TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22 2011

 

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 to the Flag was said. Those present were Mr. Lawrence House, Mr. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Richard Keene, Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, several members of the Solid Waste Committee, some members of the Budget Committee and other residents with interest.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt requested that an item be added regarding a proposed land swap, which the Board agreed to discuss at item 4A. Also requested was a discussion regarding a request from an employee to purchased stumpage located at the Town Pit. The Board agreed to discuss this as item 6A.

 

3. DISCUSSION FIRE WORKS - 225TH ANNIVERSARY: Mrs. Leavitt began the discussion by recapping an initial discussion held at the previous Board of Selectmen's meeting regarding a verbal request for permission to spend money out of the Bicentennial Fund to pay for fireworks to celebrate the Town's 225th anniversary of incorporation. Mrs. Leavitt noted that with voter permission funds could be used from that account for such an activity. Mrs. Leavitt explained further that she did contact 3 businesses, however, only one, PDK Pyro Inc responded to the call. Pauline McNeil provided a minimum cost of $1,500 and noted that a typical show would range from $4,000 - $7,000. Mr. Terreri interjected that the initial thought from the Board of Selectmen was to possible combine this with the annual 4th of July Celebration and the Festival on the Green. There was some discussion regarding which day might be best and it was suggested that perhaps if the parade and fireworks were done on the 3rd opposed to the 4th that attendance might be higher. Further discussion resulted in noting that the Festival on the Green and subsequent annual celebration is a growing activity in Turner and perhaps best to keep everything as it is. Contact will be made to the festival committee before any changes are proposed. Mrs. Joan (Tootie) Ricker inquired about the Century Box noting that it was opened in 1973 and again in 1986 during the Bi-Centennial Celebration and asked when it might be opened again. It was noted that the intent of the box would be to open it after 100 years, which would be 2023. Mrs. Ricker inquired if the box could be opened during the 225th Anniversary Celebration in a safe place with the articles available to be reviewed. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to open the Century Box during the 225th Anniversary Celebration and have the contents displayed at the Historical Association area, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Following some additional limited discussion Mr. Richardson made a motion to request an article on the Warrant to request up to $10,000 from the Bi-Centennial Fund to be used for a fireworks display for the Celebration of the Towns 225th Anniversary, MR. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

4. DISCUSSION - SOLID WASTE CHANGES: Mrs. Leavitt noted that she invited the Solid Waste Committee to the meeting to participate in any discussion regarding some recommended changes to the site.

 

Mrs. Leavitt noted that the City of Lewiston is looking to implement "single stream recycling" effective July 1, 2011, which will completely change how Turner may handle their recyclables. Mrs. Leavitt noted also that attendant Michael Sullivan visited the Town of Monmouth site and also resident/Budget Committee Member Rodney Shaw toured the facility. They provided pictures to give the Board members a better idea of what the Monmouth site looks like. Mrs. Leavitt shared that the Town of Poland has also gone single stream recycling. Employee Phil Mason noted he toured Eco-Maine, which is located in Westbrook and is a possibility for end user if Turner should go single stream recycling. Some of the benefits noted are that a single stream facility will take multiple types of plastic verses only # 2 plastic presently being accepted. Mrs. Leavitt noted that if Lewiston goes this route Turner could still take material there for a fee of approximately $5 - $10/ton handling fee. The overall possible costs involved are unknown at this time there are estimates from $35,000 to $58,000 and more. The current site would need to be re-designed and upgraded and Mrs. Leavitt noted that Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments can assist with using grant money they currently have, however, it was noted that the Town doesn't have enough information to determine what may be done or how to proceed. In the interim the town could simply put everything into household trash, which would boost the cost to dispose of that. Without enough information to make a rational decision Mr. Richardson made a motion to table any decision until further information could be obtained.

 

4A LAND SWAP: Mrs. Leavitt presented the proposal as presented to her where the Herrick Family who owns land that abuts the Town Pit with no access are willing to "trade" a 14 acre parcel of their land for the same number of acres from the Town Pit which would be accessible. The Board reviewed the map that reflected the proposed parcel to be traded with the town parcel as provided to Mrs. Leavitt by Mr. Gilbert who is making the request. Following review of the proposed parcel the Board determined they couldn't make a decision without additional information. Mr. Keene made a motion which indicated there was no interested in the proposed swap at this time, Mr. Terreri seconded the motion and the vote was one in favor of the swap and three opposed, Keene, Terreri and Richardson.

 

5. TOWN MEETING WARRANT - RECOMMENDATIONS: As the Board prepared to review the Town Meeting Warrant as drafted, Mr. Rodney Shaw - Chairman Budget Committee noted that the Budget Committee had agreed to a lower amount for Paving and Construction which should be reflected on the spreadsheet document. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve Article 3 with the recommendations as stated, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was 3 in favor, House, Timberlake, & Keene and one opposed, Richardson. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve article 4 with the recommendation as stated, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote 2 was three in favor Richardson, Keene and Timberlake, one opposed, House. The remainder of the warrant articles except for any dealing with salaries were motioned by Mr. Timberlake and seconded by Mr. Keene for the recommended amount (s) as stated. Mr. Richardson opposed any of the articles, which included a requested increase in the Flex Benefit, (draft copy attached).

 

6. BOSTON POST CANE: Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that it's been determined that Mr. Stanley Jordan is now the oldest resident and therefore the next recipient of the Boston Post Cane. Mrs. Leavitt noted there are many ways the cane can be presented to the next person and Mr. Timberlake has requested that he be allowed to present the cane and that it be done at the Masonic Hall. Members of the Board of Selectmen will attend and the date will be set when Mr. Jordan's son returns from Florida. Mrs. Leavitt noted that she has made a request to a local artist to produce a replica of the cane so Mr. Jordan can retain the replica cane. No action at this time.

 

6A. EMPLOYEE REQUEST TO PURCHASE STUMPAGE FROM THE TOWN PIT: Mrs. Leavitt noted that a Public Works employee has inquired about purchasing stumpage located at the town pit for $225/cord. Mr. Richardson questioned what past practice might have been and Mrs. Leavitt noted that some was previously given to Rural Community Action Ministry - (RCAM). Discussion resulted in acknowledging that the Board could not make a decision without a known value or quantity of the stumpage proposed to be purchased. Mr. Terreri made a motion to deny the request, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

7. PART 1 - CONSENT AGENDA - SELECTMEN: The minutes from 2/7/2011 were deemed to be in order. Mr. Keene reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Ms. Philipon presented (4) Veterans Exemption applications effective 4/1/2011 for Fritz Gurschick, Leo Moreau, Richard Kornelly and Richard Drouin. Mr. Richardson will review for 3/7/2011. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. House seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

7. PART 2 - CONSENT AGENDA - ASSESSORS: Abatements and/or Supplements: None to consider

 

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION 405 (6) (F) - DISCUSSION OF CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS: Mr. Richardson made a motion to enter executive session at 9:15 pm referencing the preceding section, Mr. House seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. House made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:57 pm, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. No action taken.

 

9. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned by mutual consent at 9:58 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Sandra L Philipon

 

Assessing/Office Assistant