On the agenda: Oakland Minutes (PDF) — Data Center (Jul 23)

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
June 24th, 2026
Council Members’ Present:
Michael Perkins, Chairman
Susan Leigh
Kelly Roderick

Dana Wrigley, Vice Chairman
Robert Nutting

Others Present:
Kelly Pinney-Michaud, Town Manager
Chief Rick Stubbert
Nathan Smart, CEO
George Bailey
William Cochran
Abigail Pritchard

Kathleen Paradis, Town Clerk
LT. Adam Sirois, Oakland Police
Jon Cox
Linda Bemis
Kelly Harvell

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Council Chair Michael Perkins and let those present in the
reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Roll Call: Council Chair Michael Perkins took roll call. All five councilors were present.
2. To Approve the minutes of June 10, 2026, meeting. Dana Wrigley and Robert Nutting made a
motion that we accept the minutes of June 10,2026 and was seconded by Robert Nutting. It was
voted 5-0 to accept the minutes as written.
3. Sign the Weekly Payables Warrant: The Warrant was signed by three councilors. Michael
Perkins & Roderick abstained.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. MMA Ballot-Vote and Sign for Legislative Policy Committee: Town Manager Kelly
Pinney-Michaud informed the council that Michelle Flewelling and Nicholas Cloutier were the
candidates for the MMA Legislative Policy Committee. This vote is done every two years, and
this was the year to sign and vote for the candidates. Robert Nutting stated that this was a great
committee. Councilors then signed the document, and the Town Manager will submit it to
MMA.
2. Welcome to Oakland Sign: The Town Manager advised the council that she had a draft for a
new Welcome to Oakland Sign for Route 11 at Dore Lane. The sign would measure 31x48 and
would be larger than the current sign at this location. George Bailey inquired if any tax dollars
would be used to make the new sign. He was advised that fundraising would be done to absorb
the cost of the sign. The Council then gave the Town Manager the ok to fundraise and install
new sign.
3.

Oakfest Update: The Town Manager informed the council that the Oakfest Website is up and
running. There will be a new Oakfest banner going up on Pleasant Street soon. Also, there will
be a cornhole tournament on Friday evening for $30.00 per team. They are also looking for
more floats for the parade on Friday evening as well. The Saturday events will once again be at
Williams Elementary School with the car show being center stage. They do expect over two
hundred cars to participate this year.

4. 250th America’s Birthday: The Town Manager informed the council that we had purchased some
250th flags with TIF money and are up on Main Street. She would also like to paint stars on the

lawn (hill at the Town Office) coming down from Kennedy Memorial Drive and decorate the
corner. Michael Perkins suggested that we have flags fly from the poles. Susan Leigh inquired
about the decorating of the corner; she also stated that Memorial Hall would be a good place to
decorate as well. George Bailey inquired as to why the town is not celebrating the 250 th on the
fourth? Town Manager stated that time had gone by and no one had come forward to establish a
committee. Susan Leigh suggested that on Veterans Day we have a celebration as these
individuals should be honored for their service.

