Town of Buxton
Minutes for September 5, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Dianne M. Senechal, Jean C. Harmon, Penny J. Booker. Robert C. Libby. Clifford L. Emery was absent.
Others Present: Jack Hanna, Bernie Page
Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 29, 2012. Approved 3-2.
Robert Libby was absent last week and Clifford Emery is absent this week.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 5:40 the Board went into Executive Session for 1 MRSA 405 6(A) and came out at 6:25 PM.
The Board discussed soccer and soccer fields with the Recreation Director, talked about the phone system, and open positions that will be on the Ballot in November.
At 5:30 our Treasurer came in.
- Letter of Resignation from Nicole Peabody – Re: SAD 6 School Board.
- Letter from Gregory Zinser, York County Manager – Re: Municipal Caucuses to elect Budget Committee members.
- Email from Sharon Leahy-Lind at Maine Center for Disease Control – Re: Whooping Cough and West Nile Virus.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby talked about the tax rate that was set at 11.90 and reported that tax bills should be in people’s mail in the next day or so. Land values were reduced 20% across the board and Mr. Libby explained why that was done. The town was assessing at a ratio of 107%; at 110% the State will ask for a complete re-valuation. As the Board looked over the land values it appeared that they were much higher in the ratio than buildings were so they decided to take 20% off every land value to bring the town back to 99% to 100% of where our valuation should be. Mr. Libby said the 11.90 rate appears to be high but the school budget went up $238,602 and the Town values went up $230,000 for a total of $469,000 which required an increase in
the tax rate. There will be a notice with each tax bill explaining the 20% reduction for those who might want to read it.
Selectman Harmon reported that she has been coming in, handling day to day things and going over resumes to prepare for interviews for the Public Works position tomorrow night. She has been looking at where we are for 2012 expenditures and hopes this will be the end of those so the Board can get caught up on that. After the Board has the Workshop to go over the Personnel Manual they will be going over carry-forwards and reconciliations.
Selectman Booker has been going over applications for the Public Works candidates to be interviewed and she has been trying to figure out the NIMS training schedule.
Selectman Senechal has been working on a Dog Licensing Ordinance. She reminded the public that they can come in and pay on their taxes weekly, monthly, quarterly, or whenever they have extra money.
Selectman Senechal said she has been meeting with the public when no one else is here. She has been doing daily stuff that she said you have to be here to see. She also said she finished going through the Personnel Manual.
Personnel Policy –Board Workshop Tuesday, September 11 at 6 PM.
The Selectmen will take up the Internal Control Document after they finish the Personnel Policy.
Selectman Harmon read information about Buxton’s Hazardous Waste Day that will be on October 6 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Transfer Station.
Selectman Senechal talked about issues the Town has been having with ventilation, heat and cold in the attic. The Board had an expert come in to look at it and received his report today. They are reviewing that and steps he laid out for us to take. Selectman Senechal mentioned that money has been carried forward from two years ago to work on the roof.
E.O.121309003 – An order to accept Nicole Peabody’s resignation as a MSAD 6 School Board member effective immediately. Approved 4-1.
E.O.121309004 – An order to shorten the nomination paper process to fill a vacancy on the MSAD 6 School Board of Directors under 30-A M.R.S.A. Subsection 2602, ordering the Town Clerk to prepare and issue nomination papers for the vacancy created by Nicole Peabody for the November 6, 2012 Special Town Meeting Secret Ballot Voting Day, effective immediately. Approved 4-1.
E.O.121309005 – An order to deny an Application for a Poverty Abatement for Case No. PA12-005. Approved 4-1.
E.O.121309006 – An order to approve an Application for a Veteran Exemption for [Map 0009, Lot 0018A-1-6]. Approved 4-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.121309001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #18. Approved 4-1.
E.O.121309002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #17. Approved 4-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
The Board of Selectmen will be interviewing for Public Works Thursday, September 6, 2012, at 6 PM.
The Planning Board Meeting for a Public Hearing Monday, September 10, 2012, at 7 PM regarding proposed amendments to Buxton’s Zoning Ordinance.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at 7 PM.
There is a vacancy on the Planning Board and an opening on the School Board.
Selectman Senechal said the new Public Works Director recently had a very big project to do and he and his crew did an outstanding job. The Director took time to recognize Larry Anderson, Michael Pulsoni, and Keith Emery for the work they did. He thanked them and recognized how valuable they were in helping do the job. His letters will go in their personnel files. Selectman Senechal apologized for not mentioning this last week.
Today a $500 donation came in for the Keep The Heat On Program from the Buxton United Methodist Church in Chicopee. Selectman Senechal talked about how much it is appreciated and thanked them for doing that. She also thanked everyone else who has donated bottles and cans for this program.
- Public Comments and Questions
None.
None.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:19 p.m. Approved 4-1.
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