Town of Buxton
Minutes for October 8, 2014 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Clifford L. Emery, Jean C. Harmon, Penny J. Booker, Peter E. W. Burns, Dennis P. Santolucito
Others Present: David Harmon
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM.
Chairman Emery led recital of the Pledge.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes October 1, 2014
Approved 5-0
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Board discussed the carry forward list. They had questions concerning a state law issue with selling tax acquired property. They discussed a proposed meeting with Maine D.O.T. and Hollis Selectmen regarding the Bar Mills Bridge and the proposal from Portland Headlight on the big meeting room overhead projection system project.
The Selectmen discussed Hazardous Waste Day and some of the issues that arose and discussed a poverty abatement application.
A couple of people came in to talk about payroll issues that they were having and were trying to figure out how to monitor the issue better.
The Selectmen talked about the old town garage that has been pretty much cleaned out and whether to disconnect the electrical service
The Board discussed assessing hot tubs. They are doing that this year because they are already on the record books but they contacted our assessor to let him know that we will not be assessing hot tubs after this year. Selectman Emery said the Board looks at those like they do above ground pools. They do not assess above ground pools, and this will be the last year they assess hot tubs.
- Email from John Myers, Town Clerk – Re: Absentee Ballots Available
- Email from Nina Chabot, 12 Town Group – Re: Candidates night Monday, October 13, 2014
- Email from Dave Francoeur, Acting Director, York County EMA – Re: Federal Disaster Loans available to small businesses and other organizations in Oxford & York County
- Selectman Emery informed the public of information some residents are receiving in the mail. The letter is from HomeServe and is titled Water Service Line Responsibilities for Buxton Homeowners. These people are trying to get homeowners to buy insurance to protect water service line. Buxton does not have a public water line and the Buxton Police Department has determined this is a scam. If you receive one of these notices, throw it away.
Selectman Harmon provided information on another scam where people are going to Craig’s List and EBay posing as buyers. They tell the seller they will send a check and the seller should cash it, keep the money for the item, and return the remainder with the item to the buyer. The Police Department has determined that these are stolen checks and this is a scam. The Attorney General’s office is aware of both scams. Selectman Harmon said if you are asked to do anything like this when you are on EBay or Craig’s List call the Buxton Police Department and make them aware of it so that people are not being scammed out of their hard-earned money.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Santolucito reported that he stopped by the Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday and thought they were managing the process pretty well. He said there was a pretty good line there but they were moving through. He said there were some issues that came up that were discussed with the Selectmen and they will review things.
Selectman Harmon reported that she has the Municipal Valuation Return that needs to be completed and submitted before November 1st.
Selectman Harmon mentioned some payroll issues that she and Selectman Booker were made aware of yesterday and they resolved tonight. Also, she said she called in to have electrical service disconnected at the property on Old Orchard Road so the mobile home can be torn down.
Selectman Harmon said she is going to be working on the Sales Analysis for homes that have been sold here in Buxton. When completed and sent in to Augusta, that determines what our ratio, valuation is.
Selectman Harmon said she has been talking with Krystal in Code Enforcement regarding the photocopier. She received information from some companies we have and currently do business with and is waiting to hear back from one other company. Based on what she got back for information so far, the cost is going to be right around $3400. They have a copier on loan right now but it is having issues. She is still gathering information and Selectman Harmon said she is sure we will have to have a Special Town Meeting.
Selectman Harmon did the report for carry forwards.
Selectman Booker said she has mostly been working on electric rates. She has a call in to our current supplier and has contacted a broker that we have used in the past. She is waiting for feedback from both of them to see what they can do for us as far as the rate is concerned.
Selectman Burns received the written proposal from Headlight Audio Visual for the overhead projection system for the large meeting room. He is in the process of reviewing that and will attempt to get more input on it.
Selectman Burns talked with Chet Ouellette yesterday about the thermostat upgrades. The project is going slowly because they are having trouble programming them. They are going to set up a meeting with the sales representative to discuss the difficulties they are having with programming. He said the problem is they can do so much that it is difficult to set them up.
Selectman Burns thanked Public Works for some ditch work that they did on Back Nippen Road and said they did a great job.
Selectman Emery went over the list of items the Board discussed in their workshop last Thursday that included discussion about a request to do paperwork on Veteran exemptions differently than they do now, assessing hot tubs, the copier in Code Enforcement. He said Selectmen Booker and Harmon gave the Board an update on the land acquisition that the Board is currently in talks about. Language is being written by our attorney and the attorney for the gentleman who is bringing the land forward. He said the Board also talked about carry forwards and overdrafts.
Selectman Emery mentioned the Workers Comp renewal application and said it is all good and has gone on its way to our insurance company.
Selectman Emery said he was driving by the Old Orchard Road and thought about the electrical service. He turned around, went back to check and found that Jean had already called to have it disconnected. He said there should not be any issue now with taking the trailer down. Other than that, he has been calling in every day to keep updated on what is going on at Town Hall.
Demolition of old Town Garage – Selectman Emery said the garage has been pretty well cleaned out but he said as it gets closer to winter he does not know if they will have time to take it down now. If they do not do that this fall, they will be doing it early next spring.
Davis Road
None
E.O. 141510011 – An order to approve 8 hours of vacation time for Tashia Pinkham
Approved 5-0
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O. 141510012 – An order to approve the carry forward for Fiscal Year 2013/14 in the amount of $126,133.86
Approved 5-0
Selectman Emery explained that most of these are designated items that the Board has to carry forward.
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O. 141510009 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #032 in the amount of $113,135.26
Approved 5-0
E.O. 141510010 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #031, and #033 for a total $59,022.27
Approved 5-0
- Next Meeting of the Board
Planning Board Meeting Monday, October 13, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Twelve Town Group Meeting for Candidates Night Monday, October 13, 2014 at the Waterboro Fire Station at 6:30 PM
Board of Selectmen Meeting with Selectmen from Hollis and representatives from the State on the Bar Mills Bridge on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM
Board of Selectmen Meeting for Workshop Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 6:00 PM
Absentee Ballots are now available for the November 4, 2014 State of Maine General and Referendum Election. For more information call the Town Clerk’s Office at 929-6171.
Buxton Recreation is now selling discounted tickets to Smittys Cinema for $7.00 versus $9.00 at the theater. For more information, contact Tashia Pinkham, Recreation Director at 929-8381
Community Pot Luck Luncheon Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at 11:30 AM here at Town Hall. All ages are welcome and please bring something to share.
There will be a Flu Shot Clinic here at Buxton Town Hall on Friday, October 17, 2014 from 1:00 ~ 2:00 PM. Please remember to bring your insurance card with you.
Buxton Town Hall will be closed Monday, October 13, 2014 for Columbus Day
The Transfer Station will be closed Tuesday, October 14. There will be no change in the curbside pick-up schedule.
- Public Comments and Questions
None
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 7:29 PM
Approved 5-0
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