Town of Buxton
Minutes for January 21, 2009 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: Robert Elwell, Chief Grovo, Peter Burns, Dennis Sweatt, Bob Lowell, Lori & Steve Anthony, Carl Littlefield, Dave Harmon, Keith Emery, Peter Pinkham and Ed Heshey.
Public Hearing Liquor License Renewal – Buxton Tavern – 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Harmon opened the Public Hearing at 7:01 p.m. by reading the Notice of Public Hearing. Chairman Harmon asked for comments from the public.
Dennis Sweatt stated that he would like to see this liquor license application treated like the other applications that come before the Board.
There were no comments from the Board of Selectmen. The Public Hearing closed at 7:03 p.m.
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes January 14, 2009. Approved 4-0-1. (Selectman Emery was absent last week)
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
None
- Review of Correspondence.
- Memorandum from Dora Anne Mills, Public Health Director – Re: Notification of outbreak of Pertussis in York County.
- Memorandum from Maine Housing Counselor Network – Re: Notification of Foreclosure Prevention Workshop on January 24, at Casey Family Services 75 Washington Avenue, Portland.
- Letter from Gordon Billington, Standish Town Manager – Re: Requesting Buxton to join them to request MSAD#6 School Board to hold their school budget referendum on the same date as the June municipal election.
- Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectman Libby reported that the Town had received over 30 applications for the Public Works position and he had been reviewing the applications.
Selectman Collomy reported that all work is on schedule at the new Town Garage. He also thanked the Public Works crew for the good job that was done plowing during the last storm.
Selectman Pulsoni also stated that the roads were handled very well, they were open and safe.
Selectman Emery reported that he had attended the York County Budget Meeting last Wednesday night. He stated that the Meeting did not get off to a good start as the County thought they had $775,000 in the undesignated account and found just before the Meeting that they had only $125,000. The County was going to use some of the undesignated funds to offset the budget, but found they can not longer do that. They anticipate cutting out $155,000 for rural patrol. There will be another Public Hearing after the new numbers are in.
Selectman Emery also thanked Robie Wagner for his donation of heating fuel for the Buxton Community Food Co-op.
None
7. New Business.
None
8. Executive Orders.
E.O.080901019 – An order to approve a $150 per week stipend for Tom Kennie for extra responsibilities starting January 2, 2009. 5-0.
E.O.080901020 – An order to approve John Myers, Hiram Davis and Joan Weeman’s attendance to a Clerks Meeting and Elections Workshop. 5-0.
E.O.080901021 – An order to appoint William Nemitz to the position of Trustee for Berry Memorial Library effective until December 31, 2011. 5-0.
E.O.080901022 – An order to appoint Bonita Usher to the position of Trustee for Berry Memorial Library effective until December 31, 2011. 5-0.
E.O.080901023 – An order to appoint Sharon House to the position of Trustee for Berry Memorial Library effective until December 31, 2010. 5-0.
9. Executive Orders by Initiative.
E.O.080901024 -- An order to approve an application for a Class A Liquor License for Carl Littlefield and Robert Shepard d/b/a the Buxton Tavern LLC. Approved 4-1-0. Selectmen Harmon, Libby, Collomy and Pulsoni voted ‘Yes’; Selectman Emery voted ‘No’.
10. Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080901017 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #30-09. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080901018 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#30-09. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board.
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, January 26, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, January 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Reminder dogs must be licensed before January 31 to avoid a $15 late fee. To license your dog you will need a valid Maine rabies certificate and altering certificate, if appropriate. Altered dog licenses are $6.00 and non-altered dog licenses are $11.00 each.
Selectman Pulsoni clarified the $150 stipend for Tom Kennie. Tom is taking over duties performed by Lary Owen in the interim.
- Public Comments and Questions.
Dennis Sweatt asked the Selectmen if there was enough money to finish the new Town Garage per the specifications that were approved. The Selectmen said ‘yes’. They also stated that there was enough money to build the canopy for the fuel pumps. Dennis asked about the next meeting of the Garage Committee. It is scheduled for February 4 at 4:00 p.m. and Dennis can attend.
Dennis asked about the Rescue Subscription program and if it was available to for Hollis residents. It is not available to Hollis residents. If Hollis wants such a program they would have to institute.
Dennis commented that the amount the residents are taxed for their homes is not want they are now appraised for.
Dennis asked about the Dispatch service provided by Buxton. He would like to have research done and the real cost of running the Dispatch another way. Selectman Emery stated that the Gray Dispatch is facing a 64% increase this year.
Dennis asked about the amount of money which is rolled into the General Fund each year and where the discussion about the amount is done. The Selectmen stated that very little money is rolled back into the General Fund each year.
Robert Elwell questioned what the cost is of sending three people to the voting workshop.
Robert also questioned how many salaried employees the Town had. He wondered why salaried people have to show sick time as they are going to be paid as they are salaried. The Selectmen stated that sick time is tracked just like vacation time. Each employee earns 4.66 hours per month.
Robert Elwell questioned the three Fire Police men that were directing traffic for CMP recently and who will pay for that service.
Peter Burns stated that the Town gets in excess of $60,000 for Franchise fees for the cable network. The Town expends approximately $22,000 to the Access Center and the remainder of the funds go into the General Funds.
Steve Anthony stated that the Police Chief received one-half of her accrued sick time when she left. The Union Contract which discussed the time only covers the Union employees not the Chief. The Selectmen stated that any benefit that is available to the Union is made available to the rest of the employees. The maximum amount of time any one can accrue is 240 hours.
Steve questioned how fair was it for the employees to get .25 cents per hour raise when the Police receive 3.5% increase. Selectman Pulsoni stated that employees with the Town of Buxton are employees at will and they agree to take a job and get paid so much. There was not a crystal ball to be used when the Union Contract was negotiated.
Steve asked if the Selectmen had a list of “Shovel Ready” projects that Rob Hunt alluded to the prior week when Federal money is available. Selectman Emery stated that unless the project that needs to be done is huge and will involve a lot of manpower and money, it would not be considered in small communities. The money may go to larger communities like Portland.
Steve questioned the $150 stipend that was being given to the Foreman. He felt that the employee was already working and getting paid and $150 may be too much. The Selectmen stated that many of the duties being handled by the former Public Works Director were being handled by the Foreman now.
Chief Grovo gave an overview of the Audit that was brought up the prior week regarding the Dispatch area. The audit which was performed was an audit of procedures to make sure everything is handled according to protocol.
Robert Elwell asked if there was any area of Town where there was a higher rate of crime. The Chief said ‘No”.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:25 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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