MONDAY MARCH 15, 2015

 

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. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Kurt Youland, Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Rescue Chief Laurel Gagne, Daniel Lawson and Ronald Hemingway from the local paper mills and other residents with interest

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt requested the addition of a discussion regarding the School Budget and the County EMA, which the Board agreed to add to the Town Managers' Business.

 

3. RENEWAL LIQUOR LICENSE - YOULY'S RESTAURANT: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the renewal liquor license application received for Youly's and Mr. Keene inquired if any complaints have been received, which Mrs. Leavitt noted there haven't been any. Mr. Keene then made a motion to approve the renewal liquor license for Youly's, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

4. PAPER DUMPING - DISCUSSION: Mr. Lawson from the Alliance for American Manufacturing asked permission to video tape the presentation to be done by Mr. Hemingway, which the Board gave consent for. Mr. Hemingway is from New Page and began his presentation by noting that similar presentations have already been done in Dixfield, Mexico, Canton and Rumford. Mr. Hemingway noted for those present that the primary reason the request to be present is to inform local governments about the "dumping" currently happening to the local paper industries. Mr. Hemingway explained that the word "dumping" references the prices charged for raw paper products and countries such as China and Indonesia are selling their raw paper products in this country easily by "dumping" their prices below market value and noted that selling at a much lower cost will ultimately cost jobs here in Maine. Mr. Hemingway further noted that workers are joining forces with the government at many levels, Maine's Senators are on board with the cause and it is getting attention at the Federal level as well. Mr. Hemingway explained that one way to assist the cause being explored is to levy a duty on the products coming into the United States. Mr. Hemingway further explained that presentations are planned also for the Towns of Jay, Livermore, Farmington and Peru to seek support for the local paper companies.

 

Mr. Hemingway assured the Board that the group isn't seeking money from the communities, only support for the resolution as presented and, that if duties are imposed they can and will remain in effect for 5 years, which should lessen the amount of products coming into the United States. Following limited discussion Mr. Timberlake made a motion to support the resolution as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

5. SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION DEPT REQUEST: Mrs. Leavitt relayed a request from Transportation Director David Fontaine regarding use of a bay at the Public Works Garage to do necessary maintenance work on the schools fleet of buses. It was noted that the school has had a lease on property owned by Roy Nickerson on Blake Road for several years and the lease is due to expire and the District is looking into alternatives. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the Town of Greene has expressed some willingness to consider use of one of their garage bays for the same purpose.

 

Mr. Timberlake noted that although the School Department is currently reviewing possible options and this was a suggestion, however, Mr. Timberlake also noted that even with the District scheduling time to use a bay, it would still take away from the availability to the town, should it be necessary and possibly result in a schedule conflict. It was also noted that the Rescue Department uses a bay from time to time for repairs to the rescue units. Mr. Youland expressed the same concerns. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the school currently has a proposal for $23,900 for a lease option and Mr. Fontaine is attempting to explore possible options prior to the April 8, 2010 budget vote. It was noted by Mr. Timberlake that perhaps the Town would be willing to assist in a pinch, but not on an ongoing basis and the Board shared Mr. Timberlake's sentiment. Mr. Keene followed with a motion to deny the request for use of a bay at the Public Works Garage on an ongoing basis, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

6. AVCOG - OFFICERS ELECTION BALLOT: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the ballot received with the list of possible officers for AVCOG. At least two of the Selectmen received ballots personally and submitted them. The Board took no additional action.

 

7. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: 7-1 Q & A BI-WEEKLY MEMO: Mr. Keene inquired about the issue on Warren Hood's property off Fish Street and Mrs. Leavitt noted that she personally did an on site inspection of the area. The problem currently belongs to the Mr. Hood as it is on his property; however, Mrs. Leavitt noted it could eventually become a Town problem. Discussion included noting there could be money available to Mr. Hood to address the erosion issue through grants, and Mrs. Leavitt noted information for those funds were provided to Mr. Hood. Mr. Keene inquired whether or not the elevator issue has been resolved at the Leavitt Institute Building and Mrs. Leavitt noted that Mr. Ralph Caldwell and Mrs. Bernice Gilbert are seeking alternative services. Mrs. Leavitt referenced the pictures she took of the newly installed railings at the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center and noted that a quote was requested from Accidental Anomalies for installation and a quote was received, however, the installation was done as a "gift" to the community for no consideration. Discussion resulted in a motion made by Mr. Youland to place a thank you in the local paper and to have a plaque designed noting the donation, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 7-2 TOWN HOUSE PROJECT UPDATE/TREES/FOUNDATION/ROOF: Mrs. Leavitt noted that Greg Roy has taken down the trees necessary to complete the project. An on-site review was held 3/15/2010 with 16 people representing (9) Vendors attended. Tom Perkins will act as the General Contractor for the project and there is a second onsite for the roof proposals on 3/22/2010. One vendor inquired how much money may be available for the foundation work and it was noted approximately $30,000.

