MONDAY JANUARY 3 2011

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES

 

 

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 Mr. Lawrence M House, Mr. Dennis S Richardson, Mr. Richard Keene, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Code Enforcement Officer Roger A Williams, Michael & Kelly Arsenault and Charles Emerson. Selectman Jeffrey Timberlake was absent.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt requested an additional item be added to the Town Mangers' Business regarding a contract for services with the Town of Hartford for Fire Suppression services and Rescue services. The Board agreed to add this item to the Town Managers' Business as item 7-4.

 

3. ORDER LIMITING HEAVY LOADS - ORDER 2011-2: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the list for the order to allow the Road Commissioner to have the roads posted in Turner when deemed necessary. Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that a new road has been added this year that is now a town road known as Majestic Avenue. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the order limiting heavy loads and Mr. House seconded the motion. Discussion including a note that Public Works Foreman Charles Poland will begin posting the roads when deemed necessary. The vote was unanimous.

 

4. APPOINTMENT CIVIL CONSTABLE: Mrs. Leavitt presented the Board with a request from Lewiston resident Lucien Asselin to be appointed as a Civil Constable for Turner, which would allow him to serve civil papers in the community. Mr. House made a motion to approve the appointment of Lucien Asselin as a civil constable in Turner, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

5. RESIGNATION SELECTMAN: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the letter of resignation received from Selectman Jeffrey Timberlake to be effective at the close of Town Meeting in April. Mr. Terreri questioned the legality of having someone circulate nomination papers when the person hasn't yet legally resigned. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the way the vacancy is occurring is no different than what has happened in the past; however, Mrs. Leavitt will inquire through the legal department at MMA. Mr. Richardson noted that annually as terms are expiring, people take out nomination papers and the newly elected people are announced at Town Meeting. The only difference in this case is to insure that the newly elected person isn't sworn in until the end of Town Meeting. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to accept the resignation of Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake on April 2, 2011 at the end of Town Meeting, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

6. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 6-1 DISCUSSION WITH CODE OFFICER: I C C MEMBERSHIP Mr. Williams noted that the cost of the membership for I C C will provide Turner with Technical support in a variety of areas. There were questions regarding the International Code Council and where they are located which Mr. Williams answered? Mr. Williams also noted that membership cost will also provide the latest edition of the International codes as well as a weighted vote on any proposed future changes. Mr. Williams noted also that membership will allow 3 - 4 people as designated to receive any material provided by I C C and he suggested beside himself, a Selectman a Planning Board member, perhaps the Chairman and possibly one other member. Mr. Williams also noted that a 3-year membership opposed to only one brings a reduced membership fee. Mr. Richardson made a motion to join the I C C for 3 years for $240.00, Mr. Keene seconded the vote and the vote was 3 in favor, Keene, Richardson, and Terreri and one opposed, House, the motion passed. Mr. Keene indicated he would be interested in being a member. 6-2 PERMIT FEES: Mr. Williams brought some comparative prices from other communities for permit fees charged following his request for an increase in the permit fees over what is currently being charged. Mr. Keene expressed his feelings regarding a possible increase in permit fees noting no increase has happened since 1989 and indicated he didn't feel there would be a large impact overall. Mr. Richardson expressed his opposition to an increase in the fees noting that when permits are issued, the taxpayer will be charge additional taxes based on the additional value for whatever project was done. There was some discussion regarding any violations for work done without permits and Mrs. Leavitt inquired how frequently there might be violations noted; which Mr. Williams responded those situations are rare, however, this prompted a discussion regarding any recourse for charging double permit fees for after the fact permits. Mr. Williams will request an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow the Code Enforcement Officer to charge double fees in the future. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the increase in permit fees as submitted. The motion failed without a second to the motion. Mr. House then made a motion to review permit fees in another year, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was three in favor, House, Richardson and Terreri and one opposed, Keene, the motion passed. 6-3 REPORT AUTO/JUNKYARD PHILLIPS: Mr. Williams acknowledged that he did send a notice of violation to Mr. Phillips who has property located on the corner of Route 4 and Hickson Drive. The Board inquired if Mr. Williams had done any follow up to the notice of violation and Mr. Williams indicated he had done some follow up and that Mr. Phillips has cleaned up some. There was then some discussion regarding actual ownership of the property and it was noted by Mr. Williams that Mr. Phillips is in a Bond for Deed for the property through owner Ralph Sawyer. The Board instructed Mr. Williams to notify Mr. Sawyer of the violation, as it is the responsibility of the property owner. HECK'S AUTO: Mr. Williams noted that Mr. Heikkinen was notified of the necessary repairs on the fence to his junkyard, but nothing has been done yet. JORDAN EUGENE: It was noted that this property is out of compliance and although Mr. Jordan does make his fine payments to the town as required the existing site is out of compliance. It was determined that Mr. Williams will invite Mr. Jordan to the Town Office to discuss the violations on his property opposed to an inspection.

