Town of Buxton
Minutes for October 21, 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: Peter Pinkham, Jack Hanna, Keith Emery, Olive Collomy and Mike Grovo.
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes October 14, 2009. Approved 5-0.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – Fred Farnham -- discussed a property situation and maybe some legal costs.
5:30 p.m. – John Myers – raised concerns about the conduct of Board decisions.
6:00 p.m. – Madeline Ireland – shared experience regarding a situation at the Food Co-op.
Peter Burns reported that he met with members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee. They were holding their initial meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m.
- Emails from Sharon Leahy-Lind, Maine CDC – Re: Update on H1N1
- Email from Steve Freeman, Municipal Pest Management Services – Re: Free seminar for municipalities on mosquito and tick control on November 12, 2009 in Portsmouth, NH
- Letter from Brenda Ramirez, Unison Wireless – Re: Interested in adding antennas in our area
- Email notification of PUC Municipal Grant Opportunity for implementing emergency efficiency programs utilizing money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby reported that he has been working on tax issues regarding personal property and new laws regarding exempting personal property.
Selectman Collomy reported that he has built a shelf for the coffee maker and a book rack at the Public Works garage. He reported that the grinding is supposed to continue at the garage by the end of this week.
Selectman Burns reported that he attended the 12 Town Meeting on Monday night. The discussion was the Legislative Council had met and one bill thrown out was funding of the York County Jail. There are three proposals to allow the jail to keep money from other communities when they house prisoners It takes 8.66 M to run the jail and there is 1.8M of debt service which is all passed on to the towns that comprise York County. Selectman Burns reported that 100 people work at the jail. Two people that were laid off are now back to work.
Selectman Burns reported that the County just got on the Munis system and hopefully that will help track the financial situation.
There was a Selectman from Lyman at the meeting who reported on the use of Twitter and Face Book to reach voters.
The Town of Buxton now has received 400 absentee ballots.
Selectman Pulsoni reported that it will be very interesting to see the final tally of the voting for the upcoming election. She reminded everyone that the Rescue Subscriptions are due by January 1. The Public Works Department has been cutting brush and cleaning the area around the Public Works Complex. Greg Heffernan will be the Department Head that will be at the next Selectmen’s Meeting.
Selectman Harmon stated that there is a fine line between what is public information and personal information if a member of the Board uses Face Book or Twitter. Selectman Harmon also reported that the latest information regarding the flu shots is posed at www.flu.gov. The new dump body has been installed on the Public Works truck and painted.
The following items have been requested to be added to the agenda for next week’s meeting:
Town owned property for sale
Public Works Garage grinding
Antenna situation at EMA building
Installation of Plexiglas in front office
Carry Forwards and date for reconciliation – possible November 18th date
Generator for Public Works
Update on drill press for Public Works
None
E.O.091010023 – An order to approve Greg Heffernan, Chris Waterman and Ed Hutchinson’s attendance to a Transfer Station Operators workshop. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091010024 – An order to approve a Supplemental Tax Warrant and Certificate for tax year 2009 in the amount of $1,555.00 for [Map 7, Lot 75]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091010025 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate taxes for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $448.47 for [Map 2, Lot 32-12-1]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091010026 – An order to approve an Abatement for Personal Property for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $128.70 for Case No. 208. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091010027 – An order to approve an Abatement for Personal Property for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $128.70 for Case No. 102. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091010028 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate taxes for fiscal year 2009/10 in the amount of $1,555.29 for [Map 7, Lot 75]. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O.091010029 – An order to approve the installation of Plexiglas shields for all employees who request them. Approved 5-0.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091010021 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #17-10. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091010022 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#17-10. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Charter Commission Workshop Thursday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Charter Commission Meeting Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications are available at the Town Hall. Absentee ballots can be picked up at the Town Hall or phone or on line at the following address: http://www.maine.gov:80/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. 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 Flu Shot Clinic scheduled at the Buxton Town Office on Friday, October 23 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. has been cancelled.
- Public Comments and Questions
Dianne Senechal thanked Jack Hanna and the Buxton Tavern for the donations to the Keep The Heat On fund. The donations are very much appreciated as we get into the heating season and the price of heating fuel is increasing daily. Additional information regarding Flu Clinics was given to the public.
Larry Miller spoke about Referendum Question No. 2 the Excise Tax issue. He feels it is unfair that the town’s revenue may be decreasing as a result of the question. He felt it might be fairer if they increased the fees for older cars. All vehicles use the roads and the money is needed in municipalities.
Larry stated that if Question No. 3 regarding the schools is defeated it will affect the State and in essence will affect the funding for schools as the state would be receiving less funding and it would be passed on to the schools.
Larry was asked if the law was repealed would the funding for schools go back to 55%. Larry stated that the funding level by the State had never met the 55% level. The largest amount of the State budget is spent on schools and at the Department of Human Services.
Larry Miller stated that Question No. 4 Tabor II sounded very innocent on the surface but the process the State will be required to do to make the law happen is very cumbersome. It also looks as though the Town will be faced with an additional tax burden.
Chief Grovo was asked if he still had the call system in place for the elderly residents. The Chief still has the program in place and if the individual does not call in to the station by 9:00 a.m. an officer is sent out to check on the person. The Chief indicated that he has 8 or 9 individuals on the program now.
The Chief also stated that the new cruiser is back and has been set up the same as the new cruiser last year. The seal does need to be changed.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:59 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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