BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES 7:00 PM
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. Richard
Keene, Mr. Kurt Youland, Mr. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Jeffrey
Timberlake, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Resident Michael Gotto,
Fire Chief Michael Arsenault and some members of the Budget Committee
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt
requested an item be added to the Town Managers' business regarding
the MSAD/RSU 52 School Budget and the Board agreed to add the item.
Resident Michael Gotto was present and
requested a discussion regarding an invoice recently sent to his
consulting firm. The Board agreed to add Mr. Gotto's
request as item 2A.
2A. MIKE GOTTO/INVOICE: Mr. Gotto
noted for the Board that his consulting firm, Stonybrook
Consulting represents a group of Citizens who oppose the Hannaford
Project. Mr. Gotto stated that he spoke
with Town Planner John Maloney at AVCOG regarding the project and was
surprised to receive an invoice for the time Mr. Maloney spent
discussing the project. Mr. Gotto further
noted that in the past, he represented many projects before the
Planning Board and, any fees charged for consulting were invoiced to
the applicant and he questioned whether or not the procedure has
changed. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the invoice sent to Mr. Gotto
is the first time an invoice has been sent for such purposes. Mr.
Timberlake noted that during his time as a Planning Board member any
persons with questions regarding any projects were encouraged to
speak with the Town Planner.
Mr. Gotto acknowledged
that Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) typically
does bill for services, but he wasn't aware that the Town would bill
for such services. Mr. Richardson offered an explanation regarding
the invoice by noting the invoice to the Town from AVCOG caught his
attention while reviewing the disbursement warrant, and he suggested
that the consultant be billed. Further discussion resulted in noting
the timesaving of having one representative meet with the Town
Planner to ask any necessary questions and, the Town has established
a line item for the Town Planner fees for such purposes. Mr. Terreri
suggested that the Town continue past practice for invoicing. Mr.
Timberlake then made a motion to pay the $146.00 invoice from the
Town Planner fees, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and the vote was
three in favor, Youland, Keene & Timberlake and one opposed,
Richardson, the motion passed.
3. REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
WARRANT ARTICLES: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the budget requests
line by line to re-verify recommended areas in the budget. Beginning
with Administration discussion began regarding requested pay rate
increases, which the budget committee doesn't support. Mr. Richardson
made a motion to accept the budget committee recommendations on each
line item except for the wage line, which he motioned for 1.5%
increase. Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was 2 in favor
Richardson and Keene and 2 opposed, Youland and Timberlake. Chairman
Terreri settled the tie by voting in favor of the 1.5% wage increase.
The same motion and vote held for each department request as the
Board of Selectmen support the recommendation made by the Budget
Committee except the wage line which three selectmen voted in favor
of the 1.5% increase,
Discussion on the request made for paving and
construction resulted in a motion by Mr. Youland for a reduced amount
from $425,000 to $360,000, seconded by Mr. Timberlake and the vote
was unanimous. Mr. Richardson stepped down from the table during
discussion of the Leavitt Institute budget request, as he is a member
of that Board. Discussion resulted in a motion by Mr. Youland in
support of a reduced amount from $31,350 down to $30,000, Mr. Keene
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous by the voting members.
Contingency was another item the Board did not support a lower amount
as recommended by the Budget Committee and Mr. Richardson made a
motion to recommend the $15,000 as requested, Mr. Keene seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous. Discussion on the capital budget
items resulted in some reductions of requested amounts such as the
Obsolete Building Account, $10,000 removed, the computer upgrade
account reduced to $2,500 from $5,000, the Public Works Equipment
Reserve account reduced from $125,000 to $100,000 and Mrs. Leavitt
removed the request for $30,000 for revaluation. One item that
increased through this process was the amount for the Public Works
Building from $40,000 to $45,000. (Copy attached). During the review
process Budget Committee member Ronald Harris requested a breakdown
per employee of the actual hourly cost with benefits included, which
Mrs. Leavitt agreed to provide. Warrant articles will be reviewed in
detail at the March 1, 2010 meeting.
4. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: 4-1 Q & A MEMO: No
questions. 4-2 DISPATCH PREFERENCES: Fire Chief Michael Arsenault
provided a memo to the Board and Town Manager regarding the progress
for the committee he's been participating in regarding the
Dispatching Services for the County. Mr. Arsenault stated that after
attending many meetings regarding dispatching services, and he is of
the opinion that if a new facility is built, it will be very costly
to the smaller communities and the town should not consider that as
an option. Mr. Arsenault noted there is another meeting where a vote
will be taken which will be Monday 2/22/2010 at 1:00 pm at the Auburn
Police Department. No action required.
4-3 ATTORNEY PLOUFFE FOR PLANNING BOARD: Mrs.
Leavitt referred to the profile received from Drummond Woodsum
& MacMahon regarding their staff
attorney William L Plouffe who will
represent the Town of
5. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: TRANSFER
STATION: The Board briefly reviewed a draft drawing for potential
changes to the existing traffic flow at the Transfer Station. The
item will be reviewed in detail at a future meeting, no action.
6. CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from 2/1/2010 were
deemed to be in order. Mr. Youland reviewed the disbursement warrant
and recommended approval. Mr. Keene will review for March 1, 2010.
There were no Veteran's Exemptions, abatements or supplements to
consider. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the consent agenda as
presented, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous.
7. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Keene made a motion to adjourn
at 10:00 pm, and the board adjourned by mutual consent.
Respectfully submitted:
Sandra L Philipon
Assessing/Office Assistant