Town of Buxton
Minutes for September 12, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Dianne M. Senechal, Robert C. Libby, Penny J. Booker. Jean C. Harmon and Clifford L. Emery were absent.
Others Present: Mike Grovo, Peter Burns, Dan Collomy, Dennis Sweatt, Jack Hanna, Bernie Page.
Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 5, 2012. Approved 3-2.
Clifford Emery was absent last week. Jean Harmon and Clifford Emery are absent this week.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 6:30 the Board had a Boy Scout come in to talk with them about his proposed Eagle Scout project. The Board asked him to put his plan together and come back with it.
- Email from Patrick Bonsant, Station Manager at Saco River Community TV – Re: Cable update.
If there is a problem with local channels 2, 5, or 7 they do not always know that so people can always call Saco River Community TV at 727-5702 to let them know if there is a problem viewing those channels.
- Email from Don Marean – Re: Buxton-Hollis pedestrian bridge.
The proposal for the bridge came from students at the University of Maine who presented it to both towns. Dianne Senechal said the bridge will not cost the taxpayers anything because there is seed money to get it started and grant money that should include enough extra to take care of maintenance for the next few years. The bridge will connect Pleasant Point Park with the Indian Cellar in Hollis. All the Board has to do is write a letter of support.
- Email from Joyce Wood – Re: York County Budget Committee.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby said that the tax bills went out Monday and on Tuesday things exploded and it has been that way ever since. He will be working for a few weeks to correct some of the things that might need to be changed.
Selectman Booker was here last Thursday for the Public Works interviews. She has been reviewing the Personnel Policy again. The Board was going to start working on it last night but that got postponed.
Selectman Senechal has been in every day. She said they are going to reschedule their Workshop the next time they get all five selectmen together. She finished reviewing the Personnel Policy and the Internal Control Document and said she is ready to go with that when the Board is ready.
Selectman Senechal said she had a chance to speak with our new Fire Chief this week and she is really impressed with all the knowledge he has gained in five working days about our town. Once he gets his feet underneath him, he will come in for one of the Board meetings to introduce himself so people can put a face with a name.
Selectman Senechal reminded everyone that September 24 is the deadline for the Board to submit the Secret Ballot items. The Board has one item to submit and it is a Dog Licensing Ordinance that is being worked on by our attorney right now. She also reminded people that all Petitions must be filed with the Town Clerk by 4:30 PM on Wednesday, September 19.
Personnel Policy –Board Workshop will be rescheduled.
The Internal Control Document will be reviewed after the Board finishes the Personnel Policy.
There is one opening for a Director at SAD 6. Nomination papers are available from the Town Clerk’s office. All nomination papers must be filed in the Town Clerk’s office by September 24, 2012 at 4:30 PM. For more information contact the Buxton Town Clerk at 929-6171 or Email tcbuxton@sacoriver.net
E.O.121309009 – An order to approve an Application for a Veteran Exemption for [Map 7, Lot 61G]. Approved 3-2
E.O.121309010 – An order to approve an Application for a Veteran Exemption for [Map 4, Lot 44-21]. Approved 3-2.
E.O.121309011 – An order to approve Abatement of Real Estate Taxes in the amount of $311.78 for [Map 7, Lot 59-1-4]. Approved 3-2.
E.O.121309012 – An order to approve Abatement of Real Estate Taxes in the amount of $380.80 for [Map 9, Lot 6-21]. Approved 3-2.
E.O.121309013 – An order to approve Tashia Pinkham’s attendance at the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Annual Conference. Approved 3-2.
E.O.121309014 – An order to approve Beverly Gammon’s attendance at a Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust Workshop. Approved 3-2.
E.O.121309015 – An order to approve the hire of Jaret Cox as a full time worker in our Public Works Department starting September 24, 2012 at a pay rate of $15.09 per hour. Approved 3-2.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.121309007 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #22. Approved 3-2.
E.O.121309008 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #21. Approved 3-2.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 7 PM.
HomeHealth Visiting Nurses has scheduled a Flu Shot Clinic at Buxton Town Hall on Friday, October 19, 2012 from 1-2 PM. Participants must bring their Medicare and/or insurance cards. The fee is $30.00.
- Public Comments and Questions
Peter Burns asked about the amount of the two Tax Abatements because the number is normally included in the Executive Order.
Bob Libby explained what the abatements were and thanked Mr. Burns for bringing that to their attention.
Dennis Sweatt said one of the abatements was his and went on to explain that he has been paying the wrong amount since 2000. He learned that it is not up to the Selectmen, it is up to the homeowner, to bring this to their attention. He recommended any homeowner who has a question on their tax bill come down here, prove their case, and get their money back. He pointed out that you will only get refunded for one year even if you have been paying it for twelve.
Dennis shared his thoughts on the proposed walking bridge. He does not think it is necessary and said he finds it hard to believe that it will not cost taxpayers anything.
Selectman Libby said there is no money appropriation at all and he explained where the funding will come from. He said it will not cost the town a cent; the Board told them when they started that the town will not put taxpayer money into this project, and they will not.
Mr. Sweatt asked the Selectmen to provide him with the “trail” to the money that is going to build the bridge. The Selectmen agreed to provide him with that information.
Dennis went on to talk about people complaining to him about their tax bills. He said the only way to control money that is spent in this town is to come here in June and vote to hold down expenses. He strongly encouraged people to come to Town Meeting, voice their opinions, and vote. He said people need to take the school district to task because they are out of control.
Chief Grovo talked the bid process for the police cruisers and the condition of the two vehicles. He reported that on September 29 there will be another opportunity for people to bring expired or unused prescription medications to Buxton Rite Aid, Hannaford Supermarket and the Buxton Police Department at 185 Portland Road.
Chief Grovo provided statistics for August 26 through September 8. A total of 742 calls including fire and rescue were handled through Buxton Dispatch during that period.
None.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:42 PM. Approved 3-2
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