Town of Buxton
Minutes for January 18, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Peter E. W. Burns, Robert C. Libby, Jean C. Harmon, Clifford L. Emery, Dianne M. Senechal.
Others Present: Michael Grovo, David Harmon, Robert Shepard, April Shepard, Lonn Mitchell.
Public Hearing Liquor License Renewal – Buxton Tavern – 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Burns read the Notice of Public Hearing and opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 p.m.
Chairman Burns invited comments from the Board of Selectmen and the public. There were no comments from the Board.
Chief Michael Grovo said our police officers have been there a couple of times but nothing to the extreme. He said when he calls they have been cooperative and if there are issues Bob lets him know up front. Chief Grovo said he has no reservations about renewing this liquor license.
There were no other comments. 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 January 11, 2012. Approved 4-0-1.
Selectman Senechal was absent from that meeting.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Board met with Frank Sherburne, SAD 6 Superintendent, and School Board Members Hilda Lynch and Larry Miller. They discussed Sebago Alliance to get more information on what happens there and the staffing. Chief Grovo was there because we have been responding to a certain amount of calls and the Board wanted to find out what can be done to cut down on those calls. Selectman Burns said the Board will be continuing to talk with them.
Other than that the Selectmen discussed some Accounts Payable items and had individual discussions on other items.
From 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.the Board had John Myers and David Anderson in their office to discuss David Anderson taking over the Tax Collector position.
- Email from Dianne Wilkins – Re: An appeal to the Maine Supreme Court concerning the mandating of Smart Meters. A copy of the Appeal Brief is on file at the Town Office.
- Email from Marian Alexandre, So. ME Regional Planning Commission – Re: 2012 Tire Bid.
- Email from Maine Center for Disease Control – Re: Public Health Update.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby commented that it was a short week with the holiday. He has been discussing the budget with the other Selectmen, and has been in meetings that started that 9:00 a.m. this morning.
Selectman Harmon reported the Board met with Department Heads this morning to talk about some items in the budget and what the Board would like the budgets to look like this year. She has been coming in every day, going over mail, and also commented on the applications for the position at the Transfer Station and the need for the Board to select the candidates they want to interview.
Selectman Emery said he has been coming in to keep up with the mail and trying to keep up with everything going on. He has been getting ready for the upcoming budget season, reviewing applications for the Transfer Station, and making his selections for interviews.
Selectman Senechal has reviewed the applications as well and made her selections. She mentioned that the Department Heads have been given a memorandum that their budgets will be due February 15th. Once that is done the Board will be meeting with them.
Selectman Burns said he will set up a meeting with the Budget Committee and he will ask Bev to set up some interviews for next week.
Selectman Burns attended the Twelve Town Group Meeting on Monday in Waterboro. He reported that the County budget is about $81,000 more than it was last year. The Towns will be apportioned their share. Buxton’s share will probably go up $5,000-$6,000 over last year for a total of about $401,000 for our portion of the County budget. Five of the six towns represented said they are not giving pay raises to their employees in this year’s budget.
Selectman Burns has been working with an electric power broker from out of state who has given us a quote for electricity. Last month we converted from the Standard Offer to the Energy Maine Offer and saved some. The quote he looked at today appears to be less expensive than the Maine Energy offer. The Board is trying to cut expenses where they can.
The Board received a financial survey from Maine Municipal Association. They are working on with help from Charisse, our Treasurer, and John Myers.
Selectman Burns talked with the Town’s auditor and they are setting up a meeting for next week for him to come in to answer some questions that the Selectmen have on the audit.
None
Budgets
E.O.111201012 – An order to approve a leave of absence without pay for Joan Weeman.
Approved 5-0.
E.O.111201013 – An order to appoint Ruth Scheibenpflug to the position of Town Farm Park Trustee to be effective until December 31, 2014. Approved 5-0.
E.O.111201014 – An order to appoint Jack Hanna to the position of a Member of the Appeals Board to be effective until December 31, 2014. Approved 5-0.
E.O.111201015 – An order to approve a Pole Permit for Central Maine Power Company and Country Road Communications to construct and maintain 1 Pole on Charles Street a/k/a Saco Road, one hundred and fifty six feet easterly starting at the corner of Charles Street and Joyce Avenue in accordance with Notification 300845078 and Work Order 1000422882. Approved 5-0.
E.O.111201016 – An order to approve the hire of Morgan Gregoire as a full time Dispatcher at a pay rate of $15.37 per hour starting January 18, 2012. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O.111201017 – An order to approve an Application for a Class A Liquor License renewal for Robert Shepard d/b/a The Buxton Tavern. Approved 5-0.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.111201010 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #67. Approved 5-0. The Warrant is for $505,000. $454,400 of that is for the school.
E.O.111201011 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#66. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Planning Board Meeting Monday, January 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.
Selectman Senechal received a call today from an elderly resident who needs sand delivered to her house and the Board would like to have volunteers who are willing to help the elderly. There is free sand by the sand/salt shed here at by the Town Office.
Selectman Harmon noticed some residents have put Christmas trees by the side of the roads. She mentioned the trash truck will not pick them up, and our Public Works crew will not pick them up either. The Transfer Station will take them if they are brought in.
- Public Comments and Questions
Lonn Mitchell, a Gorham resident who owns property in Buxton, spoke about the building he owns. It is over 100 years old and was formerly the Buxton Grange Hall. He talked about purchasing the building and the work that has been done to make it suitable for the public. Mr. Mitchell asked the Selectmen for advice on how to change zoning, and vented about the valuation of his property.
The Selectman explained that zoning has to do with the Planning Board and ordinances that are in place. Selectman Emery said the Board cannot circumvent a Zoning Ordinance that is in place.
Bob Shepard said he believes the zoning for the building was put in place after Lonn Mitchell bought the building. Selectman Harmon suggested that he talk with Fred Farnham to get more information on changes that have been made and when the zoning changes occurred.
Selectman Emery mentioned that there have been instances where residents got enough signatures on a petition and changed the zoning on some rural property.
After more discussion the Selectmen recommended going to the Planning Board or getting a petition. Selectman Emery said that would need to be done very soon to get it on the ballot for a vote in June. Selectman Libby explained to Mr. Mitchell that his property is being taxed as a commercial use and that is the reason the assessment is so high. He said he would like to see Bob Shepard get signatures on a petition. Selectman Libby said if he gets enough signatures, it has to go on the ballot for a vote. That would give them a good sense of how the voters feel and what they have to do in the future.
Chief Grovo provided statistics for January 8-14. There were 315 calls during that time. The Chief went on to urge everyone to take care of pets that are outside in this cold weather. He asked people to call if there are any questions.
Chief Grovo asked the Board if delivering sand to the elderly is a community service that the Police Department could do. Selectman Senechal said it would but there used to be individuals who volunteered to do that and she is hoping some people will come forward and volunteer.
None.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:47 p.m. Approved 5-0.
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