

56 Chief Chris Young

Parks & Recreation Department Annual Report July 2023 – June 2024

Our Parks & Recreation staff includes: Recreation Director – Debbie Tefft Recreation Assistant Director – Amy Paul Administrative Assistant – Dawn Lundeen

The Hollis Parks and Recreation Department continues to proudly serve our community with a wide range of recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. Our department is staffed by Recreation Director Debbie Tefft, Recreation Assistant Director Amy Paul, and Administrative Assistant Dawn Lundeen. We are also incredibly grateful to the many volunteers who generously contribute their time and talents to support our programs. Your involvement plays a vital role in creating the positive, welcoming environment that defines our offerings. Our seven-week Summer Recreation Program serves children entering Kindergarten through tenth grade and remains one of our most popular offerings. The program includes weekly trips to Splashtown, Kiwanis Beach, local state parks, and Spring Point. We design theme based days filled with scavenger hunts, survivor games, and treasure hunts to keep kids engaged and active. To ease the financial burden for families, we offer flexible early payment plans. Parents are encouraged to contact the Recreation Office at (207) 929-5142 to arrange a payment schedule that works for them. Following the core summer program, we offer a limited Extended Rec week to support families in the transitional week before school begins. As the fall season begins, we launch our Youth Soccer League, which includes divisions for Pee Wee players (ages 3 and 4), Kindergarteners, and youth in grades 1 through 8. Practices are typically held during the week, with games played on Saturdays. The start of the school year also brings a variety of after-school programs. Children can participate in drawing, crafts, oil painting, indoor soccer, track and field, and floor hockey. Our Before and After Care Programs, led by Amy Paul and her dedicated team, continue to serve as a reliable and enriching option for families during the school year. A highlight of the aftercare program is the daily mile walk around the grounds. For every mile walked, an item of food is donated to the Hollis Food Pantry through the support of individual sponsors assigned to each child. The program culminates in an end-of-year celebration for both sponsors and children, with more than 4,000 items donated annually. This initiative fosters a strong sense of community service, and we are always welcoming new sponsors to join us in supporting this effort. Throughout the year, we offer adult bus trips in both the fall and spring, and we are always open to suggestions for new destinations. Our seasonal events remain well-loved by the community. In October, we host a Halloween party at the Hollis Gym featuring games and a costume contest for a small fee. We also organize a Halloween event at the Sports Complex with ghostly lights along the walking path, a Haunted Mile Walk, a bonfire with s’mores, and pumpkin carving—an evening full of excitement and spooky fun for all ages. Looking

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forward, we hope to introduce a Fall Road Race, which will include a 5K for adults and a 1-mile race for children. During the winter season, we offer two girls’ basketball leagues for grades 3–4 and grades 5–6. We also provide a Sunday league open to girls and women from grade 7 through adulthood and proudly support a senior women’s team (ages 50 and up) that plays 3-on-3 half-court basketball. Plans are underway to introduce boys’ basketball teams in the near future. Our winter programming also includes after-school indoor soccer and floor hockey, with hopes of expanding into volleyball clinics soon. In the spring, we continue to offer Track and Field, typically held on Mondays and Fridays after school. This program features meets with neighboring towns such as Buxton, Wells, and Old Orchard Beach and includes events in running, jumping, and throwing. T-Ball is offered for children ages 4 and 5 on Saturday mornings as a six-week program that spans seven weeks to accommodate the Memorial Day weekend. We plan to add a Coach-Pitch option for 6-year-olds in upcoming seasons. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is a cherished event for children in preschool through third grade. While eggs are hidden, families enjoy live entertainment, supported by a modest participation fee. Each May, the State of Maine stocks Memorial Pond, located by the Hollis Community Building, with trout for our annual Children’s Fishing Derby. This event is open to youth under age 15 and continues to be a fun and educational experience for our young anglers. Spring also includes a bus trip for adults, and we always welcome input on new ideas for future excursions. We offer several year-round programs to keep residents active and engaged throughout the seasons. Our adult exercise classes take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, with sessions offered from 8:00–9:00 AM and 9:00–10:00 AM. Kindergym, our preschool program that includes gym class, crafts, and snacks, is held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00–11:00 AM. Senior Women’s Basketball (ages 50 and over) meets on Monday evenings from 7:00–8:30 PM at the Hollis Gym. Girls and women of all ages are invited to join our open gym basketball night on Wednesdays from 7:00–8:30 PM, with a $2 fee per session. Men’s Open Gym Basketball is available on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8:30–10:00 PM, also for a $2 fee per session. For those seeking a quieter activity, we host a weekly cribbage group every Wednesday at 9:00 AM. Our department remains committed to offering a diverse array of recreational activities at reasonable costs for Hollis’s residents. We are thankful for the consistent support of our annual budget, which allows us to grow and enhance our programs each year. Communication is a priority, and we typically publish newsletters two to three times annually. Program updates, event announcements, and registration details are also available on our official website at www.hollismaine.org/parks-recreation and on our Facebook page at facebook.com/hollisrec . We always welcome feedback, suggestions for new programs, and volunteers who wish to contribute to the success of our community offerings. If you would like to get involved, or if you have any questions about our programs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (207) 929-5142. Respectfully submitted, Debbie J. Tefft Recreation Director, Hollis Parks & Recreation Department

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TOWN OF HOLLIS ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT 2023 – 2024

As the Town of Hollis Road Commissioner, I work with the Taxpayers, Selectboard, Code Enforcement Office, Planning Board, Utility Companies, MSAD 6, MDOT, and neighboring towns to oversee the maintenance and repairs of all the roads within the town. I am continually working to provide the residents of Hollis with the best service possible, while constantly looking for new cost-saving methods to maintain and improve our roads in our growing community. Some of the highlights for this year were: • Dayton Sand and Gravel resurfaced and shouldered the following roads: Bobbi Lane • Christine Lane • Pinecrest Drive • Oxford Drive Landry Drive • Larswood Circle • Swanton Drive • Wakefield Road • Prepared the following roads for resurfacing by All State Materials West Old Alfred Road • Sarah Vaughn Road • 1.2-mile section of Deerwander Road • Responded to help keep roads open during December 18th and April 4 th storms. • Cleaned up damaged trees and debris along town roads from the April Storm • Improved a section of Deerwander Road by removing several large pine trees • Total Snow fall for winter of 2023-2024 was approximately 50 inches, • Post all town roads in the spring to minimize damage from use by heavy weight vehicles. Activities for the year 2023-2024: • Replace culverts and/or ditching and shouldering on the following roads: Mansion Rd, Sand Pond Rd, Shy Beaver Road etc. • Continued assisting the Hollis Fire Department and State Police as needed. • Mowing shoulders of town roads, cutting brush, and tree removal • Grading and dust control on dirt roads, Cold patching and shoulder repairs on paved roads

• Sign and guardrail repair or replacement • Sweeping, striping and crack sealing roads

2023-2024 has been a busy and eventful year. Working with the Selectboard we have been able to rebuild and improve many of our town roads and have several more to lined up to do in the future. I appreciate your continued support while we work to maintain and improve our roads. It is a privilege for me to continue to serve the residents and taxpayers of the Town of Hollis.

Robert M. Hanson, Jr. Road Commissioner

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