MONDAY JULY 6, 2009

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES

 

SPECIAL MEETING TIME 6:30

 

1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: Chairman Angelo Terreri called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Those present were Mr. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Richard Keene, Mr. Kurt Youland, Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Legion Post 111 Commander Ronald Hiscock, Harris Bradeen and George LePage from Post 111, CEO Roger Williams and several residents with interest.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mr. Youland requested a discussion regarding the Grange Hall be added as an Executive Session under Title 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405 (6) ( ). Mrs. Leavitt requested that the Pay Rate Order as signed at a prior meeting be added to Old Business at the request of Mr. Richardson.

 

3. EXECUTIVE SESSION TITLE 1 M. R. S. A. ss (405 (6) (A): Mr. Youland made a motion to enter executive session referencing Title 1 at 6:34 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:10 pm, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. No action taken.

 

4. EXECUTIVE SESSION TITLE 1 M. R. S. A. SS 405 (6) (F): CONFIDENTIAL POVERTY ABATEMENT: Mr. Youland made a motion to enter executive session referencing Title 1 at 7:11 pm, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:21 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. No action taken.

 

5. LEGION POST 111 DISCUSSION: Mr. Ronald Hiscock introduced himself as the newly installed Commander for Legion Post III and read a prepared statement. (See copy attached). Mr. Hiscock thanked the Board of Selectmen for taking the time to speak with him and Mr. Keene noted the effort is a good step forward for the Legion. Member Harris Bradeen was then recognized by Chairman Terreri and noted that the current and future effort is not only from the Legion, but the Sons of the Legion and the Women's Auxiliary as well. It was noted that the Legion would like to include students from the high school who are in band to assist and become involved with the various ceremonies held throughout the year. The Board thanked the members present for their efforts. No action needed.

 

6. BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD: Mrs. Leavitt reviewed the list presented to request balances carried forward from the 2009 fiscal year to the 2010 fiscal year as follows:

 

Administration: $5000.00 Rescue: $1,984.68, Paving/Construction: $165.56 Cemeteries: $1,400, Parks: $2,000, Contngency for the Unemployment Fund: $7,722.01.

 

Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the requested balances carried forward as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion. Discussion included an inquiry from Mr. Youland regarding the money for Parks and whether or not some of that could be used for the ground work at the property located at 2 North Main Street recently purchased by the Town, and it was noted that yes possibly some money could be used to complete the ground work. Mr. Youland suggested again that the building could be demolished as part of the Route 117 project and Mrs. Leavitt noted that her contact at MDOT didn't allude to that possibility. Mr. Youland suggested the Town doesn't rush the demolition of the building and speak to someone in Augusta regarding the possible inclusion of the property in the construction project. Mrs. Leavitt acknowledged Mr. Youland's request, however, she will begin accepting bids for the demolition of the building so the project won't be delayed. Noting no further discussion, Chairman Terreri called for a vote and the vote was unanimous.

 

7. MMA PETITION TO NOMINATE: Mrs. Leavitt referenced the nomination papers as provided by MMA for their Vice President, and the executive committee. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to have Town Manager Eva Leavitt choose among the candidates, Mr. Youland seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

8. TOWN MANAGERS' BUSINESS: Q & A WEEKLY MEMO: None. 8-2 YEAR END FINANCIAL REPORT: The Board requested highlights of the year end report, and Mrs. Leavitt indicated the Town could realize a 1.4 million dollar working balance, however, she cautioned there may be some adjustments after the Audit is complete. It was noted that revenue overall is down by approximately $184,900, and Mrs. Leavitt suggested that the Board take official action to lapse the remaining funds in the Town Office Building Reserve account in the amount of $63,355.78 and the Voting Machine account in the amount of $3,299.14 to the General Fund. Mr. Youland then made a motion to lapse $66,654.92 to the General Fund, which is the combined total, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. 8-3 DISCUSSION REAL ESTATE PURCHASE: Following an on-site review of the property located at 2 North Main Street which the Town recently purchased, it was determined the property should be secured by caution tape and also to board up the windows on the lower level. There was discussion regarding condemning the property which the CEO recommended, however, the Board must direct the CEO to take such action. Mr. Terreri then made a motion to have the CEO condemn the building located at 2 North Main Street, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. 8-4 REVIEW OF PERSONNEL POLICY: Mr. Richardson made a motion to table discussion until the 7/20/2009 meeting, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

9. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 9-1 DAM REPAIR PLAN: Mrs. Leavitt provided the Board with information out of the Maine Revised Statutes Title 38 as directed from Dana Murch which indicates that the type of repairs necessary on the Nezinscot River Dam doesn't require any inspection or any permit by rule prior to beginning the repairs. Discussion included noting that abutters upstream will be notified in advance before the water is lowered and, most likely August is the best month for this activity to take place. Mr. Richardson noted that Mr. Ralph Caldwell mentioned at a meeting held earlier that he would do the repair at no cost to the Town. Mrs. Leavitt will contact Mr. Caldwell. 9-2 PRO RATED BENEFITS: Mrs. Leavitt acknowledged that upon further review of the Personnel Policy she discovered that the third employee previously listed on the order isn't eligible for any pro-rated benefits according to the definition in the Personnel Policy. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the pro-rated benefits order as presented, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and discussion included a note that this benefit will be discussed in more detail during the overall review of the Personnel Policy. There was also some discussion regarding how the holiday pay is calculated for the part time employees; which will also be discussed in more detail at a later date. The vote was three in favor Youland, Keene, & Richardson, 1 abstained, Timberlake, the motion passed. 9-3 MDOT WEIGH STATION: Mrs. Leavitt noted for the Board that evidence was found from a 2007 Board of Selectmen meeting that indicated the Board of Selectmen opposed MDOT opening a weigh station at the former Rest Area on Route 4 just South of the Chick-A-Dee Restaurant. Mr. Timberlake noted that when the idea was brought up in 2007 the Planning Board reviewed the traffic patterns and suggested that having additional trips off and onto Route 4 at that location would be a safety hazard. Mr. Terreri made a motion that the Selectmen's opinion on a proposed weigh station remain as voted in 2007, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion, and the vote was three in favor, Youland, Richardson, Timberlake, and one opposed, Keene, the motion passed. 9-4 PAY RATE ORDER: Mr. Richardson requested that the Board re-address the action he initiated at the previous meeting and made a motion to amend his motion for the pay rate for the Assistant Chief to remain at the lower level as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

10. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Richardson had one question regarding a note made by him at the previous meeting and Ms. Philipon acknowledged that Mr. Richardson did make the comment as stated, which Mr. Richardson accepted. No other questions on the minutes from 6/15/2009. Mr. Timberlake reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Keene will review for 7/20/2009. Ms. Philipon presented a new Veteran's Exemption for resident Gary Brooks who has now been deemed 100% disabled and acknowledged the need for a signature on a Widow's Exemption for Martin Tracy's widow Florence. Ms. Philipon also presented two years' worth of abatements for the property recently purchased by the Town known as Assessors' Map 40-2 Lot 15. Ms. Philipon also presented an abatement request for the current year in the name of Jason Gagnon for a mobile home not owned by him April 1, 2008. Following limited discussion Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Keene seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405 (6) (D) UNION NEGOTIATIONS: Mr. Youland made a motion to enter executive session reference the above Title 1 at 8:30 pm, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:16 pm, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. No action taken

 

11A. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1 M. R. S. A ss 405 (6) ( ) REAL ESTATE: Mr. Youland made a motion to enter executive session reference the above Title 1 at 9:17 pm. Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:30 pm, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. No Action

 

11B. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405 (6) (A) PERSONNEL MATTER: Mr. Youland made a motion to enter executive session reference Title 1 at 9:31 pm, Mr. Terreri seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Youland made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:40 pm, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

No action taken.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Sandra L Philipon

 

Assessing/Office Assistant