WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20,
2008
RE-SCHEDULED FROM
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2008
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 Mrs. Jody
Goodwin, Mr. Angelo Terreri, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, EMA Director
Ross Gagne, Fire Chief Michael Arsenault, Legion members Paul Bernard
and Warren Clark. Budget Committee members Rodney Shaw and Bob Levesque
and several other residents with interest. Selectmen Kurt
Youland and Joan Bryant-Deschenes were absent.
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Town Manager Eva
Leavitt requested 2 additional items for consideration under the Town
Managers' Business dealing with a proposed warrant article and
information on the voting machine to be discussed.
2A. DISCUSSION WITH LEGION REPRESENTATIVES: Mr.
Paul Bernard requested permission to speak regarding several aspects
of the Veterans graves located in Turner. Mr. Bernard went on to
request the following: 1. A request that all cemeteries with Veterans be
maintained during the summer months and noted
2. Request that the WWI & II stone and the
Memorial Stone in North Turner be cleaned before Memorial Day
Mr. Bernard cited MRSA Title 13A ss
1101 Notice of responsibility.
3. Request for additional flags and appropriate
flag holders be purchased before Memorial Day for all Veterans
Graves.
4. Request that the Town of
5. Request that the Town of Turner raise or
appropriate money for the celebrations and commemorations on Memorial
Day, Veterans' Day (Veteran's week) and any other day set apart for
commemoration such as Title I Chapter 5 - April 9th Former Prisoner
of War Recognition Day, September 11th - Maine Week of Heroes and the
3rd Friday in September - POW/MIA Recognition Day
6. Request that the Town of
7. Optional: A request that the Town of Turner
display the Prisoner of War missing in action flag on a flag pole
located at the main office building of the Municipality whenever the
flag of the United States is flown.
Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Veterans present that
the Town does maintain all the Town owned
cemeteries veteran's graves annually prior to Memorial Day and, noted
that those cemeteries owned and maintained by associations are
provided a stipend annually for each veteran's grave within those
cemeteries. It was noted that the town owned cemeteries are
contracted annually for proper maintenance, and that holders are
provided for all Veteran's graves where flags are placed. It was
acknowledged however that not all Veterans' Graves are clearly marked
and, if there isn't a holder provided the flag is placed in the
ground. Mrs. Leavitt thanked Mr. Bernard for his work on the list of
Veteran's in Turner.
Mrs. Leavitt did note that grant money is
available to continue stone restoration in some of the Town
owned/maintained cemeteries however; Turner doesn't have Veterans of
high enough rank in its cemeteries to qualify for grant money. Money
has been requested to continue the restoration efforts for the
2008/2009 year.
There was discussion regarding a new place for the
Veteran's Memorial, which is presently located in the parking lot at
the
Mrs. Goodwin noted that there is time to consider
a proposal and suggested working together to consider the parcel
owned by Mr. Talbot. Mrs. Goodwin further suggested a combined
meeting in the future between the Board of Selectmen, the Legion and
Mr. Talbot. Mr. Warren Clark, also a member of the Legion noted that
the one item holding the Legion back from moving forward with their
own facility is not having a parcel of land, and, Mr. Clark also
noted that the Legion is presently talking with Mr. Dick Hartford who
owns a parcel of land on the corner of Snell Hill Road and Route 4
regarding the possibility of acquiring that parcel. Mrs. Leavitt
noted for the record that the Androscoggin Land Trust has recently
received a gift of land from the Weston Bonney Family, which abuts property owned by
the State of
3. REVIEW OF LEGAL OPINION: Mrs. Leavitt noted for
the Board the legal opinion received from the Town Attorney for the
Citizen's Warrant Article request. One caution from the Attorney was
to use the word "dissolve" as opposed to "revoke". A motion followed
limited discussion on the opinion received from Mr. Terreri
to accept the wording as provided by the town Attorney for the
Citizen's Warrant Article, Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion
and the vote was unanimous. It was noted that the explanation as
provided by the Citizen would remain as drafted.
4. RECOMMENDATION ON DOLLAR AMOUNTS FOR WARRANT
ARTICLES: The Board of Selectmen continued their review of the dollar
amounts for the warrant articles to be presented at Town Meeting. Mr.
Terreri began by inquiring if the original
department requests are what are being reflected, as opposed to the
recommended amounts. Mrs. Leavitt noted that accept for those areas
where the Department Head may have agreed to lower their request,
that yes, the department requests are being represented as submitted.
The initial discussion began regarding the 5th highway position,
which remains vacant at this time. There was some discussion
regarding the wage increase in general then the 5th position and,
Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that she would stand by her request
to continue with the 5th position as opposed to trying to use a
temporary person in a safety sensitive position such as highway. Mrs.
Goodwin noted her support for retaining the 5th position as a regular
full time position and Mr. Terreri also
acknowledged his support for the 5th position and added that the 5th
position has been in place since 1993 and would be a step backwards
to eliminate it at this time.
