Town of Buxton
Minutes for January 5, 2011 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Robert C. Libby, Peter E. W. Burns, Clifford L. Emery, Dianne M. Senechal.
Others Present: David Libby, Daniel and Olive Collomy, Lori and Steve Anthony.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes December 29, 2010.
Approved 4-1-0. Robert C. Libby was absent last week.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At about 5:10 the Police Chief was in and went over some public safety issues with the Board. He also talked about the Drug Take Back Day being planned for April 30, 2011. This is something that occurred this past year and it was very successful in Maine so they are planning to do it again.
At 6:16 Ron Smith of RHR Smith, the auditing firm that does the Town audit every year, met with the Board. Selectman Harmon reported that as of June 30, 2010 our undesignated surplus is a little over 2 Million which is very good despite these difficult economic times. The Town is in good financial shape as far as they are concerned. There are some issues the Board is aware they need to correct but they are minor and nothing that is overwhelming. The Board will get that taken care of shortly.
- Email from Marian Alexandre, Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission – Re: Program Timeline for Maine’s Future Bond Program.
- Email from Joseph Young with the Maine State Planning Office – Re: FEMA Floodplain Meetings
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby said he has had a few tree growth applications and renewals that have come in. These have to be renewed every ten years and he has been busy working on that. Personal property accounts, the new BETE Exemption, has been misunderstood by some of the accounts. He has been working on that as well, and answering correspondence.
Selectman Burns said he attended the School Board Budget Input Meeting Monday night. He talked about the timing of the vote on the budget that has been changed to June this year, the two-step process, and the importance of both.
Selectman Emery reported he also attended that meeting. He did not get as much out of it nor did he like the way the participation went. He said he enjoyed it when the meeting was in the library and everyone sat around tables facing each other. He felt like part of the audience at this meeting instead of part of the process.
Selectman Emery said he had some time this week to go over to the Transfer Station, and the Fire Department to see how things were going.
Selectman Senechal attended the school board meeting and reported that she did not get any information on what the State is doing and really did not feel like part of the process.
Selectman Senechal said she listened to Ron Smith talk about the audit and the Town is in good financial shape. There are no major issues.
Selectman Senechal thanked everyone who donated blood at the Blood Drive today.
Selectman Emery said the Town is not in good shape, it is in great shape. He said that can be attributed to everyone, the Board, the employees, and the taxpayers.
Selectman Senechal said we are at about 50% for tax collection which is right on the mark where it should be.
Selectman Libby said it was interesting to hear the auditor say that because we are a residential town, we do not have any large industries that can go out of business like the mill towns that have had a lot of problems. He said that cannot happen to us because we are more residential and property owners will pay their property taxes
Selectman Harmon said this has been a resounding conversation the Board has had with Ron Smith, that the town has been fiscally responsible for so many years to be able to keep the surplus where it needs to be for as long as they have, and to keep the tax rate where it has been for the last three years says something about the Town, and the Board that has been here to continue that.
Selectman Harmon reported that the Board is planning to have representatives from CMP come in to talk about Smart Meters at their meeting on January 19th so people can come and ask questions. She was surprised to learn from one resident that a Smart Meter has already been installed at his home.
Selectman Harmon said she agreed with Cliff Emery that it felt odd at the school board meeting to be part of the audience and not sitting at a table with a microphone as elected officials to explain what position the towns are in and what they are thinking. She said she thinks the biggest piece people look at is the percentage or portion that we pay for the school district.
None
Selectman Harmon read the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on January 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. She said the purpose of the meeting is to reconcile accounts that have gone over. She listed the accounts and reasons they went over-budget.
E.O.101101003 – An order to appoint Joan M. Weeman to the position of Registrar of Voters effective until December 31, 2012.
Approved 5-0-0.
E.O.101101004 – An order to deny a Poverty Abatement Application for Case Number PA 10-012.
Approved 5-0-0.
E.O.101101005 – An order to approve 40 hours vacation time for Gregory Heffernan.
Approved 5-0-0.
E.O.101101006 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption [Map4, Lot 40].
Approved 4-1-0. Selectman Burns abstained.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.101101001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #27-11. Approved 5-0-0.
E.O.101101002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#27-11. Approved 5-0-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Planning Board Meeting Monday, January 10, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Special Town Meeting Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, January 12, 2011 immediately following the close of the Special Town Meeting.
Public Hearing – Liquor License Renewal for Buxton Tavern Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Selectman Harmon said there will be a department head meeting Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. regarding the upcoming budget.
- Public Comments and Questions
Olive Collomy spoke. She thanked Mia Dodge, Carolyn Snell, and the rest of the crew for doing a tremendous job with the Toy Box. She and the selectmen commented on the volunteers and all that was done to make it successful
Someone mentioned the upcoming storm and Selectman Harmon reminded everyone to slow down and drive safely so they can reach their destination. She said the Public Works crew does a great job but there are still slippery places.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:38p.m. Approved 4-0-1.
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