Town of Buxton
Minutes for December 23, 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, Dennis Santolucito, Peter Pinkham and Olive Collomy.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda – 7:00 p.m.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes 12/16/09. Approved 5-0.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:30 – Ron Smith – discussed the high points of the audit. Buxton has been healthy and things have been planned for. Going forward he warned the Town to proceed with caution as the next year is uncertain. Selectman Burns stated that he has been a critic in the past of how late the audit was done. The audit was completed some time ago and the final results were held up due to the availability of the Selectmen.
The Selectmen announced that there will be a Meeting of Town elected officials on January 4th with the School Board and State Representatives. The purpose of the Meeting will be to hear from State Representatives regarding money from the State and elected Town officials will have an opportunity to provide input.
- Letter from Fred Farnham, Code Officer, to Kevin M. Merli, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Division EMA Division – Re: Attempt to resolve the issues with the Bonny Eagle Pond flood delineation map
- Email forwarded by Caroline Segalla – Re: U.S. DOT has 1.5 billion for livable communities
- Email from Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal Association – Re: Proposed State Budget released by Governor Baldacci
- Email from Richard Michaud, So. Maine Regional Planning – Re: Meeting of York County Delegation and copies of letters sent to Senators Snow and Collins and Representative Pingree
- Email from Kate Dufour, Maine Municipal – Re: Impact of Governor’s Proposed cuts
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby reported that he has been working on the upcoming budget and how to handle.
Selectman Burns reported that the Selectmen held a Workshop on December 17 and they met with Department Heads on Tuesday, December 22 and presented their expectations for the budget for the upcoming year.
Selectman Harmon stated that there is an Eagle Scout looking for a project. She also reported that the Buxton News will not be printed in January.
The Toy Box helped 65 families with 136 children. Selectman Harmon thanked the Town Office employees for their contribution to Keep The Heat On.
Selectman Burns and Selectman Harmon attended a workshop by the School Board on the disposition of the Hanson School. It appears that the School Department will be offering the school back to the Town. The Hanson school has a $75,000 a year occupancy cost. Selectman Burns stated that the Board of Selectmen does not want the school back in the condition that it is in. Before the building can be offered back there are some conditions that the building has to meet. There are additional requirements outlined in the building permit application for the Buxton Center Elementary School as approved by the Buxton Planning Board.
Selectman Harmon also stated that the Selectmen have received a quote for the repair of the Town sign. New Plexiglas with updated hinges will be installed.
New Generator – Selectman Collomy reported that the cement pad has been poured for the new generator.
Public Works Garage -- Floor Sealing – Selectman Collomy reported that the sealant is clear and has to be applied when it is above 40 degrees. This item will be tabled until spring.
Installation of Plexiglas in Front Office – Selectman Harmon reported that the design has been established and they are waiting for a cost estimate.
Repair Church Hill Salt Shed -- on hold until spring.
Update on Fuel Service Switch – waiting for pricing.
Antenna at Buxton Center – No update
Internal Control Document – The document was first written in 1994. The document was updated in September and the Selectmen reported that they need to review it.
Designated Smoking Areas – discussed later.
None
E.O.091012019 – An order to approve a Supplemental Tax Warrant and Certificate for fiscal year 2009 in the amount of $1,400 for [Map 3, Lot 49]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091012020 – An order to approve a Leave of Absence without pay for Ruth Scheibenpflug from March 8 through March 30, 2010. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091012017 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #26-10. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091012018 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#26-10. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Special Town Meeting Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting with SAD#6 January 4th at 7:00 p.m.
The Town Office will be closed on Friday, December 25 to observe Christmas.
- Public Comments and Questions
Dennis Avery a local recruiter from the U.S. Census Bureau informed the Selectmen and the public about temporary full and part time jobs that are available. Every Monday at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Avery will be giving tests for potential census workers at the Groveville Fire Barn. The pay is $14.50 per hours and .55 cents per mile reimbursement. There are approximately 1,000 jobs available in southern Maine. If interested call 1-866-861-2010 for more information.
Keith Emery stated that if the Hanson School was given back to the Town 2 acres of land must also be returned as that is the lost size in Buxton Center. Keith also asked Selectman Harmon if she had checked into the sand situation for the Hollis schools.
Peter Pinkham asked the Selectmen if they were going to pursue the Livable Communities grant that was presented. Peter wanted the Bar Mills section of Town considered as it looked as though it might fit the criteria. Peter also stated that even though the Governor was not raising taxes, he in essence is as the municipalities must absorb the costs that the State will no longer cover.
Dennis Santolucito asked the Selectmen how the Meeting with the School District was set up and if they were going to give input.
Dennis stated that he did not agree with some of the discussion items that were brought up at the Charter Commission meetings and he would like the Selectmen to attend the meetings to clarify some items. Selectman Libby stated that he had attended a couple of the meetings and he felt that the Charter Commission was a Board that was going nowhere fast. Selectman Collomy had concerns about the method used to gather input from the public at the Charter Commission meetings. Selectman Pulsoni stated that she did not like the resident survey that was presented to the public. Dennis stated that he will be able to attend the January 28th meeting of the Charter Commission and he would bring his concerns forth. Dennis
was notified by the Selectmen that the Charter Commission is separate from the Board of Selectmen and they have no jurisdiction over it.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:04 p.m.
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