MONDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2010

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES

 

The Board met informally with Cub Scout Troop 187 from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm to assist the scout with their Citizenship Badge.

 

1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: Chairman Angelo Terreri opened the meeting 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 and residents with interest.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mr. Richardson requested an item be added to discuss the new park on School House Hill, and the Board agreed to discuss it as Item 3A. Resident Ralph Caldwell was present and requested a discussion regarding the Turner Center Grange. The Board agreed to discuss as item 3B. Mrs. Leavitt requested an item be added to the Managers' Business to discuss foreclosing tax liens and the board agreed to add as item 9-4 under the managers' business.

 

3. GARRET MASON INTRODUCTION: Mr. Timberlake introduced newly elected Senator Garret Mason from Lisbon. Mr. Mason thanked the Board for the invitation to attend. Mr. Mason provided a brief overview of his background, noting that he graduated from Calvary Baptist Church and resides in Lisbon. Mr. Mason expressed what he deemed as excessive taxation for Maine residents as being his number 1 reason for seeking office. He noted he will be available whenever possible and offered his web site as a means of communication.

 

3A. NEW PARK - SCHOOL HOUSE HILL ROAD: Mr. Richardson noted that based on a discussion at the November 1st meeting he contacted fellow Sons of The American Legion member Mike Chavez to have Mr. Chavez provide accurate information on Mr. Philip Sherwood Bryant who was the only soldier from Turner to die in the Vietnam War. Mr. Richardson previously suggested naming the park in memory of Mr. Bryant. Mr. Chavez read the factual account of Mr. Bryant's service and noted how thoughtful it is for the park to be dedicated to Mr. Bryant's memory. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to name the School House Hill Road Park the Philip S Bryant Memorial Park and Mr. Terreri seconded the motion. Mr. Keene inquired whether or not the Town received any suggestions for naming this park; Mrs. Leavitt noted no suggestions were received. Resident Mark Duguay noted that the improvements create a nice setting. The vote was unanimous

 

3B. DISCUSSION - GRANGE HALL TURNER CENTER: Mr. Caldwell brought to the attention of the Board that the Grange in Turner Center might not be used for grange purposes for much longer. The membership is dwindling and the group doesn't have funding to continue to maintain the building, uses are few and the building is beginning to need repair. Previous discussion for possible use has included housing the taxidermy collection owned by resident Dort Bigg. Mr. Bigg has offered the collection to the community if there is place to house it.

 

It was noted that this collection is one of few worldwide and has been sought by some prestigious universities and is quite valuable. Discussion resulted in the Board of Selectmen attempting to attend the next meeting scheduled for the Grange, which is Saturday December 4, 2010 to gain a better understanding of any potential plan. Mrs. Leavitt will confirm the date and time of they're meeting and inform the Board.

 

4. BID AWARD - DUMP BODY: Mrs. Leavitt noted only 3 bids were received from the specs as provided:

 

HP Fairfield $28,950

 

Tenco New England $29,452

 

Viking Cives $29,883

 

Mrs. Leavitt noted that HP Fairfield has the dump body in stock and Highway Foreman Charles Poland recommended awarding the bid to HP Fairfield. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to award the bid for the dump body to HP Fairfield for $28,950 and Mr. Keene seconded the motion. Mr. Timberlake inquired if the Public Works would remove the existing dump body or have H P Fairfield do the work, and it was noted Turner Public Works would remove the old unit. A question was also asked regarding disposal of the old dump body and it was noted that it would probably become scrap metal. Turn around time for installation is approximately 3 weeks. A note was made that it is desired that Public Works clean this body more frequently to extend the useful life of the body. The vote was unanimous.

 

5. SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Mrs. Leavitt presented a proposed warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held in early December. Questions were raised concerning the wording included in the warrant regarding two separate articles. One article grants an easement to the property owner and the second article requests permission for the Board of Selectmen to accept the parcel of land on behalf of the Town. Mr. Richardson noted he was uncomfortable with the first article, which would grant an easement to the owner and noted that the property owner had previously approached the Board regarding an easement to his property; which was declined. The concern expressed by the Board was that the property owner could be granted the easement, increasing the value of the property and then not gift the parcel to the Town. Discussion resulted in a request for only one article that would incorporate the easement with the acceptance of the land as a gift to the Town. Mrs. Leavitt noted that she contacted the Town Attorney Norman Rattey at Skelton, Taintor and Abbot and has not received a response to date. Discussion regarding holding a special Selectmen's Meeting to address the warrant resulted in scheduling Friday November 19, 2010 for this meeting and still allow enough time to post and have the Special Town Meeting on Monday December 6th. No further action.

 

6. RESIGNATION OF ASSESSOR: Mr. Timberlake addressed the Board regarding his recent election to the Legislature and noted his intent to remain a Selectman until the next Town Meeting Election; which would mean a one-year term for any potential candidates. Mrs. Leavitt noted for the Board that the only aspect of the Selectman's office is they also hold the title of Assessor and, although the Town has an Assessor Agent who do the actual field work, the Board of Selectmen/Assessors approve any abatements or supplements. Mr. Terreri made a motion to accept the resignation from Jeffrey Timberlake as Assessor effective December 1 2010, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

7. AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES AVCOG: The Board briefly discussed the annual updated agreement between Turner and AVCOG and acknowledged the importance of this contract. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the agreement as drafted, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

8. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: Although there were no items listed, Mr. House brought up the aspect of the flag flown at the Veteran's Memorial in North Turner and suggested that the Legion should be responsible for insuring that flag is flown at half mast when required. Mr. Richardson will contact one of the Sons of the American Legion to insure this does get done.

 

9. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS 9-1 Q & A MEMO: There was some discussion regarding the time frame for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6th and it was noted 6:00 pm. 9-2 TRI TOWN SELECTMEN: Turner will host the next Tri-Town Selectmen gathering Thursday 12/16/2010 at 6:00 pm. A menu was discussed and the Board welcomed newly elected Senator Garrett Mason to attend and provided him with brief information on how these quarterly gatherings are handled. 9-3 MMA GRANT AWARD: Mrs. Leavitt announced that the Public Works Department has been awarded a Safety Enhancement Grant up to $766.67 for the purchase of chainsaw safety Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and back supports. 9-4 OPEN TAX ACCOUNTS: Mrs. Leavitt informed the Board that the required mailing for the 2009 tax liens that will foreclose in December has been done. The Board received copies of the accounts that will foreclose and Mrs. Leavitt questioned sending the notice to one of the accounts listed due to the fact that there is on-going litigation on this particular property. Mrs. Leavitt explained that if the Town does not send the foreclosure notice, it does not negate the lien process. The Board agreed it was best to withhold that letter.

 

10. PART 1 - CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from 11/1/2010 were deemed to be in order. Mr. Timberlake reviewed the disbursement warrants and had one question regarding a bill from NorTrack for the John Deere which Mrs. Leavitt noted she would pull that check and follow up before submitting payment. Mr. Keene will review for December 6th. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve part 1 consent agenda as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

10. PART II - CONSENT AGENDA: Ms. Philipon presented an abatement and supplement for land sold to an abutter from Map 22 Lot 10 to Map 22 Lot 11 noting that Lot 10 was foreclosed on by the mortgage holder and they would not release the land sold. A Supplemental Tax bill for the same amount of $73. 76 was requested. A second abatement request for personal property not located in Turner April 1, 2010 in the amount of $2.73 was requested. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the Abatements and Supplement as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

11. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned by mutual consent at 8:23 pm

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Sandra L Philipon

 

Assessing/Office Assistant