MONDAY JUNE 15,
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 7:08 pm
and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Those present were Mr. Richard
Keene, Mr. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Kurt Youland, Town Manager Eva
Leavitt and several residents with interest. Selectman Jeffrey
Timberlake was absent.
2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt
requested an item be added regarding the most recent Solid Waste
Report from the Department of Environmental Protection, which the
Board agreed to discuss with the Town Managers' Business.
3. MDOT OVER WEIGHT PERMIT REQUEST: Mrs. Leavitt
referenced the document provided by the Maine Department of
Transportation (MDOT) which requests the Board of Selectmen grant
them a waiver to travel over any posted roads during the construction
of Route 117 (Turner Center Road) for the
duration of construction. Mrs. Leavitt noted that MDOT will be
putting the construction job out to bid June 17, 2009 and, it was
noted that previous requests for a waiver had been denied. Mr.
Youland expressed his concern that MDOT not travel Lower Street
but use Route 4, as there is the possibility of hundreds of trips for
this project. There was some limited discussion regarding the
possibility of requiring MDOT to post a bond that would cover the
costs of any damage. Mr. Terreri noted that if the Board signs the
document as presented it gives permission for MDOT to travel any
routes necessary at any time, however, it was also noted that the
Board of Selectmen have the authority to post the roads early. Mrs.
Leavitt cautioned the Board however that in order to post roads other
than during the winter months would require a Public Hearing prior to
posting. Additional limited discussion resulted in Mr. Richardson
making a motion not to sign the waiver as requested by MDOT, Mr.
Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Youland
requested that a letter be sent to MDOT regarding the Board's
decision.
4. ORDERS 1-4: 1-PAY RATES, 2-LONGEVITY, 3-FLEX
BENEFIT, 4-PRO-RATED BENEFITS: Mrs. Leavitt noted that the stipend
for the Health Officer and the hourly wage for Janitorial services at
the Leavitt Institute
Building will
both be less than last year. Mr. Richardson questioned the stipend
amounts for the Fire Chief and Assn't Chief
and whether or not those are paid out of the Fire Department's
Budget? Mrs. Leavitt confirmed those are paid from the Department's
Budget and it was also noted that $21,500 covers the Chief and Assn't
Chief's stipends and the payments to the Firefighters which are paid
in units at the end of the year. Mr. Richardson noted there is $500
difference between the Chief and the Assn't
Chief's amounts, however, Mr. Richardson also noted that it is his
opinion that the Assn't Chief does almost
as much work as the Chief and remains in Town during weekend hours to
ensure coverage is available. Mr. Keene noted that the Board of
Selectmen and Department heads held the line on all increases for the
next budget year. Mr. Richardson also questioned unemployment
benefits paid for the Recording Secretary for the Planning Board and
Mrs. Leavitt acknowledged that the Town of Turner is self insured for
unemployment and the Recording Secretary works a couple of different
jobs.
During the slow time of year unemployment benefits
are received and the Town of Turner
has a small percentage of responsibility for payment. Mr. Terreri
questioned the frequency of unemployment benefits collected annually
and Mrs. Leavitt indicated a couple of months out of the year.
Discussion then followed regarding this position being contracted
opposed to being treated as part time and additional discussion
resulted in Mrs. Leavitt being asked to see if a current employee
would be willing to do the recording for the Planning Board. Mr.
Richardson stated that the Planning Board has a Secretary, however,
Mrs. Leavitt noted that job doesn't include the recording of the
meetings, only the documents required to be filed. The Board
requested information on the annual cost of the unemployment benefits
for the recording secretary to be available to the Board prior to the
next meeting. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to approve Order 1-
Pay Rates with an amended amount for the Assn't
Fire Chief from $1,000 to $1,500, Mr. Youland seconded the motion and
the vote was 1 in favor Richardson, 1
abstained, Keene, 2
opposed Youland, Terreri, the motion failed.
Following additional discussion regarding the Assn't Fire Chief Mr. Terreri made a motion to
approve the pay rates with an amended amount for the Assn't
Fire Chief from $1,000 to $1,250, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion,
and the vote was unanimous. ORDER 2 - LONGEVITY: Mr. Keene made a
motion to approve the Longevity schedule as presented, Mr. Youland
seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. 4-3 FLEX BENEFITS:
Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the Flex Benefits as presented,
Mr. Youland seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. 4-4 PRO
RATED BENEFITS: Mrs. Leavitt explained how the pro rated benefits for
the part time employees is calculated and it was noted that the
Personnel Policy states these benefits to be based on an average work
week of 20 hours or more. The Transfer Station Attendants work 25
½ hours each week, however, the Part Time Office Assistant now
only works 16 hours each week since January, however, continues to
accumulate benefits. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the Pro-Rated
Benefit schedule as presented; however, there was no second and the
motion failed. Mr. Youland made a motion to table action on the
Pro-Rated Benefits, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote
was 2 in favor, Youland, Richardson, one opposed, Keene, the motion
passed.
5. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: 1. Q & A WEEKLY
MEMO: Mr. Terreri inquired if the Boy Scout would have supervision
during his project, which Mrs. Leavitt noted yes, it's required. Mr.
