Town of Buxton
Minutes for October 16, 2013 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Clifford L. Emery, Jean C. Harmon, Penny J. Booker, Peter E. W. Burns
Robert C. Libby was absent
Others Present: Michael Grovo
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 7:02PM.
Opening Bids for Fuel & Gas
The Selectmen were planning on opening bids for fuel and gas; however, they received only one bid and decided to leave the bid unopened at this time while they do some exploring on their own. Selectman Emery said this is a big budget item, too big to leave to chance. It is possible that they will move forward with opening the bid or bids next week.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes for October 9, 2013
Approved 4-0-1
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Chief Schools came in to update the Board on an issue with a resident.
After that, Troy Rowell, a representative from OTT, and John Myers came in to meet with the Board. Mr. Rowell made a presentation on our phones and talked about several options we may have that could lower the cost.
- Notice from Bar Mills Community Church – Re: The 500 Community Challenge. The church’s goal is to make and gather 500 mittens, gloves, hats and scarves for those in need in the Buxton area. This challenge is in memory of Joan Weeman who was our Deputy Town Clerk, historian, and very dedicated citizen of the town. For more information you can call Mimi at 929-4445
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Harmon met with Bob Gingras of Parker Appraisals to go over some assessing issues. She talked with a resident yesterday in regards to a speed limit issue which she discussed with the Board this evening. She also mentioned that Fred Farnham talked with her about the Pleasant Point Park budget, and they went over some upcoming projects that he would like to do.
Selectman Burns has been in every day. He came in last Thursday to follow up on the Franchise Agreement to make sure it was sent out to start that process. He was called in Friday to sign a check for a warrant item. He took care of that and worked on some correspondence. He attended the Twelve Town Group meeting in Waterboro Monday night along with Selectman Emery. Selectman Burns also reported that he received a call from a resident about the West Buxton Public Library roof which they discussed. He followed that up with a call to the gentleman who is going to do the roof. That work should start on Monday, weather permitting, and should be completed in a couple of days.
We received information from Maine D. O. T. regarding the town’s funding for road maintenance. Selectman Burns contacted Tom Kennie, our Public Works Director, to help complete the forms so we could get that back to the State so we can get our funds.
Selectman Booker reported that the Board received correspondence back from the Maine Department of Labor with a request for some specific information they want from us. She requested the information from some Department Heads and will be looking through that tomorrow. Selectman Booker gathered information on electricity for all Town owned properties and yesterday started making phone calls for rates for when our current contract runs out. She received that information back today so the Board has that to take care of now.
Selectman Booker and Selectman Burns sat in on interviews for the Police Department today. They spoke with five candidates today and have several more to meet with tomorrow.
Selectman Emery is still working out of town but calls in frequently to see what is going on. He and Selectman Burns went to the Twelve Town Group Meeting and Selectman Emery filled us in on some of the things discussed there. He mentioned that there was a Representative there from Sanford who proposed some legislation to deal with protection of our power grids from things like solar disturbances and terrorism. Legislation has been passed that makes the State of Maine one of the first states to take action to begin to protect those grids. Some of the other issues discussed at that meeting were the suit against the Budget Committee, things coming up on November ballots, the call center in Sanford and some of the issues they are having with that.
The Internal Control Document is next on the Board’s to do list. They are going to start talking about that now that they have received information back from our accountant.
None
E.O. 131410023 – An order to adopt the Personnel Policy amended effective October 1, 2013
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131410024 – An order to approve John Myers’ attendance at the Maine Town & City Clerks’ Association Executive Committee Meeting & the Budget Committee Meeting
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131410025 – An order to approve a Supplemental Tax Warrant and Certificate for tax year 2013 in the amount of $97.50 for [Map 1A, Lot 57]
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131410026 – An order to approve an Abatement of Real Estate Taxes in the amount of $670.00 for [Map 1A, Lot 52]
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131410027 – An order to approve an Abatement of Real Estate Taxes in the amount of $401.25 for [Map 6, Lot 4]
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131410028 – An order to approve 8 hours vacation time for Greg Heffernan
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131410029 – An order to approve the road name “Country Side Hill Road” located off Chicopee Road
Approved 4-0-1
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E. O. 131410021 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #38
Approved 4-0-1
E. O. 131410022 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #37
Approved 4-0-1
- Next Meeting of the Board
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at 7:00 PM
Public Hearing Wednesday, October 31, 2013 to adopt the MMA 2013 General Assistance Ordinance and Amendments to the General Assistance Ordinance (Appendix B).
There are two vacant positions on the Planning Board and one on the Budget Committee. If anyone is interested, please send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen, 185 Portland Road, Buxton, Maine 04093, or stop in and leave your name and contact information so we can set up a time for you to meet with the Board.
Selectman Emery said it has been brought to the Board’s attention that with two members gone from the Planning Board, if one active member does not show up, there is not a quorum. Selectman Emery said if no one comes forward to join the Planning Board by spring, they may change from a seven member board to five members so they can do business every time someone comes before the Planning board because that is what they are there to do.
There will be a Flu Shot Clinic at Buxton Town Hall Friday, October 18, 2013, from 12:15 – 1:00 PM for town employees and from 1:00 ~ 2:00 PM for the public. Please remember to bring your insurance card with you.
Buxton Town Hall Blood Drive Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at 1:00 PM ~ 6:00 PM at 185 Portland Road. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an appointment.
We are soliciting bids for Lawn Mowing & Trimming Services for 2014 – 2016.
A copy of the Contract and Bid Sheet is available for pick-up at the Town Office or you can email a request to selectsecbuxton@sacoriver.net. Bids must be presented to the Board of Selectmen; 185 Portland Road, Buxton, ME 04093 in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Lawn Mowing Bid”, and must be received no later than 4:00 PM, Wednesday, October 23, 2013. The Town of Buxton reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids.
Selectman Harmon mentioned that Chet Ouellette, our Maintenance person, would like to meet with the Board to go over some issues we encountered this year to make sure that does not happen again. Selectman Emery suggested asking Chet to meet with the Board next Wednesday night.
- Public Comments and Questions
Chief Mike Grovo thanked Selectmen Booker and Burns for sitting in on the interviews for reserves, and a full-time officer.
Chief Grovo said the Department has been busy and he spoke briefly about burglaries in town. He reported that there are plenty of burglaries happening in and around Buxton and the police are working diligently on this. There were recent arrests in Hollis and a few weeks ago there was an arrest in Buxton. He asked residents to be proactive, lock cars at night, don’t leave keys in vehicles, and keep doors locked at all times. Chief Grovo encouraged everyone to be vigilant and call the Police Department if you see anything suspicious.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 PM
Approved 4-0-1
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