Town of Buxton
Minutes for May 14, 2014 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Penny J. Booker, Jean C. Harmon, Peter E. W. Burns
Clifford L. Emery and Robert C. Libby were absent.
Others Present: Gail Landry, Dennis Santolucito, David Harmon
Public Hearing on Liquor License renewal application for Gail Landry, d/b/a The Barn at Flanagan Farm – 5:00 PM
Chairman Emery opened the Public Hearing at 5:18 PM. He read the hearing notice and explained the reason for starting at 5:00 PM. He needs to be here so that there will be three to vote on the liquor license renewal. Selectman Harmon cannot vote on it because she works there.
Chief Grovo reported that there have been no issues there and said it is a very well-run business.
There were no questions or comments from the Board or the public.
Gail Landry, the owner spoke briefly saying that she is delighted to have become a member of the Buxton community, people have been nothing short of welcoming, and said she has had great success with this business.
There were no other comments or questions and after making a few comments Chairman Emery closed the hearing at 5:22 PM.
Chairman Emery called the Selectmen’s Meeting to order at 5:23 PM and proceeded to vote on the following order:
E.O. 131405012 – An order to approve the application for a Liquor License renewal for The Barn at Flanagan Farm
Approved 3-1-1 (Selectman Harmon abstained from voting and Selectman Libby was absent)
At 5:24 PM Chairman Emery recessed the Selectmen’s Meeting until 7:00 PM at which time the Board will return to finish this week’s business.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
Penny Booker, Vice Chair re-convened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 7:03 PM.
Vice Chairman Booker led the pledge.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 30, 2014
Approved 3-0-2
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Selectmen discussed a problem that has been occurring with some of the credit cards the managers use. The Board had a discussion on some of the Town’s foreclosed properties, the monument by the Bar Mills Bridge, the school budget, and a discussion on a personnel issue. Selectman Harmon asked a question about the monument and explained that after the Board’s discussion last week she responded to D.O.T. on the proposed site.
- Email from the Superintendent’s Office – Re: School Budget Community Budget Meeting May 15 at 7:00 PM at Central Office
Selectman Booker explained that there is still another meeting Thursday, May 22 which is the official meeting to vote. The meeting tomorrow night is for discussion purposes.
- Email message from Walmart Foundation – Re: Keep the Heat On Grant
Selectman Harmon said this is about the 5th year we have received a grant from Walmart for Keep the Heat On. She said we have a resident in town that works for Walmart and he knows when the grant application process starts and for the last several years he has been very proactive on our behalf to get the grant submitted. A few years back the Police Department received a grant from Walmart. The Board is very appreciative of his efforts. The resident is Brian Gaines and Selectman Harmon thanked Brian on behalf of the Board for all of his help in getting this grant. It goes a long way in helping provide heating assistance.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Harmon mentioned that she is going to try to have the dedication of the Town Report next Wednesday so she will be working with Beverly on that. She has not had a chance to sit down with Selectman Booker yet to do the Property Tax Levy to figure out what that number will be for the Annual Town Meeting. Selectman Harmon said they have the background information on how that was calculated last year and with the help of John Myers they will be working on that for the next two weeks to make sure they have that number for Town Meeting.
Selectman Burns was in last Friday and met with Chet Ouellette, a plumbing contractor, and sales representative that were here to assess the upgrading of thermostats at Town Hall. He is waiting for a quote to come in on that. One of the things they discovered was that the boiler in the Town Hall is on during the summer heating water that we do not use. He asked Marilyn to pull some numbers for him to find out how much was spent on oil during the three months, just for that room. Preliminary numbers indicate it is around $1,000. Another thing they discussed was that sometimes people use this room on a weekend. They turn the thermostat up or down depending on the weather and it stays at that temperature the rest of the weekend. So they are looking at the
kind of thermostats that will allow someone to change the temperature but in the next cycle it will go back to the normal setting. Selectman Burns said it will take long for this to pay for itself and he was very encouraged by what the contractor was telling them.
On Monday night Selectman Burns attended the Twelve Town Group meeting in Waterboro. At that meeting the 3 candidates running for the office of York County Sheriff were there
He was in the office yesterday and in again today. He met with Chief Schools to go over some projects that they have going on in Groveville.
