BOARD OF SELECTMEN

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

MARCH 17, 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 Mr. Kurt Youland, Mrs. Jody Goodwin, Mr. Angelo Terreri, Mrs. Joan Bryant-Deschenes, Town Manager Eva Leavitt and a few residents with interest.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mr. Youland requested that the Board take time to discuss the possible purchase of a wheeler under the Town Managers' Business. Mrs. Goodwin requested time to discuss the new figures provided regarding the proposed 911-call station if Chief Arsenault attends the meeting. Mr. House took the opportunity to discuss the School Budget at a meeting scheduled for 3/20/2008 beginning at 6:00 pm at the Greene Central School which he felt was important for the Board of Selectmen to attend. Discussion resulted in 3 Board members meeting at the Town Office to travel together and two others, if they choose to attend will meet in Turner Center to ride together.

 

3. TOWN MEETING WARRANT/ORDINANCE CERTIFICATION/ROAD CERTIFICATION: Mrs. Leavitt explained to the Board that there are two articles from the Planning Board that will not be included for this year and therefore requires another signature page for the amended warrant. There was a brief discussion regarding the two articles to be excluded. Mrs. Bryant-Deschenes questioned the dollar amount being requested by TCA and how the appropriation was to be monitored if approved. Mrs. Bryant-Deschenes noted some wording in the by-laws as approved by the Board of Selectmen regarding payment to be made to the directors, if funds allow, and Mrs. Bryant-Deschenes questioned whether or not the appropriation would be monitored if approved. Discussion that followed included noting that if Article 6 passes as written, then TCA gets dissolved as a town board and the need for an appropriation may no longer be needed. Mrs. Bryant-Deschenes questioned if the wording for Article 7 could be changed before Town Meeting and it was noted that the town report material has been sent to the printers, and that discussion at Town Meeting should clarify any questions the public might have regarding the appropriation requested. Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that it would now be necessary for the vote taken at the March 3rd meeting to be rescinded and a new vote taken to approve the amended warrant, it was noted that the warrant for Town Meeting has not been posted for the general public, and the Board has the authority to amend the document at this time. Ms. Philipon verified that Mr. Terreri made the motion to approve the warrant at the March 3rd meeting. Mr. Terreri made a motion to rescind the vote taken on March 3rd and Mr. Youland seconded the motion; and the vote was 4 in favor, Terreri, Youland, House, Bryant-Deschenes, and Goodwin abstained as she was absent at the previous meeting, the motion passed. Mr. Terreri then made a motion to approve the amended warrant, Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS - CERTIFICATION: Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to approve the certification as required for the ordinance amendments to be presented at Town Meeting, Mr. Terreri made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous. ROAD CERTIFICATION: Mrs. Leavitt offered a brief explanation regarding the Road Certification by noting that this is a new requirement through the Street Construction Ordinance amendment that outlines proof the Board of Selectmen have received a statement from the Engineer regarding the three roads have been built to plan to be presented at Town Meeting for possible acceptance. Bluff Drive, Buck Lane and Shire Lane are the roads to be presented and there was some discussion regarding some requirements remaining on Bluff Drive before that road is ready to be accepted and Mrs. Leavitt noted that if Bluff Drive is not completely ready by Town Meeting that fact will be brought to light. It was noted that the certification is only an acknowledgement of receipt of the engineer's statement. Mr. Terreri then made a motion to approve the road certification, Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

4. LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL - YOULY'S: Mrs. Leavitt presented the renewal liquor license application for Youly's Diner noting she has not received any complaints, and the Sheriff's Department was also contacted for any recorded complaints there weren't any on file. Mr. Youland then made a motion to approve the renewal liquor license application for Youly's Diner, Mrs. Goodwin made a second to the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

5. COUNTY TAX ASSESSMENT 08/09: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the county tax assessment as received from the county noting that payment isn't due until September 1st and that the overall amount has increased by 5.1% as indicated at a recent meeting. The amount for the 2008/2009-year is $430,494, Mr. Terreri made a motion to approve the assessment as presented, Mrs. Goodwin seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

