BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

 

MINUTES TUESDAY APRIL 22, 2008

 

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. Lawrence House, Mrs. Jody Goodwin, Mr. Kurt Youland, Mr. Richard Keene and Town Manager Eva Leavitt.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Goodwin requested that an item be added concerning a new policy for rental of space at the Leavitt Institute Building. Mrs. Leavitt requested also discussion regarding the Davis Family Grant. These items will be considered as items 5A and 5B on this agenda.

 

3. LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL - ANTIGONI'S: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the application from Antigoni's Pizza for renewal of their liquor license and noted she hasn't had any complaints regarding this establishment. Mr. Terreri questioned one aspect of question # 19 on the application regarding the distance stated to the nearest school or church. Some discussion regarding the distance as stated resulted in a request to point out the distance issue to the applicant and, it was determined this would be the applicant's responsibility, not the Town. Mr. Youland then made a motion to approve the renewal liquor license for Antigoni's, Mr. Keene seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

4. CONTRACT FOR RE-PURCHASE OF FORECLOSED PROPERTY: Mrs. Leavitt presented a proposed re-purchase agreement between the Town of Turner and Roger DeCoster & Michelle White for their property located on DeCoster Drive. Mrs. Leavitt explained that DeCoster & White's property has formerly foreclosed to the Town and, short of taking actual possession; this is a way for them to re-purchase their property. The contract would require a down payment set by the Board of Selectmen and regular monthly payments until all taxes are current. Mrs. Goodwin re-stated for clarification that the money paid in will satisfy the lien that foreclosed, and that all taxes must be current before a Quit Claim deed would be done to release the Town's interest, which Mrs. Leavitt verified.

 

Mrs. Goodwin questioned whether or not DeCoster/White have kept their word in the past, which Mrs. Leavitt confirmed they have kept their word and that the agreement would remain in affect until all taxes are current. Mr. Youland then questioned what type of down payment Mrs. Leavitt would require and she noted $50 down and $50/month until all taxes are paid. Mr. Terreri questioned if there were other fees and how the accumulated interest is handled; and Mrs. Leavitt explained that when payments are received interest is paid first, then any lien costs are applied, and then any remaining money is paid on the principal.

 

This prompted additional discussion regarding the length of time it would take for the taxes to be paid in full, and this resulted in a motion from Mr. Youland for $100 down payment with $100/month with the down payment due May 1st, then payments every 30 days thereafter, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

5. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT TO ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VACANCY: Mrs. Leavitt referenced an application from Mrs. Karen Youland for the vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals, which was vacated by Selectman Richard Keene. Following limited discussion and noting that Mrs. Youland has previously served on this Board, Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to appoint Mrs. Karen Youland to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Mr. House seconded the motion; and the vote was three in favor, Keene, House, & Goodwin and one abstained, Youland, the motion passed.

 

5A. POLICY FOR RENTAL PROCEDURES FOR LEAVITT INSTITUTE BUILDING: Mrs. Goodwin introduced a draft policy for the rental space at the Leavitt Institute Building explaining that she attempted to pull items from three different documents into the rental policy. Mrs. Leavitt complimented Mrs. Goodwin for the pro-active approach. There was some discussion regarding whether or not any potential occupants have come forward, no one seem to have knowledge of any possibilities, and Mrs. Leavitt noted that perhaps other options could and should be looked at.

 

Mr. Youland noted that if necessary, the Board of Selectmen should be involved in the process, and noted it was his feeling that MSAD 52 should occupy space in the building. Mrs. Leavitt noted that during the month of May she will continue her review of various policies currently in place and that the By-Laws for LIB will be available in the next Selectmen's packets. Mr. House noted that months ago the LIB Board of Directors was looking to the Board of Selectmen to say "no" to the rent issue with TCA. Mrs. Leavitt noted that if there is no clause prohibiting the Board of Selectmen from making changes to the By-Laws for LIB then the Board of Selectmen are free to make any amendments they deem necessary.

 

5B. DAVIS FAMILY FOUNDATION GRANT: Mrs. Leavitt referenced a letter received from former Arts Center Director Jennifer Wadsworth and Mr. Terreri noted that this is simply another test of will between the Directors and the Leavitt Institute Board of Directors. Mrs. Leavitt referenced some of the content of Mrs. Wadsworth's memo and noted that the concept of the Arts Center has changed and, any subsequent grant applications may be affected by the action to close the Arts Center. Mrs. Leavitt went on to inform the Board that TCA will conclude any necessary activities in the Institute Building within the week and the letter to the Davis Family Foundation will be written within the week as well. Mr. Youland and Mr. Terreri both noted that the wording included in the letter to the Davis Family would make all the difference, and that the letter should be from the Board of Selectmen, the Leavitt Institute Board and the Library.

