Town of Buxton
Minutes for January 20, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Dianne Senechal
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Daniel T. Collomy, Robert C. Libby and Peter E. W. Burns. Linda W. Pulsoni was absent.
Others Present: Keith Emery, Jack Hanna, Robert Elwell, Lori & Steve Anthony, Brent Hill, Judy & Terry Weymouth, Cyrus McCall, Tashia Geaumont and Dora Graham-Nelson.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda – 7:00 p.m.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes January 13, 2010. Approved 3-0-2 (Selectman Pulsoni was absent at the 1/20/10 meeting and Selectman Harmon was absent at the 1/13/10 meeting)
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Selectmen went into Executive Session at 5:05 p.m. and came out at 5:37 p.m. per 36 MRSA 842-2E.
The Selectmen went into Executive Session at 5:38 p.m. and came out at 5:57 p.m. per 36 MRSA 842-2E.
The Selectmen discussed the Hanson School.
- Memorandum from Dan Rose, Drummond Woodsum – Re: Lunch and learn scheduled for January 26th 12:00 – 1:00
- Letter from Eric A. Matthews, Assistant Superintendent of MSAD6 – Re: Offer Hanson School back to Town of Buxton.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby reported there was a good response to the Treasurers position that was advertised.
Selectman Collomy reported that the new generator has arrived at the Public Works Garage but is not operational yet.
Selectman Burns reported the 12-Town Meeting was cancelled on the 18th and the Selectmen will be holding a Workshop next Monday (1/25/10).
Selectman Harmon reported that she and John Myers attended a workshop conducted by RHR Smith & Co. last Tuesday. There were speakers from the IRS, MMA and Bangor Savings. It was informative and the Town needs to make some changes to comply with IRS Regulations.
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 contractors to respond.
Update on Fuel Service Switch – letter to area fuel companies have been sent. Waiting to hear back.
Antenna at Buxton Center -- no update.
Internal Control Document – will finish at Monday’s Workshop.
Designated Smoking Areas – will be working on at Monday’s Workshop.
The Town has received a letter from the School Department regarding the Hanson School. Voters will need to vote on the issue. The Selectmen reported that the Planning Board put restrictions on the Hanson School if it was returned to the Town.
E.O.091001016 – An order to approve 30 days of Medical Leave for Suzanne Shorter starting February 18, 2010. Approved 4-0-1. (Selectman Pulsoni was absent)
E.O.091001017 – An order to Allow Suzanne Shorter to take 24 hours of unpaid leave between the dates of February 16 and May 28, 2010 as long as there is sufficient coverage. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091001018 – An order to approve 24 hours of vacation time for Greg Heffernan. Approved 4-0-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091001014 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #30-10. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091001015 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#30-10. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Charter Commission Meeting Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, January 25, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Twelve Town Meeting Monday, January 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. (rescheduled from 18th)
Planning Board Meeting Monday, January 25, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan Meeting Wednesday, January, 27, 2010 at 6:15 p.m.
Charter Commission Meeting Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. (The Board of
Selectmen have been invited to speak)
None
- Public Comments and Questions
Dora Graham-Nelson spoke about the need for some recreational programs for the children during the summer and during the school year for vacations. She felt parents in Buxton struggle to find adequate day care and recreation for their children during the school year and she felt the Hanson School may provide a facility for the Recreation Department to have regular on-going programs. Dora stated that the community needs a dedicated building that meets the needs of the community and is a safe place for structured activities for children and older folks. Dora urged a study be done to investigate the possibility of using the Hanson School.
Selectman Harmon stated that there were restrictions placed on the School Department when the new school went before the Planning Board and there is restricted parking and use if conveyed back to the Town.
Judy Weymouth stated that she was on the Building Committee for the new Town Hall 20 years ago. At the time the new Town Hall was being investigated, the Building Committee was aware that at some point the Hanson School may be returned back to the Town and that the Committee felt that the old school may be a potential Town Hall. At that time the Town did not want the School as it was not handicapped accessible, there was no parking and it was run down. Judy stated it is now 20 years later and only cosmetic work has been done on the building and it has mold and other issues.
Judy stated that promises were made to the community when the new Buxton Center Elementary School was built and the Town needs to explore possible use there. Judy felt that the Hanson School was a white elephant and the Town should think twice about accepting it.
