Town of Buxton
Minutes for January 22, 2014 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: David Harmon
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes January 15, 2014
Approved 4-0-1
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Police Chief met with the Board to discuss some issues. They talked about updating some of the bullet proof vests for the officers and statistics on where the most automobile accidents occurred in Buxton during the past year. They also talked about the drug take-back initiative and noted that since the program started over 300 pounds of prescription drugs have been turned in to the Town of Buxton.
At 5:30 the Board went into Executive Session on a personnel matter, per 1 M.R.S.A. 405(6) (A). The Board came out of Executive Session at 5:50 PM.
After that the Board met with the Budget Committee. They went over expectations that the Board gave to Department Heads. Their goal is to keep the budget as flat as possible. In cases where some lines need to be increased, there needs to be an ample amount of documentation to support the increase.
The Selectmen talked about meeting to review the Town’s audit next week and the auditing coming up for bid. They discussed the Internal Control Document. When Selectman Harmon and Selectman Booker finish making changes they will meet with all Department Heads and the Treasurer to get their input.
A member of the snowmobile club was in and the Board talked about a trail that goes through the woods around the old landfill off Town Farm Park and comes out on the Erlon Townsend property. The Board is having an issue with a few people who are not staying on the marked trail. The Board does not want snowmobiles on Town Farm Park or any of our parks, and they do not want any of the destruction that comes with that especially early in the spring. The parks are not made for four wheelers or snowmobiles; they are there for athletics and not for that purpose. He said that if we catch people doing that we will take action.
- Legislative Bulletin from Maine Municipal Association
Selectman Emery pointed out that one of the major bills that has been introduced has to do with the possible loss of an additional $40 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing which would mean a loss closer to $400,000 in three years time. Selectman Burns and Selectman Booker went to Augusta and Selectman Burns spoke before the Legislative Committee about the impact that would have on the town of Buxton.
- Email from Geoff Herman at Maine Municipal – Re: Public Hearing LR 2721
- Email from Tony Vigue, Chairman Saco River Cable Committee – Re: Time Warner Contract
Selectman Emery explained that Buxton will receive $18,316.29 that has to be used to upgrade equipment for televised meetings here in this office.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Burns reported that he has been working on the presentation he made today at the hearing in Augusta. He explained the proposed bill LR 2721 that he said is fast tracked and will be voted on within the next couple of weeks. Basically it says that the $40 million that is earmarked to be taken out of Municipal Revenue Sharing in Fiscal Year 2015 cannot be taken out. Selectman Burns said over 90 people signed up to speak at the hearing; the hearing room and overflow rooms were filled and there was very good representation from municipalities all over the State. Selectman Burns provided information on the history of Municipal Revenue Sharing and encouraged people to contact their representatives and tell them you want them to leave Revenue Sharing alone and reinstate the
$40 million that is slated to be removed. He said it does make a difference and the Legislators do listen to constituents.
Selectman Burns said starting tomorrow night he will be attending the Budget Advisory Committee meeting for the SAD 6 school budget.
Selectman Booker said she has been in each day. Last week she worked with Bev Gammon to finish up the information for Safety Works which is all done. She also attended the hearing today in Augusta and said it was a long day but very interesting. She said that Selectman Burns had good statistics on how we will be affected. Tomorrow the Legislative Committee will have a work session on the bill and no one will be allowed to speak unless the Committee asks them to.
Selectman Harmon reported that she spoke with a resident who asked about sidewalks on Route 4A. She explained that the State was initially going to add sidewalks but now the Town is in charge of the road. She said they had a good conversation about that and the bridge re-build. D.O.T. left a copy of the plans with the Selectmen and people are more than welcome to come into the office and look at them.
Selectman Harmon said she will be distributing to the Board the forms for their budgets. She mentioned the computer in the Selectmen’s office that is no longer working and the need to have one to use to prepare the Warrant. She said she spoke with Selectman Emery about the Charter change and the deadline for that which is coming up soon. The Board will need to have a Public Hearing around the middle of March. They will be getting all of that paperwork done, making sure the wording is correct.
Selectman Emery finished reviewing the sand/salt information. He and the Public Works Director went over to look at our sand situation and we are going to be putting up about 300-400 yards in Groveville in the next few weeks. We have used more than in past years due to the type of storms and ice.
Selectman Emery thanked Selectman Burns for speaking and Selectman Booker for going along with him to the Hearing in Augusta today.
None
None
E.O. 131401013 – An order to approve the hire of Trista Comtois as a Part-time Animal Control Officer starting January 14, 2014, at a pay rate of $15.00 per hour
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131401014 – An order to approve Beverly Gammon’s attendance at a General Assistance training workshop
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131401015 – An order to approve the hire of Kevin Champagne as a Reserve Patrol Officer starting January 5, 2014, at a pay rate of $14.79 per hour
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131401016 – An order to appoint Charlene Libby to the position of a Member of the Appeals Board to be effective until December 31, 2016
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131401017 – An order to appoint Chad Poitras to the position of a Member of the Cemetery Committee to be effective until December 31, 2016
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 131401018 – An order to approve t he hire of Charles Cianciolo as a part-time Videographer starting January 15, 2014, at a pay rate of $13.42 per hour.
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E. O. 131401011 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #66
Approved 4-0-1
E. O. 131401012 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #65
Approved 4-0-1
- Next Meeting of the Board
Planning Board Meeting Monday, January 27, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at 7:00 PM
Reminder: Please license your dog (s) by January 31st. Starting February 1st there will be a $25.00 late fee and additional fees for violations.
Rescue subscriptions run from January 1 through December 31 each year. If you have not subscribed for this year you can sign up anytime during the year.
- Public Comments and Questions
None
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:30 PM
Approved 4-0-1
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