Island Briefs Selectmen change meeting time MOUNT DESERT — For years, the Board of Selectmen’s meetings, which are held the first and third Mondays of each month, started at 6:30 p.m. But since the board began meeting virtually last spring, the meetings have started at 4 p.m. A few people have recently pointed out that 4 p.m. is still part of the workday for some people who might otherwise like to “attend” the virtual meetings. So, on Monday, the board voted to switch the meeting time back of 6:30 p.m. as of Dec. 21.
COVID-19 leave for fire department BAR HARBOR— Town fire department employees will now receive 240 hours of COVID-19 leave if exposed to the coronavirus. That number was determined by 10 consecutive days out of work at 24 hours a day. A motion to approve these amendments to the Potential Exposure and Emergency First Responder sections of the personnel rules passed unanimously at the Dec. 1 Town Council meeting. “To make sure these first responders are properly compensated for what they do, I’m willing to take on that expense,” said Town Council member Erin Cough.