MONDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES

 

7:00 PM

 

 

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, Mr. Dennis Richardson, Mr. Richard Keene, Mr. Jeffrey Timberlake, Town Manager Eva Leavitt, Code Enforcement Officer Roger Williams and several residents with interest.

 

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Leavitt requested an item be added to discuss the vacant lot abutting the Town Pit. The Board agreed to discuss this as item 5A.

 

3. PUBLIC HEARING - AUTOMOBILE GRAVEYARD/JUNKYARD LICENSE RENEWAL: Mr. Keene made a motion to open the public hearing at 7:01 pm, Mr. House seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Williams provided the Selectmen with pictures taken at each location on 9/20/2010. There are 7 applications for renewal and the Board took time to review all the pictures provided. QUIMBY LESTER 38 QUIMBY ROAD: Mr. Keene questioned if the materials requested to be moved at renewal time last year were still off site. Williams and Mr. Quimby acknowledged yes. Mr. Richardson made a motion to approve the renewal license application for Mr. Lester Quimby, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. WILLIAMS DOROTHY - 350 Cobb Road: Mr. Williams noted that there are some oil drums that need to be pumped out and Dorothy Williams and Ron Trepanier were present and noted they will be pumped. Mrs. Leavitt inquired about a time limit for the barrels to be emptied, and it was determined that a month would be enough time. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the renewal license for Williams, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. SPEAR GEORGE 6 BATES ROAD: Mr. Williams explained that Mr. Spear does little recycling of the junk and has kept his licensing current. Mr. Keene noted a shed on the property that should be torn down, as it could be a fire hazard. Mr. Keene did note that overall the yard doesn't look that bad. A question was raised regarding the older home on the property and, it was noted that the older home is vacant. There was another question regarding exactly where Mr. Spear's junkyard is located on his property. Once that was defined to the Board, Mr. Spear was asked to move an existing camper behind the fence. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the auto graveyard/junkyard license conditionally with a 30-day limit to move the existing camper behind the fence. Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Keene noted that additional efforts need to be made to remove unsafe items as well.

 

HEIKKINEN THOMAS - HECK'S AUTO - 308 FERN STREET: Mr. Keene inquired if there were any issues at this site and Mr. Williams noted no problems. Mr. Keene noted that Heck's has worked hard to maintain the appearance. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the renewal license for Heck's Auto, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson then excused himself from the table due to the fact that he is related to the next applicant, RICHARDSON DAVID - 1630 AUBURN ROAD: The Board had only one question regarding the Auburn Road yard which was to determine where exactly the yard is located. Williams noted the location is at 1630 Auburn Road at the back part of the lot. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the license for Richardson's Auburn Road location, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. RICHARDSON DAVID - 140 HARLOW HILL ROAD: No noted issues with this site, Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the renewal application, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson returned to the table. WALKER JESSE - COUNTY ROAD: Mr. Williams noted that Mr. Walker has taken care of the tires he had and there were no problems with this site. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the renewal license, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson made a motion to close the public hearing at 7:24 pm, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

Mr. Lester Quimby was recognized and inquired about a State Law that requires municipalities to provide a stump dump for residents and asked if the Town would look into it. Mr. Quimby noted the question was brought up as a result of an inquiry from the Department of Environmental Protection who questioned a resident of Sumner regarding the availability of a stump dumpsite. The Board agreed to have the Town Manager inquire.

 

4. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1 M. R. S. A. ss 405(6)(A) - PERSONNEL MATTER: Mr. Terreri made a motion to enter executive session citing the previous title at 7:26 pm, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Richardson then made a motion to appoint Frances Rodgers to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to enter executive session for the same title at 7:30 pm, Mr. Keene seconded and the vote was three in favor, House, Timberlake and Keene. Mr. Richardson did not re-enter the 2nd executive session due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:50 pm, Mr. House seconded the motion and there was no action taken at this time and requested additional information.

 

Mr. Richardson then made a motion to take item 6-3 NEZINSCOT RIVER DAM out of order to allow discussion with EMA Director Ross Gagne, Mr. Timberlake seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mrs. Leavitt noted that the National Guard isn't able to assist with the dam at this time and suggested the town contact an engineering firm to assist. Mrs. Leavitt noted that Kleinschmit did an assessment of the dam in 2003 and no work has been done since that time. Mrs. Leavitt provided pictures of the areas of concern and it was noted that there is some vegetation growing through some of the cracks that should be removed. Using a spray to remove the vegetation was discussed and Mr. Timberlake assured the Board that using a product like Round up won't hurt the river and a permit isn't necessary.