 

Contractor Eric Brown offered to remove the tarp presently over the roof to allow it time to dry and be available for inspection for 3/22/2010. Mrs. Leavitt noted that presently the town has $36,000 in reserve for this phase of the project and a request for $12,000 through Town Meeting. No action at this time. 7-3 NEGOTIATION STATUS: Mr. Terreri and Mr. Youland acknowledged that the Union has requested mediation. Further discussion resulted in a motion by Mr. Richardson to appoint Mr. Youland to continue with the negotiating team following his term expiring in April to maintain consistency, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was 3 in favor, Richardson, Timberlake and Keene and one abstained, Youland. 7-4 TRI-TOWN MEETING WITH SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING BUDGET: Mrs. Leavitt noted that the School Board should complete their review of the proposed budget on March 25th and a district budget vote is scheduled for April 8th Mr. Youland inquired regarding the percentage of increase there might be, which Mrs. Leavitt indicated to be approximately 1.4%. The next meeting is scheduled to be in Turner on April 1, 2010 at 6:00 pm, location to be determined. The Board agreed all should meet. 7-5 EMA HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT: Mrs. Leavitt noted she reviewed the areas around town that continually have issues and noted that it is a good idea to review those areas at least every 5 years, however, also noted is the fact that the next meeting for the County EMA is 4/1/2010 and Ross Gagne, EMA Director for Turner will be recovering from surgery and unable to attend. No action.

 

8. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 8-1 TOWN MEETING WARRANT: Mrs. Leavitt reviewed the articles as added at the previous meeting for content, and following some limited discussion Mr. Youland made a motion to approve the warrant as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 8-2 RECYCLING CENTER: Mr. Youland began the discussion by noting he conducted an on-site inspection of the recycling area to be re-designed. In his opinion the flow of water needs to be addressed as the area proposed for the recycling bins collects water, which needs to be diverted away. Mr. Youland suggested at least one catch basin and possibly some culverts to handle the flow of water. Mr. Keene asked if the water could be diverted away successfully, which Mr. Youland noted yes, with what he has suggested and properly ditched, the water could be diverted. Discussion then focused on possible costs and whether or not Public Works could do the work. Mr. Youland gave a rough estimate of $10,000 and noted that the work should be done before the containers are put in place. Mr. Youland also offered to draft a plan at no cost that would reflect a way to properly drain the area. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to have Mr. Youland draft a plan for the drainage at the Transfer Station, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was 3 in favor, Richardson, Timberlake and Keene, and one abstained, Youland. Mr. Youland then noted that he would include Mrs. Leavitt and Public Works Foreman Charlie Poland with the plan draft. 8-3 SCHEDULE WORKSHOP - PERSONNEL POLICY REVIEW: Discussion included consideration to wait until after Town Meeting, however continued discussion resulted in setting the date for Wednesday March 31, 2010 at 6:00 pm. 8-4 SICK TIME BANK PLAN - FINAL DRAFT/APPLICATION: The Board briefly reviewed the changes proposed at the March 1st meeting to insure the recommended changes were made. Mrs. Leavitt noted that both she and Ms. Philipon worked on the final draft together. It was noted that this document would become an addition to the existing Personnel Policy to become effective 7/1/2010. Mr. Youland made a motion to approve the Sick Time Bank Plan to become effective 7/1/2010, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

9. CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from 3/1/2010 were deemed to be in order. Mr. Keene reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Youland will review for April 5th. Ms. Philipon presented one Veteran's Exemption for Mr. David Hodgkins to be effective 4/1/2010 and there were no abatements or supplements to consider. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and the vote was 3 in favor Youland, Keene & Terreri, 2 abstained as they were absent Richardson, Timberlake.

 

Although not on the agenda, Mr. Youland made a motion to enter executive session citing TITLE 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405 (6) (D) - UNION NEGOTIATIONS at 8:41 pm, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:07 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

Following Mr. Richardson made a motion to enter executive session citing TITLE 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405 (6) (A) - PERSONNEL MATTER - CONTRACT at 9:08 pm: Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:13 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to sign a new 2-year contract with Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned by mutual consent at 9:18 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted:

Sandra L Philipon

Assessing/Office Assistant