BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
MINUTES 10/19/2009
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 Mr. Dennis
Richardson, Mr. Richard Keene, Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake, Town Manager
Eva Leavitt and residents with interest. Selectman Kurt Youland was
absent.
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Ms. Leavitt
referenced a letter from Kate Dufour from
the Maine Department of Transportation regarding the meeting recently
held and asked if Mr. Keene could provide some insight to the
discussion. The Board agreed to discuss the meeting as item 6A.
3. PUBLIC HEARING - GENERAL ASSISTANCE ORDINANCE:
Mr. Terreri opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 pm. Mrs. Leavitt
provided a brief overview of the proposed changes to the Ordinance as
happens annually in October. It was noted that 1 & 2 person's
households are being allowed to earn 8% more over last year as a
maximum and households with 3 or more people are allowed a 7%
increase over last year. The Board briefly discussed the proposed
increases and, with an explanation of the benefits and how the money
is funded, Mr. Timberlake made a motion to close the Public Hearing
at 7:11 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Mr. Timberlake made a motion to accept the amendments to the General
Assistance Ordinance as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and
the vote was unanimous.
4. MUNICIPAL VALUATION RETURN: Mrs. Leavitt
referenced the copies provided of the Municipal Valuation Return and
noted Ms. Philipon would provide any explanation. Ms. Philipon noted
for the Board that this document is due annually by November 1st to
the Property Tax Division and is simply a detailed breakdown of the
tax commitment including identifying the various types of exemptions
and an acknowledgement of value lost and gained over the past year.
Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the Municipal Valuation
Return as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was
unanimous.
5. APPOINTMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS GAR
HALL/COMMUNITY HOUSE: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the application
received from Harris Bradeen for consideration to the Board of
Directors GAR Hall/Community House and noted Ira Goodwin isn't
interested in serving on that Board. Patricia Libby and Lawrence
House have also applied and been appointed; which would provide three
members as determined to be the number of desired members. Mr.
Timberlake made a motion to appoint Mr. Harris Bradeen to the Board
of Directors GAR Hall/Community House, Mr. Keene seconded the motion
and the vote was unanimous.
6. APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION WARDEN: Mrs. Leavitt
presented a request to appoint Rebecca Allaire as the Warden for the
November 3rd Election. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to appoint
Rebecca Allaire as Warden, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote
was unanimous.
6A. REPORT STATE/LOCAL MDOT UPDATE: Mr. Keene
referenced notes as drafted by Kate Dufour
of the Maine Department of Transportation, which highlights the
discussion with a note to form a Policy Committee; which will only
consist of approximately 10 people. There were roughly 50 people in
attendance at the initial meeting. The Policy Committee will be in
charge of how to equitably divide the highway maintenance throughout
the State between municipalities and the State. Additional
information will be shared, as it is available. Mr. Keene did not
volunteer to be on the Policy Committee.
7. DISCUSSION SAFETY & SANITATION OF
BUILDINGS: The Board of Selectmen conducted an on site inspection of
the Gar Hall and the Community House.
The following are areas of concern found at the
GAR Hall:
1. Circuit Breaker - concern it is a fire hazard
and needs attention
2. The condition of the toilet facility; which is
presently a gas-fired unit was discussed and the Board directed Town
Manager Leavitt to get estimates on a possible replacement system.
3. Roof - no leaking yet and may simply need to
have some screws to tighten it down. Mrs. Leavitt noted she has
already received a quote from Harrington for approximately $5,200. It
was the consensus of the Board however, at this time to simply insure
it won't leak during the winter months.
Mr. Richardson made a motion to have the Town
Manager draft a letter of thanks on behalf of the Board of Selectmen
to Patty Libby for all she has done in the GAR Hall, Mr. Keene
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson made a
second motion to have the Town Manager draft a letter of thanks to
Ann & Millard Morris & Mr. Lawrence House for their efforts
at the Community House.
4. Fire Extinguishers - need to be replaced, it
was the opinion of the Board that it's probably cheaper to replace
verses having them refilled. Mr. Keene inquired about some of the
large rocks he noticed around the GAR Hall; which Mrs. Leavitt
explained were moved intentionally to allow some "breathing" room
under the building.
COMMUNITY HOUSE: Mr. Richardson noted that the
building has exterior lights only by way of an extension cord' which
the Board agreed isn't safe and needs repair. Mr. Richardson then
made a motion to authorize the Town Manger to have an outside light
hooked up at the Community House, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and
the vote was unanimous.
The Board will review the Turner Village
Fire/Rescue Building prior to the 11/2 meeting.
8. TOWN MANAGERS' BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO:
Mr. Terreri acknowledged the comment regarding Cell Phones being used
by Public Works opposed to pagers for the coming season, Mrs. Leavitt
noted she negotiated with the Highway Crew to use their personal Cell
Phones; which will cost the Town $400/month for 4 employees for 6
months and is a savings of more than $200 over the cost of the
pagers. It was noted that the money paid by Harvest Hill Farms for
the compactor at the Transfer Station was refunded, as the unit
wasn't something Mr. Bolduc could use. Mrs. Leavitt was instructed to
get what she could for the unit and it was noted that the price for
metal is about $150/ton for recycling. 6-2 REVIEW ANNUAL AUDIT: Mrs.
Leavitt noted she reviewed the draft audit as submitted and didn't
find any items miss represented. The Board was satisfied with the
Draft and Mrs. Leavitt will inform Smith & Associates. 6-3 PETTY
CASH POLICY: Mrs. Leavitt noted the addition to the Petty Cash Policy
for the Kitchen Fund at the GAR Hall and the elimination of the
number of cash drawers for the Office Staff. Mr. Timberlake made a
motion to approve the items in the Managers' Business, Mr. Keene
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
9. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: INSURANCE -
MUSEUM. Mrs. Leavitt noted she met with the Historical Association
and they still need to provide some items for the Insurance Carrier -
MMA:
1. Inventory of items
2. Use Agreement with Board of Selectmen
3. Certificate of Liability Insurance
The group was pleased with the willingness of the
Town to increase the amount of insurance coverage for the items in
the museum.
10. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Keene had one amendment to
the minutes regarding the day light bulbs for BQMC, but otherwise the
minutes were deemed to be in order. Mr. Richardson reviewed the
Disbursement Warrant and recommended their approval. Mr. Keene will
review in place of Mr. Terreri for November 2, 2009. There were no
Veteran's Exemptions to consider. Ms. Philipon presented a request
from Co-Active Capital who determined they
had a higher value on their personal property, and a $2,700
Supplemental Tax Certificate was presented for them; which reflects
$36. 18 in taxes. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to
approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous.
Mr. Terreri reminded the Board that a group of Cub
Scouts would be present at the next meeting.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None Needed
12. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned by mutual
consent at 8:00 pm
Respectfully Submitted:
Sandra L Philipon
Assessing/Office Assistant