Town of Buxton
Minutes for February 25, 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: Dennis Sweatt, Keith Emery, Claudine Emerson, Butch York, Chief Grovo, Olive Collomy, Peter Burns, Larry Miller, Robert Elwell and Peter Pinkham
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes February 18, 2009. Approved 5-0.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. Chief Grovo – In Executive session per 1MRSA 405 6(A) at 5:03 p.m. and out at 5:47 p.m. In Executive session per 1MRSA 405 6(A) at 5:48 p.m. and out at 6:06 p.m.
Other discussions: Health Officer will be appointed, Town owned property to sell and the new Town Garage is almost complete.
- Review of Correspondence.
- Email from Silver Star Families of America – Re: Asking towns and cities to sign a proclamation declaring May 1, 2009 a day to show appreciation and honor for our wounded military veterans
- Notice to Town Officials and Planners – Re: Water Resources Planning Committee meeting March 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Sanford Town Hall
- Email from Daniel Rose, Drummond & Woodsum – Re: Significant changes to the COBRA rules for employers as a result of the stimulus package enacted February 17, 2009
- Review of Projects and Issues.
The Selectmen reported they are reviewing budgets.
Selectman Collomy reported that the compressor has been moved to the new Garage. The fuel canopy is continuing with the roof going on.
Selectman Emery reported that he has been working with the provider to get gas and diesel fuel delivered next Tuesday. A demo of the gas tank and how to use will take place next week.
Selectman Harmon reported that there will be a Workshop next Monday, March 2 to review the Fire/Rescue budge and the Code Office.
None
7. New Business.
The Town will be submitting a grant request to the Narragansett Foundation for a basketball court at the old Rogers Fibre Mill property.
8. Executive Orders.
E.O.080902018 – An order to appoint Jason McClure to the position of full-time Police Officer effective March 9, 2009 at a rate of $21.57 per hour. Approved 4-1-0. Selectmen Harmon, Libby, Collomy and Pulsoni voted ‘yes’; Selectman Emery vote ‘no’.
E.O.080902019 – An order to allow John Myers to Carry Forward of 45 hours of vacation time to be used before June 4, 2009. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080902020 – An order to approve Bruce Mullen’s attendance to an ICS 300 Workshop.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.080902021 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for Map 15, Lot 45.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.080902022 – An order to approve an Abatement for [Map 8, Lot 22A] for tax year
2008 – 2009 for Real Estate taxes in the amount of $129.25. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080902023 – An order to approve an Abatement for [Map 8, Lot 24] for tax year
2008 - 2009 for Real Estate taxes in the amount of $985.05. Approved 5-0.
9. Executive Orders by Initiative.
E.O.080902024 – An order to award the bid for Town Farm Park lawn mowing to West Property Management at a cost of $3,400.
10. Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080902016 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #34-09. ($106,544.93) Approved 5-0.
E.O.080902017 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#34-09. ($33,029.34) Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board.
Planning Board Workshop Monday, March 2, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, March 2, 2009 at 5:50 p.m.
Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Appeals Board Meeting Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectman Harmon reported that the new cameras will be installed Thursday.
- Public Comments and Questions.
Chief Grovo reported that the last stray puppy was caught this week. The Animal Control Officer is working hard to catch the mother, but she is very street wise and it may be hard to catch this dog.
Dennis Sweatt questioned why Selectman Emery voted ‘no’ on the Police Officer. Selectman Emery stated he had his own reasons.
Dennis wanted to know if the independent person that plows for the Town is in the Budget. He questioned why this item did not go out to bid and who pays for the repair of his equipment. The Selectmen replied that the person that plows for the Town owns his own equipment and only gets paid when he works. This person has been plowing for the Town for several years. If there is an equipment breakdown, the Town may assist, but the Town does not pay for parts.
Dennis would like to be informed of how much it costs the Town to pay the person and how much has been paid during the last year.
Dennis feels that property in Buxton is over appraised as the price of homes and property is dropping. Selectman Libby stated that the tax rate is based on how much money is needed to run the Town. If the appraised price of property is dropped, the mill rate would have to go up to compensate for the drop due to property valuation. The end result is that the tax bill would be exactly the same.
Dennis asked where the 911 calls go. The Selectmen responded the calls go to the Scarborough PSAP center and then are forwarded to Buxton. There are a limited number of PSAP centers dictated by the State. Scarborough gets a fee for handling the calls and it is $1 per resident.
Dennis questioned the pick up truck that was in an accident and totaled. He wanted to know why it was still being driven. The Selectmen stated that the truck had some exterior body damage and was still mechanically safe to drive. The vehicle will be fixed to pass inspection.
Keith Emery reported that the Planning Board will be holding a Workshop on Monday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Ordinance changes.
Claudine Emerson, the new Librarian at Berry Memorial Library, introduced herself and reported that she has been working at the Library since July of 2008 and wanted to bring the public up to date on the changes that have taken place at the Library. Approximately 60 – 75 new books have been purchased and added to the collection. Several new releases have been purchased. Claudine reported that the Library needs a bathroom and will be applying for grants. The Library now has a computer with Wifi connection and a printer is also available at 20 cents per page.
Larry Miller commented on the valuation and tax rate. Larry stated that the Comprehensive Plan and the State valuation numbers do not match. A good source of information on the tax valuations is on the MMA website. Selectman Libby stated that the State figures are 1 to 1 ½ years behind.
Larry also commented on the private plowing contract. He felt it was better to hire contractors for winter plowing than to own the vehicle which may not be used during the summer months. Selectman Harmon reminded the public that the contractor only gets paid when he works. Selectman Emery stated that Standish uses three methods of getting the winter maintenance done. The Town owns equipment and has a Public Works Department, has two contracts and hires and has a contractor for plowing work only when work is performed.
Robert Elwell stated that the Stimulus Package has money that would go to repaving the 295 Brunswick to Gardner road. He felt that the Selectmen should at least request that Route 112 from 202 to Saco be considered as a project for the State. The Selectmen should ask our legislators to assist.
Robert asked about the Hollis portion of the Dispatch expense. It is a percentage of the total cost.
Robert stated that there is a basketball court at Weymouth Park and didn’t feel that another one was needed so close. The Selectmen stated that the proposed court would not be built with taxpayer dollars, a grant is being requested.
Robert asked about a revaluation of Buxton property. He felt the only fair way to do an valuation would be to do a ‘walk through’ of all Buxton property. The Selectmen stated that there are different levels on revaluations and a complete revaluation would cost about $200,000.
14. Executive Session.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:47 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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