Town of Buxton
Minutes for October 27, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Peter E. W. Burns, Robert C. Libby, Clifford L. Emery, and Dianne M. Senechal. Jean C. Harmon was absent.
Others present: Dennis Sweatt, Daniel & Olive Collomy, Dennis Santolucito, Frank & Linda Pulsoni, Keith Emery, Charlie McNutt, and Mike Grovo.
Public Hearing
Vice Chairman Peter Burns called the Public Hearing to order at 7:02 p.m. Selectman Senechal outlined the purpose of each Appendix (A, B & C) and provided the range of increase for A & C. There was no change in Appendix B.
There were no questions or comments from the Public and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:03 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
The pledge was recited at the beginning of the Public Hearing.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes October 20, 2010.
Approved 4-0-1.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 6:30 Greg Heffernan met with the Board to discuss the open position at the Transfer Station. They also talked about the Hazardous Waste Day.
The Board discussed Carry Forwards and the upcoming Rabies Clinic.
Selectman Emery elaborated on the discussion about Hazardous Waste Day. The bill was more than the Board expected because there were more Mercury laden products. Cliff said that is what really drives the price. The cost did not exceed the amount raised but it did exceed the estimate.
- Email from Myranda McGowan with Southern Maine Regional Planning—Re: The next Public Works Group Meeting October 2, 2010.
- Letter from Roy Wright, Deputy Director, Risk Analysis with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Email from Tony Vigue with Saco River Cable Committee—Re: The Ascertainment Report with Survey Summary and Vision Plan requirements.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby said the State requires us to put together a sales ratio study that compares what properties have sold for with what we had them assessed for. He has been working on that report which is a bit difficult and takes a couple of weeks to do. He completed the Property Tax Levy Report today that the State Planning Office requires us to do.
Selectman Emery said he has been keeping up with things going on and he has had a lot of discussion about the Charter.
Selectman Senechal reported that the Buxton News letter is being re-introduced and will be delivered to us by the end of this week. The Board will be assessing if it should go out monthly or bi-monthly.
Selectman Senechal talked about the PACE Project. She explained the program, the types of ordinances other towns have adopted, and said the Board needs to discuss as a group what they want to do and if they want to go forth with this. PACE is a program for home owners to make upgrades to their homes for energy efficiency. She reported that twenty one communities have adopted aPACE ordinance.
Selectman Burns said he has been checking on mail and messages. He said there are a lot of issues going on right now and urged everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday. He mentioned the Bond issues and Charter changes that would move us to a Town Manager form of government. Selectman Burns said that is an extremely important issue for everyone in the Town.
None.
The Town Clerk’s Office will be open additional hours on Saturday, October 30th from 8 AM to 4 PM to issue absentee ballots and register voters for the November 2nd State and Town Elections at the Town Hall at 185 Portland Road. Absentee ballot applications are available at the Town Hall or on line at http://maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/Absentee Ballot/index.pl.
Absentee b allots can also be mailed out at the request of the voter by calling the Town Clerk’s Office at 929-6171. The polls in Buxton will be open Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 6 AM and will close at 8PM. All Buxton voters vote at the Town Hall, 185 Portland Road, Buxton. For more information call the Town Clerk’s Office weekdays at 929-6171 or 929-5806 after office hours, including weekends. Every vote counts!
E.O.101110023 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 1, Lot 198-A].
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101110024 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 10, Lot 55-1].
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101110025 –An order to approve 24 Hours Vacation Time for John Myers.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101110026 – An order to approve 8 Hours Personal Leave for Greg Heffernan.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101110027 – An order to carry forward 3 Hours Vacation Time for Keith Emery
Approved 4-0-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O.101110028 – The municipality of Buxton adopts the MMA Model Ordinance GA Appendices (A, B & C) for the period of Oct. 1, 2010 – October 1, 2011.
Approved 4-0-1.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.101110021 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #17-11. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101110022 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#17-11. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Pleasant Point Park Committee Meeting Thursday, October 28, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. in the small conference room at the Town Hall.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
None.
- Public Comments and Questions
Dennis Sweatt talked about the proposed Town Manager and asked the Selectmen if they would consider it if an employee came forward with an idea on how the Town could save $100,000-$120,000. The Selectmen said their door is always open and they are always willing to listen. Selectman Libby said the question has been out there but no one has brought forth anything concrete thus far.
The next speaker was Charlie McNutt. He shared some of his observations on the Public Hearing and said he was astonished that there was not a more compelling argument made in favor of switching to a Town Manager. He said he thinks a strategic error was made by combining so many changes with the Town Manager. He pointed out other issues he thought should have been addressed and concluded that he cannot vote for it.
Linda Pulsoni shared her thoughts on the proposed Charter changes. She said the Town is financially strong and she urged people to vote against the Charter change. She asked questions about the new editor for the Buxton News and what boards or committees in Town she serves on. Mrs. Pulsoni asked the Board to elaborate on their discussion earlier with Greg Heffernan about the open position at the Transfer Station and urged them to consider not hiring anyone new at this time.
Dan Collomy read the Minority Report and shared his opinion on the process the Charter Commission used to develop the new Charter. He does not think this is the time for a Town Manager and he asked people to consider the services they have now, how well the Town operates, and to vote their conscience.
Selectman Emery gave his opinion on what the Charter Commission did and the process they used. He favors a Town Manager but said he will not support the Charter because he does not agree with a lot of other things that are included.
Selectman Senechal said she was a member of the Charter Commission and they did what they thought was in the best interest of the public.
Keith Emery made a brief trip to the podium to tell folks about a flu shot clinic November 5th from 10:00 am – 2:00 p.m. at Hannaford.
Peter Pinkham thanked the Board for sending out Rescue Subscription Notices. He would like to see them mailed to everyone in Town.
None.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Approved 4-0-1.
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