Town of Buxton
Minutes for March 24, 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: Larry Miller, Steve & Lori Anthony, Penny Booker, Dennis Santolucito, Keith Emery, Charlie McNutt, Lawrence Palmer and Mike Grovo
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes March 17, 2010. Approved 4-0-1.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Executive Session at 5:07 p.m. per 1MRSA 405 6(A) out at 6:27 p.m.
Stacy Steeves discuss banner for Bonny Eagle Soccer Club
Tom Ledue and Dan Lakatos discussed water issues
- Letter from Kat Beaudoin, Maine Bureau of Transportation Systems Planning – Re: The Route 112 project is in design and a final public meeting will be held in May or June.
- Weekly Legislative Bulletin
- Email from Maine Health Altert – Re: Conducting debriefings across Maine regarding H1N1 efforts
- Letter from Julie Martin, Human Resource Manager, Walmart –
Re: $2000 community grant presented to Keep The Heat On and the Community Food Co-Op to be divided equally to each entity
- Email from Tony Vigue, Saco River Community TV – Re: Reminder of March 25 Meeting and listing of items to be negotiated
- Review of Projects and Issues
The Selectmen reported they held a Workshop on March 18 to discuss budgets.
Selectman Burns reported his is a grandfather. Selectman Burns attended the Twelve Town Meeting on Monday night. He reported on the following three issues 1) Feeder roads that the State is going to upgrade and turn over to the towns. No idea of what roads those may be at this time. 2) York County has initiated a Charter Commission and is looking for representatives from towns that compose the county. Any one interested was advised to take out nomination papers. 3) LD1725 is a piece of legislation that affects culvert rules. If this legislation is passed it will have a huge financial impact on towns.
Selectman Harmon reported that the only budget to review is the Administration Budget. The Selectmen will hold a Workshop on Monday, March 29 to discuss. Selectman Harmon reported she is working on the insurance renewal and with EMA on flooding issues.
Water Quality Issue – A price for a filtration System has been requested. Last week there was an issue with the pump and that has been handled.
Antenna at Buxton Center -- Chief Grovo reported that he will be meeting with Maine Radio and the power people to determine what is needed.
Internal Control Document -- Selectman Harmon met with Ron Smith last week and the document is being reviewed by the Town’s new Treasurer.
Designated Smoking Areas – No change
Hanson School – General discussion of the School by the Board members and the consensus appears to be that that Selectmen do not want to take over the building due to the costs and many ‘unknowns’ that remain regarding the building. The Town’s attorney may have to be consulted to determine the next steps and if the voters have to vote on the issue.
None
E.O.091003023 – An order to approve an Application for Exemption from Local Taxation for a Widow of a Deceased Veteran for [Map 7, Lot 54-6]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091003024 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Fred Farnham.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.091003025 – An order to approve 48 hours of vacation time for Chet Ouellette.
Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091003021 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #39-10. Approved 5-0.
E.O.091003022 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#39-10. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Budget Committee Workshop Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
SRCTV Meeting Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Public Hearing Charter Commission Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen Workshop Monday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m.
The Lawn mowing bid will be handled next week.
- Public Comments and Questions
Keith Emery stated that a member of the Planning Board asked what the map was on the wall in the Meeting Room. Selectman Harmon stated that the map was an overview of the Route 112 road rebuild that will start later this year.
Larry Miller offered his view of the basis of a lease for the Hanson School. He stated that the lease would be prepared as if the Town owned the building and would be responsible for the maintenance of the building. Mr. Miller stated that he does not want the Town to pick up something that will cost money. Mr. Miller requested that the issue of the Hanson School disposition be put on a ballot as soon as possible so the school does not continue to incur expense.
Larry Miller read a prepared statement regarding MSAD 6 budget for the next fiscal year. The total budget is $42,590,011 which is $343,414 less than last year’s school budget. Buxton’s share of the assessment is $5,228,000 which is an increase for the Town of $239,000 over last year.
Mr. Miller stated as a follow up from last week his opinion of the importance of keeping the tax rate stable. He would like to see necessary functions kept to run the Town. Larry stated the Selectmen should be the first filter of the budget, but he did not want to see the budget filtered so the voters would not have a chance to vote on items. An example presented was the Hazardous Waste Day expense, which is an item the voters could decide if they want the expense. Larry asked if the Warrant could state a higher amount with the Selectmen’s recommendation and the Budget Committee’s recommendation and let the voters decide.
Dennis Santolucito thanked Larry Miller for his statement regarding the school budget. Dennis would like to see the Town budget items maintain worthwhile public safety items and let the taxpayers decide if an item should pass.
Dennis would like to see the Town retain the Old Town Garage and lease if necessary to make money. He feels the Town may not need the building now, but the Town may need it in 10, 15 or even 25 years from now. Do not give the building up yet.
Charlie McNutt stated that he attended the School Board Meeting two weeks ago and his feeling was that the School Board had no sense of shared pain as the economy is in recovery. He stated whether last year’s budget was padded as there was 2M to carry forward to this year. The Facility budget was cut .0001% and that was it. He stated the surrounding towns are cutting positions and budgets and SAD 6 is not. Mr. McNutt wants to know how the School Committee got to the numbers that they did and he does not like the fact that residents do not have the right to speak during the Budget Committee process. Mr. McNutt also does not like the timing of the referendum process and wants it to go away next year. Mr. McNutt wants to have
the Superintendent and members of the Buxton School Committee come to a Selectmen’s Meeting to explain the School Budget. Selectman Harmon stated that the school usually holds a meeting with each town to explain the budget.
Lawrence Palmer a resident of Seavey Drive reported that he has a major problem in his front yard with water. He stated the culvert had been replaced and water was only allowed to run down one side of Seavey Drive. He stated that he has a new house and the situation was an emergency.
Larry Miller responded to Mr. McNutt’s concerns stating that the school administration should make an appearance at Buxton. The schedule for the town meetings has not been established. Mr. Miller stated that Buxton was not penalized as much as other districts as enrollment is going up and State valuations went up less than the state as a whole.
Mr. Miller stated that there is one public input session for the public to present input on the school budget and that is in January which is early in the budget process.
Mr. McNutt stated that he had formally put a request in writing to the Budget Committee Chair to participate in the process and was not even given a response – ‘yes’ or ‘no.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 8:37 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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