OLD BUSINESS:
5. 4M Motors: Nathan Smart explained he’s spoken to the owners of 4M Motors and they agreed
to put up a stockade fence from the wooded area to the school and 2 to 3 sections by the neighbors.
Nathan Smart stated they would only have 8 to 10 cars there at a time. Robert Nutting stated that
it is a very neat establishment and does not look like a junkyard. Dana Wrigley made a motion to
issue the permit to 4M Motors until September when the annual renewal happens. It was seconded
by Robert Nutting and voted 5-0 to issue the permit.
MANAGERS REPORT:
1. Police Station Air Handler: The Town Manager informed the council that the air handling
unit is now fixed and working. The cost was $4300 to fix. She also stated that the Police Budget
is in great shape and will absorb the expense.
2. 2026 Audit 9/21/2026: Town Manager informed the council that the date for the annual audit
will be September 21, 2026. We once again will be using the same auditors as in the past. There
seems to be a shortage of Auditors across the state and I do not want to take the chance of
losing our auditor.
3. American Legion Liquor License: Town Clerk Kathleen Paradis asked the council for their
approval for the 2026 liquor license for the Decker Simmons American Legion. It was noted
that the Town Clerk has spoken to the Police Department and there have been no issues at this
establishment. It was moved by Dana Wrigley and seconded by Robert Nutting and voted 5-0 to
approve the license.
4. ATV Grant-$70,000: The Town Manager informed the council that we have received another
grant for ATV Trail in the amount of $70,000, with $63,000 to spend and $7,000 for in-kind
work. The trails are now open from Pleasant Street to Oak Street and need to be cleaned and
graded. This section of Trail has never been open to riders. Angela Jurdak is volunteering her
time and has now picked up two pick-up trucks full of metal on the trail. We plan to use her
hours as a portion of the in-kind needed to match the grant. The Town plans to rent an
excavator with a forestry mulcher to help with the project. Dana Wrigley inquired where do we
stand with CSX? The Town Manager stated that we needed to do build the road into Wrigley
Field first then they will be able to do their part with the crossing. The Town Manager also
reminded the council that we’ve received $361,200 to date for the ATV Trail in grants. It was
moved by Dana Wrigley, seconded by Kelly Roderick, and voted 5-0 to accept the new grant.
5. TAN (Tax Anticipation Note): The Town Manager informed the council that with the new
town valuations being done and the first tax installment being due on 9/30/2026, she would like
to apply for a TAN in the amount of $3,000,000 to help with cash flow during the month of
July, August and September. We have 1.1 million in our account, but she would like to pay
Delta Ambulance the full amount of $360,354 and save us 5 %. There are about $2,000,000 in
payments that take place in July. Dana Wrigley stated that we would start paying on the TAN

once tax dollars start rolling in. Robert Nutting stated that back in the day when towns did this,
they would be getting more in interest and only pay on the amount due. The Town Manager
stated that our current bank Camden National does TAN’s and she plans to check with First
Bank, Androscoggin Savings, and Kennebec Savings. Susan Leigh asked about possibly credit
union as well. It was noted that most credit unions do not do TAN’s. Dana Wrigley then made a
motion to have the Town Manager look into the TAN with these financial institutions. It was
seconded by Susan Leigh and voted 5-0.
6. Data Centers: The Town Manager provided a copy of a flyer “Understanding Data Center
Moratoriums” that KVCOG produced to the council. Robert Nutting stated that there is no
statewide moratorium enacted by the legislation as the Governor had vetoed the one for the
state due to the Jay mill. This moratorium is town to town approval, and I do not believe that
we should have one. Dana Wrigley stated that we need to do some research as there is the
substation off Rice Rips Road and there is plenty of space at FirstPark for a data center. This
would also generate a lot of property tax revenue as well. Kelly Roderick stated that the flyer
was great information and extremely helpful and we should get more information and data on
the centers. Susan Leigh also stated that any new data center would go through the planning
board approval process and public meetings, and votes…. And we are nowhere near starting
any of this. The town manager was just providing the flyer as an informational piece.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Michael Perkins stated that the area Oakland Businesses are extremely happy with the ATV traffic. They
are seeing a rise in business. Susan Leigh said that a resident had inquired why the flags were not at halfstaff for Memorial Day at Lewis Cemetery? The Town Manager said she would ask the Town Sexton
about it.

ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Kelly Roderick, seconded by Dana Wrigley, and voted 5-0 to end the public meeting at
6:45pm and enter Executive Session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: It was moved by Michael Perkins and seconded by Dana Wrigley to enter
Executive Session at 6:46pm with the meeting ending at 6:58pm. A motion was made by Michael Perkins
and seconded by Dana Wrigley to have the Town Lawyer send a letter to comply with agreement with
previous Town Manager. It was voted 5-0 to have the Town Lawyer send letter. It was moved by Susan
Leigh and seconded by Robert Nutting to adjourn at 7:02pm.