Town of Buxton
Minutes for July 21, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Peter E. W. Burns, Robert C. Libby, and Dianne Senechal. Clifford L. Emery was absent.
Others Present: Lori Anthony, Steve Anthony, and May Schumacher.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes July 14, 2010.
Approved 4-0-1. (Selectman Cliff Emery was absent).
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
No discussions on the agenda but the Board had quite a few payables to go over.
- Email from Marian Alexandre, So. Maine Regional Planning Commission—Re: Updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan for York County.
- Email from Sharon Leahy-Lind, Maine CDC—Re: Product Safety Recall on stadium light poles.
- Email from Troy Leuteman, York County Community Action—Re: Foreclosure Prevention Clinic.
- Email thanking the Buxton Police & Fire Department
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby commented briefly on the extended meeting Monday night. He has been working on a lot of applications coming in for adjustments on business equipment that is exempt by the State.
Selectman Burns said he attended the Saco River Cable Franchise TV Meeting last week. All the towns have now completed their different contracts or franchise agreements. Tony Vigue will compile the package and send it on to Time Warner within the next couple weeks. It will be up to negotiations from that point on. Selectman Burns also attended the Workshop Monday night. He said they discussed a lot of things.
Selectman Senechal reported the Board had a long Workshop Monday night. It was her first Workshop and she thought it was very informative.
Selectman Senechal said she has been working on energy efficiency. She will be putting together paperwork for the Bar Mills Fire Department building audit by Efficiency Maine. The Board decided to use the Bar Mills Fire Station because it is occupied 24/7 and there are some issues we can get an immediate return on depending on how it comes back on the audit.
Selectman Senechal reported she will meet with David Pinkham in the Public Works Department this week. She also talked about the General Assistance Training Session that we hosted last week. It was well-attended and, according to the trainer from DHHS, it was one of the biggest training sessions he has seen in a long while. Selectmen Senechal and Harmon attended along with Brenda Brown and Bev Gammon. Bev has now started doing General Assistance. Selectman Senechal extended a big “thank you” to Deputy Clerk, Brenda Brown, for filling in during the interim, and for helping train our new Assistant on General Assistance. Brenda will continue working with Bev until she feels comfortable.
Selectman Senechal reminded everyone the Charter Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the Proposed Draft Charter Thursday, July 29, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. She encouraged anyone who has comments on the Proposed Charter to come on the 29th to give their input.
Selectman Harmon reported on the Workshop Monday night. She said a lot was accomplished. The Board is still working on some issues and additional information has to be obtained before they can make final decisions. Selectman Harmon said there was a brief discussion on our Sick Bank Policy. It is still under ‘Old Business’ because not all had a chance to review it. She reported the Board will be working on the Tax Collector’s job description. We have some information we can now move forward with. We discussed the Rules of the Board that will be adopted tonight. The Board will also be adopting a Town Vehicle Use Policy and a Bringing Dogs to Work Policy. Peter Burns updated the Board on the
Franchise Agreement; Dianne Senechal updated them on the energy audit, and there were a few minor discussions about some other issues. Selectman Harmon said the meeting was long but very productive.
Selectman Harmon reported that the results of the water test came back this week. The water at Town Hall has been cleared to drink. All arsenic and sodium levels are acceptable, and we have taken down the signs saying not to drink the water.
She also reported that Chet, our maintenance person, has been working on the cupolas because we have previously had some issues. He has taken one down and is working on getting it repaired.
Selectman Harmon said painting for the light poles started yesterday and should be completed tomorrow if the weather cooperates.
Sick Bank Policy—Needs to be reviewed.
Tax Collector’s Job Description – The Board is working on it this week.
Rules of the Board.—The Board will be adopting tonight.
Note: Selectman Harmon took a minute to tell the audience the Town is under a tornado watch. She told everyone that if we leave the room abruptly we will do so for safety reasons.
- New Business
- Executive Orders
E.O.101107010—An order to approve 40 hours of Vacation Time for Michael Grovo.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101107011—An order to allow Jennifer Barschdorf to carry forward 30 hours of Vacation Time to be used before October 27, 2010. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101107012—An order to approve 40 hours of Vacation Time for John Myers. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101107013—An order to appoint Cyrus McCall to the Comprehensive Plan Committee effective until December 31, 2010. Not approved. The vote was 2-2-1.
