Town of Buxton
Minutes for August 6, 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: Keith Emery, Al Edwards, Peter Burns, Jeff Grinnell, Dennis Sweatt, Tom Kennie, Peter Pinkham, Ed O’Neil, Lary Owen, Dennis Stacks, Ruel Ricker, Carol Sanborn, Dave Harmon, Mrs. Gaumont, Lori Anthony and Steve Anthony.
Business Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Open Bids Re-shingling Town Hall Roof – 10 bids
1. David J. Deschaine, Installations, Inc. $64,528.20
2. Littlefield Construction $51,000.00
3. The Roof Doctors $49,995.00
4. L. R. McKeage $43,980.00
5. McKeage’s Top Gun Construction, Inc. $43,560.00
6. Purvis Roofing, Inc. $34,200 -- $3,600 --
(if Buxton supplies the dumpster & removal)
7. Flores Service, LLC $48,212.00
8. Mike Daniels & Co. $55,000.00
9. PZ Construction $47,500.00
10. Demolition Brothers Roofing $36,000.00
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes July 30, 2008. Approved 4-0-1.
3. Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
None
4. Review of Correspondence.
· Letter from Maine Department of Transportation – Re: Urban/Rural Initiative Program for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008.
· Email from Patrick A. Bonsant, Saco River Television – Re: Update on programs
5. Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectman Libby reported that he has been working with the tax collector on Personal Property.
Selectman Collomy reported that he has constructed containers for “Clink” deposits.
Selectman Pulsoni reported that the Selectmen had a workshop Monday night to discuss the Fire Chief position.
Selectman Emery reported that the Selectmen need to have an open meeting to discuss the interim replacement person to run the Police Department as Corporal Emery had left. Selectman Emery stated that the Selectmen had agreed at the time that Officer Pulsoni and Corporal Emery were put in charge of the day to day operations that if at any time one did not want to continue that the Board would go outside the Department and hire a temporary replacement to fill the position. Selectman Emery also stated that the Board had agreed to give a $150 per week stipend to each for taking on the extra duties.
Selectmen Emery stated that the Board should act now and not wait another week to contact an outside person to come into the Police Department and oversee the operation. Selectmen Harmon and Emery wanted to go outside the Department and hire some one to fill in; Selectmen Pulsoni, Collomy and Libby felt that a competent person was handling the position and did not see the need to go outside. After discussion, the Selectmen decided to make some calls to see who was available before making a final decision.
6. Old Business.
None
7. New Business.
None
8. Executive Orders.
E.O.080908003 – An order to approve an unpaid Leave of Absence for David Anderson from July 23 through September 3, 2008. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908004 – An order to approve one day of paid vacation exception for Charles O’Neil to allow him to use one day from his accrued vacation from the 2008 – 09 year. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908005 – An order to approve a $150 per week stipend for Michael Grovo and Kimberly Emery for extra responsibilities starting July 21, 2008. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908006 – An order to allow Tom Kennie to “Carry Forward” 23 hours of vacation time to be used before November 1, 2008. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908007 – An order to approve a Poverty Abatement for Case PA08-004. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908008 – An order to enter into a 3-year contract with Pine Tree Waste, Inc. for curbside collection and roll-off transportation services. Approved 5-0.
9. Executive Orders by Initiative.
None
10. Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080908001 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #06-09. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908002 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#06-09. Approved 5-0.
11. Next Meeting of the Board.
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, August 11, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, August 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
12. Other Business.
None
13. Public Comments and Questions.
Keith Emery presented a list of dates that the Planning Board handled the new Town Garage before the Planning Board and the length of time it took before a final approval took place. The Garage received final approval on May 22, 2006 from the Planning Board. In comparison the Hannaford project took 8 meetings and workshops and the new school took 7 meetings plus workshops before final approval was granted.
Keith expressed his opinion that he would like to see the Board stay in-house to fill the interim police position until a new Chief is hired.
Dennis Sweatt said that he supported the road crew and was embarrassed to say that it has taken five years to get the new Town Garage built. Dennis asked when they were going to start the building. Selectman Emery reported that the foundation will not be dug until Littlefield Bros.is ready to do the foundation. There has not been a definite date that the construction will start. The steel was different and had to be re-engineered and some of the others changes to reduce the cost have slowed the process.
Dennis stated that Buxton was obviously a training ground and the Police Department could not keep officers so why not do away with the Police Department and use the County and State Police to do the job. Dennis stated that he was tired of having the Police Department in turmoil and he would like to see something done to straighten it out.
Dennis indicated that the Police are parked together talking and not handling Town business.
Dennis indicated that his properties were on the market for one million dollars less than what they are valued with the Town. Selectman Libby told Dennis that he should ask for an Abatement as 2-two family homes were not increasing.
Selectman Emery stated that the residents should not assume the Police Department personnel are just chatting when they are talking as the officers have business to discuss that cannot be transacted over the radio.
Ruel Ricker read from a prepared statement that his opinion and observation and actions of the last couple of years some things are not for the better or the best interest of the Town. He stated that the Selectmen are voted into office by the people and the Board was not God or a super human dynasty elected by residents. He asked the Board if any of them had spoken to 25 residents to get their views before they voted. Mr. Ricker stated that there had been a large turn over of Department Heads and they were being micro-managed and their every move was being overseen. He felt the Department Heads were professionals.
Mr. Ricker stated that he felt that it would be wise to have a legal staff member present at all Selectmen and Planning Board Meetings to get an interpretation from the Town Attorney. Mr. Ricker felt that the Executive Session of July 30 was not legal and that the reason for the meeting was not clearly stated. The precise nature of the Executive Session and the specific cite must be stated.
Mr. Ricker stated that argumentative behavior and debate should not be tolerated and every one should be on a level playing field.
Selectmen Harmon and Emery stated that they felt the Executive Session was clear and legal as the Town’s attorney had provided information of how to go into Executive Session and the rule was being followed.
Mr. Ricker asked where did the 9 months of salary for the Police Chief come from. It appears to have been discussed in Executive Session.
Steve Anthony stated that the meeting in the Selectmen’s office before the meeting at 7:00 p.m. should be public and recorded and played on public television. The Selectmen responded that some people do not want to go before the camera and they should not be forced to present their concerns in public.
Steve also felt that the workshops should be recorded and shown to the public as the people approved this prior. The Selectmen stated that no workshops are ever recorded including the Planning Board and the Budget Committee.
Steve asked if the Chief’s severance package was one lump sum. The Board responded “yes”. Steve asked if the approval of the Executive Order for the Chief would have been the same vote if it had been in two orders. Steve stated that he felt the Board waited until after the new fiscal year to accept the resignation as there would have been no money to approve 9 months of severance pay at the end of the prior year.
Steve asked if there was going to be an advertisement to fill the open Police jobs. The Board stated “no” as they were waiting to fill the Police Chief position first.
Steve also stated that if the Selectmen looked at the cost of a Super on the job and the cost of fees the Town has paid Deluca & Hoffman and the contingency fees and engineering fees, a general contractor overseeing the work would have been less expensive.
Steve asked for copies of how much has been spent on the Town Garage for blue prints, engineering and design and earth work. The Selectmen stated that they would provide the paperwork through the Town’s Treasurer as she had all the paid requisitions.
Keith Emery stated that all workshops for the Planning Board are not recorded for the camera.
Peter Burns asked when new camera equipment would be purchased to show good images of the meetings. Selectman Harmon stated that any money left over will be carried forward and money should be available after September 1, 2008.
14. Executive Session.
None
15. Adjournment.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:50 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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