There was some discussion regarding the miles of
road being maintained by the Highway Department and the fact that
additional miles have been accepted by the Town for maintenance. Mrs.
Leavitt noted however that the number of additional miles being
maintained isn't that significant as opposed to the types of roads we
have accepted in recent years. Mrs. Leavitt went on to explain that
most of the roads adopted as town roads in recent years are short
dead-end roads with cul-de-sacs or hammer-head turnarounds at the
end, which takes longer to plow than the straight stretches of road
we maintain. Following this discussion Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to
recommend $304,279 for WINTER ROADS, which Mr. Terreri
seconded, and the vote was unanimous. The amount reflects retention
of the 5th position. Summer Roads: retaining the 5th position there
resulted in a motion from Mr. Terreri for a recommendation of $214,619, which
Mrs. Goodwin made a second to, and the vote was unanimous.
Additional consideration followed for The FIRE
DEPARTMENT: Mr. Terreri made a motion to
recommend $90,300 for the Fire Department as requested, Mrs. Goodwin
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Fire Truck Reserve
request of $30,000 was dropped to a recommended amount of $25,000,
which Mr. Terreri made a motion to support,
and Mrs. Goodwin seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous. The
Rescue Department request was reduced by the increase in the Flex
Benefit, which was not supported. Mr. Terreri
made a motion to support $191,715 for Rescue, Mrs. Goodwin made a
second and the vote was unanimous.
STREET LIGHTS: The amount initially supported was
reduced by $100 from the original request, however, Mrs. Leavitt
noted that the cost of service has increased and Mrs. Goodwin made a
motion to support the $1,400 as requested, which Mr. Terreri
made a second to; and the vote was unanimous. HIGHWAY: The request
was reduced from $49,750 to $44,400; however following discussion Mr.
Terreri made a motion to support $45,900,
which doesn't include money for janitorial services and radios. Mrs.
Goodwin made a second, and the vote was unanimous. TRANSFER STATION:
The amount noted by Mrs. Leavitt has been reduced due to a reduction
in personnel on Tuesdays from three people to two. Mr. Terreri made a motion to support $172,980 for
Transfer, Mrs. Goodwin seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous. SEPTAGE WASTE
: Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to support the $250
as submitted, Mr. Terreri seconded the
motion; and the vote was unanimous. RECYCLING: Mrs. Goodwin made a
motion to support the $60,510 as requested, Mr. Terreri
seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous. LANDFILL: Mr. Terreri
made a motion to support the $1,000 request, which Mrs. Goodwin
seconded, and the vote was unanimous. PAVING & CONSTRUCTION: The
requested amount was adjusted down to $425,000 and Budget Committee
member Robert Levesque noted for those present that during discussion
it was noted the amount of work scheduled for the coming year is less
than anticipated. Mr. Terreri made a motion
to support the $425,000 as requested and Mrs. Goodwin made a second
to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE: Both the Board of Selectmen
and the Budget Committee supported the $15,000 as requested; and Mrs.
Goodwin made a motion to support the request, Mr. Terreri
made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous. ANIMAL
CONTROL OFFICER: The Budget Committee and the Board of Selectmen
agreed to reduce the amount of increase requested from $850 to $500
and Mr. House mad a motion to support the $12,848 and Mr. Terreri
made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous. PARKS: The
requested amount of $16,012 was reduced to $14,118, which was
explained by Mrs. Leavitt to be a reduction in temporary wages for a
Beach Attendant. Mr. Terreri made a motion
to support the lower amount and Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the
motion; and the vote was unanimous.
COMMUNITY RENTAL BQMC: Mr. Terreri
made a motion to support the requested amount of $24,692 and Mrs.
Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
OBSOLETE BUILDINGS: There was a question regarding
what that reserve account has in it at this time and Mrs. Leavitt
indicated there is $21,000 and the request was for $20,000, however
the Budget Committee and the Board of Selectmen agreed to support
$10,000, and Mr. Terreri made a motion to
support the $10,000 for the obsolete building fund which Mrs. Goodwin
seconded; and the vote was unanimous.
