Town of Buxton
Minutes for December 1, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Robert C. Libby, and Peter E. W. Burns, and Dianne M. Senechal. Clifford L. Emery was absent.
Others Present: Michael Grovo, Adam Ricci, Jack Hanna, and Representative Rob Hunt
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes November 17, 2010.
Selectman Harmon made a motion to postpone approval of the Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes for November 17, 2010. There were only three Selectmen present at that meeting; Jean C. Harmon, Clifford L. Emery and Dianne M. Senechal. Clifford L. Emery is not here tonight. Selectmen Robert C. Libby and Peter E. W. Burns were absent from that meeting. The motion was seconded and the vote was 4-0-1 to postpone approval of the Minutes.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 5:30 Jan & Brent Hill met with the Selectmen to talk about progress and improvements at the EMA building up at Buxton Center. A lot of work has been done already. Selectman Senechal went through the list of improvements done and planned for the future. Selectman Burns said their plans are very ambitious and they are doing well. Selectman Libby said the Board has to do something with the antenna as well.
Selectman Burns said the Board also discussed the need for a Workshop and some subjects they need to cover.
- Email from David Francoeur, Deputy Dir. York County Emergency Management Agency – Re: Public Information Officer Awareness Training Announcement.
- Email from Myranda McGowan with So. Maine Regional Planning – Re: December 9th Public Works Meeting.
Email from Chad Poitras on behalf of the Board of Directors at South Buxton Cemetery – Re: Wreaths across America program. This will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010 @11:30 a.m. The wreath laying ceremony will be at noon at the Tory Hill Cemetery.
Email from York County EMA – Re: Testing an Emergency Operations Plan.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Robert Libby said it was a short week. He said he has been through a lot of supplements that had to be paid and he has been working on a ton of paperwork.
Selectman Burns said reported that he has been trying to keep up with all the paperwork. He stopped at the Town Garage, spent some time with David Pinkham, and talked about some of the projects he has done. Selectman Burns said the flagpole down by the entrance to the Town Garage looks fantastic behind the plow.
Selectman Senechal reported she had a couple of days off. She said there has been a lot of paperwork. She said she received a response from the Town’s attorney for the Ordinance for the Energy Efficiency Program and she hopes the Board can discuss it at their Workshop Monday night.
Selectman Senechal thanked Tashia Geaumont for putting on a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner for the Community Cares participants here in Town that the Police Department coordinates.
Selectman Jean Harmon said she has been in the office. She said it seems like there has been an enormous amount of correspondence. She was contacted by a resident in regards to the Smart Meters. Selectman Harmon said there are still a lot of concerns people throughout the State have concerning health issues that might be related to the Meters. Buxton is still scheduled to have the Smart Meters installed between December and February. She reminded people they can contact CMP and opt out of having them installed until the PUC makes a final decision on that.
Selectman Harmon talked about an Email message she had not seen that came in from Don Marean, a Selectman in Hollis. He sent the message to update the Board on the pedestrian bridge project some of the University of Maine students in Orono have been working on. The pedestrian bridge is between Pleasant Point Park and the Indian Cellar Park. Don Marean received a letter saying that the project is moving along nicely and Hollis will be receiving a copy of the proposal sometime mid-December to mid-January. As soon as they receive it, they will give a copy to this Board. The students were working on an engineering project. They heard talks about the pedestrian bridge and wanted to come up with something. Selectman Harmon said
it will be interesting to see what the students come up with.
None.
Selectman Harmon reminded everyone about the Rabies Vaccination Clinic that will be held Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 1:00-3:00 p.m., at the new Public Works Garage. Dogs must be on a leash. The Cost is $8.00/dog. People should bring their Rabies Certificate from before if they have one.
E.O.101112003 – An order to approve Bruce E. Mullen’s attendance at an MMA Personnel Practices Seminar. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112004 – An order to approve Michael Grovo’s attendance at an MMA Personnel Practices Seminar. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112005 – An order to approve Tashia Geaumont’s attendance at the New England Recreation & Park Conference. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112006 – An order to approve 32 Hours of Vacation Time for Fred Farnham.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112007 – An order to approve John Myers’ attendance at an MTCCA Certification Committee Meeting. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112008 – An order to accept Dianne Senechal’s letter of resignation as a member of the Budget Committee for the Town of Buxton. Approved 3-1-1. Selectman Senechal abstained.
