Town of Buxton
Minutes for December 22, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Peter E. W. Burns, Robert C. Libby, Dianne M. Senechal. Clifford L. Emery was absent.
Others Present: Daniel Collomy.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes for December 15, 2010.
A motion was made and seconded to postpone approval of the Minutes from the Selectmen’s Meeting for December 15, 2010. Dianne M. Senechal, Peter E. W. Burn, and Clifford L. Emery were the only selectmen present at that meeting. Clifford L. Emery is absent this evening. Approved 4-0-1.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 5:30 the Board had a new Police Officer, James Bradbury, come in for an introduction to the Selectmen. Selectman Senechal was on the interview committee along with the Police Chief and the Fire Chief and James Bradbury was their first choice. He graduated from the Police Academy last Saturday and will start working for the Town of Buxton on December 27, 2010.
Selectman Burns said the Board also briefly discussed the Audit Report. Selectman Harmon said this is the third year so the audit report will have to be put out to bid.
- Email from Sharon Leahy-Lind, Maine CDC – Re: Maine Public Health Update.
- Letter from Robert Hough with Maine DOT – Re: Highway Resurfacing Project.
- Letter from Suzanne Lukas, SAD 6 Superintendent – Re: School District budget process for 2011-2012.
- Email from Maine Municipal Association – Re: Monthly News & Updates
- Email from the Governor – Re: Flags to be flown at Half-Staff.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby said he has had quite a few of the personal property tax forms to work on and fill out. There are quite a few brokers who have been emailing about taxes. Selectman Libby said he has also been coming in working on email the Selectmen receive every day.
Selectman Burns has been coming in every day working through correspondence.
Selectman Senechal reported she is finishing up an issue with our Code Officer regarding the DOT. She said there has been a lot of correspondence coming in every week that the Selectmen have to go through.
Selectman Harmon was absent last week. She said the Toy Box served 58 families and it was a huge success as usual. She credited the success to all the workers and volunteers who work on the Toy Box. The Toy Box was dedicated in memory of Mary Jane Emery who died this year. Mary Jane was a “die-hard” volunteer at the Toy Box. They had a lovely picture of her framed that everyone signed.
Selectman Harmon talked about the Wreaths Across America ceremony that took place Dec 11. She attended the ceremony and thinks this was the biggest crowd they have had. She said the South Buxton Cemetery Association did a great job and she looks forward to participating in that for many years. It is a wonderful program that honors those serving and those who have served.
Selectman Harmon said she spoke this week with Larry Benoit from CMP. He called and asked if CMP could have an opportunity to come back and do another presentation on the Smart Meter Program. Selectman Harmon said this is something the Board will have here at one of their meetings where the CMP representative can come to the podium and answer questions about the meters. She said there is a lot of information out there some of it accurate and some not accurate. They want to do the best possible job they can to inform the public about the Smart Meters. Selectman Harmon said as a follow up to that she had a call from a resident who has regularly been calling and emailing her asking if Buxton would reconsider whether or not it wants the
Smart Meters. Selectman Harmon said she thinks having CMP come in will help get accurate information out there. This will be done at a public meeting open to anyone so it will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions. The Board met previously to get with CMP but they want to make sure people are informed.
We will get back to them to set up a date and time for the presentation.
Selectman Harmon reminded everyone there is going to be a free Christmas Dinner at the Buxton Center Baptist Church Saturday, Dec. 25th from noon to 2:00 pm. They are looking forward to having people there.
None.
E.O.101112026– An order to approve the application for a non-transferable Automobile Graveyard or Junkyard for the following entities: Lee Anderson, d/b/a Pine Tree Garage, LLC; Forest D. Boucher, d/b/a Forest D. Boucher; Andrea Gooch & James Fitz, d/b/a A. & J. Trailer Sales & Service; Bill Havu, d/b/a Johnnie’s Country Service; Joseph Iaconeta, Jr., d/b/a Ike’s Auto Sales & Service; B.H. Reynolds, d/b/a Reynold’s Auto Salvage; Robert Reynolds, d/b/a Bear’s Auto Salvage; Rusty Rowe, d/b/a Rowe’s Auto Parts; Michael R. Smith, d/b/a Ray’s Garage Inc.; Philip Thompson, d/b/a Thompson’s Garage; and Vaughn Waterman, d/b/a Buxton Auto Salvage.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112027– An order to accept the resignation of Michelle Lohutko, effective December 18, 2010. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112028 – An order to approve the hire of Adam Ricci as full time (32 hours per week) Animal Control Officer at a pay rate of $12.69 per hour, effective December 23, 2010. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112029 – An order to approve the hire of James P. Bradbury for the position of full time Patrolman at a pay rate of $19.21 per hour, effective December 27, 2010.
Approved 4-0-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.101112019– An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #24-11. Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.101112020– An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#24-11. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Selectman Harmon reminded everyone the Town Hall will be closed Friday, December 24th, and will re-open for business Monday, December 27, 2010.
Selectman Senechal mentioned there is an opening on the Budget Committee.
- Public Comments and Questions
Daniel Collomy talked about the old Town Garage. He told about work he started a year and a half ago and work that still needs to be done. He was disturbed to hear talk of tearing it down. He shared his thoughts and ideas on how the building could be used to keep vehicles and equipment in, and for spray painting, and he asked the Selectmen to reconsider tearing it down.
In response, Selectman Harmon said the Board’s discussion about what it would cost to tear it down was a discussion, not a decision. She said no decision has been made on it.
Selectman Senechal said the building needs to be painted and have work done if it is not torn down because it is an eye sore in Buxton Center where work is being done on the EMA building and the church is raising money for improvements. She thinks it should be a taxpayer decision, not one for the Board.
Selectman Burns talked about the need to move the EMA antenna and to decide where they are going to put it. He said it will have to be free standing and the Board is looking at what they need to do to meet the requirements and codes to do that. He said one of the possibilities is to put it on the corner where the garage is located. He said he does not want to see the Town build new buildings and keep the old ones to maintain. He said the Town cannot afford to do that.
There were no other comments or questions so Selectman Harmon asked everyone to drive safely and wished the Town employees and everyone a safe and Merry Christmas. She said the Town Office will be closed next Friday, December 31st for the New Year’s holiday and will re-open for business Monday morning.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:38p.m. Approved 4-0-1.
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