RESERVE ACCOUNT FOR SOLID WASTE: The amount
requested was cut by $5,000, and Mrs. Leavitt explained that this
account is for upgrades to the facility and equipment. Mrs. Goodwin
made a motion to support $20,000, which Mr. Terreri
made a second to and the vote was unanimous. FIRE TRUCK RESERVE
ACCOUNT: Mr. Terreri made a motion to
support $25,000 and Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the
vote was unanimous. HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE: The account is now at
$126,000 and the request is for an additional $100,000 and there was
some discussion regarding the need for a new truck. Mrs. Leavitt
noted that there are still some trucks being operated that continue
to experience expensive repairs and a new truck has been discussed
with the Road Committee. Mr. Terreri made a motion to support $100,000 and
Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
HIGHWAY GARAGE ADDITION: There was some discussion regarding this
item and the need to clarify that this amount is separate from the
rest of the highway amounts as it is designated for an addition to
the existing garage. Following this discussion Mr. Terreri
made a motion to support $15,000 towards the highway garage addition,
Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
REVALUATION: Mrs. Leavitt noted that a town-wide
revaluation is still two to three years away, however, expressed her
concern that we begin funding. Mr. Terreri
made a motion to support the $45,000 request, Mrs. Goodwin made a
second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS: Clarification as to which
buildings were included in this was requested and Mrs. Leavitt noted
the Town House, and the Community House. Mrs. Goodwin made a motion
to support the $10,000 request and Mr. Terreri
made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
5. PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA - LEVASSEUR: Mrs.
Leavitt noted the draft consent agreement between the Town and the Levasseur's
for the Junkyard violation. Mrs. Goodwin questioned if the amounts as
stated were in affect going to break the bank for the Levasseur's'
and it was indicated that it would not. It was noted that the Levasseur's' are no longer residing in the
residence with the violation, but have moved to
6. TOWN MANAGERS' BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO:
No questions. TS - MOTOR FOR COMPACTOR: Mrs. Leavitt noted the need
to have a spare motor on hand at the Transfer Station due to a recent
$880 repair to one of the motors. It was noted that the equipment is
getting quite old and a breakdown of one of the motors could create a
tremendous backlog of material. Mrs. Leavitt noted that she spoke
with Greene's Town Manager Charlie Noonan to obtain a feel for the
cost new for a motor, which was indicated to be approximately $2,000.
The Board of Selectmen were favorable to having a spare motor
however, not favorable towards the cost of a new one. Mrs. Leavitt
will continue to seek alternate prices. BOTTLE BUSTER: Mrs. Leavitt
has researched the present bottle buster at the Transfer Station for
replacement purposes and found a new one could be purchased for
$1,500, which will fit a smaller drum, which would be easier to
manage. Mr. Terreri made a motion to
authorize Mrs. Leavitt to purchase the new bottle buster and Mrs.
Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
VOTING MACHINE: Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that the purchase of
voting machines by the State for Municipalities isn't going to take
place due to cancellation of the program. Mrs. Leavitt noted we can
lease or purchase a machine and, she noted one is needed in time for
the June primary. The price was noted to be $6,000 originally and,
Mrs. Leavitt noted the Town might get a better deal if a machine were
leased. Discussion resulted in Mrs. Leavitt seeking alternatives and
prices for future consideration. Mrs. Leavitt reminded the Board of a
7. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 1. ANIMAL
DISASTER RESPONSE PROTECTION PLAN: EMA Director Ross Gagne was
present to answer questions regarding this program and, he noted that
there was a question of required training, which he assured the Board
none, was needed. Mr. Gagne noted that the Village Station has a good
set up to provide for animal shelter in the event of a natural
disaster, and that any supplies that might be needed would be
purchased from the EMA budget.
Mr. Gagne gave some examples of the types of
supplies that may be necessary which would be animal food, blankets
and perhaps a pet carrier. Mr. Gagne also noted that requests would
be made to the local animal hospitals for volunteers and perhaps some
supplies as well. Mrs. Leavitt inquired if the Board of Selectmen
would give authorization to Mr. Gagne to sign the document, and Mr. Terreri
made a motion to authorize EMA Director Ross Gagne to enter into the
Animal Disaster Response Protection Plan, Mrs. Goodwin made a second
to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BILLING DISCUSSION: The Board
re-addressed the Fire Department Billing Ordinance and, following
some discussion with Fire Chief Michael Arsenault it was re-stated
that the Board of Selectmen determine all fees charged and, with that
in mind a decision to raise the minimum amount to be billed was
discussed. Currently the Department has a bill prepared for a minimum
of $200 and discussion resulted in a motion mad by Mrs. Goodwin to
raise the minimum amount from $200 to $500, Mr. Terreri
made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
8. CONSENT AGENDA: The disbursement warrants were
reviewed by Mrs. Goodwin who recommended their approval. Mrs. Goodwin
noted for the record however that one invoice reviewed was for
Goodwin Well and Water for the pump at the new Town Office. Mr. Terreri
will review for March 3rd. The minutes for 2/4/2008 were deemed to be
in order. Ms. Philipon presented one Veteran's Exemption
Application for service-connected disability for resident Ronald Hiscock.
Also presented was an abatement/supplement for an account with
duplicate account numbers. Request for abatement for Paul Lauzier
in the amount of $401.31 and a supplemental tax bill in the same
amount to Danielle Lavoie & Robert Labonte
of
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None needed
10. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to
adjourn at 10:00 pm, Mr. Terreri made a
second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted:
Sandra L Philipon
Assessing/Office Assistant