Town of Buxton
Minutes for March 4, 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: Lori & Steve Anthony, Peter Burns, Dennis Santolucito, Dave Harmon, Peter Pinkham, Keith Emery and Robert Elwell.
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 25, 2009. Approved 5-0.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. Public Works discussion of equipment.
5:10 p.m. – Fred Farnham review proposed budget
5:30 p.m. – Greg Heffernan review proposed budget
6:00 p.m. – Tasha Geaumont review proposed budget
- Review of Correspondence.
- Letter from MSAD #6 School District – Re: School Budget voting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
- Email from Mike Edgecomb, Time Warner Cable – Re: Cable customers with a Motorola Digital Converter Box need to swap the box for a Scientific Atlantic Box by March 4.
- Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectman Libby reported that he has been working on Veterans Exemptions, Supplements and reviewing budgets.
Selectman Collomy reported he is making shelves for the new Town Garage.
Selectman Emery reported that he has been overseeing work on the Town Garage. The diesel fuel and gas has been delivered. There are some concerns with the air exchange units. The fuel canopy is nearly complete.
Selectman Harmon reported that she has been reviewing budgets. Selectman Harmon reported that the town spent $27,714 during 2008 for contract plowing work. To date in 2009 $13,872 has been spent for snow removal by private contract.
None
7. New Business.
Selectman Harmon notified the public that the Transfer Station has composters on sale for the back yard for $37.50 each. There are other items that go with the composter that can be purchased. If you are interested, please place an order with the Greg at the Transfer Station.
8. Executive Orders.
E.O.080903003 – An order to appoint Joan M. Weeman to the position of Registrar of Voters effective until December 31, 2011. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903004 – An order to appoint John R. Hanna, Jr. to the position of member of the Appeals Board effective until December 31, 2011. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903005 – An order to appoint Peter D. Leavitt to the position of member of the Appeals Board effective until December 31, 2011. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903006 – An order to approve 40 hours of vacation time for Greg Heffernan.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903007 – An order to approve a Supplemental Tax Warrant and Tax Certificate for [Map 8, Lot 24] for tax year 2008 - 2009 for Real Estate taxes in the amount of $985.05.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903008 – An order to approve a Supplemental Tax Warrant and Tax Certificate for [Map 8, Lot 24] for tax year 2008 – 2009 for Real Estate taxes in the amount of $129.25.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903009 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for
[Map 7, Lot 2-1]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903010 – An order to approve an Abatement for [Map7, Lot 26-1] for tax year 2008 – 2009 for Real Estate taxes in the amount of $375.21. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903011 – An order to appoint Kenneth Brislin to the position of full-time patrolman effective March 16, 2009 at a pay rate of $21.57 per hour. Approved 4-1-0. Selectmen Harmon, Libby, Collomy and Pulsoni votes ‘yes’; Selectman Emery voted ‘no’.
9. Executive Orders by Initiative.
E.O.080903011 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for Fred Farnham.
Approved 5-0.
10. Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080903001 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #35-09. ($47,907.48) Approved 5-0.
E.O.080903002 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#35-09. ($38,011.96) Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board.
Board of Selectmen Workshop Monday, March 9, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, March 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectman Harmon reported that the Board of Selectmen had signed the Silver Star Proclamation. Selectman Emery read the Proclamation.
- Public Comments and Questions.
Keith Emery asked if the Board had appointed members to the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Selectmen Collomy stated that 8 people had requested to be on the Committee and the Board will discuss the individuals at their Workshop on Monday, March 9th.
Robert Elwell stated that hearing Fred, Greg and Tasha would be a way for the public to hear the discussion on the budgets that took place in the Selectmen’s Office earlier in the evening.
Robert asked if the Selectmen had sent a letter to the District asking them to change the voting day on the School Budget. The Selectmen said ‘no’ as they felt the voting day was appropriate as planned.
Robert asked Selectman Collomy if he was getting paid for building shelves at the Town Garage. Selectman Collomy responded ‘no’. Robert thanked Selectman Collomy for donating his time.
Robert asked the Selectmen if the old cameras could be used in the Selectmen’s office to record meetings. The Selectmen said ‘no’.
Robert asked if the amount spent on the independent contractor included the use of his equipment. The Selectmen said ‘yes’.
Robert questioned the Supplemental Tax Warrant order. Selectman Libby reported that last week an Abatement on these two properties was done and this week the Supplemental was handled as the property was put in the wrong name.
Robert wanted to know if the Selectmen had contacted Representative Hunt regarding the use of Stimulus money on Route 112. The Selectmen said ‘not yet’.
Steve Anthony questioned the voting on the School budgets and the way they are split and stated that he does not like the way they are handled as turn out is down as a result.
Steve questioned the PSAP and if the Town could be a PSAP rather than using Scarborough. The Town is not certified and there will be no more PSAP’s per the State. The State wants only two PSAP’s. The Town pays $1 per person to use Scarborough.
Steve questioned the proposed basketball court and if had been approved by the shore land zoning. Selectman Libby reported that he checked with Fred Farnham and the Saco River Corridor Commission did not have a problem as it was not a house. The proposed basketball court will be built from a grant from the Narragansett Foundation if it is approved.
Steve questioned the plowing contract and if it was but put to bid. Selectman Emery reported that this person that is contracting for plowing has been doing it for several years. The cost includes the driver and the plow truck.
Steve asked about the Charter as it relates to contracts and conflicts of interest. Selectman Collomy stated the Charter is a guideline of the rules and regulations of the Town and it cannot contain all the State laws as they relate to certain subjects. Steve stated that he felt the Board had violated section 6.A of the Charter as they are not following the bid process.
Steve Anthony questioned the parking situation at Town Farm Park. Vehicles fill the parking lot and spill onto both sides of the street. He wanted to know what the Selectmen were waiting for the fix the situation. Selectman Emery stated that to alleviate the parking it would cost approximately $30,000 - $40,000 to clear an area and fill it in for parking. This was not the year to be adding to the budget. Selectman Harmon stated that the Town Farm Park Trustees are aware of the problem and when they come to a solution and bring it to the Selectmen they will review it.
Robert Elwell asked if the Selectmen are building in $30,000 - $40,000 in the budget for severance packages when people leave. The Selectmen said that they assess each situation and do not know what will come up next year.
14. Executive Session.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:03 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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