MONDAY MARCH 1, 2010

 

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 was said. Those present were Mr. Richard Keene, Mr. Kurt Youland and Town Manager Eva Leavitt. Mr. Dennis Richardson and Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake were absent.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None

 

3. QUIT CLAIM DEED BART & CAROL TRACY PROPERTY - MAP 3-2 LOT 43: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the deed as prepared by TD Bank for the Tracy Property known as Map 3-2 Lot 43. Mr. Youland inquired if the deed presented was specific to lot 43 as Mr. Tracy owns other property as well and Mrs. Leavitt noted this was only for the former Tracy's Express property and that all past due taxes have been brought current. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the quitclaim deed is a customary event to release the Town's interest in a property when a lien has matured. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the quitclaim deed as presented, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

4. MUNICIPAL WARRANT REVIEW: Mrs. Leavitt referenced 3 additional articles necessary for the warrant for town meeting. Mrs. Leavitt stressed that the articles, if passed, will avoid the need for any special town meeting to cover the pending overdrafts. Mrs. Leavitt noted she issued a freeze on spending to the Leavitt Institute Building Committee and to the Public Works Garage. Mrs. Leavitt noted the addition of article 58 which requests permission to move $7,000 from the Leavitt Institute Building Fund to fund a current overdraft and the Board agreed with the need to add this article. Discussion was then included for a pending overdraft in the Rescue Department, which will more than likely become overdrawn due to the third position. Mrs. Leavitt referenced the Public Works Garage balance and noted that this is the first year that all equipment items are in the Public Works Garage as opposed to winter and/or summer roads areas of the budget and the amount requested was reduced during the budget hearings last year. There was some discussion regarding the dollar amount requested which resulted in a motion by Mr. Youland for the article regarding the Public Works Garage to request $17,500 for the Public Works Garage, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The article for Rescue is worded as a request to transfer up to $15,000 from undesignated surplus to cover an anticipated overdraft. Mr. Youland made a motion to approve a request to move up to $15,000 from undesignated surplus to Rescue, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

5. COUNTY ASSESSMENT: Mrs. Leavitt noted that the new County Tax Assessment reflects an increase of approximately $15,000 over last year and it was noted that the amount assessed is our proportionate share. Mr. Youland made a motion to approve the county assessment as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

6. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: 6-1 Q & A BI-WEEKLY MEMO: It was noted that the Road Committee has suggested that any further repairs to the Grader be put on hold at this time. 6-2 MDOT PROJECTS: Mrs. Leavitt noted that a request might be coming from the Maine DOT for Turner to take on summer maintenance for some roads. Also noted was an inquiry from the Maine DOT for future road projects and, following some discussion the Board of Selectmen recommended Upper Street, North Parish Road, Center Bridge Road and Route 219. 6-3 HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT: Mrs. Leavitt noted that following the most recent Road Committee meeting the paving machine recently purchased by the Town was discussed and it was noted that the paving equipment currently owned by the Town has done some decent work, however, a larger machine could do even better work and continue to save the Town money in the long run. Mr. Youland noted that he is of the opinion the equipment currently owned by the Town could be sold or traded towards a newer one. Discussion resulted in a motion by Mr. Keene to authorize use of up to $50,000 from the highway equipment reserve account to purchase a larger paving machine. Mr. Youland seconded the motion and vote was unanimous. Mr. Keene then made a motion to authorize the trade or sale of the existing paving machine to assist with the purchase of a larger machine, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Noted for the record that the Road Committee will not be looking to purchase a new grader this year. 6-4 RECYCLING CENTER PLAN: Mr. Terreri explained the draft plan to restructure the flow of traffic at the Transfer Station. The proposal reflects all the recycling bins to be lined up in a row opposed to the present layout. Discussion regarding the need for a different grade around the bins would be necessary, which the town can accomplish, and there was a discussion regarding the need for a container to collect glass, with the knowledge that glass collected can then be buried. Mr. Youland offered to draw the design for the proposed new traffic flow pattern. Mr. Keene made a motion to allow the use of up to $500 from the Solid Waste equipment reserve account to accomplish the proposed changes to the Recycling area of the Transfer Station, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 6-5 FINANCE REPORT PERIOD ENDING 2/28/2010: Mrs. Leavitt gave an overview of the finances for the current period and noted that the general revenue is slightly lower than anticipated, however, tax revenue is higher than anticipated for this time of year. Noted again were three areas of concern for overdrafts, Public Works, BQMC and Rescue. 6-6 TOWN HOUSE RESERVE ACCOUNT: Mrs. Leavitt noted she has met recently with Mr. David Rogers and Mr. Tom Perkins who have reviewed the specifications to draft the request for proposals for two portions of the restoration work on the old town house, which include the roof and the foundation work. Mrs. Leavitt requested funds to be released for the removal of several trees around the rear portion of the building. One tree noted is actually on the land of the Natural History Club property and they have given verbal approval to remove the tree and Mrs. Leavitt indicated the process would go more smoothly if the person cutting the trees could climb to cut as opposed to moving equipment on sight. Mrs. Leavitt will obtain prices for this work. Mrs. Leavitt then inquired about release of up to $300 from the Historical Building Fund as payment to Mr. Perkins for his time on the project, noting that the company Mr. Perkins had been working for known as Barr & Barr is leaving Maine and Mr. Perkins has begun his own company in Maine. Mr. Terreri made a motion to allow up to $300 for Mr. Perkins for his work on the Town House project, Mr. Youland seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

6-7 SELECTMEN'S REPORT: Those present reviewed the Selectmen's Report for the Town Report as produced by Chairman Terreri with some additional information added by staff members and the Board agreed with the content.

 

7. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 7-1 SCHEDULE WORKSHOP - PERSONNEL POLICY. At the suggestion of Mr. Youland the Board will schedule their next workshop after Town Meeting. 7-2 SICK TIME BANK PLAN - APPLICATION: The Board reviewed the Draft application for receipt of hours from the sick time bank and, with the exception of requesting that the title "Chairman" be added under the approval signature line, Mr. Terreri made a motion to approve the application for hours, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Sick Time Bank Plan Draft: Review of the draft resulted in requests for several amendments as follows: Section B - Definitions (5) "Chairman" or "designee" (delegate added). Section C - Eligibility and Limitations section (4) to be removed.

 

Section D - Donations - Section (1) to read: Any employee who has an unused balance of accumulated sick time June 30 shall be paid for ½ of the remaining Balance. The remaining hours lapse to the bank. Section D - Donations Section (2) - to be included in the personnel policy. Section E Withdrawals - Section 5 to be removed. The document will be placed on the next Selectmen's Agenda for continued review - no action taken.

 

8. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Keene reviewed the Disbursement Warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Youland will review for March 15, 2010. The minutes from 2/16/2010 were deemed to be in order. Ms. Philipon presented (4) Veteran's Exemptions effective 4/1/2010 for the next tax year for: Mr. Darrel Long, Mr. Erroll Woodward, Mr. Eugene Pratt and Mr. Peter Leavitt. Presented also was one abatement request for Mr. Thomas Higley identified by the Assessors as a pricing error prior to the 185 day cut off date in the amount of $491.78. Mr. Youland made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION M. R. S. A. 1 SS 405 (6) (D) - UNION NEGOTIATIONS: Mr. Youland made a motion to enter executive session citing the above title at 9:30 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:50 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: The adjourned by mutual consent at 9:52 pm

 

Respectfully submitted:

Sandra L Philipon

Assessing/Office Assistant