Town of Buxton
Minutes for September 24, 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: Larry Miller, Dennis Sweatt, Peter Pinkham, Robert Elwell, Keith Emery, Peter Burns and Jack Hanna.
Business Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes September 17, 2008. Approved 4-0-1 (Selectmen Libby was absent for the 9/17/08 Meeting)
3. Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – David Anderson – discuss disability policy
Selectman Harmon reported that the Selectmen discussed a new snow blower and going to a quarterly newsletter.
4. Review of Correspondence.
· Email from Dan Rose, Drummond & Woodsum – Re: Lunch and learn October 2, 2008 at noon.
· York County Soil & Water Conservation District Press Release – Re: Intro to GPS Workshop on October 4 from 9:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. at the Alfred Fire Station
· Maine Public Health Alert from Dora Mills, Public Health Director – Re: Eastern Equine Encephalitis
· Email from Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal – Re: Use of Credit Cards to Process Local Government Transactions
5. Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectman Libby reported that he has been working on tax bills. The Selectmen will also be meeting on Monday night (September 29th at 6:00 p.m.) with the Police Chief’s of Gorham and Saco to review applications for the open Police Chief position.
Selectman Collomy reported that work on the roof of the Town Hall has been postponed until Wednesday (October 1) of next week due to the rain.
Selectman Pulsoni stated that she and Selectman Collomy attended a ‘Right to know’ training session in Alfred last Thursday, September 18.
Selectman Emery reported that he has been working on the Public Works Garage. The floors have been poured and the building will come next Monday.
Selectman Harmon reported that the easement for CMP to run the electricity for the new Public Works Garage will be signed this week.
6. Old Business.
None
7. New Business.
Selectman Harmon reported that Joan Weeman, Buxton’s Deputy Town Clerk, was awarded the Lorraine M. Fleury award last week in Bangor. Selectman Harmon read the press release announcing the honor.
8. Executive Orders.
E.O.080909023 – An order to appoint Joan E. Plummer to the position of Voter Registration Appeals Board, Chairman effective until June 30, 2012. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909024 – An order to appoint Dianne M. Senechal to the position of Carroll Park Trustee effective until December 31, 2011. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909025 – An order to appoint Dianne M. Senechal to the position of Keep the Heat on Program Committee member effective until December 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909026 – An order to appoint Patricia J. Chase to the position of Pleasant Point Park Trustee effective until December 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909027 – An order to appoint Chad E. Poitras to the position of Ancient Cemeteries Committee member effective until December 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909028 – An order to appoint Dianne M. Senechal to the position of Deputy Municipal Records Officer effective until December 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909029 – An order to appoint Fred Farnham to the position of Trustee to Pleasant Point Park effective until December 31, 2011. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909030 – An order to approve Tashia Geaumont’s attendance to a Website User Workshop. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909031 – An order to approve 32 hours of vacation time for Dianne Senechal.
Approved 5-0.
9. Executive Orders by Initiative.
E.O.080909032 –An order to increased the mileage reimbursement rate to 58.5 cents per mile effective September 24, 2008.
10. Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080909021 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #13-09. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080909022 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#13-09. Approved 5-0.
11. Next Meeting of the Board.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, September 29, 2008 at6 6:00 p.m.
12. Other Business.
The Visiting Nurses of So. Maine will be holding a flu shot clinic on Friday, October 24, 2008 at the Buxton Town Hall from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Hazardous Waste Day is September 27 from 10:00 – 2:00 p.m. A list of materials that will be accepted is available at the Town Office.
The Town is accepting bids for a 1993 Chevy School Bus. Bids are due by 4:00 p.m. September 30th.
13. Public Comments and Questions.
Dennis Sweatt questioned the method that was used by the Selectmen to put the non-binding Town Manager question before the voters at the November election. Dennis stated that he was required to go out and get signatures on any change he wanted in the past. He felt that the Selectmen had started a precedent and when any one else came to the Board in the future they would have to put the item on the ballot.
Dennis questioned how much a Town Manager would cost. Selectman Emery gave a detailed explanation of why the question was put before the voters for the November election and stated that it would cost approximately $100,000 for a Town Manager. That number had also been presented at a prior Selectmen’s Meeting.
Dennis asked to be provided the actual cost of the Police Department. He wanted the figure to include the Police, vacations and benefits. The Selectmen stated they would provide that information.
Dennis asked if the Police Department was running smoothly and what would be the role of the Gorham and Saco Police Chiefs in the interview process. The Selectmen stated that the two chiefs would serve in an advisory capacity only. The Selectmen could handle the administrative part of the interview but they would not know the questions to ask relative to police work. The Selectmen would have the ultimate decision on hiring the Police Chief.
Dennis stated that if the Police Department was running smoothly, why was a Police Chief necessary. The Selectmen responded that there needed to be one person in charge. The Department could run for awhile with no one at the top but not on-going.
Dennis asked how the new Public Works Garage was going to be heated. Selectman Emery responded that propane would be used to heat the facility. The usage and efficiency had been studied and it was recommended that propane be used.
Peter Burns asked what the rule was for a Police Officer to drive erratically. Peter described a police vehicle that he had followed at 5:30 a.m. and the driving of the officer and wanted to know who was driving.
Robert Elwell stated that at the end of August he had written to the DOT about the Route 112 road situation and had gotten a letter that it was up to the municipality to make a request. Robert stated that he had gotten an answer and wondered if the Town had a response. The Town had not received a response.
Robert also stated that he agreed with Dennis Sweatt that any item that went on the ballot should go through a petition process.
14. Executive Session.
None
15. Adjournment.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:55 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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