Town of Buxton
Minutes for January 6, 2010 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: James Libby, Larry Miller, Andy Townsend, Gene Harmon, Olive Collomy, Dennis Santolucito, Dave Harmon, Robert Elwell, Peter Pinkham, Keith Emery, C. Sanborn, J. Hanna and Bruce Mullen
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda – 7:15 p.m.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:16 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes 12/30/09. Approved 4-0-1. (Selectman Collomy was absent at this meeting)
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Discussion of the revised Internal Control Document and the need for a Workshop.
Discussion of Designated Smoking area.
Selectman Harmon stated that the Town is reviewing the job description of the Town Treasurer and will be posting an ad for the position.
- Email from Maine Health Alert – Re: H1N1 Update
- Letter from Richard Brown, York County Manager – Re: Process for York County to adopt a County Charter
- Email from Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal – Re: LD 1668 New Bill Proposing Additional Cuts to Revenue Sharing
- Letter from Barry A. Tibbetts and Dwayne Morin, Town Managers for Kennebunk and North Berwick – Re: Casella Waste Agreement – Guaranteed Annual Tonnage (GAT) Clause
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby reported that it had been a quiet week and he handled one Veteran Exemption and one taxpayer question.
Selectman Burns reported that he attended the SAD 6 School Meeting on Monday, January 4, 2010. The School Board had elected officials from all the Towns and State Representatives in attendance for a preliminary update of how the school funding and budget process looks for the next fiscal year. Buxton has already been notified that there is a 6% increase in the valuation which means an increase in the school funding.
Selectman Pulsoni thanked the public for their patience during the last snowstorm and the Public Works Department for the excellent job plowing the roads.
Selectman Harmon echoed remarks made by Selectman Burns regarding the school budget and did add that the school is fiscally sound now.
Selectman Harmon also reported that she spoke to a member of the Hollis Board of Selectmen and Hollis will be providing sand for the schools in their town.
Selectman Harmon also stated that the American Red Cross held a blood drive at the Town Office. Tashia Geaumont, the Recreation Director, did a great job overseeing the event. For a first time blood drive at the Town Office the Red Cross was very pleased with the turnout.
Public Works Garage -- Floor Sealing – on hold until spring
Repair Church Hill Salt Shed -- on hold until spring
Installation of Plexiglas in Front Office – Waiting for Contractor quotes
Update on Fuel Service Switch – Waiting for quotes
Antenna at Buxton Center -- No more information to report
Internal Control Document – Will discuss at the Workshop on Monday, January 11, 2009.
Designated Smoking Areas – Will discuss in Workshop on Monday
None
E.O.091001003 – An order to approve John Myers attendance to the MTCCA Board Meeting. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091001004 – An order to approve an unpaid Leave for Joan M. Weeman from January 13, 2010 to February 16, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091001005 – An order to approve the mileage reimbursement rate at 50 cents per mile for business miles driven effective January 1, 2010. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091001006 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 9, Lot 46]. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091001001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #28-10. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091001002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#28-10. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Selectmen’s Workshop, Monday January 11, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, January 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Public Hearing Liquor License – Buxton Tavern, January 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 7:05 p.m.
Comprehensive Planning Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 6:15 p.m.
Charter Commission Meeting Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
There will be a rabies clinic on Saturday, January 9, 2010 from 9:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Andy’s Agway in Dayton
- Public Comments and Questions
Keith Emery stated that the Town Departments have to cut budgets so the school can have money in their account.
Robert Elwell stated that he believed the School Board was going ahead and purchase land in Hollis. Robert wanted to make sure the decision on the purchase went to the voters.
Robert asked Selectman Harmon if she had followed-up with the rebuild of Route 112. Selectman Harmon had not.
Robert asked how the generator was coming along at the new Public Works Garage and he wanted to know what happened to the old generator.
Robert also complimented the Public Works Department for the good job on the roads and he was glad the Fire Department got the funds to repair the fire truck.
Larry Miller stated that the referendum last spring rejected the new school in Hollis and the purchase of the land. The School Board has authorized an appraisal of the land. The appraisal is not back and any purchase of the land would have to go before the voters.
Larry indicated that the reimbursement for travel for the School District is 32 cents per mile.
Larry stated the goals of the Budget Committee for the District are:
- Maintain quality education
- Avoid forced layoffs
- No increase overall budget
The State curtailment for 2009 was $832,000
2010 – 2011 – 1.9M
2011 – 2012 – 3M
The State aid percentage of 55% was never achieved and the current fiscal year State Aid was planned to be 48% and will be 46%. In 2011 – 2012 the percent of State Aid will be 44%. The School District can make one time fixes, but after that will be in dire need.
Carol Sanborn stated that she heard at the last Selectmen’s Meeting that there was an issue with the sanding of the front parking lot. She stated that the policy not to sand where the cars were parked was determined when she was on the Board of Selectmen. They made the decision not to sand the front of the parking lot as it tracked sand into the building when the tile work was being done.
Charlie McNutt stated that the increase for the school budget would be significant as the Union would be in negotiation, fuel costs would be up, unemployment up from last year and the stimulus took care of the increase last year. Mr. McNutt did not like the current method of holding a public hearing for the School Budget then voting three days later. Mr. McNutt said that when the School Budget is voted on the voters do not know how it will impact the overall Town Budget.
Dennis Santolucito questioned the School Budget versus the Town Budget. He stated that he did not want Town services sacrificed to pay to the School District. People everywhere are losing jobs and if the District’s goal is to avoid layoffs it may not be avoided.
Larry Miller stated that the School District pays unemployment insurance. He stated the budget goals were formed very early and it appears the District needs to give the public time for public input to the budget.
Robert Elwell stated the timing of the school vote was underhanded and wanted to know if absentee ballots were available. Robert wanted the Town of Buxton to support Standish with their voting of the School Budget to go back to the June date.
Mr. McNutt stated that the public cannot speak at the Budget Meetings and it is not any good to attend the meetings with no input.
Larry Miller stated that he had heard the concerns of the public and he will take them back to the School Board. He stated that the School Board may put a question on the School ballot asking if the public wants to continue the 2-part budget procedure.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:20. Approved 5-0.
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