Town of Buxton
Minutes for May 27, 2015 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Jean C. Harmon, Peter E. W. Burns, Penny J. Booker, Dennis P. Santolucito
Clifford L. Emery was absent
Others Present:
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
Selectman Harmon called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Selectman Harmon led the Pledge.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes May 20, 2015
- Discussion held between 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Chief Grovo gave the Board an update on what has been going on and asked the Selectmen to mention that there is vandalism that is being done in multiple places in Town. Chief Grovo said if anyone notices anything, has seen anything, or had vandalism done to their property he is urging people to call the Police Department to report it.
The Board talked about budgets and where they are to date. They talked to the Chief about his Administrative Assistant position that is open, and the Board had a discussion about the Frye Island issue which relates to LD 1082. There was an article on that in the newspaper on Saturday that the Selectmen all read.
A resident, Dennis Sweatt, came in and talked with the Board about a number of issues. Selectman Emery explained to him (Mr. Sweatt) that the Board has gone out for some proposals for the Police Department and Dispatch. They also talked about the school budget, Frye Island, and the question on the ballot regarding the commercial zone.
- Legislative Bulletin No. 19 from Maine Municipal Association
- Newsletter from Southern Maine Forestry Services
- Email from Dave Francoeur, Deputy Director, York County EMA – Re: Grants available for culverts
- Public Health Alert from the Maine Center for Disease Control – Re: Seeking person who dropped off a bat at State Testing Lab
- Reminder from SAD 6 – Re: District Budget Meeting Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 PM at Bonny Eagle Middle School Gym
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Burns reported talking with a resident who contacted him about some vandalism after he had reported it to the police. Selectman Burns asked people to contact the police if they see any vandalism taking place. There has been damage to mailboxes, spray painting on vehicles, and signs ripped down so he said if you see or hear anything, no matter how minor it is, please call the Police Department. They would like to catch the people doing the damage. He said it is widespread and not limited to any one particular area.
Selectman Burns said the Board will be at the District Budget Meeting tomorrow night. Whatever is settled at that meeting is what will be on the ballot when people come to vote and the question will be “do you approve the school budget that was approved on May 28, 2015?”; yes or no. He explained that people are getting absentee ballots now but that question will not be on the ballot until after the vote on the 28th.
Selectman Booker talked about the old Town Garage that is being taken down. She reported attending the SAD 6 meeting last week and said she will be going tomorrow night. Selectman Booker mentioned LD 1082 and said the Selectmen are staying on top of that.
In response to a question the Selectmen were asked last week, Selectman Booker shared her thoughts and suggestions on some specific types of businesses that would be nice to have in the Business Commercial District on Route 202.
Selectman Santolucito encouraged people to attend the meeting tomorrow night at the Middle School. He said this is our one chance to see and discuss the details of the school budget articles, and he reminded us that when people come to vote on June 9 they will not see any details or even the dollar amount. You will be asked if you approve the budget that was approved on May 28; yes or no. He encouraged people to go to attend the meeting to ask questions and vote.
Selectman Santolucito mentioned talking with the Police Chief about noticing some police monitoring speeds with radar in several areas. He said he told Chief Grovo that when that happens drivers tend to slow down for a few days. Selectman Santolocito said it can be annoying to get pulled over for speeding but, on the other hand, there are school busses and children walking and he thinks that those efforts by the police are put to good use.
Selectman Harmon reported that she was in yesterday and had a call from a member of the Buxton Garden Club to let us know they have been going around mulching around the Town signs and also doing cleanup work over at the Korean War Monument. She said those are starting to look nice now.
Selectman Harmon commented on the old Town Garage that has been taken down and said that the concrete part of the building that is still left there will be taken care of tomorrow.
Selectman Harmon also talked about the District Budget Meeting and the fact that Buxton had the largest turnout last year. She said she received in the mail a copy of Focus on Finance and someone asked her what the purpose of the increase is. She referred the individual to that publication and urged people to come to the district meeting to hear details on the budget, why it is increasing, and to ask questions.
Selectman Burns added that 70% of the budget is personnel and benefits; the cost of insurance is going up, salaries are going up, and the cost of electricity is going up. He said they have negotiated some good savings in fuel and other areas but there are other things that are part of the budget that they have to pay. He said that those things account for the bulk of the increase.
Selectman Harmon mentioned graduation for the Class of 2015 will occur next week and on behalf of the Board congratulated all of the graduates. That means school gets out in a couple of weeks and Selectman Harmon urged drivers to look out for kids that are out.
Demolition of the old Town Garage is completed
None
E.O. 141505017 – An order to approve the hire of Emmanuel Young as a full time Public Works Laborer/Equipment Operator starting June 1, 2015 at a pay rate of $15.89 per hour
Approved 4-0-1
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O. 141505015 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #102. Approved 4-0-1
The amount was $29,571.84.
E.O. 141505016 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #0101. Approved 4-0-1
The amount was $48,988.37.
- Next Meeting of the Board
SAD 6 District Budget Meeting Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 PM at the Bonny Eagle Middle School Gym.
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, June 3 at 7:00 PM
Absentee Ballots are now available. Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 929-6171 for more information or you can stop in at Town Hall.
The Town Report Dedication Ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00 PM in the large meeting room at Town Hall.
- Public Comments and Questions
None
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 PM
Approved 4-0-1
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