Town of Buxton
Minutes for August 20, 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: Dave Harmon, Peter Burns, Don Marean, Keith Emery, Robert Elwell, Larry Miller, Peter Pinkham, Steve & Lori Anthony.
Special Town Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
John Myers, Town Clerk, opened the Special Town Meeting at 7:00 and read the Warrant.
Hiram Davis was elected moderator of the Meeting. Article 2 regarding Title 36, Section 505, 1964 Revised Statutes as amended was approved.
The Meeting adjourned at 7:09.
Business Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes August 13, 2008. Approved 4-0-1.
3. Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. representatives of Deluca Hoffman, the engineers and Littlefield Bros. met with the Selectmen for a status report on the new Town Garage.
4. Review of Correspondence.
· Email from Representative Don Marean – Re: Weekly Update State Issues
· Letter from Richard B. Brown York County Manager – Re: Freedom of Information training will be held Thursday, Sept. 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the York County Court House for elected officials
· Letter from Fred Farnham – Re: Status of Dundee Circle Road
· Email from Jeffrey Austin, Maine Municipal Association – Re: Proposed 64% Increase in PSAP rates charged to municipalities
5. Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectmen Libby and Collomy reported that it had been a slow week for them.
Selectman Pulsoni reported that she had had discussions with several residents during the past week regarding things that are happening in Town. Selectman Pulsoni also reported that the new Recreation brochure of programs for the fall and winter has been published and is available for the public.
Selectman Emery reported that he attended the Eleven Town Meeting on Monday night. There was a low attendance. The discussion centered around some spending issues at the jail. The new Finance Director will make sure that the County does not exceed the budget. There was also a discussion of heating oil and how the towns are handling it with various programs.
Selectman Harmon reported that the re-shingling bids are being reviewed and a decision should be made next week.
6. Old Business.
None
7. New Business.
None
8. Executive Orders.
E.O.080908015 – An order to appoint Stephen J. Heroux to the position of member of the Board of Appeals effective until December 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908016 – An order to appoint Merton C. Waterman to the position of Berry Memorial Library Trustee effective until December 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908017 – An order to appoint Michelle M. Lohutko to the position of Animal Control Officer effective until cancelled. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908018 – An order to approve one day of paid vacation exception for Krystal Dyer to allow her to use one day from her accrued vacation from the 2008 -09 year. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908019 – An order to approve Tashia Geaumont, Dianne Senechal and Jen Barschdorf’s attendance to an MMA Wellness Conference. Approved 5-0.
9. Executive Orders by Initiative.
None
10. Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080908013 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #08-09. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080908014 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#08-09. Approved 5-0.
11. Next Meeting of the Board.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, August 25, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, August 25, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
12. Other Business.
None
13. Public Comments and Questions.
Larry Miller asked if the Workshop that is scheduled for Monday will be open to the public or will be an Executive Session. It will be a public meeting.
Larry Miller asked when the accrued sick benefit took effect and if there was an Executive Order to approve that item. Larry stated that this is an additional benefit and it will make its way to the Budget Committee. The Selectmen reported that the benefit is available for employees who have 10 or 15 years of service and leave employment. If an employee has 10 years of service they receive 33% of their sick time. Employees who have 15 years of service receive 50% of their sick time.
Representative Don Marean complimented the Selectmen on the Korean War Memorial and how nice the area looks.
Don also provided some details on a new law that was passed during the last session which is Public Law, Chapter 635 Sec. 1.36 MRSA section 6232. Basically this is a section of the law which was added to permit towns in Maine to create a citizen volunteer service program in exchange for property tax relief up to $750. Each town that wants to institute this program must adopt an ordinance and set up the guidelines of how it will work. Citizens age 60 and older are eligible to participate if the town adopts such a program.
Representative Don Marean also stated that the DOT should be starting very soon on the Turkey Lane/Route 112 intersection changes.
Peter Burns stated that he wanted to continue the discussion that Larry started. Peter stated that there were a bunch of mundane executive orders and the real items are not coming before the public for discussion, or public hearing or executive order.
Peter wanted to know if the sick time was given when some one left employment and how many hours are involved. The maximum number of hours involved is 240 that an employee can earn. When an employee retires or leaves employment they are eligible for the sick time.
Keith Emery stated that the loam that was put at the monument on Route 4A was donated by Peter Pinkham.
Steve Anthony asked if the employees always get the same benefits negotiated by the Union Contract with the Police. The Selectmen responded that all benefits that are negotiated by the Union are offered Town wide. The dental plan that was done for the Union was made available on July 15, 2008 to all employees.
Steve questioned the camera equipment which was a “carry forward” from 2007 for $10,500 and how it was used. Selectman Harmon stated that the $10, 500 was used for audio equipment.
Steve asked about the internal investigation of the Police Department that was conducted. Was it a financial or personnel investigation and did the Town’s counsel conduct the investigation. The Selectmen responded that it was a review of the Police Department and was handled through the Town’s legal counsel. The Town as a whole was not reviewed. Steve wanted to know who ordered the Assessment. The Board ordered the Assessment. Steve then asked each individual Selectman how they voted on the issue. The vote was as follows: Selectmen Pulsoni, Harmon, Libby and Collomy responded “yes” they were in favor and Selectman Emery responded “no” he was not in favor of the Assessment.
A discussion took place regarding what Selectman Emery said regarding whether it would be cheaper to go to County to have police/dispatch. Selectman Emery stated that he was not aware that he had stated that and wanted to know when he stated it. Steve Anthony said he thought it was Selectman Emery who had stated it, but he was not sure as it took place at a prior meeting.
Steve Anthony asked Selectman Libby what the Mill Rate may be this year. Selectman Libby reported that it should be ready by September 1 and is estimated to be about $10.
Steve questioned when the new Town Garage would be completed. He was assured that the employees would be in around the 30th of November.
Steve asked Chairman Harmon about the hiring committee that had been set up for the Police Chief position. Selectman Harmon stated that no committee has been set up yet, but they will be using a committee the same as for the hiring of the Fire Chief.
Steve asked why we would want to look outside the Town for a new Police Chief if we had quality personnel in house to fill the position. Selectman Pulsoni stated that the Town has capable people working for the Police Department and when Jody Thomas came to the Town she had been a Sergeant.
Selectman Collomy stated that he felt they needed outside help to fill the Police Chief position as the Board does not know what questions to ask and they would need help.
Selectman Pulsoni clarified her position that she did not feel the Town needed to go outside to fill the Police Chief position in the interim with an outsider. She felt for the short term qualified personnel were available. Officer Grovo and Corporal Emery were doing a good job handling the day to day stuff.
Larry Miller made the statement that the Town is an equal opportunity employer and everyone has a right to apply and all applications should be considered fairly.
Larry also stated that the Board’s process of making decisions should be voted on and the vote should be recorded and an executive order should be done. He felt the decision to do an additional benefit is something that should be done with minutes recording it and an executive order should be done. He also felt that when a collective bargaining unit negotiates something it should not be available to all town positions.
Robert Elwell asked the Selectmen when the letter to the DOT regarding Route 112 from Route 202 to Saco is done he would like a copy.
14. Executive Session.
None
15. Adjournment.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 8:07 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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