Town of Buxton
Minutes for April 15, 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: Larry Miller, Robert Elwell, Peter Burns, Dennis Santolucito, Tasha Geaumont, Keith Emery, Dave Harmon, Karen Conroy, Robert Mathews, Suzanne Lukas, Steve & Lori Anthony, Mike Grovo and Peter Pinkham.
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
3. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes April 8, 2009. Approved 5-0.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – Cindy Lozier had questions regarding the guidelines for the newsletter, what stays and what is edited out. She also had questions regarding hazardous waste day and the disposal of prescription drugs.
Randy Porter wanted to know the duties of a park trustee. He is interested in becoming a trustee for Town Farm Park and Estes Park.
The Selectmen discussed some lawn care issues, EMA Deputy Director.
The Selectmen also met with the Public Works Director to discuss a new light bar for the Town Pick-up truck and a tank for gas to use for equipment when it was on the road.
The Selectmen discussed the Health Officer and reimbursement.
- Review of Correspondence.
- Letter from Kathleen N. Ludgate, Regional Director 2010 U.S. Census: Re: Informative letter to resident of Buxton notifying them that U.S. Census employees will be visiting every housing unit in every neighborhood of our community
- Memorandum from John J. Sylvester, Twelve Town Group – Re: Meeting Monday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Waterboro Town Hall – discuss Great Works Regional Vocational School
- Chairman Harmon stated that the Town had received a letter from David Cole, Gorham Town Manager regarding the proposed Fire Station process. There will be no cost to the Town. The Town has responded to the Gorham Town Manager.
- Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectman Libby reported that he has been working on property tax cards.
Selectman Collomy reported that he has made a picnic table for the Public Works Garage.
Selectman Emery reported that he has been working with Bo at Deluca and Hoffman to get a punch list of outstanding money that is left to be paid to each party and items that need to be done.
Selectman Harmon reported that the Selectmen will be holding a workshop on Monday, April 20th at 6:00 p.m.
None
8. New Business.
Selectman Harmon read the question that will appear on the Secret Ballot regarding the Charter change. The Article will read:
Shall a Charter Commission be established for the purpose of revising
the Municipal Charter or establishing a New Municipal Charter?
Selectman Libby stated that he felt there should be a narrative with the question to state the intent of the question.
9. Executive Orders.
E.O.080904030 – An order to appoint Donald Warren to the position of Carroll Park Trustee effective until December 31, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080904031 – An order to appoint Sheridan W. Bennett to the position of Emergency Management Agency Director effective until December 31, 2011. Approved 3-2-0. Selectmen Libby, Pulsoni and Collomy voted ‘yes’; Selectmen Harmon and Emery voted ‘no’.
E.O.080904032 – An order to appoint Bernard E. Groves to the position of Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director effective until December 31, 2011. Motion made and seconded to table this Order. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080904033 – An order to designate a shorter time period for the availability of nomination papers for a Budget Committee Member for a Two year term of office, due to a vacancy per Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 2528, 4-E. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080904034 – An order to change the title name to the Town of Buxton for the following parcels of property: [Map 3, Lot 36 and Map 4, Lot 65A]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080904035 – An order to accept a bid of $300 from Robert P. Carrier for a parcel of land located at 73 Skip Road shown as [Map 3, Lot 36]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080904036 – An order to approve 96 hours of vacation time for Dianne Senechal.
Approved 5-0.
10. Executive Orders by Initiative.
E.O.080904037 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for John Myers.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.080904038 – An order to approve two poles to be located in a southwesterly direction for 1300 feet on the Chicopee Road to be jointly used by Central Maine Power and Standish Telephone Company. Approved 5-0.
11 Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080904028 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #41-09. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080904029 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#41-09. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board.
Board of Selectmen Workshop Monday, April 20, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Twelve Town Group Meeting Monday, April 20, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Budget Committee & Selectmen meet Tuesday April 21, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Nomination papers are still available from the Town Clerk’s Office for the following positions: One Selectman, six Charter Commission Members, three Planning Board Members, two School Board Members and one Budget Committee Member. All candidate nomination papers must be filed in the Town Clerk’s Office by 4:30 p.m. April 27th.
