Town of Buxton
Minutes for May 6, 2015 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Peter E. W. Burns, Penny J. Booker, Dennis P. Santolucito
Selectmen Clifford L. Emery and Jean C. Harmon were absent
Others Present: Michael Grovo, Nathan Schools, William Ham III
Public Hearing – 7:00 PM -- Liquor License Application for William Ham III, D/B/A Skip’s Lounge
Selectman Peter Burns read the hearing notice and opened the Public Hearing at 7:00 PM.
Police Chief, Michael Grovo, reported that there has been nothing out of the normal and nothing extreme that he is concerned about on the law enforcement end.
Selectman Burns asked Chief Schools to come to the podium to talk about an inspection that was done 2/27/2015 and the re-inspection that was done today. Chief Schools reported that today he found most of the things had been taken care of but the two biggest things in the report are the requirements for the building to be sprinklered and subsequently when it is sprinklered it has to have a fire alarm system attached. Chief Schools also talked about the requirement for a Dance Hall License which Skip’s Lounge has not had since 2012 and recommended that the Board issue a 30-day license.
William Ham III came to the podium and talked about the fire alarm system, smoke detectors put in last year. Mr. Ham said he is talking with a guy who is designing the alarm system and as soon as the design is done he (Mr. Ham) will start installing it.
A lengthy discussion followed between the Selectmen, Mr. Ham and Chief Schools. They exchanged information and the Board tried to get some clarification on the length of time Mr. Ham has known about the requirement for the sprinkler system and the status of the Dance Hall License. The Board asked Mr. Ham for documentation on the status of both but he could not provide that information.
Selectman Burns explained that the Board cannot issue a 30-day or conditional license; they will either vote yes or no on the application. The Board is concerned about the safety of the patrons as well as people working there, the fact that the code requiring a sprinkler system went into effect in 2007, the fact that the Dance Hall License ran out well over a year and a half ago and Mr. Ham has not followed up on those types of things. The Selectmen appreciate that Mr. Ham cleaned up most of the deficiencies but they are concerned about the length of time the deficiencies have existed and have not been dealt with.
There were no other comments or questions. The Board voted 3-0-2 to close the Public Hearing at 7:22 PM.
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
The meeting was called to order at 7:23 PM.
Selectman Burns led the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 29, 2015
Approved 3-0-2
- Discussion held between 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Board had a discussion about a road name application from Dunkin Donuts. They wanted to call it Duncan Way but the Selectmen said it is a driveway, not a road. The address of Hannaford is 24 Portland Road and this is on Hannaford’s property. The Board thinks it should be the same address as Hannaford with a suite number in front of it. They will pass those comments back to Fred Farnham.
The Public Works Director was in to discuss applications for the opening we have. Several candidates have been selected for job interviews and the Board is working on scheduling them for Tuesday night at 6:00 PM.
The Fire Chief met with the Board to discuss the latest inspection for Skip’s Lounge and his
previous report.
Selectman Emery was in before he had to leave for another meeting. The Board talked about the Old Town Garage. They are getting ready to take it down and have contacted an electrician who will be notifying CMP to remove the power there. Then the electrician will remove the generator connection to get ready for the demolition.
- Legislative Bulletin No. 16 from Maine Municipal Association
- Email from Nina Chabot, Twelve Town Group – Re: Meeting Monday, May 11
- Maine Public Health Alert from Maine CDC – Re: 2015 Lyme Disease Information
- Email from Dave Francoeur, Deputy Director, York County EMA – Re: Extreme Fire Danger
- Email from Marian Alexander, Southern Maine Planning & Development – Re: Hartwell v. Ogunquit
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Booker reported that she did not have any specific projects. She worked on some minor things she needed to do on the Personnel Policy and has been in checking on mail.
Selectman Santolucito reported attending the last formal Budget Advisory Committee Meeting for SAD 6 last Thursday. He said they came up with what looks like their final numbers. There is always a question about what the State will be able to provide for funds but he said it looks like a fairly reasonable proposal.
Selectman Santolucito said he reviewed applications for the Public Works position and went on to share information from a casual conversation he had with a business owner who recently had a significant fire at their property in Buxton. He said they had a lot of positive things to say about the Town’s reaction to it, the people who helped out and the follow-up that went on after the fire was put out from the Fire Chief and DEP because there was fertilizer on the property, and CMP. He said she believes the Fire Department was responsible for keeping that business running and she had a lot of unsolicited praise for the department and work that was done there.
Chief Schools went to the podium and shared a lot of details on that fire call. He said 23 volunteers turned out that night and the combination of those volunteers, the paid staffing we have right now, and the live-in students at Bar Mills and Groveville allowed the Fire Department’s five minute response time with 9 people on the ground in that time period. Chief said without that staffing in place the Department would not have the service it had that night. He said a lot of things happened that night that happen most of the time they go out. Chief Schools said “hats off to those who wake up in the middle of the night and who aren’t being paid to work a shift to go to that call”.
