Jim Wood, transportation development director for the agency, said costs and ridership are rising, but local contributions have remained level for many years.

Esler, a fire captain, was hired with the expectation that he would be Winslow fire chief as well, though the Winslow position has not yet been formalized.

Booker Family Properties wants to convert the former Goudreau’s Retirement Inn into apartments.

The Tuesday session comes nearly two weeks after Mayor Nick Isgro claimed councilors were working quietly behind the scenes to increase the tax rate by 13 percent.