Town of Buxton
Minutes for September 2, 2009 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by Dianne Senechal
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Daniel T. Collomy, Robert C. Libby, Linda W. Pulsoni and Peter E. W. Burns.
Others Present: Keith Emery, May Schumacher, Robert Elwell, Steve Anthony, Lori Anthony, Peter Pinkham, Dennis Santolucito, Larry Miller, Olive Collomy, Jack Hanna, Scott Warchol and John Myers.
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes August 26, 2009. Approved 5-0.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – Chris Waterman -- introduced a potential part time employee
6:00 p.m. – David Anderson – discussed computer replacement
6:30 p.m. – John Myers – Update of what is happening in the Administration Office
- Email from Sharon Leahy-Lind, Maine CDC – Re: Update CDC Vaccination efforts
- Email from Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal – Re: Presentation on Excise and TABOR II initiatives will be held Wednesday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Biddeford City Hall
- Email from Maine Municipal – Re: The Department of Conservation has been awarded $11.4 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds for Wood-to-Energy projects
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby reported that he was working on what will happen to the taxes if the school passes and reviewing Public Works applicants.
Selectman Collomy reported he completed the roof for the transformer at the Public Works Garage.
Selectman Burns reported that the Selectmen had reviewed applications for the Public Works position. Selectman Burns also reported that the Selectmen discussed the options for fixing the water problems for the Public Works Garage. Grinding to correct the pitch is the first option and it will be done in one bay.
Selectman Harmon reported that the applications have been reviewed for the Public Works position and grinding of a bay at the garage will take place.
None
Tashia Geaumont and Chet Ouellette were thanked for cooking at the cook-out for the Town employees.
E.O.091009003 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate taxes for fiscal year 2008/09 in the amount of $297.00 for [Map 2, Lot29C-1]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009004 – An order to approve the hire of Michael W. Pulsoni effective September 14, 2009 at a pay rate of $14.79. Approved 3-1-1. Selectmen Collomy, Burns and Libby voted ‘yes’, Selectman Harmon voted ‘no’ and Selectman Pulsoni abstained.
E.O.091009005 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Greg Heffernan. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009006 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Michael Grovo. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009007 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for Fred Farnham. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009008 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 9, Lot 6D]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009009 – An order to approve the sale of the CEO vehicle for $100. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091009001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #10-10. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#10-10. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
MSAD #6 Referendum vote Tuesday, September 8, 2009 – Polls open at
6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Public Meeting in Biddeford on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 on the Excise Tax and
Tabor II issues.
Charter Commission Meeting Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, September 7th is Labor Day and the Town Office is closed. The Transfer Station will not be open on Tuesday, September 8th.
York County Community Action is accepting applications for heat assistance for Buxton residents through the LiHeap Program. To make an appointment call 1-800-965-5762 and leave your name and phone number.
- Public Comments and Questions
John Myers, Town Clerk, introduced himself to the public. He is the Town Clerk as well as the Office Supervisor for 5 full time employees and 3 part time employees.
John indicated that Jimmy Carter’s son was at the Town Hall the prior Friday doing genealogy. John provided information on when the polls open for the upcoming school voting, showed the public a new specialty license plate for animal abuse and reminded everyone the dog licenses are available starting October 15. The Town accepts debit and credit cards and there is a fee for the service. Tax bills will go out by the end of September and taxes are due October 31 and April 30.
Larry Miller a member of the school board stated that he was in favor of the September 8 Referendum. He stated that the projections for enrollment exceed the school’s capacity. The new school would improve the safety in the layout and efficiencies in the use of the gym. He stated there were many reasons to support the proposed building. The District will be saving over 6 million in interest. The debt service of the District is decreasing and will be reduced by 2011. If construction is not done, a third portable classroom will be needed very soon.
Robert Elwell asked Larry Miller if the school could be built without the purchase of additional land and if the school could be built if the referendum was held in November. Larry Miller responded that it was possible to do the renovation without the new land, but it would be easier to stage the work to the left of the building rather than behind the school building. Larry stated that if the referendum was held in November there would not be enough time to go out to bid in late January or early February to complete the project on time. There are Federal rules that have to be followed.
Robert asked about the CEO vehicle and the order to sell for $100. The Selectmen responded that they could get $100 for junk and the buyer was willing to pay that amount.
Robert asked if the Selectmen had heard anything further about Route 112. The Selectmen stated ‘no’.
Robert asked John Myers about cutting hours if the economy does not change. John stated that everything would be on the table if the economy does not change.
Scott Warchol stated that there is no doubt that the Hollis School needs to be renovated. He expressed major reservations on funding. He had concerns with purchasing land and he urged residents to think hard about the 12.9 million price.
Dennis Santolucito stated that people needed to think about the school in Hollis. Hoped people came out and vote. He stated that the State paid for most of the Buxton Elementary School and the 12.9 million may be a good deal but it is not free money.
Larry Miller reiterated that the referendum vote on Tuesday would be done through bonds and the amount would not exceed 12.9 million.
Scott Warshall stated that voting for such a large amount of money to design, review and approve was too short a time to handle appropriately.
Steve Anthony asked about the lot of land that went out to bid that the Town owns for back taxes. He wanted to know if it was going out to bid again. Selectman Harmon responded that the Selectmen had not discussed it.
Steve asked about the Old Town Garage and what would happen to it. Steve asked about the cost of the advertisement for Fred’s old car.
Steve asked what would suffer if the Town Office was not open 40 hours. The customers would suffer.
Steve asked about the Public Works job and if it was a new position. He was informed that it was a replacement position.
Steve stated that if the Hollis School was at capacity, no other plan was brought forth. He was not aware that the funds were available. Maybe the people that live in the School District make good salaries, but 35% are having a problem paying their bills. Steve stated that he wanted an alternative to the school plan. He stated that Buxton’s debt will be back to today’s level in 2022.
Steve also stated that he wanted to know the occupancy cost would be for the renovated building. No one could tell him the occupancy cost for the next 20 years as it will cost money to operate the building.
Representative Hunt stated that it is getting close to closure date for new legislation. He spoke about the tax reform bill and urged residents to call him with questions.
Olive Collomy questioned other towns that may need new schools in the next few years.
Peter Burns stated that the big project that he is aware of in the School District is the renovation of the High School which is projected at 36 million. That project is in the future and a date has not been established.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:10 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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