E.O.101107014—An order to adopt the Rules of the Board for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101107015—An order to approve an Abatement for Personal Property for fiscal year 2009/2010 in the amount of $89.10 for Case No. 15559. Approved 4-0-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.101107008--An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #03-11. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101107009 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#03-11. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Public Hearing Skip’s Liquor License renewal Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 7:10 p.m.
Public Hearing on the Preliminary Draft Charter, Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectman Senechal reported our Code Enforcement Secretary, Krystal Dyer, put all the Tax Maps for the Town of Buxton on our Town’s web site. They can be reached at www.buxton.me.us Go to the left side of the page, click on “Downloadable Forms”, under Building Department, Tax Maps 2010. The Board reviewed the link tonight and looked and they are excellent. We think this will help the public tremendously. It will help people out of town and it should reduce phone calls.
Selectman Senechal said she is going to put the tax information not in the Town Report on line as well.
- Public Comments and Questions
May Schumacher discussed Community Days July 23-24th. The parade will start at 10:00 a.m., and there will be judges this year. They will be giving out prizes for the top three floats. She said it is always a challenge to find volunteers and she wanted to announce the judges and thank them for volunteering to do this. The judges , Ed Newell, Carl Anderson, Burton Pease, and Charlene Fields will be on the end of Helen Bruce Park judging all of the participants. May also expressed thanks to Sharon and Barbara Elwell for agreeing to be the Grand Marshalls this year. She talked about the ladies’ pan toss and reminded everyone there is no fee to enter. There will be a $51.00 Gift Certificate for a manicure and
pedicure for the winner. May spoke about the pig scramble, frog jumping contest, and other fun activities they have planned.
Steve Anthony commented on the Board Workshop Monday night. He asked if there has been any discussion about taking minutes or videotaping them to replay to the public. Selectman Harmon said it has been brought up in the past. It is not something they have to do and has not been discussed as something they want to do. She said they have an agenda and some of the selectmen have hand written notes that could be viewed by the public.
Selectman Libby reminded everyone that it is a public meeting; a notice is posted, and the door is always open. Anyone is welcome to attend the Workshops.
Mr. Anthony had questions about the vote appointing Cyrus McCall to the Comprehensive Plan. He wanted to know who voted for and who voted against the appointment. Selectmen Harmon and Senechal voted yes; Selectmen Libby and Burns voted no. Mr. Anthony then asked each of the Selectmen to explain why they voted the way they did. Each Selectman gave an explanation except Dianne Senechal who was not asked.
Steve Anthony then asked questions about the Police Union negotiations and specifically wanted to know how pay increases would be handled and if there were going to be any. Selectman Harmon explained that she could not comment on the negotiations because it is confidential. The Town is represented by an attorney from the law firm Drummond, Woodsum. The Police Union is represented by an attorney and someone from the Maine Police Association sits with them as well. Selectman Harmon said that economics were discussed but she is not allowed to discuss it any further. Mr. Anthony wanted to know if all the Selectmen are participating. Selectman Harmon said she and Bob Libby are in the negotiations. There can only be two Selectmen
present.
Mr. Anthony commented on the Recreation Director’s position and asked if the Board is adding “Parks” to the Director’s title or if they are changing the position or job description.
Police Chief Mike Grovo interrupted the meeting at that time to tell us there was a “super cell” over the building. He announced there had been several unconfirmed tornado touchdowns and suggested we pick things up and seek shelter if needed. He spoke briefly about safety precautions.
Selectman Harmon quickly responded to Mr. Anthony’s last question saying there was discussion about adding “parks” but no decision. The meeting was then adjourned.
No discussion.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Approved 4-0-1.
_________________________ Jean C. Harmon, Selectman
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________________________ Robert C. Libby, Selectman
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_______________________________ Clifford L. Emery, Selectman |
____________________________ Dianne M. Senechal, Selectman |
_______________________________ Peter E. W. Burns, Selectman |
Date Signed: _________
Videotaped by Jeremy Harmon
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