Mr. Gagne noted that the sleuth way has some visible leaks and by removing some of the boards known as pin stock to lower the water level is the only way to see and assess the damage. It was suggested this be done which will lower the water level more and allow better investigation Mr. Timberlake, Mr. Gagne and Mr. Terreri will meet on the dam around 1:00 pm on Tuesday 9/21/2010 to remove another pin stock plank and whatever debris can be removed, and make a plan from there.

 

5A. LOT ABUTTING THE TOWN PIT: Mrs. Leavitt was asked if the Town would consider an easement over the Town Pit lot to allow an abutting property owner access to his lot; which has no deeded access. Mrs. Leavitt noted for the Board that a vote at Town Meeting would be required to give permission to the Board to make such a decision. The Board was not favorable to the idea.

 

6. TOWN MANAGER'S BUSINESS: 6-1 Q & A MEMO: Mr. Keene noted that the Town Office will be a site for collection of any unused prescription drugs on Saturday September 25th. Mr. Richardson questioned if wood cut by the Town could be sold. 6-2 TREE LENGTH FIRE WOOD: Mrs. Leavitt noted the town has some wood that is tree length and was seeking direction from the Board as to what to do with it if anything. Mr. Timberlake suggested there might be people in Town that could use it as fuel for winter. Mrs. Leavitt noted there isn't much there and Mr. Terreri suggested a raffle. Mr. Keene asked about Rural Community Action Ministry (RCAM) and suggested that if they are willing to cut it themselves, they could have it to assist a family this year. Mr. Timberlake made a motion to offer the wood to RCAM as mentioned, Mr. House seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. House then noted a couple of maintenance issues at the GAR Hall in North Turner and the Community House that are currently being addressed. 6-3 NEZINSCOT RIVER DAM: Previously discussed. 6-4 TOWN MANAGER VACATION TIME REQUEST: Mrs. Leavitt requested time in November as follows 11/17, 11/18 & 11/19, 11/22, 11/23 & 11/24. It was then noted that Thanksgiving Day is 11/25 and Mrs. Leavitt has already received two requests from Administration employees and two from Highway for time on Friday 11/26/2010. In anticipation of other employees also requesting the day after Thanksgiving off, Mrs. Leavitt is requesting permission for the Town Office to be closed, noting that the Board of Selectmen removed the Friday after Thanksgiving from the acknowledged holidays observed. Discussion included noting that if the Town Office were closed on the day after Thanksgiving then Mrs. Leavitt would be using (7) vacation days. Mr. Richardson made a motion to approve the vacation time requested with the day after Thanksgiving, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Terreri made a motion to allow the Town Office to be closed the day after Thanksgiving, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and discussion included noting that Highway and Rescue should look at their departments respectively, the vote was unanimous.

 

7. CONSIDERATION OF ANY OLD BUSINESS: 7-1 INTERNET POLICY: Mrs. Leavitt noted that all changes were made as requested, Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the Internet Policy as amended, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 7-2 PURCHASING POLICY: The Board did extensive review of this policy regarding minimum purchase amounts and prior approval. Proposed changes will be inserted as requested and re-addressed at the next meeting.

 

7-3 PERSONNEL POLICY: The Board reviewed the recommended wording changes provided by legal counsel and agreed with most all of the recommendations - Mrs. Leavitt will type the proposed amended policy with the recommended changes for further review at the next meeting. 7-4 DRUG FREE WORKPLACE POLICY: The Board reviewed the recommended changes and Mr. Timberlake made a motion to approve the Drug Free Workplace Policy as submitted, Mr. Keene seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

8. CONSENT AGENDA: The minutes from 8/16/2010 were deemed to be in order. Mr. Keene reviewed the disbursement warrants and recommended their approval. Mr. Richardson will review for 10/4/2010. There were no Veteran's Exemptions or Abatements or Supplements. Mr. Keene made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

9. ADJOURNMENT: The Board adjourned by mutual consent at 9:55 pm

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Sandra L Philipon

 

Assessing/Office Assistant