E.O.101112009 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate Taxes for fiscal year 2010/11 in the amount of $168.30 (Map 4 Lot 73-1). Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112010 – An order to approve an Abatement for Real Estate Taxes for fiscal year 2010/11 in the amount of $221.76 (Map 10 Lot 9-10). Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112011 – An order to approve a Poverty Abatement for Case No. PA 10-010.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112012 – An order to deny a Poverty Abatement for Case No. PA 10-011
- Executive Orders by Initiative
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.101112001– An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #22-11. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112002– An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#22-11. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
The Board of Selectmen will hold a Workshop Monday, December 6, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Appeals Board Meeting Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Planning Committee Meeting Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in
the small conference room.
Selectman Senechal said her resignation from the Budget Committee means there will be an opening and the Board will be posting that position. If anyone is interested they should let the Board know.
- Public Comments and Questions
Police Chief Mike Grovo spoke. He said they have been busy with interviews and will be meeting with those folks next week. They are hiring one full time Police Officer, a couple of Reserve Officers, and they are going to re-advertise the Dispatcher position because they did not have many candidates for it. He said they have also been busy with complaints, calls, and accidents. He reminded everyone the roads are beginning to get slicker and asked people to take their time and leave a little earlier when we have icy roads.
Chief Grovo introduced Adam Ricci, the Animal Control Officer, who has filled in for Michelle Lohutko temporarily. Adam shared some statistics to let folks know what Animal Control is doing. He reported that from January, through November a total of 601 calls came through Dispatch that were animal related. Of the 601 calls, 230 were for dogs at large. This is just under 40% of all calls received. There were 119 calls involving cows which is just under 20% of all calls. In addition there were 25 calls regarding animal cruelty, 42 for stray cats, 7 calls for quarantine which is a State mandated protocol for rabies, and 141 miscellaneous calls.
People can contact Adam by calling the Police Department at 929-6612, or by Email to aco@town.buxton.me.us.
Selectman Harmon mentioned Dog registrations are now due and Adam reported there will be a late fee penalty of $25.00 on top of the Registration Fee, starting February 1st.
Representative Rob Hunt introduced himself and thanked people for putting their faith and trust in him again. He said it is a tremendous honor to represent the people of Buxton and Hollis. He thanked the Board for giving him the opportunity to speak and said the main reason he was there was to support his friend, John Myers. He said John is one of the finest public servants he has seen and he is sorry to see that John’s integrity and his character as an individual have been compromised. He said John is a good friend and he deserves the respect of everyone. He offered to answer questions and encouraged people to call him if they have any. He promised to return calls within 24 hours.
Selectman Senechal commented that she has worked with John for almost 9 years and she spoke about his integrity, common sense, and dedication to his job. She said the public should be proud that he is serving the Town in the capacity he does. Selectman Senechal said she has seen his integrity and honesty and wants to go on record as saying she believes we have an outstanding Town Clerk here in Buxton.
Representative Hunt spoke again reinforcing his support for John. Representative Hunt invited people to call or Email him and said he will be glad to answer any questions people might have. He said he was the person who appointed John Myers as Treasurer of his campaign and he will take all the blame for somebody who was just trying to help him out. Mr. Hunt closed by saying the Legislature is now in session and if people have something on their minds, they should contact him and let him know if there is any legislation that is important to them. The Cloture date is January 7, 2011. After that no new legislation will be allowed. Mr. Hunt said there is a very short window so if there is something that is important to people, they should
contact him right away.
Selectmen Burns expressed his support for John saying he is the most honest person and has the most integrity of anybody he knows.
Selectman Harmon said John is the first person to bring to the Board’s attention that they are on the limits of what they are allowed or not allowed to do. She said she does not think any one of them can question John’s integrity, his honesty, and just being an upstanding citizen. She said the Town is fortunate to have him in the capacity of Town Clerk.
Selectman Senechal added that John Myers was elected Town Clerk of the Year a couple years ago. She said it is quite a prestigious award and he was up against all the other Town Clerks in the State.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:35p.m. Approved 4-0-1.
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