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 House, Mr. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Richard Keene,
Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake, Town Manager Eva Leavitt resident Emile
Gagnon and other residents with interest.
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mr. Timberlake
requested that a discussion be added regarding sidewalks; which the
Board agreed to discuss as item 3A. Resident Emile Gagnon requested a
discussion regarding Little Wilson Pond and Ice Fishing. Mrs. Leavitt
noted that Sheriff Guy Desjardins would not be present and the Board
agreed to discuss Mr. Gagnon's issue as item 3 in place of the
Sheriff. Mr. Terreri requested the addition of an item to discuss a
public skating rink, and the Board agreed to discuss this as item 3B.
Mrs. Leavitt requested an item be added to the Manager's Business
regarding the hiring freeze in Public Works, and the Board agreed to
add the item as 11-3. Also requested was an item to discuss the sale
of equipment, which will be item 11-4 with the Town Managers'
Business.
3. EMILE GAGNON - DISCUSSION LITTLE WILSON POND:
Mr. Gagnon noted his reason to request an opportunity to speak with
the Board is that as a resident Little Wilson Pond he would like to
approach Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to re-open the pond to ice
fishing. Mr. Gagnon noted that the pond used to be open to ice fishing,
however, it was closed to ice fishing in 1968. Mr. Keene inquired if
there was any public access for this activity and Mr. Gagnon
indicated no, however, Mr. Gagnon also noted there are 3 snowmobile
trails that access the pond. Mr. Timberlake inquired why the pond was
closed to ice fishing and it was suggested that perhaps because it
flows into
3A. Mr. Timberlake inquired what the proposed
solution to plowing the sidewalks located on Turner Center Road and
Mrs. Leavitt noted the Highway Department would attempt to maintain
for this year with the wing on the plow and other equipment, as they
deem necessary. No action necessary -1 -
3B. ICE RINK: As President of the Turner Athletic
Association, Mr. Terreri noted that people have begun to inquire if
the skating rink will be prepared again this year and Mr. Terreri
asked if money could be used from the Parks/Recreation line item for
the plastic necessary, however, Mrs. Leavitt noted that the money in
the budget could only be used for something of that nature if it was
done on Town owned property. The Board discussed various ways the
money could be raised or solicited, including a commitment from one
or two Selectmen to personally donate to the cause. No formal action.
4. CONSENT AGREEMENT - VIOLATIONS: Mr. Richardson
made a motion to enter executive session Title 1 M. R. S. A 36 ss405
(6) (H) - to discussion two violations with the Code Enforcement
Officer at 7:20 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to come out of executive
session at 7:32 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to pursue legal action
against both parties discussed as recommended by the Town Attorney at
Skelton, Taintor and Abbott, Mr. Richardson seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous.
5. MUNICIPAL VALUATION RETURN: Mrs. Leavitt
referenced copies of the MVR as required to be filed following tax
commitment annually. Ms. Philipon noted the Board that the document
is simply a detailed breakdown of the Tax Commitment as prepared in
August. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to accept the MVR as prepared,
Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
6. VOTING DELEGATE FOR MMA MEETING 10/12/2010:
Mrs. Leavitt noted this is an annual event at the MMA Convention and
Turner has not participated in the executive meeting in recent years.
The Board took no action.
7. APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION WARDEN: Mrs. Leavitt
requested the Board appoint Rebecca Allaire as the Election Warden
for the 11/2/2010 General Election. Mr. Keene made a motion to
appoint Rebecca Allaire as Election Warden, Mr. House seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous.
8. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 8-1
NEZINSCOT DAM INSPECTION: Mrs. Leavitt noted that the Nezinscot River
Dam was inspected by Mr. Terreri, Mr. Timberlake, Mrs. Leavitt and
some members of the Highway Department. The water level was lowered,
some debris was removed and a general review of the structure was
completed. Discussion included noting that there are no major repairs
necessary at this time and the Emergency Action Plan should be
updated. The Board will be replaced once measurements have been made
and it was suggested that hemlock be used. Mrs. Leavitt noted at this
time that a suggestion was made to place a couple of benches on the
Southeast corner along with some safety fencing and she noted there
is some money left in the grant money received for the Nickerson
Overlook project that could be used. Mr. Richardson inquired about
some debris from trees that Central Maine Power had cut still remains
and Mr. Emile Gagnon who works for CMP noted they should be by
shortly to clean the debris. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to
place benches and fencing near the dam with funding from the parks
grant, Mr. House seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
8-2 PURCHASING POLICY AMENDMENTS: It was noted
that the recommended amendments have been intergraded into the
document based on the suggestions from the previous meeting. Mr.
House made a motion to approve the amendments to the Purchasing
Policy final draft, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote
was three in favor, Timberlake, House, Richardson and one opposed,
Keene, the motion passed. 8-3 PERSONNEL POLICY: There was some
discussion regarding the change from "unpaid lunch period" to a
"paid" lunch period for the Transfer Station. Mrs. Leavitt noted that
the attendants always eat while they are working and have always been
paid through their lunch period and should be reflected as such. Mr.
Keene made a motion to approve the change from unpaid to paid for the
Transfer Station, Mr. House seconded the motion and the vote was 2 in
favor, House, Keene, 2 opposed, Timberlake and Richardson, Mr.
Terreri vote in favor of the amendment and the motion passed. Mr.
Timberlake made a motion to approve the amendments to the Personnel
Policy as submitted, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was
three in favor House, Timberlake, and Keene, one opposed, Richardson,
the motion passed.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1 M. R. S. A. 36 ss
(405(6)(A) - PERSONNEL MATTER. Mr.
Timberlake made a motion to go into executive session citing the
referenced Title at 8:00 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, Mr.
Richardson abstained and removed himself from the meeting due to a
conflict. The motion passed. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to come out
of executive session at 8:08, Mr. Keene seconded and the vote was
unanimous by the voting members.
10. PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT: Mr. Timberlake
made a motion to appoint Mrs. Joan Bryant-Deschenes
to the Planning Board, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous by those voting members. Mr. Richardson returned to the
Board.
11. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: 11-1 Q & A MEMO:
Mr. Keene commented on the road side mowing recently completed and
noted the job could have been done better as it appears that only
what was necessary was actually done. 11-2 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL
REPORT: Mrs. Leavitt gave a brief overview of the financials to date
and noted that both excise tax and rescue revenue are slightly higher
than projected at this time. There was some discussion regarding a
noted overdraft in the Public Works and Fire Department and Mrs.
Leavitt noted she has spoken with the Department heads regarding some
of the spending. 11-3 HIRING FREEZE: Mrs. Leavitt expressed her
concerns regarding winter roads with the hiring freeze presently
enforced on the Highway Department and it was noted that it would be
better to staff a part time position prior to the first storm. Mr.
Timberlake suggested that Mrs. Leavitt speak with come local
companies such as K & K when they may lay off some workers and
Mrs. Leavitt noted that she tried that approach 3 years ago with no
results. Discussion resulted in noting the Board will only support
part time seasonal help. 11-4
12. CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from September
20th were deemed to be in order. Mr. Richardson reviewed the
disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Terreri
will review for 10/18/2010. There were no Veterans' Exemptions. Ms.
Philipon did present two abatement requests. One presented for Ernie
& Sharon Flaherty for a pricing error on their property in the
amount of $396.14. The second request was for Blanchard's Cash Fuel
for $116.11 for equipment that was qualified through the BETE Program
and was therefore exempt from taxation. Mr. Keene made a motion to
approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. House seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous.
13. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned by mutual
consent at 8:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
Sandra L Philipon
Assessing/Office Assistant