TUESDAY JANUARY 20, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE
FLAG: Chairman Angelo Terreri called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Those present were Mrs. Jody
Goodwin, Mr. Richard Keene, Mr. Lawrence House, Mr. Kurt Youland,
Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Fire Chief Michael Arsenault, Addressing
Officer Ross Gagne, Budget Committee Chairman Rodney Shaw, Planning
Board Chairman Jeffrey Timberlake, and Dennis Richardson.
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt
requested an additional item under the Town Managers' Business
regarding a letter from the
3. REVIEW OF FORECLOSED TAX LIENS: Mrs. Leavitt
referenced the list of properties that foreclosed 12/29/2008 due to
non-payment of taxes and informed the Board of four possible options
available to deal with the properties: 1) do nothing, 2) sell at
auction, 3) continue to assess to the taxpayer with a payment
plan/re-purchase agreement or, 4) take physical control of the
property. Mrs. Leavitt noted that past practice has been to enter
into re-payment agreements with property owners. Mrs. Leavitt further
informed the Board that she has had an opportunity to speak with some
of the property owners, but not all. Mrs. Goodwin questioned the fact
that she understood the Board of Selectmen previously voted to work
out payment arrangements with those property owners involved. There
were some questions regarding which tax year is involved with the
list as provided, and Mrs. Leavitt explained that all the accounts
presented are for taxes that went to lien in June 2007, and those
liens have now matured. Mr. Terreri noted he would like to see a
payment schedule established and it was a consensus of the Board that
a time frame for final payment be outlined. Following some additional
discussion Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to have the Town Manager work
out payment agreements for the foreclosed tax liens with a date
included for final payment receipt, Mr. Keene seconded the motion. It
was noted that any money received is applied to interest and costs
first then to principle and the amounts shown are the principle only.
Mr. Youland inquired about the
4. TOWN MANGERS' BUSINESS: 1. Q & A WEEKLY
MEMO: Mr. Youland questioned the costs to date for the grader repair
to verify if the amount stated includes labor as well. Mrs. Leavitt
noted that the costs as stated are for parts only and the in-house
man-hours involved to date are approximately 80 hours. Mrs. Leavitt
further noted that a road test was done and the alternator needed to
be replaced. Mrs. Leavitt further noted that the one-ton has been
repaired and the pick up has also been repaired. It was noted that
the repair costs to date total approximately $13,000 opposed to the
$21,000 quoted from a vendor for the grader repairs.
Mr. Youland noted that a resident has received
some heat assistance through the Town's program and Mrs. Leavitt
indicated that she had 3 applicants for the Town program, one
declined assistance as they had their need filled elsewhere, and
another applicant that also found assistance elsewhere. 4-2
5. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: None
6. CONSENT AGENDA: Mrs. Goodwin noted a couple of
corrections necessary to the minutes from 1/5/2009, one regarding a
motion and second on the appointment of the Registrar of Voters and a
correction regarding Mr. Charles Emerson's acknowledgement of his
years of fire fighting and Mr. Winn Coleman being acknowledged as
fire fighter of the year. Mr. Terreri reviewed the disbursement
warrants and recommended their approval. Ms. Philipon presented an
application for Veteran's Exemption for a new resident who qualifies
due to 100% disability, Jason Patterson. Ms. Philipon also noted that
the amount of exemption has been increased from $5,000 to $6,000.
Mrs. Leavitt inquired whether the amount is adjusted by the certified
ratio of the Town, which was noted to be true as are the homestead
exemption and the tree growth rates. There were no abatements or
supplements to consider. Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to approve the
consent agenda with amendments as discussed, Mr. Keene seconded the
motion; and the vote was unanimous.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION: TITLE 1 M. R. S. A. -
PERSONNEL MATTER (405) (6) (A): Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to go into
executive session at 7:29 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion. Prior to
a vote being taken Mr. Rodney Shaw inquired whether or not the Board
would make any kind of decision that may affect the budget meetings
and it was indicated that perhaps the Board of Selectmen would have a
recommendation at the next budget meeting scheduled for 1/20/2009.
Planning Board Member Jeff Timberlake also asked permission to make a
statement prior to the Board entering executive session? Mr.
Timberlake noted to the Board that the rumor mill indicates the
executive session concerns the Code Enforcement position with the
possibility of considering some changes to the present full time
status. Mr. Timberlake further stated that from the Planning Board
perspective that works closely with the Code Enforcement Officer
express their concerns regarding the possibility of changing the
position from full time to part time and what that action might mean
for the Town and the Planning Board down the road.
Mrs. Goodwin noted that discussions haven't yet
happened and the executive session was for discussion purposes and
she inquired why the Planning Board has any interest in the CEO's position?
Mr. Timberlake noted that the town has had several CEO's, some good
and some not so good, however, the Planning
Board is happy with the present CEO and the possibility of searching
for a replacement is not desirable.
Mr. Timberlake acknowledged that the economy has
slowed down everywhere, but also indicated there are other things the
current CEO can be doing during the slow times, and further stated
the desirability of having a CEO available when needed. Mr.
