Town of Buxton
Minutes for July 29, 2015 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Clifford L. Emery, Jean C. Harmon, Peter E. W. Burns, Dennis P. Santolucito, Chad E. Poitras
Others Present: Julie Gamelson, Ellen DeCotiis
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
Selectman Emery called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Selectman Emery led the recital.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes July 22, 2015
Approved 5-0
- Discussion held between 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Selectmen discussed some options on replacement of our Town Signs. Four or five of the signs are in disarray, and the Board is going to be doing something with them.
Selectman Poitras asked some questions about the new backhoe arrival. Selectman Emery explained that when the Board gave John Deere the okay they expected delivery to be about 30 - 45 days out. They will be bringing us a loaner to use until the new backhoe arrives.
None
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Santolucito reported that he took part in the interviews for the selection of a new Code Enforcement Officer.
Selectman Harmon also mentioned the interviews Monday night for the Code Enforcement Officer position and said the Board is still in the process of that. Regarding the Town signs, selectman Harmon said Selectman Burns is going to check out a sign made of aluminum and the Board will make a determination based on what he sees.
Selectman Harmon talked about a discussion about transferring old VHS tapes to DVDs. Kyle, our Videographer, has been going through records that we have recorded, Selectmen Meetings, Planning Board Meetings and Appeals Board Meetings. He is making some progress; however, the records from the latter part of the 1990s and early 2000s were cleared out of the police evidence storage shed and David Anderson, who spoke with Kyle about it, believes it will take years to transfer that information. Selectman Harmon briefly explained the way the transfer works and said David Anderson wants to talk with the Board next week about what our options are.
Selectman Emery said we have hard copies of those meeting minutes in books. He questioned the need to transfer the older information and suggested that perhaps the Board can go back to a certain date and move forward from there.
Selectman Harmon said the VHS tapes take up a lot of storage space which is why we have been converting those to DVDs. David Anderson is going to check the State Statutes to see what they say about retaining the hard copy. His argument is that we do have the minutes but John Myers thinks that the recordings need to be kept as well. Selectman Harmon said the Board is going to check into it. There are about a dozen boxes of VHS tapes.
Selectman Burns reported that he has been in most days. He participated in the interviews Monday night which he said was a long session lasting about 3 hours. He had two contractors in the EMA building to look at the damage and is expecting some numbers from them so the Board can pick one and move forward with getting that fixed. He said he has another project that he will be working on and will check out the metal sign that Public Works has and give his two cents worth to the Board on whether the Town signs should be metal or plywood.
Selectman Poitras reported that he worked with the rest of the Board on the interviews for the Code Enforcement Officer. He is also continuing to work on the issue that was brought up by a resident here at the meeting a couple weeks ago and said the Board needs to go by the process but wants people to know it has not been dropped or forgotten.
Selectman Emery said the Board interviewed three good candidates for the Code Enforcement position and has made an offer to one of them. The Board is waiting to hear back from that person to see if the offer is accepted. Selectman Emery is hopeful the Board will know what his decision is by the end of this week.
Selectman Emery reported that he stopped over to see the Fire-Rescue Chief and talked with
the Chief about their extra vehicle, the pickup truck, and its issues which are many. He said the Board is waiting for a formal breakdown of the Chief’s needs. Selectman Emery went over to Public Works and talked with them about problems with the service vehicle that is there and its issues which are not as many. He said the Selectmen will be dealing with both vehicles and have to decide how much they actually want to put into them, if any.
None
Selectman Emery reported that the paving bid requests have been sent out.
E.O. 151607025 – An order to approve 56 hours of vacation leave for Mike Grovo
Approved 5-0
E.O. 151607026 – An order to approve 2 hours of vacation leave for Charisse Keach
Approved 5-0
E.O. 151607027 – An order to approve 56 hours of vacation leave for Tom Kennie
Approved 5-0
E.O. 151607028 – An order to approve a four-year financing agreement with KS State Bank for the purchase of one 2015 John Deere 310L Backhoe
Approved 5-0
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O. 151607023 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #9
Approved 5-0
The amount was $54,647.03
E.O. 151607024 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #8
Approved 5-0
The total of that was $52,430.95
- Next Meeting of the Board
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, August 5 at 7:00 PM
Special Town Meeting Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 PM at the Municipal Building located at 185 Portland Road, Buxton, Maine.
Selectman Emery explained that the Special Town Meeting is for a Warrant Article to raise $15,000.00 to put into the Code Enforcement salary line. Where Fred Farnham is leaving we have to pay his unused vacation time, and half his sick time which will come out of the salary line. That leaves us short on money to pay a new person. The Board has to make sure there is enough money in that line to pay those things and the new person’s salary.
The Board of Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing Wednesday, August 5 at 7:00 PM at the Buxton Municipal Building on a Liquor License renewal Application for Gail P. Landry, D/B/A The Barn at Flanagan Farm located at 668 Narragansett Trail, Buxton, Maine.
Selectman Burns announced that the paving bids are due in on August 12.
- Public Comments and Questions
Ellen DeCoitis went to the podium and introduced herself. She asked the Selectmen how she can find out what the bridge between Buxton and Hollis is going to look like.
The Selectmen explained that we have a copy of the plan hanging on the wall near the Code Enforcement Office. Selectman Harmon said it does not show a picture of the bridge but it shows what the design is and how it will come off from Main Street and go into Hollis.
Ms. DeCoitis thanked the Board.
Selectman Emery said on the Hollis side people are going to be able to use the old bridge while they are building the new bridge. The approach to the new bridge is going to be on the upper side of the existing bridge. Then they are going to build the bridge all the way across. When they get to the Buxton side they are going to close the bridge for some time because they are going to use part of the approach that is on the Buxton side for the new bridge.
There were no more questions or comments.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 PM
Approved 5-0
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