FARMINGTON — Selectmen at the March 14 meeting approved transfer of ownership of Bee Line Inc. to Spectrum Northeast LLC, a subsidiary of Charter Communications Inc.
The transfer is expected to take up to 18 months. Spectrum will be required to comply with the town’s existing franchise agreement with Bee Line until it expires in 2027.
Charter representative Melinda Kinney said 295 communities and 466,000 customers statewide are currently being served. There are 300 employees in Maine, she noted. Most technicians are familiar with the territory, upgrades to enhance services are planned in the next 24 months, she stated.
“You are in good hands,” Kinney said. There are a lot of people available to respond to outages in a timely manner, she added.
Would there be any immediate changes in rate structure, Selectman Stephan Bunker asked.
It would take some time to determine, Kinney said. New packages would be offered for those transitioning over, there are a lot of different bundle packages, she noted.
Access to the website link where various services and fees can be found would be helpful, Bunker said.
Selectman Joshua Bell asked that an upgrades presentation be given once things are more settled.
Selectmen also approved a new taxicab license for Gloria Vinson. She and business partner, April Archer have been operating Mom’s Taxi in Rumford for about a year and a half.
“I think we are doing really well,” Vinson said. A former social worker, she saw a dire need, an opportunity and went with it. She said she loves what she does. Vinson saw a need in Farmington, get calls daily, sometimes three to four times a day, and hopes to serve the community.
“We are two people looking to do a decent service,” Vinson stated. She hopes to start operating as soon as possible. There will be a local office and separate phone number for Farmington, two vehicles are already inspected by the police department and the drivers are ready, she noted. Until established, hours will be 6 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. with plans to eventually be available 24 hours, she noted. Pricing methods and rates are being determined, she added.
“It is a very necessary service,” Bunker said.
“I am really excited, I can’t wait,” Vinson stated.
On Wednesday, March 22, Vinson said a Farmington location hasn’t been established yet, but Mom’s Taxi is in Farmington every day. The Farmington phone number is 207-507-1499 but the Rumford number, 207-418-8053 can also be used, she noted.
In other business, interim Town Manager Cornell Knight was appointed interim Town Clerk, interim Registrar of Voters and interim Tax Collector. Nancy Martin, who was hired in August 2019 and most recently served as Executive Assistant, interim Payroll Clerk, interim Deputy Welfare Director and Assistant Town Clerk resigned March 10 to take a position with Maine Municipal Association. Town Clerk Susan Murphy, who was hired in December, stepped down March 17.
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