Town of Buxton
Minutes for November 30, 2011 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Peter E. W. Burns, Clifford L. Emery, Jean C. Harmon, Dianne M. Senechal.
Robert C. Libby was absent.
Others Present: Alyssa Provost, Chief Michael Grovo, Charisse Keach
Public Hearing Liquor License Renewal – 7:00 p.m.
The Roost Inc., d/b/a Personal Touch Catering
Selectman Burns opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 p.m. Selectman Emery said there has been no negative response from the Police Chief regarding activities at the Roost during the past year. The Board will take that into consideration when they vote.
Chief Michael Grovo confirmed the police have had no negative contact with people at the Roost and he said he has no problem supporting their Liquor License renewal.
There were no other comments and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:04 p.m.
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes November 9, 2011.
Approved 3-0-2. Selectman Harmon was absent.
Selectmen Meeting Minutes November 16, 2011.
Approved 3-0-2. Selectman Burns was absent.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 4:45 the Board had David Pinkham from Public Works come in. They discussed plowing at the Town Hall complex, a general discussion about plowing, which routes each driver has and how things are going.
At 5:00 Chief Grovo came in with Bill Hodgkins from Radio Communications Management to discuss a proposal to convert the Public Works Department radios to Narrow Band width. By January 1, 2013 all radios must be converted to narrow band which is the Maine law.
After that, Chief Grovo brought in three new Dispatch hires to introduce to the Board, one for full time and two for part time.
At 6:00 the Comprehensive Plan Committee met with the Selectmen to discuss a questionnaire they will be sending to all Buxton residents within the next couple of weeks. The Board urged everyone to participate.
- Email from Maria Fuentes at MBTA in Augusta – Re: 61st Maine Transportation Conference – Announcement.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Harmon said it was a short week because of Thanksgiving. She mentioned the recent snowstorm and reminded people to slow down so they can get where they are going safely. She said our Public Works crew works very hard to clear the roads and asked everyone to be patient.
Selectman Emery talked about the recent Twelve Town Group meeting he and Peter Burns attended. They talked about issues going on in Augusta and in the County. He said it is a good forum to swap ideas and see how other people are doing things. Monday night he went to the Planning Board Meeting where they talked about an ordinance for mass gatherings and whether or not to draft an ordinance regarding adult entertainment in Buxton. People will have a chance to give their opinion on this in the survey that the Comprehensive Plan Committee is sending out.
Selectman Senechal said it has been extremely busy this week. She has been working on the employee Christmas Party with Selectman Harmon who is the co-chair.
Selectman Senechal said one of the things on the building maintenance list this year is lighting at the Transfer Station. The electrician came through the Transfer Station today to take a look at the lights that can be changed to something more energy efficient. She said the lights in that area draw a lot of energy but do not give off a lot of light. She expects the project will proceed pretty fast right now because there are some issues there.
She said we will be taking applications for Buxton Toy until Friday, December 9th. Selectman Senechal said money is coming in nicely for the Keep the Heat On Program and thanked everyone for their donations.
Selectman Burns said he took a hunting trip a couple weeks ago and has been playing catch up this past week. He received calls from a resident who wants a ban on fireworks and another who complained about the number of power outages that occur in that part of town. Selectman Burns said the Board is going to try to get someone from CMP to come in to meet with them and if possible attend a Selectmen’s Meeting so we can ask some specific questions. We are handled out of Portland when the rest of York County is handled out of Alfred. Selectman Burns said he is hoping the Board can get answers to some questions about the grid in this town.
Selectman Burns received complaints from residents about the assessed values versus the bank appraisals they are getting when they sell, refinance or apply for a home equity loan. He said the Board hears what is being said and they will address the issue. They may have to reduce the assessed value but when they do that the mil rate will increase and we will pay the same amount of taxes we pay now.
None
None
E.O.111211024 – An order to approve the hire of Susan M. Bock as a full time Dispatcher at a pay rate of $16.96 per hour, effective November 30, 2011.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.111211025 – An order to approve the hire of Benjamin A. Vickery as a part time Reserve Dispatcher at a pay rate of $14.26 per hour, effective November 30, 2011.
Approved 4-0-1.
E.O.111211026 – An order to approve the hire of Morgan Gregoire as a part time Reserve Dispatcher at a pay rate of $14.26 per hour, effective November 30, 2011.
Approved 4-0-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O.111211027 – An order to approve the Liquor License renewal for The Roost Inc., d/b/a Personal Touch Catering. Approved 4-0-1.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.111211022 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #52. Approved 4-0-1. The warrant is for $62,000; $12,000 was for cutting edges for the plows, and $22,000 was for the new police cruiser approved under Article 36 at Town Meeting.
E.O.111211023 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#51. Approved 4-0-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Appeals Board Meeting Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the Superintendent’s Office on the budget forum.
There will be a Rabies Vaccination Clinic Saturday, December 3, 2011, from 1-3 PM, at the Buxton Public Works Garage. The cost is $8.00 per Vaccination – Cash only. All dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in carriers. Please bring the previous Rabies Vaccination Certificate. Flyers are on the counter at the Town Office. For more information call the Buxton Town Office at 929-6171.
- Public Comments and Questions
Chief Grovo reported on the Drug Take Back Initiative. Maine ranked #1 per capita in the U.S. for the largest State collection, and for the first time Maine had the largest collection in New England with 15,140 pounds. He said some people were unable to dispose of medications that day. The Police Department kept a box with the seals from that day so people can still bring medications to Dispatch. They will turn the box in when it is full.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Approved 4-0-1.
| 
