Town of Buxton
Minutes for December 11, 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: Rep. Donald Marean, David Harmon
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes December 4, 2013
Approved 4-0-1
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 6:30 the Wolf Den & Weblos Den of Cub Scout Pack 349 came in to meet with the Board. They asked questions and the Selectmen explained what they do as elected officials.
The Selectmen discussed some computer issues that will come in the spring. They talked about re-scheduling their Workshop and decided to meet for a Workshop on December 17 at 6:00 PM. They had some discussion about budget issues and stickers that will be issued at the Transfer Station very soon. They also talked with a resident about a tax issue that has been resolved.
The Librarian at Berry Memorial Library stopped in to talk with the Board about two trees that were taken down in front of the library. The Selectmen assured her that come spring the Board will look at what she and the Trustees would like to see on the front lawn to replace them.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Burns reported that he attended the Public Meeting with Maine DOT about the Bar Mills and Canal bridges
Selectman Burns met with the Public Works crew this morning. He said the Public Works crew does a great job. Sometimes they are out long hours plowing and there are times when residents have stopped the crew and given them verbal abuse. If a resident has a problem concerning the road crew, they should call the Public Works Director at 929-4400 or call one of the Selectmen. He reminded people that it is not an easy job and sometimes the crew is out a lot of hours in the middle of the night trying to keep the roads cleared for the morning commute, and there are times when they have to be off the road to get some sleep. The Board would appreciate it if people would not do that and Selectman Burns reiterated that anyone who has a problem should call the Public Works Director
or one of the Selectmen to discuss it.
Selectman Booker also mentioned the Maine DOT meeting and said it was pretty much a review of what had been discussed before as far as design. Aside from some tweaking they did to improve an area for one of the abutters, there was not much change. Selectman Booker also reported that she attended a seminar at Maine Municipal in Augusta and briefly explained what the training was about.
Selectman Harmon also attended the Maine DOT meeting. One thing she has been working on this week is computer issues that the town will be facing. She has been working to get as much information on that as possible. The Board has been informed that it may need to replace computer hardware and/or software. She is trying to make sure that everything that can be done to the software is done to see if we can avoid having to replace computer hardware which will be much more expensive.
Selectman Harmon reminded everyone to slow down and drive for the conditions that are present. There are children on the sides of the road waiting for the bus in the morning and getting off the bus in the afternoon. She cautioned drivers to please take their time getting to where they need to be so they can avoid damage or even loss of life.
Selectman Harmon mentioned that next week the Selectmen’s Meeting will be in their office. The meeting will be taped but will not be televised live. There will be no selectmen meetings for the following two weeks due to the holidays.
Selectman Emery has been in and out going over different things. He also attended the Maine DOT meeting and said he thought it was informative. The job is going out to bid in 2014 and the bridge will be built through 2015 and be finished in the first half of 2016. The Selectmen have a copy of the bridge design in their office that is available for anyone to look at if they would like to see what it will look like.
None
None
E.O. 131412015 – An order to approve 24 hours of vacation time for John Myers
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131412016 – An order to approve 6.75 hours of time off without pay for Suzanne Shorter
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131412017 – An order to approve a Poverty Abatement for Case # PA 13-013
Approved 4-0-1
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E. O. 131412013 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #54
Approved 4-0-1
E. O. 131412014 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #53
Approved 4-0-1
- Next Meeting of the Board
Board of Selectmen Meeting for Workshop Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at 6:00 PM
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM
The Salvation Army delivered some “Coats For Kids” here at Town Hall. These are available to anyone who needs a coat. Sizes range from toddlers to adults.
2014 Dog Licenses are due by Tuesday, December 31, 2013. Please license your dogs now to avoid paying additional fees.
Reminder: 2014 Rescue Subscriptions and renewals are effective for the period beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2014. You can sign up any time during the year.
The Buxton Transfer Station will open and close early on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Instead of their usual hours (10:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM), they will open at 8:00 AM and close at 4:00 PM. Notices will be posted at Town Hall and the Transfer Station to remind everyone.
South Buxton Cemetery Association will host the “Wreaths Across America” program on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 11:45 AM at the South Buxton Cemetery on Route 112 near the cemetery office.
Selectman Harmon reminded everyone about the fundraiser that the Texas Roadhouse will be doing for our Keep The Heat On Program on Saturday December 28. They will be putting flyers out around town and here at the Town Hall. For anyone who goes to the restaurant on that day with a flyer, or a picture of the flyer on their cell phones, 10% of their bill will be donated to Keep The Heat On.
- Public Comments and Questions
Representative Don Marean spoke about the possibility of additional loss of revenue sharing. He spoke at length about the Legislative Committee that has been working on this issue and explained the process in detail. He said it is not known for certain at this time that there will be additional cuts in revenue sharing; however, as the Board is preparing the 2014/15 budget they need to think about additional loss of revenue.
Mr. Marean reported that it looks like Maine has turned the corner on the recession.
A brief discussion followed regarding the effect of adding sales tax to internet purchases, the Bonny Eagle Football Team being in Augusta sometime in January, and Representative Marean inviting the Board to Augusta.
The Selectmen thanked Mr. Marean for coming in.
There was no further discussion.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:47 PM
Approved 4-0-1
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