MONDAY JUNE 1, 2009

 

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. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Richard Keene, Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Rescue Chief Laurel Gagne and business owner Lisa Robitaille. Selectman Kurt Youland was absent.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mr. Terreri requested a discussion regarding the State Park, which was noted to be on the agenda. Mr. Richardson requested discussion regarding the MDOT meeting scheduled at the Town Office on Friday 6/5/2009, which was noted to be on the agenda as well. Town Manager Eva Leavitt requested three items be added: the insurance request for proposal results, the door in the meeting room/town office reserve account and the contingency account. All of the previously mentioned items will be added to the Managers' Business. Mrs. Leavitt then requested an additional Executive Session citing section 1 M. R. S. A. 405 (6) C - Real Estate Acquisition, which will be added as item 7A.

 

3. PUBLIC HEARING LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION - TIMMY TURNER'S: Mr. Terreri opened the Public Hearing at 7:08 pm to consider a new liquor license application for Timmy Turner's which Mrs. Leavitt noted as a new license for Turner required advertisement in a local paper, and noted the requirement was fulfilled. Discussion included noting that the license will be for beer beverages only. Noting no further discussion, Mr. Terreri closed the public hearing at 7:10 pm. Mr. Timberlake then noted he would abstain from any discussion or vote on this issue as Timmy Turner's leases space from Mr. Timberlake. Noting no further concern or discussion Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the license application as presented, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion, and the vote was 2 in favor, Richardson, Keene, one abstained, Timberlake. The motion passed.

 

4. WARRANT SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Mrs. Leavitt noted that she verified through the Maine Municipal Association the need to hold a Special Town Meeting to purchase the land needed to complete the Fish Street project. Also noted is the need to file a "Notice of Intentions to Lay out, Alter or Widen Town Way" and provide copies to any abutting property owners. The Special Town Meeting will be scheduled on June 15, 2009, which is the next scheduled Selectmen's meeting. The Warrant consists of three articles, one to appoint a moderator, one to accept the donation/dedication of land from Raymond and Rebecca Lavoie, and one to authorize the Municipal Officers to execute all necessary documents and to appropriate a sum of money from surplus for such purpose (copy attached). Mr. Richardson made a motion to approve the warrant for the Special Town Meeting as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to approve the "Notice of Intentions to Lay out Alter or Widen Town Way" as presented, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

5. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO: Mr. Terreri inquired regarding a new janitor hired by the Leavitt Institute Board of Directors and Mrs. Leavitt confirmed the Board of Directors for the Institute Building hired Steve Lanyon, a Turner resident who is employed by MSAD 52 and has relevant experience for the work needed at the Institute Building. Mrs. Leavitt noted the hourly wage is less than the previous cleaning person, and Mr. Lanyon will also do light maintenance duties when necessary. 5-2 FINANCE REPORT PERIOD ENDING 5/31/2009: Mrs. Leavitt noted that the report reflects the close of books 5/29/2009 as the last working day of the month and also noted that with continued efforts there should be a 90% chance of no overdrafts. There has been an overall hold on spending in all departments wherever possible and no overtime unless necessary. Mrs. Leavitt outlined several items that will lapse to the general fund at year-end including the remaining town office reserve account, and money received from FEMA, and there is still an amount outstanding. Mrs. Leavitt also indicated the possibility of a special town meeting in the near future to address the unemployment compensation fund as the Town is self insured for unemployment and there are currently two non-contestable cases which are drawing that fund balance down. It was noted there has been an additional decline in revenue at the Planning Board level, which also reflects on the amount of building and other permits that usually generate revenue at a higher level than this year. Rescue revenue has been coming in, however, it was noted that some of the revenue from the State level may be delayed until the next fiscal year, however, Rescue Chief Laurel Gagne noted that the overall revenue has exceed the estimated amount. Mrs. Gagne also noted to the Board that the call volume recently has been more illness related verses accident related. Mrs. Leavitt noted that Rampart gave the town a $2400 discount for early payment for cold mix which will be reflected in the Summer Roads account. Mrs. Leavitt then noted to the Board that her inquiry regarding the portable toilet at Bear Pond revealed that the current unit is not handicap accessible and, if the Town uses a handicap unit, more frequent servicing is required. 5-3 ADVISORY MEMBER PARKS & LANDS OFFICIALS: Mrs. Leavitt indicated that the Parks & Lands Advisory Board is seeking a 2nd member to attend the meetings for the River land development the State of Maine is working on. Mrs. Leavitt indicated she would be willing to serve on the Board and noted that Mrs. Jody Goodwin continues to attend the meetings. Mr. Timberlake noted that Planning Board member Shirley Twitchell has been attending the meetings on a regular basis as an abutting property owner, and also has the insight from the Planning Board perspective. The Selectmen were concerned that Mrs. Twitchell may not express the wishes of the Selectmen and Mr. Terreri noted he came away from one of the early meetings with the feeling the State has more planned than what they are indicating to the general public. Mr. Terreri suggested the possibility of a survey to be handed out at the Town Office to get a feel for what the general public has for concerns and/or desires for the river lands, however, Mr. Timberlake noted that a survey must be carefully worded. Mrs. Leavitt will inquire with Mrs. Twitchell to serve on the Board and Mrs. Leavitt will attend whatever meetings are possible. The Board expressed their desire to receive reports as frequently as practical. 5-4 INSURANCE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL: Mrs. Leavitt noted that although she sent RFP's to six different companies only two submitted actual proposals regarding the Town insurance needs as some simply could not compete with our present rate of coverage. The Maine Municipal Association who carries our current coverage was one of two that submitted proposals.

