Town of Buxton
Minutes for March 12, 2008 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Dianne Senechal
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Clifford L. Emery, Robert C. Libby, Daniel T. Collomy and Linda W. Pulsoni.
Others Present: Steve and Laurie Anthony, Peter Pinkham, Greg Heffernan, Peter Elliot, Keith Emery, Olive Collomy and Peter Pinkham.
Business Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes March 5, 2008. Approved 4-0-1. (Selectmen Emery was absent for this Meeting)
3. Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – Mark Brown, NT & T – Discuss telephone proposal
6:00 p.m. – Peter Elliot – Discuss Indian Cellar insert
4. Review of Correspondence.
· Email from Patrick Bonsant, Saco River Community Television – Re: Optic Fiber break has been located about one-mile from the station in Hollis.
· Email from Dan Rose, Drummond Woodsum & MacMahon – Re: Employee Luncheon on March 25, 2008 covering employer topics of interest
· Legislative Updates from Representative Don Marean covering March 4 and March 10 issues
· Email from Tony Vigue, Saco River Cable Committee – Re: LD2133 Update
5. Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectman Libby reported that he has been working on valuation questions and the budget.
Selectman Collomy reported that Perry Sawyer has finished the repairs to the Salt Shed. A new floodlight will now be installed. Selectman Collomy also stated that new counters have been installed in the Police Department and the Groveville Fire Department. Molding will be installed to finish the job. Perry Sawyer looked at the roof of the Town Office and will give a quote for shingling the building.
Selectman Emery reported that the Town has responded to the DOT with road projects for 2010 – 2011. Route 22 from 202 to Rankin Road is the first priority and Route 22 from Buxton Center to Skip Road is the second priority.
Selectman Harmon reported that the Selectmen have been very busy reviewing budgets and held a Workshop on Tuesday to review the Public Works budget. The Selectmen have been invited to attend a meeting at SAD 6 Friday morning to discuss EDU 281 funding schools receive from the State.
6. Old Business.
None
7. New Business.
Selectman Harmon reminded every one that Maple Sugar weekend takes place this Saturday and Sunday at Snell’s Farm.
8. Executive Orders.
E.O.070803008 – An order to approve 2.5 hours of vacation time for John Myers. Approved 5-0.
E.O.070803009 – An order to appoint D. Ellen Angwin, Helen Betts, Robert W. Brandenstein, Sandra Brandenstein, Peter E. W. Burns, William L. Butler, Olive I. Collomy, Holly D. Densmore, Michael W. Densmore, Louise E. DiPaolo, Barbara E. Elwell, Cheryl L. Emery, Lorraine S. Estes, Sharleen A. Fields, Susan W. Ferris, Ruth Johnson, Janet B. Lang, Shirley L. Libby, Sandra P. Mergen, Kathy E. Miles, Stephen E. Nichols, Dianne Oakes, Barbara B. Pease, Burton W. Pease, Kathryn L. Peasley, Amber S. Pickard, Dennis B. Sweatt, Roland Tapley, William E. Thomas, Elizabeth C. Trueworthy and Sylvia W. Young to the position of Republician Election Clerk effective until March 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
9. Executive Orders by Initiative.
None
10. Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.070803006 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #37-08. Approved 5-0.
E.O.070803007 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#37-08. Approved 5-0.
11. Next Meeting of the Board.
Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
12. Other Business.
Reminder: Nomination papers for open elected positions are available from the Town Clerk on March 19.
Greg Heffernan, the Manager of the Transfer Station gave a presentation on the services provided by the facility. Greg showed the public a composting bin that is for sale to the public and announced that Buxton is considered by the State to be a very high recycling Town. Because of the recycling efforts of the residents, the tonnage that needs to be disposed of has reduced considerably over the past several years. Greg was asked many good questions regarding the Transfer Station and recycling efforts. His presentation was very well done and received.
Dianne Senechal elaborated on how she uses the Transfer Station and how she creatively recycles items that have been cast off by others.
13. Public Comments and Questions.
Keith Emery stated that the Planning Board has a Workshop Thursday on the proposed elementary school.
Peter Elliot questioned posting roads and the weight limits. Selectman Emery stated that Route 22 from Route 202 to Plummer’s Store has been posted by the State. If any one sees an orange sign for posting of roads, please pay attention to it.
Peter Pinkham stated that he had watched the Budget Committee Meeting of 2/26 and he questioned Selectman Collomy regarding his response to the use of the Park for Community Day. There may be a problem with ash residue. Peter also questioned Selectman Harmon on her response to the use of excess money from the Recreation Department and who had the authority to use excess money. Selectman Harmon responded that the Recreation Director should be consulting the Selectmen and the money should be used on recreational programs.
Mr. Pinkham also questioned the Selectmen if he paid his taxes early could he get a discount. Selectman Libby responded that the Town had a program like that already available to residents.
Mr. Pinkham also wanted to know how much the flags cost that are spread about the Town. Mr. Pinkham suggested that the Town implement an Adopt A Flag program.
Steve Anthony questioned the 1.8M that was put out to bond last year for the new Town Garage. Mr. Anthony’s first question pertained to the $740,000 bond anticipation note that was approved last summer. The Selectmen explained that the note was taken for a short term for the expenses that were incurred prior to approval to the $1.8M bond. The Town paid $9,900 in interest for the use of the money.
Mr. Anthony questioned the $167,890 amount that was used for incidentals. The amount covered permits, the architect, the site work, the well, and work done by Deluca and Hoffman and some for Emery Aggregates. Mr. Anthony stated that he felt the average taxpayer was not given a breakdown of the actual expenses of the project and the fees that have been spent. The Selectmen responded that Public Hearings were held and the Warrant was read several times outlining the expense and that the information was available at the front counter for the public to study.
Mr. Anthony questioned the condition of the Spruce Swamp Road and why didn’t it meet Town specifications for a road. The Selectmen informed Mr. Anthony that the Spruce Swamp Road has been around since the 1700’s and it did not have to meet any road criteria. The Road Ordinance is only used for new roads in housing developments that are being built. Mr. Anthony was also informed that the Public Works Director has just presented the Selectmen with a proposal for work on Spruce Swamp Road in the amount of $26,000.
Mr. Anthony questioned the 2.1M in surplus that the Town has for emergencies. Mr. Anthony stated that only 1.2M was required and the Town had almost a million that could be used for capital improvement projects. Mr. Anthony suggested Town Farm Park, widening the Road by Town Farm Park and maybe putting a metal roof on the Town Office as items that may be looked at. Selectman Libby responded that the Selectmen had met with the Auditors last week and that the Town has 2.1M in surplus and that is considered a 60 day emergency fund that the State recommends. The Town at this time does not have any excess funds and should not be looking for ways to spend.
Selectman Collomy told Mr. Anthony that the information presented was not entirely accurate and if he had something to discuss with the Selectmen he should make an appointment and speak to the Selectmen rather than presenting information to the public that was not entirely true.
Peter Elliot thanked the Selectmen for the information presented regarding the Town’s surplus fund and the 60 day cushion.
14. Adjournment.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:34 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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