Brent Hill stated that the Hanson School has been an issue for quite some time and he feels that it is not an issue that can be rushed into. He would like to see what the building can be used for and would like a study. He realizes that parking may be an issue. He stated that the Buxton/Hollis Historical Society is willing to help out as it is an historic building.
Selectman Harmon stated that money was an issue and any decision would have to go back to the voters. The voters would need to be informed what is involved. It costs $75,000 a year for occupancy costs for the building and this figure came from the School Facilities Committee.
Robert Elwell stated that when the voting on the Hanson School takes place he would like to see the voters do their homework. Robert asked about the Route 112 rebuild and if the Selectmen had heard anything. He asked the Board to send a letter to the DOT for the status.
Robert asked about the Smoking Policy. He feels the Town should ban smoking on town property. Robert asked how many designated smoking areas there was at the Town Office. The Selectman stated that there were three designated areas. Robert felt that if smoking was banned, the premiums would decrease on medical insurance.
Terry Weymouth stated that he did not know the Recreation Director personally and the position started as part time and now was full time. He felt it was not the Town’s responsibility to baby sit children.
Cyrus McCall stated that the Buxton Newsletter is not being distributed as it used to be and facts are not getting out. Cyrus felt the Pleasant Point Park logging operation was not advertised enough for the residents that lived next to the Park. Cyrus felt the Town needed to take a more active role in the Park. Wood chips are still piled on the Park property. The Park is along the river and should have special consideration. Cyrus wanted to know how the Selectmen signed off on the Contract for the work done at the Park.
The Selectmen informed Cyrus that the trees posed a hazard after a powerful storm in April of 2007. The trees posed a danger to the living trees and the cutting was done under the guidance of a forester to help maintain the health of the other trees. Cyrus stated that there was no notice in the Newsletter for local residents. Selectman Harmon stated that she personally delivers the Newsletter to area businesses in Town.
Cyrus stated that he had spoken with the Selectmen in August about a pedestrian bridge between Buxton and Hollis and asked the Selectmen to contact Kat Fuller of DOT to open up discussion on the issue. Cyrus felt the Selectmen should be preparing for the future and the DOT knows what is going on.
Selectman Harmon stated that the pedestrian bridge needed to have approval from both Buxton and Hollis and the towns were not going to do anything about the bridge until they heard from the DA to see if he would prosecute individuals who jump from the bridge on Route 202. At this time both towns are unwilling to invest in a walking bridge if pedestrians cannot be prosecuted.
Fred Farnham stated that there were two reasons for the short notice on the logging operation at Pleasant Point Park.
- Pine trees develop red heart disease and this occurs in the middle of May and waiting would have made the timber worthless; and
- The logging needed to be done when the soil was frozen.
Fred stated that the Recreation Director had asked him to take a look at the Hanson gym and see if it may be worth preserving. Fred stated that he felt a structural engineer should be brought in to determine if the building was worth using as this procedure was done for the Old Town Hall. After that process a decision could be made of what to do with the building.
Tashia Geaumont apologized to the Board but stated that she is repeatedly asked by Town’s people to look for a place to have on-going recreation activities. She stated that she has a Bachelors Degree and that she does have an $8,000 surplus in her after school budget that could be used.
Tashia stated that the schools are not always available for vacation camps and fees for a janitor have to be paid. Recreation is not the only group that wants to use the schools and the time slots have to be shared.
Dianne Senechal stated that the Town provides information to the residents through the website on the home page and the selectmen’s meetings are available on Vimeo through the Saco River Cable TV. There is a link to the Vimeo site from the Town’s website. The Buxton News is on the Town’s website and updates were provided on the website last May and June regarding Pleasant Point Park’s logging operation. There is also a section to make comments on the website if a resident would like to respond with issues to the Selectmen.
Steve Anthony stated that the Hanson School issue has been around for the last several years. Steve asked what is the Board doing going forward as the school will be a big expense.
The Selectmen stated that the District should do an evaluation at their expense. There are conditions placed on the District if the School is given back to the Town and those conditions are outlined in the Planning Board minutes. It is premature to make any type of decision now as the decision on the school is probably more than one year away. Fred Farnham has the permit and conditions that were placed when the new school was built and the information is available.
Steve asked if minutes were taken for the discussion that takes place between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Office. The answer is ‘no’. Any topics discussed between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. are shared and recorded in these minutes.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:35 p.m. Approved 4-0-1.
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