Selectman Burns reported attending the meeting at SAD 6 and talked about the legislative representatives who were there. He shared a lot of information about the proposed school budget. The overall budget is an increase of 2.8%. Buxton’s share of that will be 4.37% plus a little more for Adult Ed which he said means an increase of around $300,000 over last year.
Selectman Burns said they talked a lot about LD 1082 that is the Bill that would let Frye Island pull out of SAD 6 and would cause Buxton to have to pick up an additional $447,000. Limington & Hollis would also pick up an increase but Standish would get a decrease based on the number of students. Selectman Burns said the Board has been fighting that Bill and sent testimony voicing that opposition. Our legislative representatives have also been fighting this but the sponsors have hired a high-priced lobbyist in Augusta who is lobbying hard to get this Bill through. Elected officials have told the Board that the Governor does not agree with it and if it comes to him as is, he will veto the Bill. Selectman Burns said we will not know the outcome of it until probably
after we vote on the budget.
Selectman Burns provided information on future meetings on the school budget. On Saturday May 9 the School Board will review the Superintendent’s recommended budget. On Thursday, May 14 they will continue to review the revision of the recommended budget. On Saturday, May 16 the School Board will finalize their review. On Monday, May 18 the Board will vote to approve the Warrants and sign the documents. On Wednesday, May 20 there will be a Public Budget Forum and on Thursday, May 28 there will be a district vote at 7:00 PM at the Bonny Eagle Middle School gym. That is where residents from all towns in the district will go and vote on each of the Warrant Articles. Whatever is voted on at that meeting will go on the ballot to be voted on Tuesday, June 9.
All you will see on the ballot is the question “Do you approve the school budget as approved at the meeting on May 28, yes or no”. Selectman Burns stressed the importance of people going to the meeting on May 28 to vote on each individual line item of the budget.
Selectman Burns talked about the Board’s discussion on the curbside trash recycling proposal. He said the plan as presented to the Board showed it would cost the Town $172,000 per year plus we would lose approximately $50,000 of revenue we take in from recyclables each year which would cost the town close to $225,000. He said the Board is still discussing it.
None
Selectman Santolucito said people have been asking about Dunkin Donuts because it has not been built yet. He wanted to let people know that the owner of the franchise came in this past week and brought plans to Fred Farnham so Selectman Santolucito said he knows the project is moving forward.
E.O. 141505003 – An order to approve the Personnel Policy as amended April 30, 2015
Approved 3-0-2
E.O. 141505004 – An order to approve a Victualer License for Chicopee Market
Approved 3-0-2
E.O. 141505005 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Gregory Heffernan
Approved 3-0-2
E.O. 141505006 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Beverly Gammon
Approved 3-0-2
E.O. 141505007 – An order to approve 16 hours of vacation time for Michael Grovo
Approved 3-0-2
- Executive Orders by Initiative
E.O. 141505008 – An order to deny the Liquor License Application for William Ham III, D/B/A/ Skip’s Lounge
Approved 3-0-2
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O. 141505001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #096
Approved 3-0-2
The total of that was $54,346.91
E.O. 141505002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #095
Approved 3-0-2
- Next Meeting of the Board
Twelve Town Group Meeting Monday, May 11 at the Waterboro Town Hall at 6:30 PM
Planning Board Meeting for a Public Hearing Monday, May 11, at 7:00 PM on proposed amendments to the Buxton Zoning Ordinance
Public Hearing Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 PM on Secret Ballot Articles for the June 9, 2015 Annual Town Meeting
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, May 13 at 7:00 PM
Selectman Burns said starting next week the Selectmen will conduct business in the Selectmen’s Office starting at 4:00 PM. This is open to the public for individuals or small groups and the Board will be available at that time. The Board will convene the televised portion of the Board Meeting at 7:00 PM.
Selectman Booker pointed out that people are welcome to come in but it is better to make an appointment to make sure you can get in to see the Board. Sometimes there is no one in but other times the Selectmen are busy with people coming in all night.
Selectman Burns added that not all the Selectmen will be here at 4:00 PM but usually there are at least three that are here by then.
- Other Business
- Public Comments and Questions
Chief Grovo talked about a scam that is targeting senior citizens. A company named Global Notification Systems that has an address out of New York is mailing a check and pressuring people to cash it. In order to do that, they have to give all their personal information. If the person does not do it, they threaten to come down in the next day or two and drive by which makes senior citizens nervous. Chief Grovo said if you get one of these, please notify the Police Department. They will put extra patrol on your residence and follow up as far as they can.
Chief Grovo went over statistics for last week and said they are getting some high speeds with radar details.
Selectman Santolucito asked about the Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting the Chief had last week. Chief Grovo said it went very well. Officer Ricci did a presentation on how to prevent burglaries. Chief Grovo said anyone is welcome to attend these meetings and said the Neighborhood Crime Watch signs should be here next week.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 PM
Approved 3-0-2
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