Town of Buxton
Minutes for March 6, 2013 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Dianne M. Senechal, Clifford L. Emery, Jean C. Harmon, Penny J. Booker.
Robert C. Libby was absent.
Others Present: Michael Grovo, David Harmon
Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:05PM.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes February 27, 2013. Approved 3-2.
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 4:44 PM the Board went into Executive Session per 1 M.R.S.A. 405 6 (D). The Board came out of Executive Session at 5:05 PM.
At 5:15 PM the Board went into Executive Session per 1 M.R.S.A. 405 6 (A). The Board came out of Executive Session at 5:40 PM.
Selectmen Emery explained that the first Executive Session was regarding Time Warner contract negotiations and the second Executive Session was for the new Fire-Rescue Chief’s six-month review. These are things the Board is required to go into Executive Session on.
After that the Selectmen had a discussion with Chief Schools regarding equipment, equipment needs, and long range plans with fire trucks and replacements. Selectman Senechal said the Board did not come to any conclusions but they did gather input tonight.
At 6:00 PM Fred Farnham, Charisse Keach our Treasurer, and a resident came in to sign some contracts.
The Board ended their evening by talking to our Town Clerk about budgets and other issues.
- Email from Maine Municipal Association – Re: Public hearings regarding Governor LePage’s proposed elimination of revenue sharing.
- Email from Jan Hill, President of Buxton-Hollis Historical Society – Re: Progress.
- Weekly Legislative Bulletin from Maine Municipal Association.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Harmon has been reviewing budgets that have come in. Bob Libby has been out so she has been handling some of his duties. She has been dealing with David Bouffard from the State. He had some questions on our Municipal Valuation Report that she is going to research and get back to him on.
Yesterday four of the Selectmen and our Recreation Director went over to the Hanson School to look at the school’s surplus equipment. The Selectmen were able to secure two glass cases that can be used in the front lobby to display items found in the archaeological dig at Pleasant Point Park.
Selectman Emery said he has not been able to get in as much as he would like to because he has been working out of town. He took budgets home and has been going through those at night. He has been reviewing resumes for the position in Public Works, keeping up on things going on here at the office and adding his input when it was needed. He mentioned several other items the Selectmen got from the school.
Selectman Booker reported that she has also been reviewing budgets and has been tinkering with the numbers a little. She attended the Budget Committee meeting last night, and has been reading mail and looking through job applications.
Selectman Senechal said she would call the trip to the school recycling and saving tax payers' money. She said if there is something to give away she likes to recycle it and she thought the trip was very worthwhile. She mentioned that all the budgets are now in and she has been going through the Police Department budget and information the Fire Chief prepared for a meeting with the Board tonight.
Personnel Policy – The Policy is complete and has been sent along to the Town’s attorney.
Selectman Senechal let people know that we have a position open for a laborer/equipment operator in our Public Works Department. She read the job ad that has been posted on the Town website, the Smart Shopper, and JobsinME.com.
E.O. 121303003 – An order to approve Beverly Gammon’s attendance at the MWDA Advanced General Assistance Workshop. Approved 4-1.
E.O. 121303004 – An order to approve 43 hours vacation time for John Myers.
Approved 4-1.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O. 121303005 – An order authorizing a special tax to be assessed against the property which is Map 9, Lot 2-6 in the amount of $5186.81 with an interest rate of 6%, pursuant to Title 30-A, M.R.S.A. section 3428 4 (d), to recover the expenses for the Town and to adopt an order authorizing the Assessors and Tax Collector to assess and collect the special assessment over a period of six years, pursuant to Title 30-A, M.R.S.A. section 34444 (1). Approved 4-1.
Selectmen Emery explained that there was a failed septic system that was posing a health issue on a lot in Town. It was brought to the Board’s attention by a neighbor. Our Code Enforcement Officer looked at it, determined that there was an issue and the people who owned it were not in a position to secure a loan to fix the problem. The Town of Buxton had the authority and ability to do the work to fix the septic system to make it a non-hazard within the community and to assess the property owner for the expenses that the Town incurred by doing the work. The Board entered into an agreement and set up a re-payment schedule with interest added that the homeowner can pay off in monthly payments or as fast as he wants to.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O. 121303001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Accounts Payable Warrant #78. Approved 4-1.
E.O. 121303002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #77.
Approved 4-1.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Planning Board Meeting Monday, March 11, 2013 at 7:00 PM.
Budget Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 6:00 PM.
Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 6:30 PM in the small conference room at Town Office.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 7:00 PM.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 9:30 AM for a Workshop, and again at 10:00 AM for a Workshop.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 9:00 AM for an Executive Session. Then the Board will meet at 10:30 AM for a Workshop with our Auditor, and possible Executive Session.
Selectman Senechal announced that Nomination Papers will be available March 18th from the Town Clerk’s Office for the following positions:
- Two – Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of the Poor for 3 years
- One – Director, Maine School Administrative District No. 6 for 3 years
- Three – Planning Board Members for 3 years
- One – Planning Board Member for 1 year
- Three – Budget Committee Members for 3 years
- One – Budget Committee Member for 1 year
All candidate nomination papers must be filed in the Town Clerk’s Office by 4:30 PM, Monday, April 29, 2013.
There will be a Buxton Town Hall Blood Drive Monday, March 18, 2013, 1:00 ~ 6:00 PM. Please come donate blood and receive a coupon for a free lunch pack at Cumberland Farms and a coupon for $5 off your next purchase at Freihofer’s Bakery Outlet.
- Public Comments and Questions
Chief Grovo went through a summary of the 313 calls that came in to Dispatch during the period February 24 through March 2, 2013. He talked about the Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Reporting and explained that this is a process for crimes to be reported in a uniform way to the Federal Government as a basis for distribution of grants. Chief Grovo provided detailed statistical information about crimes reported in Buxton and said that the weekly statistics show what is going on and shows people that the Police Department is busy and there is a lot going on.
None.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:35 PM. Approved 4-1.
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