Reminder April 22 is Earth Day and several area businesses will be working to restore and prevent erosion of the trails at Pleasant Point Park. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. on April 22. Rain day is April 23. CLYNK, Aubuchon Hardware, Carter Design Group and Low’s Store will be assisting and providing Coffee, drinking water, wheel barrels, rakes & shovels and lunch.
Reminder Representative Robert Hunt will be moderating a discussion on the proposed tax reform legislation – LD 1088, An Act to Modernize the Tax Laws and provide residents of the State Tax Relief. Representative Linda Valentino of the Legislature’s Taxation Committee will also join Representative Hunt. The tax discussion meeting will take place at the Buxton Town Hall on Friday, April 17th at 6:00 p.m. Every one is welcome.
Suzanne Lukas and Robert Mathews provided a power point presentation of the MSAD #6 School Budget and Buxton’s share of the overall budget. Buxton’s share has actually dropped based on property valuation. A District Budget Meeting will be held on April 30, 2009 at the Middle School gym and voting validation will take place in each Town on May 5, 2009.
The presentation was followed with questions from the audience.
- Public Comments and Questions.
Keith Emery stated that two years ago the Comprehensive Plan Committee and the Charter Committee was supposed to meet to review the Charter. Keith said that this did not happen. The Selectmen stated that there are two different items being discussed here. The purpose of the Article that is going to be on the Warrant is to set up a Charter Committee to revise or establish a new Charter. This Committee is different from one that will review the Charter and suggest changes.
Robert Elwell asked about the light bar and gas tank that was requested by the Public Works Director. Selectman Harmon stated that these items were not in the budget. The requested light bar was $1,300 and was not a budgeted item.
Robert asked if the new Town Garage was over budget or under budget. The Selectmen stated over budget. Robert asked if it was hundreds or thousands. The Selectmen stated thousands.
Robert wanted to know about Map 4, Lot 65A and how was it going out to bid. The property is a buildable lot and will go out to bid like the last parcel of land and will be advertised three times in a local paper.
Robert said that he had heard a rumor about Route 112 and a rebuild. The Selectmen stated that they had not received an official letter indicating anything was being done other than a reporter had called asking about the road. The Selectmen stated that they had received a letter indicating that the road would be worked on in 2010.
Robert asked about the bridge on Route 202 and if anything was going to be done about the kids that are in the road. The Selectmen stated that the road is a State road. The bridge has no sidewalk and the Selectmen were told the last time they dealt with this issue that the bridge had another 50 years of life.
Robert asked if the budget for legal was over or under this year. The Selectmen reported that the budget was under. Robert wanted to know what types of things go to the lawyers. The Selectmen responded any legal suit, legal questions through the Planning Board, ordinance questions, contract questions and more.
Robert stated that he would like to congratulate the Board of Selectmen for their selection of Mike Grovo as Police Chief. Robert stated that he is doing a great job and he cares about the community.
Larry Miller stated that he would like to see an explanation added to the Secret Ballot Warrant Article to make sure it is clear.
Dennis Santolucito stated that he had read about Route 112 in the Observer. Representative Hunt and Barry Hobbins were quoted.
Dennis also stated that he felt the wording to the Ballot Article should have some explanation to give enough information to the voter. Dennis also stated that he felt that any person that is appointed to the Transportation Board for the east/west corridor should be some one that commutes that way to work each day.
Steve Anthony asked if the Board of Selectmen had authority to move money through by an Executive Session to pay for the losses to the Recreation Department from the General Fund. Selectman Emery stated that the losses were revenue not expenditures and the Town would not take money from one account to pay for another Town account. The amount lost will be written off.
Steve wanted to know if the Board had an amount that was ready to reconcile FY 2007 – 08 from undesignated surplus. The Board stated it would be about $61,000.
Steve wanted to know who decides now the warrant is written and the dollar amount that is requested. The Board determines the amount that is requested. The Warrant shows the highest amount not to exceed and the voters can reduce what is written on the Warrant. Steve felt the citizens should have the power to deny the department heads request on the floor. Steve felt that the only people that get to review the budget are the Board of Selectmen.
Steve expressed his concern about the upcoming item that will be placed on the Warrant by Secret Ballot asking the voters to vote for six Charter Commission members. Steve did not feel that any other wording should be added to the question as it was combining two different topics and that was not allowed. The Selectmen made it clear that any wording that was put before the voters would have to be approved by the Town’s attorney.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 9:03 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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