 

CONSENT AGREEMENT RICHARDSON: It was noted that Mr. Daniel Richardson has some army surplus vehicles and parts for sale on his property and the Board questioned whether or not this is a breach of that consent agreement. Mr. Williams noted that Mr. Richardson is allowed to sell vehicles and is in possession of some of the army surplus vehicles owned by Mr. Carleton Ramsdell.

 

7. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: 7-1 Q & A MEMO: Mr. Keene inquired how well the Rescue Department is operating being short staffed? It was noted that for now all is going smoothly to date by shifting some of the work hours, and on-call personnel have assisted as needed. 7-2 BQMC USE AGREEMENT: This item tabled until 1/18/2011 meeting. 7-3 INTENT TO FIND: Mrs. Leavitt presented the Board with an Intent to Find from Public Works as a result of a recent Road Committee meeting to allow Public Works to find another pick up truck. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the existing 2000 Chevy Pick Up needs multiple repairs and the Department would like to look for another pick up (2 Wheel Drive) to replace the 2000 Chevy. There was discussion regarding another pick up being necessary or not as well as discussion regarding the "intent to find" document. The intent to find document was determined to reflect permission only from the Board of Selectmen to "seek" the piece of equipment. Additional approval would be necessary to request release of the funds should a vehicle be found. Discussion on the potential use of a new pick up truck brought forth the fact that the "on call" person takes a town truck home while on call.. Mr. Richardson suggested that, if a truck were to be taken home by the on call driver, it should be one equipped with a sander to avoid any delays in the event of a call in. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the Road Committee is meeting again on the 4th of January and will discuss the potential purchase in more detail. Mr. Richardson made a motion not to purchase a truck at this time, Mr. Keene seconded the motion. Prior to any vote, Mr. Richardson rescinded his motion and Mr. Keene rescinded his second. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the intent to purchase a pick up truck as presented, Mr. House seconded the motion. Further discussion included noting that this truck is necessary for a variety of reasons including running for parts and other public works needs. Additional discussion resulted in a directive from the Board of Selectmen for a check with local auto dealers to see if the truck needed could be bought locally before going to an auction or any other avenue. The vote was three in favor House, Richardson and Terreri and one opposed, Keene, the motion passed. 7-4 REQUEST FOR CONTRACT WITH TOWN OF HARTFORD FOR FIRE/RESCUE SERVICES: Mrs. Leavitt noted for the Board that the Town of Hartford is seeking a contracted amount for Fire and/or Rescue services for their next fiscal year. It was noted that an amount of $3,500 for Rescue services and $4,000 for Fire Services is the current amount received by Turner in July. Discussion revealed that the Town of Buck field covers one quarter of Hartford for Fire services and Turner covers the remainder of the Town. Mr. Terreri made a motion to seek $5,000 for rescue services, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and additional discussion resulted in Mr. Terreri withdrawing his motion and Mr. Keene withdrawing his second. Following additional discussion with information provided by Fire Chief Arsenault Mr. Terreri made a motion to request $6,000 for Rescue coverage, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was three in favor, House, Richardson and Terreri and one opposed, Keene, the motion passed. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to request $5,000 for Fire Services, Mr. House seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

8. PART 1 - CONSENT AGENDA - SELECTMEN: The Board had a couple of minor requests for corrections to the minutes for 12/20/2010 as presented (spelling errors). Mr. Terreri reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Timberlake will review for Tuesday 1/18/2011. Mr. Richardson made a motion to allow use of up to $3,000 from Contingency to cover the cost of new tables and chairs at B Q M C once the use agreement has been amended. Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Keene offered to review should Mr. Timberlake be absent. There were no Veteran's Exemptions to consider. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve Part 1 of the consent agenda as presented. Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

8. PART 2 - CONSENT AGENDA - ASSESSORS: No abatements or Supplements for consideration.

 

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION - 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405 (6) (A) - PERSONNEL MATTER: Mr. Terreri made a motion to enter executive session at 9:00 pm, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Keene made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:20 pm, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. No action was taken.

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned by mutual consent at 9:22 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Sandra L Philipon

 

Assessing/Office Assistant