Town of Buxton
Minutes for March 17, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Dianne Senechal
Members Present: Daniel T. Collomy, Robert C. Libby, Linda W. Pulsoni and Peter E. W. Burns. Jean C. Harmon was absent.
Others Present: Robert Elwell, Lori & Steve Anthony, Dennis Santolucito, Peter Pinkham and Larry Miller.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes February 17, 2010. Approved 4-0-1.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
None
- Legislative Bulletin for Week of March 12, 2010
- Email from Tony Vigue, Saco River Cable TV – Re: Franchise Agreement
- Letter from Scott A. Hagemeyer, Maine Energy – Re: 2009 GAT Shortfalls
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Burns reported that the Selectmen had been working on budgets and a Workshop was held on Thursday, March 11, Monday, March 15 and another will be held on Thursday, March 18.
Water Quality Issue – Still pending
Antenna at Buxton Center – Still pending
Internal Control Document – Still pending
Designated Smoking Areas – Still pending
None
E.O.091003018 – An order to approve John Myers attendance at the New England Municipal Clerks’ Institute II. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091003019 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Greg Heffernan. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091003020 – An order to accept Michael Robinson’s resignation from the Comprehensive Plan Committee effective March 10, 2010. Approved 4-0-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091003016 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #38-10. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091003017 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#38-10. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Selectmen’s Workshop Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting Monday, March 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Twelve Town Meeting Monday, March 22, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Charter Commission Meeting Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Wednesday, March 24 at 6:15 p.m.
The lawn mowing bids are being reviewed now and will be awarded next week.
- Public Comments and Questions
Robert Elwell questioned the Public Hearing on April 1 for the Charter Commission and what the exact date was. The Selectmen stated that Andy Townsend could be called to clarify the date of the Public Hearing.
Robert questioned if there would be a savings for the taxpayers this year as the snow season has not been as bad as prior years. The Selectmen stated that the season is not quite over but there will probably be some savings but they will not be returned back to the taxpayer.
Larry Miller stated that there was not a quorum present at the last meeting of the Charter Commission. There were no minutes. The members reviewed the work product of the past meeting. Larry stated that he thought 10 days was needed to post a public hearing.
Steve Anthony stated that he felt it would be easier for the Budget Committee to meet with the Selectmen when they went over the budgets for the Department Heads. Steve wanted to know if the non-profit organizations were asked to reduce their budgets. The Selectmen stated that they did not request the non-profits to reduce and the Budget Committee and Selectmen can make recommendations.
Steve questioned the amounts requested by the Department Heads and the amount that was presented to the voters on the warrant. The Selectmen stated that they know the finances of the Town and they determine the amounts stated on the warrant for the voters to approve. The warrant has the Selectmen recommendation and the Budget Committee recommendation.
Steve also stated that other towns are reducing hours and what makes Buxton unique that we do not have to reduce working hours. The Selectmen stated that there are challenges this year and there will be an increase in the amount Buxton is required to spend for the school budget. There is a loss of revenue from Hollis as they will not be using Buxton Dispatch and Rescue service starting July 1. There will be no reduction in manpower due to the loss of Hollis as the Rescue is on call 24/7. Steve asked if the Selectmen had thought about reducing the retirement benefit to employees. The Selectmen stated that some of the retirement benefits are mandated by union contract. Discussion of the contract will be coming up soon with the
Police Union and everything is on the table for discussion.
Dennis Santolucito said that he felt the residents of Buxton got a good value for the $9.90 tax rate that they paid for the services that are given. Dennis wanted to know what would happen in 4-5 years if paving was not done. The Selectmen stated the roads were well maintained.
Keith Emery disagreed that there were roads that needed to be resurfaced. He gave as an example Fogg Road which was built over 20 years ago. Last year the Public Works Department was only able to pave 9 miles of roads.
Keith asked about the painting of the light poles behind the Town Office and if they were going to be painted before they rust out.
Penny Booker stated that she has lived on Haines Meadow Road and she has seen it paved many times when she felt it did not need to be paved. The area on Haines Meadow Road floods by the brook where she owns apartments. Penny felt culverts and water runoff should be taken care of.
Larry Miller stated that his observation is that some Department Heads request all that they would like to have whereas some ask for only what they need. If the numbers were put before the voters there are clusters of people who can get what they want passed. Larry stated that the School Budget is a work in progress. Last year Buxton got a break, but this year they did not. Some towns are getting hit hard, Limington for example. The School Committee is trying to avoid fluctuations.
None
Motion made and accepted to adjourn the Meeting at 8:00 p.m. Approved 4-0-1.
| 