Selectman Burns talked about the conversation he and Selectman Booker were having earlier about the school budget. He read the portion of the Warrant for the school budget that listed the district wide meeting scheduled for 7:00 PM on May 21 for the purpose of determining the budget, and reminded people there is a meeting tomorrow night to go over the budget at Central Office. He explained that this is the official document that will be presented on the 22nd and whatever number is established for these Articles is what the number will be. On June 10 when people come to the poles they will see an Article asking if they want to approve the budget that was approved on May 22. They will not see the number or know how much it is. He told us that the
budget increase for Buxton, unless it is changed at that meeting on May 22, will be $272,420 which is roughly a 4.5% increase and our total will be $6,326,448 plus or minus. This present year we paid 27.4495% of the SAD 6 school budget. Next year that is going to increase to 27.878% which is an increase of 4.285%. He urged people to come out tomorrow night to that meeting and listen to the presentation. Understand that our municipal budget is roughly $11 million dollars and $6.3 million of that is for the school. The majority of the money that we collect in taxes goes to the school. People need to understand where it is going and how it is being spent. He urged everyone to show up at the meeting on May 22 at the Middle School. Last year there was only about 40-45 people from all the towns which Selectman Burns said was pathetic. He reiterated that people need to understand where their money is going and how it is spent and whether
they agree or disagree that is an opportunity to speak and they should.
Selectman Booker reported that she participated in interviews the Police Department had last Friday for police and dispatch and reserve. She said there were 5 good candidates and it is in the Chief’s hands now to make a final decision on. Selectman Booker went on to say that she was in each day except for Monday just going over whatever was on her desk which is just the regular stuff that comes through. She mentioned that she had more communication with one of the Selectmen in Hollis regarding questions on lighting for the bridge.
None
None
E.O. 131405010 – An order to approve 40 hours of vacation time for John Myers
Approved 3-0-2
E.O. 131405011 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Beverly Gammon
Approved 3-0-2
- Executive Orders by Initiative
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E. O. 131405008 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #100.
Approved 3-0-2
E. O. 131405009– An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #99
Approved 3-0-2
- Next Meeting of the Board
MSAD #6 School Budget Community Forum on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Superintendent’s Building at 94 Main Street, Buxton
Public Hearing Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM regarding the Secret Ballot Article for the June 10, 2014 Annual Town Meeting
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 7:10 or immediately following the Public Hearing
Dedication of the Town Report Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 6:00 PM
Reminder that on Thursday, May 22, 2014 starting at 7:00 PM at Bonny Eagle Middle School Gymnasium there will be a District Budget Meeting
Discount Passes are available at Town Office for the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. Our Recreation Department will give out one pass per day and you must use the pass the day you pick it up. The cost is $2.50 each for groups of no more than 7 people. The regular price is $7.00 per person. You can contact Tashia Pinkham, Recreation Director, at 929-8381 for more information.
There will be a Community Potluck lunch Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at 11:30 AM at Buxton Town Hall. Please contact Tashia Pinkham, Recreation Director at 207-929-8381 for more information.
Buxton Community Days will be held Friday July 18, and Saturday July 19 with a rain date of Sunday, July 20. This year’s events will include a Road Race at 8:00 AM Saturday, a Parade at 10:30 AM, Kids’ Carnival and free bicycle giveaways throughout the afternoon, and Fireworks Saturday night at 9:30. For more information you can contact Tashia Pinkham, Recreation Director, at 929-8381 or email recdirbuxton@sacoriver.net
- Public Comments and Questions
Police Chief Mike Grovo talked about the last Community Potluck Lunch. He brought some information where he could sit and talk with people on safety issues and what to look for and watch for and to be aware of. He said he will be doing that again next month.
Chief Grovo went over statistics and provided general information on the 357 calls for last week. He said he is glad people are calling in because it means they are paying attention to what is going on in the neighborhood. He said he has been going right out straight this week. One of our officers is at the Academy and they are in the process of hiring another officer. He mentioned the interviews and said he hopes to have the paperwork done by Friday. He said he hired Kevin Morton who was a part-time Dispatcher. There were two candidates for Patrol Officer. Chief Grovo said he is hiring from inside and posted the position inside. Andy Ward and Elizabeth Moreland applied and both did excellent. Brian Day applied for the Reserve position and Chief
Grovo said he has a great deal of experience and has been doing security work most of his life.
Chief Grovo reported that he is working with residents in the Chicopee area to put a meeting together to form a neighborhood watch group and he is getting information on that. He is waiting for some dates for the meeting and said anyone is welcome to attend. It will be an informal forum. He will be there to hear what folks have to say and what they can do to start working towards starting a neighborhood watch group.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:32 PM
Approved 3-0-2
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