Town of Buxton
Minutes for April 7, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Dianne Senechal
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Daniel T. Collomy, Linda W. Pulsoni and Peter E. W. Burns. Robert C. Libby was absent.
Others Present: Keith Emery, Larry Miller, Olive Collomy, Penny Booker, Dennis Santolucito and Charles McNutt.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes March 31, 2010. Approved 4-0-1.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Minor discussion of the Town Report
- Weekly Legislative Bulletin
- Email from Chris Lockwood – Re: Election Process Begins for MMA Executive Committee
- Email from Paul Schumacher, Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission – Re: Economic Development Bonds/ARRA Funding Available
- Email from Ben Foster, Maine Department of Transportation – Re: Inspection Reports and photos of Municipal Owned Bridges
- Email from Steve Willis – Re: Congratulating Crystal Stack
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Pulsoni congratulated Crystal Stack for her achievements at SMCC and her work at the Fire/Rescue Department. Selectman Pulsoni also thanked Penny Booker, who is the Chair of the Budget Committee, for the work she is doing for the Town.
Selectman Collomy has been working with a contractor who will paint the light poles in the parking lot of the Town Office. The estimate is for two days of work and the contractor will also repaint the concrete abutments.
Selectman Burns, along with all of the Selectmen have been working on budgets. The Selectmen held a Workshop on Monday night and met with the Budget Committee on Tuesday night.
Selectman Harmon stated that a 7th grader was in and job shadowed her activities at the Town Office. She reported that she had given him an overview of the Town by taking him to the Fire Station, Public Works, Dispatch and Police. He also was introduced to the tax process by the Tax Collector. Selectman Harmon is finishing up the insurance renewal and she reported that FEMA held an informational meeting last Friday morning and several town employees attended.
Water Quality Issue – The water issue has been resolved and a new filtration system was installed today with will remove arsenic and other contaminants.
Antenna at Buxton Center – No change
Internal Control Document – Selectman Harmon and the Town Treasurer met with Ron Smith to review the Internal Control Document. At the next Workshop the Selectmen will fine tune the document.
Designated Smoking Areas – Selectman Harmon reported that she has the amendment typed up.
Hanson School – Waiting for every member of the Board to be present before voting.
Kindergarten registration was held yesterday at the Town Office and 80 children were registered.
The SAD #6 budget will be presented on April 14th at the Selectmen’s Meeting.
Dan Collomy read the Public Hearing notice for a change to the Charter. The Public Hearing will be held on April 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. and the Charter change will be to change the Tax Collector position from elected to appointed.
E.O.091004003 – An order to approve the disbanding of the New Town Garage Committee. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091004004 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for David Pinkham. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091004005 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for Bruce Mullen. Approved 4-0-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O.091004006 – An order to enter into a one year contract with Jobs In ME.Com for unlimited job placement for the sum of $1,020. Approved 4-0-1. (The Selectmen announced they will be using this service to place an ad to replace their Assistant.)
E.O.091004007 An order to approve Aquatech Water Treatment LLC to install a water treatment system in the Town Hall to ensure arsenic free safe drinking water for a total of $3,700. Approved 4-0-1.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.091004001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #41-10. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.091004002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#41-10. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Charter Commission Meeting Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Selectmen’s Workshop Monday, April 12, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting, Monday, April 12, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. (SAD #6 will make a
school budget presentation at this Meeting)
Selectman Pulsoni apologized for not thanking the entire Budget Committee for their work on the Committee as well as the Chair, Penny Booker.
- Public Comments and Questions
Larry Miller asked the Selectmen if the School representatives could speak before the public at next week’s Selectmen’s Meeting.
Charlie McNutt stated that he feels the residents of the Town receive a terrific value for the amount of taxes they pay. Mr. McNutt also asked about the Department Budgets and how much they were reduced at the start. The Selectmen stated 5% to start and more depending on the Department. It was noted that one Department has a Union Contract and it is up for renewal.
Mr. McNutt also wanted to know if the budget is tracked by the actual amount spent and if there was a surplus at the end of the year. The Selectmen stated that if some budget items are overspent, they have to be reconciled by a Special Town Meeting. Some money is carried forward if there is a specified item that it is needed and some money is put back into the General Fund if it is not spent. As an example, the Selectmen stated that approximately $300,000 was not carried forward and was put back into the General Fund last year.
Mr. McNutt asked about the report he just read that 60% of all property is overvalued by assessment. Mr. McNutt stated that his house has dropped $50,000 in value in the last two years. He wanted to know if there had been any appeals as a result of the drop in value. The Selectmen stated that there have been only one or two.
Mr. McNutt stated that he had sent an email to the Superintendent and he will be meeting with her and he has asked that some of his questions be presented in her presentation next week to the public.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:46 p.m. Approved 4-0-1.
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