BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY MARCH 3, 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, Mr. Angelo Terreri, Mrs. Joan Bryant-Deschenes,
Town Manager Eva Leavitt and resident Richard Keene. Selectman Jody
Goodwin was absent.
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Town Manager Eva
Leavitt requested three items be added to the agenda. 1. Release Deed
for Hogan property, which Mrs. Leavitt explained arrived late on
Friday with a check for the past due taxes; and requested this item
be discussed as item 2A. 2. Discussion regarding the Nezinscot
Dam - under the Town Managers' Business and 3. Leavitt Institute -
Report for Town Report - under the Town Managers' Business. The Board
agreed to add all three items as requested.
2A. RELEASE DEED - HOGAN PROPERTY / PLEASANT POND:
Mrs. Leavitt referred to the copies provided to the Board of the
release deed as prepared by Skelton, Taintor
& Abbott. Mrs. Leavitt noted that a check for all past due taxes
was received with the deed, however, the Attorney's Office requested
that the check not be cashed until the release deed was signed. The
check Mrs. Leavitt noted includes the past due taxes for both the
house parcel and the parcel of land with frontage on Pleasant Pond.
Following limited discussion regarding the process for release of
tax-acquired property Mr. Terreri made a
motion to sign the release deed, Mr. Youland seconded the motion; and
the vote was unanimous.
3. FINALIZE TOWN MEETING WARRANT: Mrs. Leavitt
referred to Article 9 and noted the addition of the word
"landscaping" added to the article as part of the $20,000 requested
from the Town Office Building Reserve Account. Article 10: ACCRUED
ABSENCES: Mr. Youland asked for an explanation about this article, as
he was absent during the review process at the 2/20/2008 meeting. It
was explained that the amount requested under this article was to
cover the possibility of employees potentially terminating their
employment with a significant payout amount for any unused vacation
and/or sick time. Discussion included where this would be funded from
which was explained to be from Surplus and what might happen at
fiscal year end. Mrs. Leavitt noted that this would be established as
a "reserve" account and would remain a stand-alone account from year
to year. It was noted that the Budget Committee recommended 0 dollars
for this account. There was some discussion about the maximum amount
allowed to be accrued.
Mrs. Leavitt also noted that the Planning Board
requested that each proposed amendment to the Ordinances be listed as
a separate warrant article, which added 14 articles to the warrant.
The Board of Selectmen felt this was a wise idea. Mrs. Leavitt
further explained that the signature page for the Board of Selectmen
was prepared as a stand alone page and would not be printed in the
Town Report to save pages and printing costs,
however, as required the signature page will be posted. No action
required. Mr. Terreri inquired about the
wording for Article 47, which reflects "Community Rental", and Mrs.
Leavitt explained that when the chart of accounts was established
that was the wording chosen. Mr. Terreri also inquired about the recommendation
from the Board of Selectmen regarding the
Ms. Philipon verified in
the minutes that "no recommendation" was used. The final item
addressed was the wording regarding the Highway Garage, and it was
noted this could be misleading and asked for consideration of
different wording. Mrs. Leavitt will make the recommended changes to
the warrant, no further action. Following this discussion Mr. Terreri
made a motion to approve the final warrant with corrections as noted,
which Mr. Youland seconded and the vote was unanimous.
4. TOWN MANAGERS' BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO:
Mr. Terreri questioned the filter system recommended
by Goodwin Well & Water for the new Town Office water supply.
Mrs. Leavitt noted that there was some color in the bowl noticeable,
however, that by itself may not justify a filter system. Mr. Youland
noted that with use, the water might become clearer. There was then
some discussion regarding the water becoming a public drinking
supply, however, Mrs. Leavitt noted there would not be fountains, but
bottled water offered to the general public and the office has a
water cooler for drinking water at this time. No filter system will
be added at this time. MAIL DELIVERY: Mrs. Leavitt shared with the
Board that it appears as though the Town missed having mail delivered
one day during February, which resulted in slips from Murray Oil
being lost, the credit card statement was another item never
received, which has resulted in late fees being applied. The
significance of the missing slips from Murray Oil was discussed and
Mrs. Leavitt explained that even though Murray Oil provided the
office with copies of the statements, there was no way to verify
individual purchase slips for the various town owned vehicles that
use Murray as a place to gas up. Mrs. Leavitt expressed her
confidence that Murray Oil wouldn't apply any sales tax to the Town
Account, but simply wanted to make the Board aware. Mr. Youland
inquired whether or not the Post Office was contacted, and Mrs.
