Town of Buxton
Minutes for May 21, 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: David Harmon, Dan & Olive Collomy, Dennis Santolucito
Public Hearing on Secret Ballot Article for June 10, 2014 Annual Town Meeting
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:02 PM. Penny Booker, Vice Chair read the hearing notice and Selectman Harmon explained the reason for the Charter change.
There were no other comments from the Board or the public.
The Hearing was closed at 7:07 PM.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
Vice Chairman, Penny Booker led the pledge.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes May 14, 2014
Approved 3-0-2
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 6:00 PM the Board dedicated the Town Report to Bob Libby. There were a lot of people here including family, friends and several past Selectmen and Selectman, Penny Booker said the Board was glad to see so many attending.
Selectman Harmon announced that copies of the Town Report are now available at Town Office. She thanked Selectman Booker for the time she spent helping design the cover and thanked Olive Collomy for picking up Town Reports and distributing them to some people around town.
The Board spent time chatting with Bob Libby in the Selectmen’s Office before the dedication ceremony and they also discussed some property in foreclosure and trash pick-up.
Our Treasurer and Fire Chief were also in to talk about an accounting situation concerning a refund we got and the timing of that.
- Letter from the South Buxton Cemetery Association – Re: The granite fountain in Bar Mills
Selectman Booker read information about the fountain and a project to re-create the cobblestone walkway and replace the granite walls on each side of the fountain. This project is estimated to cost around $6300 and will be funded by donations specifically designated “Fountain Funds”. She said donations in any amount will be greatly appreciated.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Harmon has been dealing with the foreclosed property that the Town has in Chicopee. She has been speaking with the family and they are keeping her up-to-date on where they are in the process.
Selectman Harmon said it was her pleasure again this year to do the dedication of the Town Report which she said she has done for 11 of the 12 years she has been a Selectman. She said it is a part of the job that she really enjoys. She said it is always nice to know that the person they are dedicating it to has donated so much of their energy and time to the town.
Selectman Harmon reported that the Board has scholarships they have to do and she has been working on one of them making sure the applicants meet the guidelines to be eligible to receive it.
Selectman Burns reported that he and Penny went to the SAD 6 Budget Meeting at Central Office. It was an open meeting to everyone but there were less than 20 people in the room.
Selectman Burns was in last Thursday to talk with the Police Chief regarding the burglary we had in town. He also met with someone from one of the community churches who wanted to discuss some of the community needs and said that he mentioned the Keep the Heat On Program, the food bank, and Leavitt’s Mills as possible local charities to support.
Selectman Burns was back in Monday and met with the Police Chief to get the latest update on the arrest that took place over the weekend. They are making progress with that break-in and hopefully will come to a resolution soon. He said there is still work to do as this is an ongoing investigation but the Board is hopeful that the residents of the town appreciate the fact that the Police Department has done its due diligence. They are actively investigating this, positive things are happening and they are doing what is best for the town.
Selectman Burns reminded everyone that tomorrow night there is a meeting at Bonny Eagle Middle School Gymnasium at 7:00 PM to discuss the upcoming SAD 6 school budget which is in excess of $45 million dollars and the 18 Articles we will be voting on. Tomorrow is the only opportunity the residents have to voice their opinion on each of those Articles. Motions can be made to accept as written or to lower the dollar amount but they will not be allowed to raise the dollar amount on any of the Articles. Selectman Burns talked about how few people attended the meeting last year and encouraged people to attend the meeting. Close to 70% of our tax dollar goes to the school, not to the Town. On June 10 voters will be asked to come in to the Town Hall to vote yes or no to approve
the budget as voted on May 22;2014. They will not even see the dollar amount on that ballot. He encouraged people to show up at that meeting tomorrow night to listen and understand where the money is going and how much is going to the school. The increase to Buxton will be 4.5% on the school budget which amounts to a little over $272,000. We are already paying $6,054,000 in our tax budget this year and that is going to increase for next year.
Selectman Booker added that tomorrow night’s meeting is very important and she hopes people will attend and then come back in June to vote.
None
None
E.O. 131405015 – An order to approve the hiring of Kevin Morton as a full-time Dispatcher starting May 16, 2014 at a pay rate of $18.33 per hour.
Approved 3-0-2
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E. O. 131405013 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #102. Approved 3-0-2
E. O. 131405014 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #101. Approved 3-0-2
- Next Meeting of the Board
SAD 6 District Referendum Meeting at Bonny Eagle Middle School Gymnasium Thursday, May 22, 2014 starting at 7:00 PM
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Buxton Town Hall will be closed Monday, May 26, 2014 for Memorial Day.
Buxton Transfer Station will be closed all day Tuesday, May 27, 2014 so they can observe the holiday. There will be no change in the curbside trash pick-up schedule.
The next Community Potluck Lunch will be Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at Buxton Town Hall. All ages are welcome. Please bring something to share. Contact Tashia Pinkham for more information.
Buxton Rec has Community Discount Passes from the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. One pass will be given out per day and the pass must be used on the day you pick it up at the Town Office. The cost is $2.50 each for groups of no more than 7 people. The regular price is $7.00. Contact Tashia Pinkham, Recreation Director, at 929-8381 for more information.
Buxton Community Days will be on 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 PM. For more information you can contact Tashia Pinkham, Recreation Director, at 929-8381 or email recdirbuxton@sacoriver.net
- Public Comments and Questions
None
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:26 PM
Approved 3-0-2
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