MONDAY DECEMBER 17, 2007

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES

 

7:00 PM

 

1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: Chairman Lawrence House called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Those present were Mr. Angelo Terreri, Mrs. Jody Goodwin, Mr. Kurt Youland, and Town Manager Eva Leavitt. Selectman Joan Bryant-Deschenes was absent.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt referred to item 4 on the agenda and noted that Mr. Richardson is unable to attend this meeting and requested that the item be tabled until 1/7/2008. Mrs. Goodwin then made a motion to table item 4 until 1/7/2008 and Mr. Youland made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous. Mrs. Leavitt then requested some discussion under the Town Managers' Business regarding possible warrant articles for Town Meeting. No further adjustments

 

3. RENEWAL LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION - FORE SEASONS - TURNER HIGHLANDS: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the renewal liquor license application as submitted for the Fore Seasons Restaurant at the Turner Highlands. Mr. House inquired if the discussion was to be part of a public hearing, which Ms. Philipon explained is not required for renewal licenses. After a brief review of the application, Mr. Terreri made a motion to approve the renewal liquor license application for Fore Seasons and Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

4. WARRANT ARTICLE REQUEST - DENNIS RICHARDSON: Discussion regarding a possible warrant article was voted to be tabled until the 1/7/2008 meeting. Mr. Terreri noted his concern that a Citizen would approach the Board regarding a possible warrant article to revoke a vote taken to establish a new Board, being the Turner Center for the Arts. Mr. Terreri noted that if a member of the Turner Center for the Arts Board of Directors requests an article to revoke the vote taken to establish the Board, then the Board should consider such an article. Mr. Youland questioned what article Mr. Richardson might be referring to and it was explained that Mr. Richardson had previously noted his intent to request an article to revoke the TCA Board of Directors as a town board be placed on the warrant for Town Meeting. Mrs. Leavitt explained that if such an article were to be written it would be done in a similar fashion to an article done years ago regarding the Turner Athletic Association's decision to no longer be a town board. Mrs. Leavitt offered to have a sample article for the next meeting.

 

Mrs. Goodwin requested permission to discuss some financial information she obtained from Androscoggin Savings Bank regarding an endowment fund for the Leavitt Institute Building. Mrs. Goodwin went on to note that she personally had no idea how such a fund could work and so she sought assistance from Androscoggin Bank. It was noted that the Leavitt Institute Building Fund is being used for basic maintenance costs and depleting the fund as established. The research Mrs. Goodwin obtained would involve an initial investment into an endowment fund managed by Androscoggin Bank and, after 10 years with an estimated investment of $162,000 there could possibly be over $300,000 in funds. Mrs. Goodwin explained that this fund is a safe investment with a guaranteed return, it was noted that this type of fund doesn't depend on the stock market for any type of return.

 

There was some discussion regarding the possible return on the investment and how the endowment fund could work. Mrs. Leavitt noted that there is a significant difference between a reserve fund and an endowment. There was some additional discussion regarding the recent maintenance issues at the Institute Building such as some of the lighting issues, the boiler and the building in general. Mr. Youland then noted the need for a budget for the regular maintenance for the Institute Building taking into consideration the fact that the current tenants are now each contributing to the heating costs, the electrical costs and the janitorial services. Further discussion brought to light the need for the Institute Board of Directors to have an opportunity to review the materials for the endowment fund before any decision should be made regarding any type of investment. Additional discussion included other Town Owned buildings used by various groups and how those groups contribute to those buildings. No further discussion at this time.

 

5. RESIGNATION TCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Michael Ranucci: Mrs. Leavitt referred to the resignation received from Mr. Ranucci who is currently a member of the TCA Board of Directors, which Mr. Terreri made a motion to accept as presented. Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous. Discussion followed regarding the number of members left on that Board, and, Mrs. Leavitt noted she has received three names for consideration on that Board, however, no one has yet submitted the candidate committee form for consideration.

 

6. TOWN MANAGERS' BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO: There was some discussion regarding the plowing issue at the Transfer Station, and Mr. Youland questioned whether or not a scoop was purchased for use at the Transfer Station. Town Manager Eva Leavitt confirmed that a scoop was on site and she also noted that she spoke to Public Works and requested they plow closer to the containers leaving less to be cleaned up by the crew at the Transfer Station. DEDICATION - TOWN REPORT: Discussion regarding possible dedication of the Town Report included Mrs. Goodwin's question about policy or protocol for consideration of the dedication. It was noted that the Board of Selectmen don't have an actual policy in place when considering the dedication of the Town Report, and, it was noted that over the years the dedication has been made to people still serving the community and/or people who have passed on. Some discussion regarding the possibility of dedicating the Town Report to a group such as the Rescue Volunteers or other groups rather than an individual. The Board will bring some possible suggestions to the 1/7/2008 meeting. POSSIBLE WARRANT ARTICLES: Mrs. Leavitt informed the Board that there is a petition being circulated requesting that the Board of Selectmen adopt a new ordinance regarding the distance to a school or daycare facility that a registered sex offenders may reside. Mrs. Leavitt noted this type of ordinance would be a Selectmen's Ordinance, but would be required to go through the public hearing process prior to Town Meeting in order to be presented this year.

 

Mr. Terreri requested that Mrs. Leavitt provide a copy of the State Law governing sex offenders for a basis of comparison, and, Mrs. Leavitt noted that should the Town consider adopting such an ordinance, it could be stricter than State Law. Mrs. Leavitt also noted that a new road to be known as Shire Lane might be ready for consideration for acceptance at town meeting. If Shire Lane is ready an article will be required to be placed on the warrant. Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that a suggestion was made to have the Planning Board proposed ordinance amendments be placed at the beginning of the warrant rather than at the end, which would provide a larger audience in attendance and the Board requested Mrs. Leavitt check with the Planning Board.

 

Mrs. Leavitt noted also that resident Mike Gotto who is doing work for Mr. Youland is proposing a change in the Zoning Map in the area of the Airport, and, if the Planning Board won't place the request with the other proposed amendments, Mr. Gotto will request placement of an article requesting the change from the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Leavitt explained that Mr. Gotto was concerned that his request may cause a conflict for Mr. Youland as a Selectman. It was explained that there is only a portion of the airport property that the change in zoning is being requested for. No action at this time.

 

7. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: TCA BOARD VACANCIES/ROAD COMMITTEE: The vacancies for TCA were discussed previously, however, Mrs. Leavitt noted that since Mr. Decker resigned from the Road Committee there hasn't been a Citizen at Large and questioned if the Board might consider a replacement? Mr. Youland is a member of the Road Committee and noted that those members presently sitting on the Board seem to have a good handle on the needs and solutions for the road system in Turner. It was noted that Mr. Randy Murray presently is on that Committee and could be considered the Citizen at Large. The Board of Selectmen did not see the need to add to this committee at the present time. No action needed.

 

8. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Terreri reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Terreri did bring to the Board's attention that there was an invoice for payment included that was to be issued to Mrs. Elaine Terreri, and inquired whether the Board felt it necessary for a second member to review this disbursement warrant. Discussion concluded from the Board was that the invoice involved was for the Tri-Town Selectmen's meeting and did not require any additional review. Mr. Youland will review the disbursement warrants for 1/7/2008. Mrs. Goodwin noted one spelling correction necessary for the minutes from 12/10/2007. There were no Veteran's Exemptions or Abatements or Supplements to consider. Mrs. Goodwin then made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the correction to the minutes as outlined and Mr. Youland made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None needed

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Youland made a motion to adjourn at 8:17 pm and Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Sandra L Philipon