Town of Buxton
Minutes for February 29, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Peter E. W. Burns, Robert C. Libby, Jean C. Harmon, Dianne M. Senechal.
Clifford L. Emery was absent.
Others Present: Michael Grovo, David Harmon
Meeting Agenda
The Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes February 22, 2012. Approved 4-0-1.
Selectman Emery is absent.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 5:15 Hilda Lynch, a School Board Member, came in and talked to the Board about the School Board’s offer to the Town of the Central Office Building, the Board’s response, and some concerns she has about the way the vote was taken at the last School Board meeting.
At 6 PM Charisse Keach, our Treasurer, came in to discuss her work load, where she is with projects she is working on, and the hours she has been working.
At 6:45 Andy Townsend brought in Brett Butterfield from Newcastle. Brett is one of the fire students that could not make it to the Selectmen’s Meeting two weeks ago. Selectman Burns thanked all the students and expressed the Board’s appreciation for what they do for the Town.
The Board discussed some Account Payable bills, the lawn mowing contract and the energy contract. The lawn mowing contract will be going out to bid next week.
- Email from Maine Municipal Association – Re: Legislative Bulletin
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby mentioned the interviews the Board had one evening. He has been working with a representative from the Maine Revenue Services on State and Town valuation studies, and they also did a sales ratio study for sales that have occurred in the Town. Selectman Libby has also been working on an abatement request for a fairly large parcel.
Selectman Harmon reported that she had a discussion with the Administrator from the City of Saco last Friday. Our Public Works Director contacted Selectman Burns regarding discussion the Saco City Council had regarding the Stackpole Creek Bridge which is on the Saco end of Simpson Road and the Board has some concerns about them closing the bridge. Saco had an engineering study done that our Board has not seen yet. Apparently the bridge is moving when there is a certain amount of water flowing under it. This is a very costly project for them to undertake. The Board asked for a meeting that is scheduled for next Tuesday with the Mayor, City Councilors and their appropriate staff to make sure that we are prepared should there be an
incident where the Buxton end of Simpson Road is somehow impassable. Our Police Chief, Fire Chief and Public Works Director will be asked to go along with the Selectmen.
Selectman Harmon asked the other Board members about scheduling time to meet with our Department Heads to go over their budgets. After some discussion, the Board decided to hold a Workshop Monday, March 5th, at 5 PM. They will let Department Heads know which departments they will meet with that night.
Selectman Senechal reported that the Board is very close to filling the Tax Collector position and thanked everyone they interviewed. There were over 100 applicants.
Selectman Senechal said she has been diligently working on budgets and has a meeting scheduled next Tuesday with an insurance group. She said the Board should periodically look at them to see if there is something there that could save us money and to make sure the Board is spending taxpayer money wisely.
There will be a Blood Drive here on Monday, March 19th from 11 AM-4 PM.
Selectman Burns talked about the interviews and all the meetings he has been attending. When the Town went to Trio all the account numbers were changed so he has been working on a spreadsheet so we can track where we are with whatever changes they make. It will help with the budget process when the Selectmen have the Department Heads in.
Selectman Burns finished the contract with the power company and will have an executive order later. We will save 11% off what Electricity Maine is offering which is a great savings for the Town.
None.
Selectman Harmon encouraged people to stay in if they do not have to go out in the upcoming storm. They are predicting a lot of snow and she urged everyone to be patient with our road crew. They do the best they can and try to make sure everyone is safe and the roads are clean. Selectman Burns said this is supposed to be a long storm and after so many hours the road crew has to get some rest so they may be off the roads for a while then be back out again.
E.O.111202026 – An order to approve a One Year Contract with Nextera Energy to supply the Town of Buxton with electricity at a rate of .0626/kwh.
E.O.111202027 – An order to approve 3 hours vacation time for John Myers.
E.O.111202028 – An order to approve 16 hours vacation time for Greg Heffernan
- Executive Orders by Initiative
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.111202024 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #81. Approved 4-1. The Warrant was $24,100.
E.O.111202025 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant
#80. Approved 4-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Appeals Board Meeting Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., in the small conference room at Town Hall.
Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 6:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 6th, at 7 PM, the Board of Selectmen will meet with the Saco Mayor, City Manager, and City Council Members, at 300 Main Street in Saco, to discuss the Stackpole Creek Bridge on the Simpson Road.
Budget Committee Workshop Thursday, March 8th, at 6:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.
SAD 6 Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 6th, 5 PM, at Central Office.
None.
- Public Comments and Questions
Chief Grovo said the next Drug Take Back Initiative Day will be on April 28th. He will provide more information later on.
Chief Grovo said he wants folks in Town to know that our officers go above and beyond with their investigations and background work when they have a case to prosecute. He read a letter from the York County District Attorney’s Office recognizing Officer Vaughn Staples for the investigation he did on a case where a male subject was just indicted for a Class B Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault crime. According to the letter, his detailed documentation of evidence and statements turned what would have been a misdemeanor assault into a felony case. Chief Grovo said in the future he is going to bring it to the Board’s attention when he gets these kinds of letters so they can know how good a job our police officers are doing.
Adam Ricci, our Animal Control Officer, applied for and received a Grant from the ASPCA for $2,634.62 to be used for items to equip the Animal Control van.
Chief Grovo shared statistics and reported there were 313 calls to dispatch the first week of February, 262 the week of February 12-18, and 286 February 19-25th.
The State Police have broken up a burglary ring in York County, made three arrests, and recovered a lot of stolen property. The Chief said everyone is working diligently to break these rings up. He encouraged people to call the police if they see anything suspicious.
Chief Grovo announced that there will be a speed limit change from 50 down to 35 mph at Broad Turn Road and Portland Road going back some distance on Portland Road. The State will be putting up signs and the area will be clearly marked.
Selectman Burns commended Officer Staples for the work he has done, and thanked Adam Ricci for the work he did on the grant.
None.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7: 32p.m. Approved 4-1.
| 
