Town of Buxton
Minutes for September 30, 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: Lori & Steve Anthony, Jack Hanna, Peter Pinkham, Keith Emery, Mike Grovo and Maurice Morneault.
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 23, 2009. Approved 5-0.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m. – Mike Grovo informed the Selectmen on what is happening in the Police and Dispatch Department.
The Selectmen discussed the Excise Tax question.
- Email from Sharon Leahy-Lind, York District Public Health – Re: York District Flu Vaccine Weekly Summary
- Email from Sharon Leahy-Lind – Re: First Shipments of H1N1 Vaccine
- Email from Jeff Austin, Maine Municipal – Re: Energy Efficiency Grant Program. Efficiency Maine is requesting applications for Municipal and County energy efficiency and conservation projects from local and county governments
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby reported the Tax Bills went out last week. There have been phone calls and questions from the public. The Homestead and Veterans Exemptions all remain the same as last year.
Selectman Collomy reported that last Friday the contractor started grinding on one of the bays at the Public Works Garage. About half of the bay was finished before the contractor suffered an accident. The section of the bay that was ground seems to have worked fine during the rain storm this past week.
Hazardous Waste Day seemed to go smoothly last Saturday. The event may have gone over the budgeted amount of $10,000, but the final figures are not yet available.
Selectman Burns reported he has been working on the Carry Forwards and prepared an article for the Buxton News on the Excise Tax Initiative, question 2 on the November ballot.
Selectman Pulsoni reported that the proposed new Fire Station between Gorham and Buxton
was declined. If approved, the station would have been built with stimulus money.
Selectman Harmon reported the Selectmen have received comments regarding the notice that was included in the Tax Bills regarding the Excise Tax question. She also reported that letters have been sent to the members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee for an organizational meeting on October 13. Members that have been appointed to the Committee include Larry Miller, Caroline Segella, William York, Cliff Thomas and Mike Robinson.
None
There will be a Selectmen’s Workshop on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
E.O.091009026 – An order to approve 6 hours of vacation for Fred Farnham.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009027 – An order to approve John Myers’ attendance to the MMA Convention. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009028 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate taxes for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $128.70 for [Map 7, Lot 26D]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009029 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate taxes for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $85.14 for [Map 10, Lot 43-19]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009030 – An order to approve an Abatement for Personal Property for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $5.94 for Case No. 17. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009031 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate taxes for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $380.16 for [Map 9, Lot 9]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009032 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate taxes for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $578.16 for [Map 4, Lot 48D]. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091009024 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #14-10. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091009025 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#14-10. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, October 5, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications are available at the Town Hall in person, by phone or on line at the following address: http://www.maine.gov:80/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. The Town of Buxton is one of several Municipalities accepting applications via email from its registered voters and to do so the application at the website listed above must be utilized. Absentee ballots can also be mailed out at the request of the voter by calling the Town
Clerk’s Office at 929-6171.
York County Community Action is taking applications for fuel assistance through the LiHeap Program. Applicants must pay their own heat and not live in subsidized housing. To make an appointment, call 1-800-965-5762.
The Visiting Nurses will be hosting a Flu Shot Clinic at the Buxton Town Office on Friday, October 23 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Public Comments and Questions
Mike Grovo stated that the new antenna that has been placed on the tower is up and is performing very well. The old antenna is on the ground and being assessed for re-use.
He informed the public that the Town now has a full-time Animal Control Officer to handle animal complaints. Cases regarding animals that go to court are now putting money back into the Town.
Chief Grovo stated that a raccoon was discovered with rabies and it entered a house while the owner was having coffee. The raccoon attacked a porcupine and a skunk and was killed. The Chief reminded the public that if they see a raccoon during the day, to please stay away from it and call Animal Control. He reminded everyone to make sure their animals have their shots up-to-date.
Chief Grovo stated that there are three open positions in the Police Department. The Chief is in the hiring process to fill the positions. The first phase of the hiring process is to review the applications and select the best qualified candidate to interview. Next an interview is conducted and then a background check, medical, psychological and polygraph evaluation is done.
The Chief stated that he has obtained a grant to conduct seat belt and OUI patrols. The work will be performed and then reimbursement will take place. The Chief encouraged everyone to use seat belts.
Chie Grovo stated that the 911 system was down for a short period of time and he has called Fairpoint to find out exactly what happened. He has also been in contact with the PUC to find out the exact cause and to make sure the system is working correctly. He reminded the public to please do not call 911 unless the call is a true emergency.
The Chief stated that the new cruiser that was purchased in August is back and needs to be set up with a new camera.
The Chief thanked Scarborough, Gorham, Saco and the York County Sheriff Department for assisting the Buxton Police Department.
Maurice Morneault stated that he had written the Board of Selectmen and they had not read his correspondence as he had asked. He said that if the Town of Buxton did not have enough money to run the Town they needed to cut positions. He also stated that the Town has several cruisers that are lined up and every time he goes to the Transfer Station he gets charged a different amount.
Steve Anthony asked about question 2 on the November ballot. Steve was informed that it was a State wide vote and the total votes counted. If the question passes the Town of Buxton stands to lose approximately $200,000 – 250,000 between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010. Overall, if the question passes the Town may lose up to $500,000 in a 12-month period.
Steve asked if the Board had made any decision how they would make up for the loss if the Excise Tax question passed. Steve was notified that the issue is discussed every week and decisions will be made if the question passes.
Peter Pinkham stated that he was very glad to see the stuffer regarding the Excise Tax issue in with the tax bills. Peter said that he felt the Town was running very well and the Department Heads were working well together and saving money for the Town.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:19 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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