 

The second proposal was from Peabody in Bangor and Mrs. Leavitt noted several inconsistencies in Peabody's proposal although all companies received the same information which included a copy of the town's current policy. Mrs. Leavitt further noted that the proposal from MMA reflects approximately $5,800 less in premium fees than we currently pay and, noted a benefit through MMA is that the Town is only charged once a year for all vehicles covered even when additional vehicles are added. Mr. Timberlake inquired if the Town opted to have a different carrier would it affect member services? It was noted that a Town could be a member and not use MMA as the insurance provided as well. The Board didn't feel there was enough information at this time to make any changes and Mrs. Leavitt noted that a representative from MMA or Peabody would probably be willing to speak with the Board directly. 5-5 DOOR - TOWN OFFICE: As a follow up to the previous Board of Selectmen meeting regarding the lack of privacy for executive sessions in the meeting room, Mrs. Leavitt requested estimates from various contractors to install a door in the opening at the end of the meeting room. Mrs. Leavitt also requested permission to use funds from the Town Office Reserve Account to pay for the work and, it was noted that the project can be done for less than $2000, however, there was some discussion regarding the need for two exits from a room this size in a public building and how it may be accomplished. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to approve up to $2,000 from the Town Office Reserve Account for a door in the meeting room provided the Code Enforcement Officer deems it to be feasible to do so, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. 5-6 CONTINGENCY: It was noted that the contingency account could be used to offset any possible overdrafts.

 

6. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 6-1 FISH STREET: Previously discussed with the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting. 6-2 GAR HALL: Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that she has sent a letter to the North Turner Church Group regarding the GAR Hall and the Town Meeting Vote held in 1983 without a response to date. 6-3 OLD COMPACTOR: Mrs. Leavitt noted to the Board that Harvest Hill Farm has expressed some interest in the old compactor from the Transfer Station, however they haven't yet made an offer and it was noted that each time the Town spent money to refurbish the units it was several hundred dollars. No action at this time. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to table the item pending further information, which the Board agreed to do. 6-4 MDOT MEETING 6/5/2009: Mr. Richardson expressed his concern regarding the meeting being held at the Town Office for the proposed Hannaford Store noting that if 3 Board members attend the meeting, it could be miss interpreted as an illegal meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Board requested a legal interpretation as each member would like to attend to obtain first hand information at the meeting.

 

7. CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from 5/18/2009 were deemed to be in order. Mr. Terreri reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Timberlake will review for June 15, 2009. There were no Veterans' Exemptions or abatements or supplements for consideration. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

7A. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1 M. R. S. A ss 405 (6) C REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION: Mr. Richardson made a motion to enter executive session at 9:21 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:31, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to execute the purchase of real estate as agreed with seller Gina Doughty located on the corner of North Main Street and Turner Center Road. Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

8 EXECUTIVE SESSION 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405 (6) (A): PERSONNEL MATTER: Mr. Terreri made a motion to enter executive session at 9:33 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to come out of executive session at 10:17 pm, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous, no action taken.

 

9. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned at 10:18 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted:

Sandra L Philipon

Assessing/Office Assistant