 

Mr. Terreri noted that Mrs. Wadsworth should not have anything to do with the letter to the Davis Family due to the fact that some of the wording could hurt the Town's future efforts. Mrs. Goodwin read the letter LIB received with the Grant and the letter noted that any misuse of the grant money could affect any additional money in the future.

 

Mr. Youland noted that TCA had certain goals within a specific period of time that simply couldn't be met, and agreed that the Selectmen, on behalf of the Town should prepare the letter. Mrs. Leavitt will prepare some correspondence to be included with the next Selectmen's packets.

 

6. TOWN MANAGERS BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO: None. 2. UPDATE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING PROJECT: Demolition of the old town office is scheduled for April 23, 2008 beginning at 6:30 am, and Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that the local Legion Post 111 has requested the old flagpole for their use. This prompted some discussion regarding what the Town contributed towards the monument that is in place at the Turner Village Church, however, she wasn't certain if the Town expended any funds for the benches that are there or not. Mr. Youland noted that the curbing needed for the parking lot has been ordered and we do have an estimate from Rampart for paving the parking lot.

 

CATTLE POUND: Mrs. Goodwin noted that during the winter months one wall of the Cattle Pound has been pushed back and looks as though it may fall into the pound. Mrs. Goodwin went on to note that the Town has taken great care to preserve this structure and needs to be fixed soon.

 

HIGHWAY VACANCY: Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that Mr. Terreri and Mr. Poland conducted interviews for the Highway Department vacancy; Mrs. Leavitt did not participate except to organize, as one of the interviewees is one of her brothers. The position was offered to Tracey Giroux who is Mrs. Leavitt's brother and, she assured the Board that she would not have any difficulty disciplining her brother if necessary. Mr. Giroux's actual starting date depends on the results of his pre-employment physical and drug testing. Mrs. Goodwin questioned how many applications were received and Mrs. Leavitt noted 14 were received and 5 interviews were held.

 

Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that one of the local Cub Scout Packs has offered to do some cleaning at the Center Bridge Road Boat launch, which was noted is actually owned by FPL. TURNER ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION REQUEST: Chairman Terreri turned control of the meeting over to Vice-Chairman Jody Goodwin and left the table to discuss a request being made by TAA, which he is the president of. TAA has purchased a small self-contained mobile trailer they would like to park at the Public Beach during the summer months and perhaps offer hot dogs and other items as a fund raising effort. Mrs. Leavitt noted that various vendors have approached the Board of Selectmen previously, however, those were from out of Town, and, at the time it was noted that if a benevolent organization had such a desire, it would be considered at the time. There was some discussion regarding the location this unit may be at, whether actually inside the beach gate or in the Town owned parking lot; and Mr. Terreri noted that the discussion to date for this possibility is looking to park the unit in the town parking lot off Route 219. Mr. Terreri explained that this unit is self contained and will use propane gas; and he assured the Board that whomever is operating the unit will handle the trash disposal as necessary. The Board was favorable.

 

7. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: PAVING CONTRACT EXTENSION: Mrs. Leavitt noted that at the previous meeting the Board discussed the possibility of extending the previous years' paving contract to Rampart, and it appeared to be the desire of the Board that this item be put back out to bid.

 

Mrs. Leavitt and Mr. Charlie Poland - Highway Foreman approached Rampart after a Road Committee meeting to see if last year's price could be honored; and a letter of commitment was provided by Rampart to honor last years' price. Mrs. Leavitt expressed her concern with going out to bid at this time due to Mr. Gibson's' prior work with Pike Industries, as they would be competing for the bid. Mrs. Leavitt noted she is seeking permission from the Board of Selectmen to proceed and do business with Rampart. Mr. Youland acknowledged he was the person who suggested the possibility of going out to bid for this item and cautioned that discussing numbers from a negotiated contract is not good business. Following limited additional discussion Mr. Youland made a motion to continue paving needs with Rampart for the negotiated price, Mr. Keene seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

8. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. House reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. There were no minutes ready for review due to the move. Mr. Keene will review the disbursement warrants along with Mr. Terreri for May 5, 2008. There were no Veteran's Exemptions to consider. Ms. Philipon did present three supplemental tax bills for Mrs. Berth Goodwin and noted that Mrs. Goodwin she has declared herself to be a Florida resident and has been a registered voter in that State since 2006 and has been receiving the Homestead exemption through the State of Florida and in Maine. Turner was never notified of the residents' voter registration change and the Maine homestead exemption has remained in place. The supplemental tax bills are for the 2005/2006-year, 2006/2007 year and 2007/2008; and are in the amounts equal to the Homestead Exemption value for each of the three years. Mrs. Goodwin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Youland seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None needed

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Goodwin motioned to adjourn at 8:40 pm, Mr. Youland seconded the motion; and the vote was unanimous.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Sandra L Philipon

Assessing/Office Assistant