Town of Buxton
Minutes for September 19, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Dianne M. Senechal, Clifford L. Emery, Robert C. Libby, Jean C. Harmon, Penny J. Booker.
Others Present: Mike Grovo, Adam Ricci, Bernie Page.
Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes September 12, 2012. Approved 3-2.
Jean Harmon and Clifford Emery were absent.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 5 PM our Treasurer came in and discussed an agreement she and the Board have been working on for several weeks regarding ambulance bills going out to collection after 90 days past due. The Board signed the contract that will take effect October 1, 2012. The Thomas Agency will be doing collections for outstanding bills for the ambulance.
The Board did a performance review at 5:30 PM which went very well.
At 6 PM a gentleman came in and had a brief discussion with the Board about the old Town Garage and at 6:30 another resident came in to have a discussion about the use of private roads and personnel within the Town Departments getting back to this person in a timely manner.
Selectman Senechal announced that this week one of our employees, Joan Weeman, was presented with the honor of being named 2012 Maine Deputy Clerk of the Year. This is a relatively new honor given out over the past two years and she is only the second person to receive this honor. The Selectmen congratulated Joan and said this is a nice reflection on the Town of Buxton. John Myers received the Town Clerk of the Year award in 2002 and Joan Weeman received a Voter Registration Award in 2010.
- Email from Nathan Schools, Fire-Rescue Chief – Re: Weekly Update.
- Letter from Maine Municipal Association – Re: Workers Compensation Fund and the Property Casualty Pool Dividend Payments.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Libby has been working hard on property tax assessments, looking them over and writing any Supplemental Warrants or abatements required. In addition to that we have had quite a lot of Veteran Exemptions coming in over the past couple of weeks.
Selectman Harmon has been working this week with Dianne on a couple issues that came up and has been reviewing the ballot questions for November 6. There are three articles currently being proposed; a zoning change, Dog License Ordinance, and amendments to the Sex Offender Ordinance. There is also a petition that has been turned in that will go on the ballot as well if the number of signatures is correct. Selectman Harmon has also been working on day-to-day issues, and congratulated Joan Weeman on her recognition.
Selectman Emery represented the Town of Buxton at the York County Budget Committee Caucus a couple of weeks ago. He said it went very well and was well attended. Mr. Emery explained some controversy with the York County Commissioners Office and lots of correspondence back and forth regarding the calling of the Caucus. We sent a letter stating our view that the York County Budget Committee was in charge of that not the Commissioners.
Cliff Emery said they discussed the outcome of the Caucus at the Twelve Town Meeting Monday and the fact that most of the communities in York County wrote letters to the Commissioners saying that they were happy with the Caucus called by the Budget Committee and did not feel as though the Commissioners had the authority to have a Caucus. The Commissioners wanted to do it themselves and were not going to recognize anyone who was voted in by the Budget Committee but he said the Commissioners finally got the message and decided not to hold their Caucus for this season but will leave it up in the air as to the future.
Selectman Emery explained the two budgets, 6 months and 12 months that York County will do this year as they can move from a calendar year to a fiscal year budget starting July 1. There are different ways the communities can choose to pay the County budget and he expects the Board will make that decision sometime in February.
Cliff Emery met with D.O.T to discuss the Urban Compact Initiative where they are giving the Town back the section of Route 4A from Low’s to Bar Mills Bridge, and Route 112 from Route 202 to Low’s store and he expressed the Board’s disappointment in the process. Cliff went into great detail explaining the process that was supposed to happen versus what did happen. The State did not meet with us, walk the roads, agree on what needed to be done and do that. Instead they came in for a few days did some ditching then paved 4A and announced that it is ours. Cliff asked what they plan to do to 112. They told him they talked about doing some shoulder work. He told them there are pieces of that road that are all stove
up and a culvert that has not been replaced in twenty years, and it would be a good time to get out their clipboards and walk the road. Last week the Town got a letter from the State saying that Route 4A and 112 are ours. Selectman Emery is going to call tomorrow and set up a meeting. He said the Town is not just going to take 112 the way it is now. He wants to have someone come in when all five Selectmen are here so they can all ask questions.
Selectman Booker said she is really disappointed with what the State has done and thinks that the Board should put it in writing and send it to someone to let them know the Board is not happy. Penny said she has had less time to come in on lunch hour and she was surprised with how much mail there was when she did come in. She made a list of things she wants to follow up on but said there has not been time to do it all.
Cliff Emery said the personnel review mentioned earlier was with our Tax Collector, LeeAnn Pratt. She is doing a fantastic job and the Board is extremely pleased with what she is doing. On behalf of the Board he thanked her for the superb job she is doing.
Selectman Senechal said LeeAnn is willing to take on any task the Board gives her even if it is not tax related. She is very capable and the Town is lucky to have her.
Selectman Senechal has been working on Public Hearing Notices, Secret Ballot items and helping get those ready to go to John Myers. Several items have come in that Jean mentioned and the Board is waiting for a petition to come in. The Secret Ballot Order must be signed by the Board and sent to John Myers on Monday.
Personnel Policy – The Board had to cancel their Workshop and is tentatively looking at doing it on Thursday, September 27 at 6 PM.
The Internal Control Document will be reviewed next.
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
Jean Harmon encouraged people who might be interested to send in papers because no one has come forward yet.
E.O.121309018 – An order to approve a Supplemental Tax Warrant and Certificate for fiscal year 2012/13 in the amount of $1,512.49 for [Map 8, Lot 18]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.121309019 – An order to approve a Supplemental Tax Warrant and Certificate for fiscal year 2012/13 in the amount of $629.51 for [Map 8, Lot 18-3]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.121309020 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 0003, Lot 0072E]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.121309021 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 0008, Lot 0003]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.121309022 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 0019, Lot 0002]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.121309023 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 0002, Lot 0087A]. Approved 5-0.
E.O.121309024 – An order to approve Abatement for Real Estate Taxes for fiscal year 2012/13 in the amount of $1870.12 for [Map 8, Lot 18]. Approved 5-0.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O.121309016 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #24. Approved 5-0.
E.O.121309017 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #23. Approved 5-0.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Planning Board Meeting Monday, September 24, 2012, at 7 PM.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at 7 PM.
Board of Selectmen Workshop tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 27, 2012, at 7 PM.
HomeHealth Visiting Nurses will hold 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.
Buxton’s Hazardous Waste Day will be on October 6 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Transfer Station. This is for Buxton residents only and they will be checking residency.
Buxton Town Hall Blood Drive Tuesday, October 9, 2012 from 11 AM – 4 PM.
- Public Comments and Questions
Adam Ricci, Animal Control Officer, talked about the proposed Dog Licensing Ordinance. He explained the reason for the Ordinance and said the Town is not asking people to do anything more than what is already required by the State. The proposed penalty structure allows more effective measures to get people to register their dogs without over-penalizing them for the offense. He encouraged people to call him at 207-929-6612 with questions.
Chief Grovo read the ad for the two police cruisers going out for bid. He reminded everyone that the next Drug Take-Back day will be September 29 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The three drop sites will be Rite Aid, Hannaford, and the Police Department. He provided information on the 300 calls that came in last week, and congratulated Joan Weeman on her award.
None.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:38 PM. Approved 5-0.
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