Town of Buxton
Minutes for May 20, 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: Peter Burns, Larry Miller, Dennis Sweatt, Mike Grovo, Keith Emery, Robert Elwell, Jack Hanna and Scott Warchol.
Public Hearing – Secret Ballot Article – 7:00 p.m.
Selectman Harmon opened the Public Hearing at 7:03 by reading the Notice of the Hearing. Dennis Sweatt voiced his opinion that he is against a Town Manager as it is an expense the taxpayers do not need. Dennis stated that some of the arguments used for a Town Manager, like grant writing, will not help the Town as grants are no longer available.
Larry Miller stated that in November a large number of people voted on the non-binding question to change the Charter and he hoped the voters would turn out to vote on this issue. Larry stated that the non-binding question passed last November but not by a large majority – it was pretty evenly divided.
The Public Hearing closed at 7:10 p.m.
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:11 p.m.
3. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes May 13, 2009.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – Dora Clements, new Editor of the Buxton News. Discussion of the News and the Selectmen handled questions Dora asked regarding the News. Dora has met with Sarah Nash the prior Editor of the Buxton News.
5:30 p.m. – Connie Allen discussed an on-going issue in Town.
The Selectmen also met with some Trustees of the West Buxton Library to discuss some tree trimming.
- Review of Correspondence.
- Letter from Bob Moosmann, Maine Department of Transportation – Re: Starting May 18th the Maine Department of Transportation will begin treating selected guardrails with herbicides to control unwanted vegetation
- Email from Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal Association – Re: Update on Revenue Sharing
- Review of Projects and Issues.
Selectman Libby reported that there have been several legislative issues affecting municipalities and he has been watching the issues.
Selectman Collomy reported that the Public Works Department does not have to work on the beaver issue across from his home as the State is doing the trapping of the beavers and so far is successful.
Selectman Pulsoni thanked David Anderson for cleaning up the Vietnam Memorial. Linda stated that approximately 150 people attended the open house at the new Public Works Garage. Linda reminded every one that June 13 is the Annual Town Meeting.
Selectman Emery reported that he attended the last Twelve Town Meeting on Monday. The two items that were discussed were the Excise Tax and the Tabor II issue. The group decided that they would not fight the issues but would presents the facts and how these items would affect each community. Selectmen Emery stated that this was the last meeting of the Twelve Town group he would be attending and that some one from the Board should attend these meetings.
Selectman Harmon said that the open house at the Public Works Garage was a huge success and the facility will be open again during lunch at the Annual Town Meeting on June 13th.
None
8. New Business.
Selectman Harmon read a letter from Bo Kennedy of Deluca-Hoffman regarding the bid on the paving for the new Public Works Garage. The paving bid was $98,768.75 and $91,450.00 was credited with a difference of $7,318.75. The difference was used to shim and fine grading of the base gravel. The shimming and fine grading prepares the gravel for the placement of paving.
Selectman Pulsoni read several items regarding the Recreation Department. The Recreation Department is offering a Red Sox trip on July 27 for $75. There will be fall Soccer offered for $40 and sign up is June 4th. There will also be horse, soccer and tennis camps.
On June 29 the Summer Camp program starts. All fees must be paid in full prior to attendance. The Camp offers three field trips each week. Any questions call the Recreation Director, Tashia at 929-8381.
E.O.080905017 – An order to allow Fred Farnham to ‘carry forward’ 88 hours of vacation time to be used before November 16, 2009. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080905018 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for Fred Farnham.
Approved 5-0.
10. Executive Orders by Initiative.
None
11 Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants.
E.O.080905015 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #47-09. Approved 5-0.
E.O.080905016 -- An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#47-09. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board.
Public Hearing Victualer Licensing May 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Special Town Meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 7:15 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
The Town Office will be closed on Monday, May 25 to observe Memorial Day. The Transfer Station will be closed on Tuesday, May 26.
- Public Comments and Questions.