Timberlake noted that should the position be changed to something
other than full time, it would be difficult to get back what we
currently have. Mr. Timberlake stated that Mr. Williams is a good CEO
and doesn't want to loose him, further stating that if desired by the
Board, a way to make the position work could be found. Mrs. Goodwin
inquired if there was a list of possible tasks? One hasn't yet been
developed. Mr. Williams then requested to be recognized and
respectfully requested that any continued discussion be done in an
open session as opposed to an executive session? Mrs. Leavitt noted
that a request of this type must be done in writing. Mr. Dennis
Richardson was then recognized by Mr. Terreri and noted that the need
for a written request can be handled right here, right now. Mr.
Williams then provided Chairman Terreri with his written request for
the discussion to be held in an open forum.
Mrs. Goodwin made a point that the discussion is
regarding the position, not Mr. Williams personally and further noted
at this time there isn't enough work to justify the position and to
move forward with discussion from that perspective. Mr. Williams
noted that he recently spoke with Addressing Officer Ross Gagne to
inquire if there was any work that the CEO could do to assist with
the addressing aspect. Mr. Gagne noted to the Board that the
Addressing Ordinance identifies enforcement as being a duty of the
Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Gagne further stated that if the Town
were indeed looking for a revenue source to tap, the Ordinance
provides the Town with the authority to fine people who aren't in
compliance with the Ordinance by having their physical address number
visibly located either on the home or near an entrance to the home
such as at the driveway entrance. Additional discussion included
consideration of the assessing work, which Mrs. Leavitt noted
assessors are and must be certified, however, Mr. Youland noted that
the CEO is out in the field doing multiple inspections and that the
training required to perform the measuring and logging of information
could be done. Discussion also included the possibility of the CEO
being trained for some of the work done by the office staff.
Mrs. Goodwin noted that there is a significant
difference in the rate of pay between the office staff and the CEO
position and to pay the current CEO wage for the counter work doesn't
seem fiscally responsible. Mr. Timberlake noted that in his business
they do use people such as foremen to do work at different levels
during slow times just to keep them employed. Mr. Youland noted that
there could also be some benefit savings by retaining the full time
person over a part time person who is also accumulating benefits.
Additional discussion included noting when the property tax school is
offered by the State, which is August.
Discussion also included noting the lack of
revenue for permits issued as a result of the slow economy and a
comparison of recent years which indicated the steady decline in the
revenue generated from permit fees was outlined.
Mr. Richardson noted that there have been many
complaints in the past with other Code Enforcement Officers regarding
their attitude and other issues, however, Mr. Richardson noted that
Mr. Williams is a pleasurable man and a good man, and, yes a
replacement could be found and training will take time and if the
position is only part time then the level of service won't be there.
Mr. Richardson further noted that many businesses are struggling in
today's economy and it's possible to maintain a full time employee by
assigning additional duties, and he personally stated he didn't see a
need for the discussion.
Mr. Terreri reminded those present that the
discussion is about the position and not the person.
Mr. Timberlake noted that the facts boil down to
making the position work as full time or not and that it will be
whatever the Board of Selectmen wish. Mrs.
Leavitt noted that the issue was brought before the Board of
Selectmen for one reason, fiscal responsibility with the Town's
budget. Mrs. Goodwin further stated that the State has cut $51,800
from revenue the town should be receiving, and Mrs. Leavitt further
noted that either taxes could be raised or
services could be cut. Mr. Youland noted that the CEO position hasn't
been very well managed by past Boards or the present Board and now
has been brought to the attention of the Board and the time has come
to make adjustments by asking employees to do other duties. Mr.
Youland further stated that although the CEO position is under the
general supervision of the Town Manager, the position is responsible
to the Board of Selectmen, and needs to be dealt with now.
Following this discussion Mrs. Goodwin made a
motion to cut the CEO's position to 32 hours per week including night
meetings with additional duties as discussed, there was no second to
the motion and the motion failed. Mr. House noted that other
communities around us also have Code Enforcement Officers so there
could be one available to the Town of
Mr. Youland then suggested taking the issue to
Town Meeting and there was an appropriation made at the last town
meeting for the CEO to be paid for the remaining portion of the year,
and as much work as can be accomplished by the CEO should be found.
Mr. Terreri then asked if there was any additional discussion and Mr.
Keene was recognized.
Mr. Keene noted he is the newest member of the
Board of Selectmen and that he listens to the conversations and talks
with the townspeople as often as he can. Mr. Keene further noted that
people in town like the services they have presently and wish to keep
them and, are willing to pay for the services they receive. It was
also noted by Mr. Keene that perhaps the situation could be worked
out and or changed at the next town meeting. Mr. Keene then made a
motion to continue as we have until the next town meeting and that
the Board of Selectmen get together on their goal, that the Code
Enforcement Officer agree to do other duties, Mr. Youland seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION: TITLE 1 M. R. S. A. -
PERSONNEL MATTER (405) (6) (A):
Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to go into executive
session at 8:29 pm, Mr. Keene seconded and the vote was unanimous.
Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to come out of executive session at 8:50
pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: TITLE 1 M. R. S. A. - LABOR
NEGOTIATIONS (405) (6) (D): This item not addressed at this time.
10. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. House made a motion to
adjourn at 9:22 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was
unanimous.
Respectfully submitted:
Sandra L Philipon
Assessing/Office Assistant