6. RESOLUTION - ANDROSCOGGIN LAND TRUST: Mrs. Leavitt noted that the resolution was developed from a draft that reflects a unified approach to the State of Maine to develop the park at a higher level than it is presently. Mrs. Leavitt attended a combined meeting with Turner, Leeds, Greene, Lewiston and Auburn recently and the resolution will insure that those representatives from the Androscoggin Land Trust will negotiate with all five municipalities wishes in mind. Mr. Youland noted that some representatives from the State of Maine were at the last Planning Board meeting to present their proposal, and noted that the plan for the park is to be done in phases. The State of Maine has a desire to create an upper level state park with the river land properties. Mr. Youland explained that the State has a desire to have a boat launch off the south end of the river, have a more involved status throughout the property with more control over the property through stewardship. Mrs. Leavitt noted that FPL can pay for any improvements to the park area and there is a meeting scheduled April 1st at the Institute Building with the five communities and the Androscoggin Land Trust; and she encouraged the Board of Selectmen to attend. More information will be provided to the Board in their packets. Following this discussion Mr. Terreri made a motion to accept the resolution as presented provided that Leeds, Greene, Lewiston and Auburn are also in favor. Mrs. Goodwin seconded the motion; and the vote was four in favor, Terreri, House, Goodwin and Bryant-Deschenes; and one opposed, Youland. The motion passed.

 

7. TOWN MANAGERS' BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO: No questions however, there was a comment regarding a minor leak happening in the new town hall and that it was repaired. Mrs. Leavitt will continue to monitor for any additional leaks. FINANCIAL REPORTS: Mrs. Goodwin questioned the overdraft in the Highway Garage line and Mrs. Leavitt noted that the highway garage account has all of the utilities, the lubricants for the equipment and other materials that, as a result of the severe winter.

 

It was noted at this time that some expenses may be able to be charged to summer roads and Mrs. Goodwin questioned the time frame for winter and summer roads which Mrs. Leavitt explained that the summer roads budget begins April 1st. Mrs. Leavitt will speak with the Town's Auditor regarding where items can be charged.

 

Mrs. Leavitt noted that the general assistance account is also overdrawn. Mrs. Leavitt explained that the overdrafts might be carried to town meeting next year, as it is too soon to have an exact figure for the current town meeting. The voters can be asked at next town meeting to acknowledge and ratified the overdrafts at that time.

 

Mrs. Leavitt noted that the town's surplus is healthy and there is FEMA money available to possibly handle some of the overdraft in winter roads, and Mrs. Leavitt expressed her concern that the Board of Selectmen see overdrafts and why they exist. Mrs. Goodwin then questioned whether or not the Town had been able to obtain any additional salt and it was noted that yes Morton Salt was able to deliver 3 additional loads and we got the same price as earlier in the season. It was noted that all municipalities are having the same issues with their winter roads budgets due to the severe winter this year. PATRONS INSURANCE: Mrs. Leavitt referred to a notice provided by a local insurance agent offering discounts to the town employees if they purchase insurance through that office and the Board determined that the employees are free to contact Patrons on their own time if they desire to do so. REQUEST TO CLOSE TOWN OFFICE 4/11/2008: Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board the need to coordinate technical support during the move to the new Town Hall and that April 11th appears to be the day all technical people are available and requested permission to close the office that day to allow for the move. There was some discussion-included advertising well in advance of the office closure and Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to allow the office to be closed 4/11/2008, Mr. Youland seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous. PLOW TRUCK: Mr. Youland informed the board regarding a 2003 Sterling Wheeler with 63,000 miles available at Whited Ford in Auburn for $87,500. Cost new for a unit like this would be $160,000 + - and that if purchased, this unit will replace the 1993 International presently in the fleet of trucks.

 

Mr. Youland requested the Board's permission to expend this money out of the equipment reserve account to purchase this wheeler and indicated he would take other members of the Road Committee down to view it and highway foreman Charlie Poland. Mr. Youland also noted that to buy a new truck would be more expensive however, purchasing this used unit leaves money in the reserve account for other purchases. Mr. Terreri made a motion to approve up to $87,500 to purchase a 2003 Sterling Wheeler if all parties agree, Mrs. Goodwin seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous. VACATION REQUEST: Town Manager Eva Leavitt requested permission to use vacation days in the near future involving March 26th, April 15th, and possibly three days in May including the 12th, 13th, and 14th, which the Board of Selectmen agreed to if the office is well covered.

 

8. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: None

 

9. CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from 3/3/2008 were deemed to be in order. Mr. Youland reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mrs. Goodwin will review for April 7th. Ms. Philipon presented a Widow's Veteran's Exemption application from Mrs. Cynthia Tanous as her husband Charles Tanous has passed away. There were no other exemptions, abatements or supplements for consideration. Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Terreri seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None needed

 

11. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to adjourn at 8:30, Mr. House seconded and the vote was unanimous.