Dennis Sweatt asked what is left to be done at the Public Works Garage. Selectman Emery responded that paving is left along with loaming and the issue with the cover leaking on the holding tank. The Town will be doing the handicapped parking striping.
Dennis asked if the holding tank was supposed to leak as it was designed to separate the water from other material that may get into the drain system. Selectman Emery stated that the tank is supposed to be water tight and he believes water is leaking around the covers and he is working to put sealant around the inside and outside of the covers.
Dennis questioned the $10,700 bill for the light pole that was put up beside the fuel canopy. There was an amount shown for $750 for the light base and $2,500 for the pole. Dennis questioned change orders and how they were handled. The Selectmen stated that all change orders are reviewed by the architect and the engineers and the Board before they are signed. Even though one signature shows up on the change order, it is only to show that the Board has reviewed it and signed. All change orders were discussed at the monthly meetings that took place between the architect, engineers and the Board of Selectmen.
Larry Miller reported on items that have been made available to the School Board members. State funding for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 from the State General Purpose fund – 983M, 27M will come from the Stimulus funding. In the upcoming fiscal year 1 billion includes 17 – 18M more from the Stimulus fund. For the June 2011 fiscal year there will be a 55M decrease and in June 2012 there will be no Stimulus funds and it is estimated that there will be a 59M decrease. In the two years that follow there will be 114M decrease in funding.
Larry reported on the Governor’s proposal to have all high school students have a laptop. At the School Board Meeting Monday night the item was discussed and it was voted not to adopt the proposal. The alternative was to double the laptop carts for the high school, provide a lending library for the high school students to use at home. Larry indicated that enhancements at the high school have benefited from Stimulus funds and grants but will not cover over runs.
Linda Pulsoni stated that when she became a Selectman two years ago, each week the accounts payable would average $30,000 - $40,000 each week, but would jump to over $400,000 one week each month. Buxton residents should be aware that the school payment each month is in excess of $400,000 each month.
Carol Sanborn asked the Selectmen if any money is being held on any contracts for the new Public Works Garage. The Selectmen responded ‘yes’ there is retainage on every contract. The Selectmen stated that there is money left in the building account and $15,000 is still in the original account that was set up when the project was started. There is paving to be done and it is estimated that approximately $13,000 worth of work to be done, so $15,000 was requested to be voted on at the Special Town meeting to cover any overage.
Steve Anthony asked the Selectmen if it was legal for the Town employees to vote at the Annual Town Meeting on the salary article. Selectman Emery stated that the employees are taxpayers and have a right to vote just like any other voter in Town.
Steve asked how many full time and part time employees the Town employed. The Selectmen stated there are 32 full time employees and 6 – 7 regularly scheduled part time employees.
Steve stated that he felt a review of the Charter was over due and he supported the review of the charter and encouraged the voters to vote ‘yes’ on Article 3.
Robert Elwell asked if the tax property was out to bid yet. The Selectmen stated ‘no’.
Robert asked about the Change Orders for the new Public Works Garage and how those were actually handled. The Selectmen stated that each Change Order was discussed in the monthly meetings with the architect, engineers and the Selectmen. The meetings took place monthly at 4:00 p.m. in the small conference room. Minutes of all the meeting were taken and are available.
Scott Warchol introduced himself to the audience and stated that he watches the Meetings on television each week. Mr. Warchol stated that he is in the construction business and he has overseen over 200 projects worth several million dollars. He stated that a 1% over run on a job the size of the new Public Works Garage is a very acceptable amount. He praised the Selectmen for handling the job.
Representative Robert Hunt said that the open house at the new Public Works Garage was a fantastic idea. He said he could see the pride taken in the building by the employees who showed off the facility.
Representative Hunt stated that the Governor’s 5% cut in revenue sharing has been restored. Next year the Homestead Exemption will be a challenge. All next week will be spent on budget talks at the Legislature. By Friday of next week the Legislature expects to have a new budget for the next bi-annium.
15. Executive Session.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:02 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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