Youland inquired about paving White Birch Drive
and Mrs. Leavitt noted that yes Foreman Charles Poland is preparing
the road to be covered with cold mix.
5-2 CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT/FINANCE UPDATE: Mrs.
Leavitt noted there is an overdraft in Public Works by $504.00 and
Mrs. Leavitt indicated that the Transfer Station has $4,577 left and
may overdraft as well as BQMC. It was stated that by the end of June
the Town might see $6,000 in total overdraft even with certain
invoices being held until after July 1st. Mr. Richardson questioned
the overdraft at the Transfer Station and it was noted repairs to the
compactors were frequent and expensive during the past year. Mrs.
Leavitt requested permission to use up to $6,000 from the Contingency
Account to cover any overdrafts as of 6/30/2009 and, following
limited discussion Mr. Terreri made a motion to approve the use of up
to $6,000 from Contingency to cover any over drafts as of 6/30/2009,
Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.
5-3 SOLID WASTE REPORT: Mrs. Leavitt shared the
latest Department of Environmental Protection Report on the Solid
Waste Facility / Transfer Station and noted there were only minor
areas of concern from even one year ago. The Board was pleased with
the report. No action required.
6. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 1. INSURANCE
PROPOSAL: Mrs. Leavitt noted that her inquiry to the Peabody Company
provided information that they presently carry coverage for only 4
Municipalities, all in the northern portion of the state. It was
further noted that certain coverage amounts are not comparable to
what we current receive with the Maine Municipal Association
coverage. Mrs. Leavitt further noted that Peabody also has an aggregate
coverage amount in the event of loss and that the deductibles to be
charged are inconsistent. Discussion regarding the deductibles
currently in place with MMA resulted in noting the Town could save
some money by increasing the deductibles and, it was noted that by
simply requesting proposals for insurance, MMA has lowered our
projects premium costs for next year by more than $5,000, and it is
her recommendation to remain with MMA at this time. Mr. Youland then
made a motion to remain with MMA for the Town's insurance needs, Mr.
Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. 6-2 ANNUAL
APPOINTMENTS: It was noted that all persons with expiring terms have
been contacted regarding re-appointment. Mrs. Leavitt noted that for
the Zoning Board of Appeals, there is one vacancy due to a death and
that Mr. Sherman Varney hasn't yet been able to commit for another
term. Mr. Terreri read the list of appointments, see copy attached.
Mrs. Leavitt noted that Mr. William Flewelling
has met all the requirements to be the Health Officer for the Town,
and that the Town doesn't have an alternate Plumbing Inspector,
however, resident Harris Bradeen does inspect projects in Mr. Williams
absence and then writes a report based on the inspection to assist
Mr. Williams in the final inspection process. Mr. Keene then made a
motion to approve all the appointees as presented, Mr. Richardson
seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. 6-3 DAM REPAIR: Mrs.
Leavitt noted the Board requested this item be back on the agenda in
June for further consideration. Limited discussion regarding a plan
of action included a caution from Mrs. Leavitt that repairs of this
nature generally need to be done in steps and that the project may
need to be inspected prior to repair. Historical data provided Mrs.
Leavitt with a date in 2003 for the last inspection and Mrs. Leavitt
will research what steps need to be done for the necessary repairs.
Mr. Youland noted the repairs should be targeted during the later
part of the summer in August when the river is lower. As a follow up
to earlier discussions Mrs. Leavitt noted that the Town's Attorney
Skelton, Taintor & Abbott are
proceeding with the Real Estate Purchase as negotiated, and Mr.
Richardson inquired if there has been any response from the North
Turner Church
regarding the GAR Hall and Mrs. Leavitt indicated nothing received to
date.
7. CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from June 1, 2009
were deemed to be in order. Mr. Youland reviewed the disbursement
warrants in place of Mr. Timberlake and recommended their approval.
Mr. Timberlake will review for July 6, 2009. There were no Veteran's
Exemptions. Ms. Philipon did present two abatement requests for Mr.
Oliver Hyer from the Center Bridge Road
one for 07/08-tax year, which has gone to lien, and one for 08/09
year, and it was noted for the record that Tax Collector Eva Leavitt
was consulted regarding the status of the tax being un
collectible as billed. It was also noted that the mobile home has
been moved from town. The home was "on" property owned by Mr. Courbron
and the property has now been sold to a different party who has
placed a new unit on the property. The amount for 2007/2008 was
$73.71 and the amount for 2008/2009 was $72.52. Mr. Keene made a
motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Richardson
seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1 M. R. S. A. ss
405 (6) (A) PERSONNEL MATTER: Mr. Youland made a motion to go into
executive session at 8:46 pm, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion, and
the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson made a motion to come out of
executive session at 9:51, Mr. Youland seconded the motion, and the
vote was unanimous. No action taken.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1 M. R. S. A. ss
405 (6) (D): LABOR NEGOTIATIONS: Mr. Youland made a motion to enter
executive session at 9:52 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion. Mr.
Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:58 pm,
Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. No action
taken.
10. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned at 10:00 pm
Respectfully submitted:
Sandra L Philipon
Assessing/Office Assistant