Town of Buxton
Minutes for February 3, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Dianne Senechal
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Linda W. Pulsoni and Peter Burns. Daniel T. Collomy and Robert C. Libby were absent.
Others Present: Mike Robinson, Winter Robinson, Penny Booker, Keith Emery, Dave Harmon, Robert Elwell, Peter Pinkham, Jack Hanna, Dennis Santolucito and Nick Pinkham.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda – 7:00 p.m.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes January 27, 2010.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – John Myers discussed foreclosure procedures
5:30 p.m. – Brad Seavey discussed tax payments
The Selectmen also discussed the Hanson School, resumes for Treasurer and Budgets
- Weekly Legislative Bulletin published by Maine Municipal Association
- Email from Cyrus McCall – Re: Communicate with DOT regarding sign at Route 202 Bridge rather than York County District Attorney
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Burns reported the Selectmen went before the Charter Commission last week to answer questions.
Selectman Pulsoni reported the Charter Commission asked good questions.
Selectman Harmon reported that she had a conversation with Rick Mathews regarding the Hanson School and the conditions to taking the School. On Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. there will be a meeting of the Facilities Committee at Bill Ellis’ Office. Selectman Harman reported she had been invited and it was open to anyone else. Fred Farnham has been asked to attend. Selectman Harmon reported that Resumes for the Treasurer Position are coming in.
Installation of Plexiglas in Front Office – No further information to report.
Update on Fuel Service Switch – Quotes have been received.
Antenna at Buxton Center -- Updated last week, nothing new.
Internal Control Document – Revisions done – waiting for final review.
Designated Smoking Areas – Done – needs to be in final form.
Aubuchon Hardware will be holding a Community Appreciation Day on Saturday, February 6th. Fill a free eco-friendly bag and get 20% off anything you can fit in the bag. A percentage of the sales on February 6th will be donated to a local charity.
E.O.091002003 – An order to allow Philip MacVane to Carry Forward 32 hours of vacation time to be used before March 29, 2010. Approved 3-0-2.
E.O.091002004 – An order to appoint Bonita J. Usher to the position of Voter Registration Appeals Board Democratic Member effective until February 3, 2013. Approved 3-0-2.
E.O.091002005 – An order to appoint James C. Bishop to the position of Voter Registration Appeals Board Democratic Alternate Member effective until February 3, 2013.
Approved 3-0-2.
E.O.091002006 – An order to amend the Town of Buxton’s 218 Agreement with the State of Maine regarding Social Security and Medicare withholding benefits for employees.
Approved 3-0-2.
E.O.091002007 – An order to approve Tasha Geaumont’s attendance to the Maine Rec/Parks Association. Approved 3-0-2.
E.O.091002008 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for Tasha Geaumont.
Approved 3-0-2.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O.091002009 – An order to approve an Abatement for Case PA08-014. Approved 3-0-2.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091002001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #32-10. Approved 3-0-2.
E.O.091002002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#32-10. Approved 3-0-2.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Selectman Workshop Monday, February 8, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, February 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan Meeting Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 6:15 p.m.
Charter Commission Meeting Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
- Other Business
- Public Comments and Questions
Michael Robinson read prepared remarks regarding Pleasant Point Park and the logging operation which took place in May and June 2009. Mr. Robinson provided a chronology of events that took place in the park. In April 2007 a Patriot’s Day storm took down several dozen trees in the southeastern section of the Park blocking roadways and walking paths creating hazards to human safety. Basil Townsend was contacted to see if he could move the trees.
Everett Towle provided his service to help guide the clean-up effort, free of charge. Mr. Towle drew up a contract between the loggers and the Town to ensure a fair price for the timber. Basis Townsend did clean up the park after the storm.
Everett Towle became interested in the Park and was asked to join the Pleasant Point Park commission. Mr. Towle spent time in the Park looking at the healthy, unhealthy and hazardous trees. He pointed out signs of red-rot and other diseases that were affecting the overall health of the forest. Mr. Robinson attended several gatherings of woodlot owners and learned what a healthy forest could look like with proper care, complete with old-growth trees and new, and second story growth to ensure long-term health and vigor.
The Park Commission agreed that the Park needed to be selectively harvested. Before the harvest could be done, another storm hit the park and tipped over another dozen trees. With agreement from the Board of Selectmen the Park Commission selected Southern Maine Forestry to do the cutting. Southern Maine Forestry had an excellent reputation and they were licensed foresters. Selective cutting took place to improve the overall health of the forest. Diseased or broken trees were marked for removal. Some trees that had woodpecker holes were left for wildlife.
The forest was also harvested to control invasive species. The Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife had seen a tremendous increase in invasive plants. Control of invasive plants will continue until new trees get a good foothold.
The Park contains some very historic sites and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission surveyed the Park last August. Some very interesting artifacts were found near the original fort and garrison. It has been suggested to place the Park on the National Register of Historic Places. The Park Commission is working on a final draft of a 10 year Park Management Plan and it will address the issues of erosion, creating an emergency access road, relocating some trails and creating kiosks and mapping historic sites and more.
Dianne Senechal notified the public that on February 20 Nancy Stedman of Little River Farm will be doing a demonstration on gourds at the W. Buxton Public Library. The event is open to the public and everyone is invited.
The Bar Mills Community Church was thanked for their donation to the Keep the Heat on Fund.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:40 p.m. Approved 3-0-2
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