Leavitt noted that yes the local Post Office was contacted and that
Bookkeeper Nikki Verrill also sent a letter of complaint to the
NEZINSCOT DAM: Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board
that during a recent meeting at the new town office building there
was some discussion about lowering the Nezinscot
River level before the snow begins to melt too quickly thereby
lowering the level of the river at this time. Mrs. Leavitt noted that
she spoke to a couple of people who have responsibility for other
dams and the water levels maintained and it was suggested that the
water level could be lowered at this time then raised back up after
the spring run off has occurred.
Mr. Terreri questioned
if the Town is required to obtain permission from anyone before
lowering the water level citing the trout in the river, and it was
noted that the Town owns the dam and can thereby determine the level
at which it is maintained. Mr. Youland noted that the level has been
lowered previously to allow for some minor repair to the abutments
and that the town has the authority to regulate. Mr. Youland
cautioned that if the level is lowered soon, it should also be raised
back up before too much time lapses. Mr. Youland also expressed some
concern with lowering the water level at this time with the
snowmobile season still active, and it was noted that perhaps a rainy
day might be a good time to lower the water level. Following this
discussion it was determined that EMA Director Ross Gagne can and
should be the person to decide when to lower the level, no further
action. LEAVITT INSTITUTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT FOR TOWN REPORT:
Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that the report as provided to the
Town for the Town Report consists of 3 parts, one being the actual
report of activity for the past year, a second portion being a budget
breakdown for LIB and the third part that makes reference to Article
6 of the Town Report regarding the TCA Board. Mrs. Leavitt expressed
her concern that part three be provided as a hand out at Town Meeting
and not be included in the Town Report, and the Board of Selectmen
agreed.
In other Town Manager Business Mrs. Leavitt noted
that she is keeping an eye on Town owned buildings that may need
attention due to the snow loads and that the roof at BQMC as an
example will be shoveled soon. Mr. Youland mentioned that the
attached buildings should also be shoveled as the snow from the main
building could add to the weight on the smaller buildings.
5. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: SPEED
TRAILER: Mrs. Leavitt asked for some guidance for placement of the
speed trailer to be loaned to Turner. One suggestion was for
6. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Terreri
reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval,
however he noted one check that had two different amounts, the
written word did not agree with the numbers, and his questions were
answered. At this time Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board an issue with
the computer vendor regarding the accounts payable program and an
on-going issue with a credit amount not coming into the checking
account as needed and that she will send a letter to Northern Data as
this problem has been on-going for a number of years. Mr. Youland
will review the disbursement warrants for 3/17/2008. Mr. Terreri
had one correction to the minutes regarding a dollar value in error,
however, it was noted that the Board would not need to see the
amended minutes. Mr. Terreri made a motion to approve the minutes
with the noted correction, Mrs. Bryant-Deschenes
seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous. There were no
Veteran's Exemptions to consider and no Abatements or Supplements.
Mr. Terreri then made a motion to approve
the consent agenda, Mr. Youland seconded the motion; and the vote was
unanimous.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None needed.
Mr. Terreri brought up
the Tri-Town Selectmen's meeting scheduled for 3/6/2008, and
discussion that followed resulted in the Board members and Town
Manager Eva Leavitt meeting at the Town Office to travel together.
There was also a reminder regarding a scheduled meeting for the
Androscoggin Land Trust on Wednesday March 12th beginning at 4:30.
Mrs. Leavitt encouraged attendance, as part of the discussion will
include FPL's recreational plans along the
8. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Terreri
made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 pm, which Mr. House seconded and the
vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted:
Sandra L Philipon
Assessing/Office Assistant