Town of Buxton
Minutes for September 2, 2015 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Clifford L. Emery, Peter E. W. Burns, Dennis P. Santolucito, Chad E. Poitras
Jean C. Harmon was absent.
Others Present: Ellen DeCotiis, Julie Gamelson, Brent Hill, Janice Hill
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
Selectman Emery called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Selectman Emery led the recital.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 26, 2015
Approved 4-0-1
- Discussion held between 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The Board met with Conrad Jellison and went over some proposed upgrades to the security systems in Dispatch.
At 5:45 Charisse Keach met with the Board. They talked about some ongoing issues.
At 6:00 Chief Grovo met with the Selectmen to give them an update on applicants for Dispatch and reserves, and to tell the Board how the new people in Dispatch are performing. Chief Grovo interviewed candidates for a full-time police officer and reserve officer positions. He changed the process this time so that applicants have to complete and pass the physical training beforehand and in that way it saves time and money doing further checks on people. If they don’t pass the physical training, there is no sense continuing the process. Chief Grovo also gave the Selectmen an update on some ongoing investigations.
- Email from Nathan Schools, Buxton Fire-Rescue Chief – Re: AFG/Operations & Safety Grant Awarded to Buxton Fire-Rescue from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Selectman Emery read an email from Chief Schools. He explained that this grant will allow us to replace 38 SCBA units with federal and local share totaling $250,000. The federal share is $238,435 for the breathing apparatus. Chief Schools said this will immediately affect the health and safety of our firefighters. Selectman Emery said the Board is very pleased with our Fire Chief and everyone who worked with him on the grant. Selectman Emery said this means a lot to our community. All outdated units will be replaced with new units. Selectman Emery mentioned that there needs to be a plan for replacing these on some kind of a schedule to avoid having all the units go bad at the same time.
- Email from Nathan Schools, Fire-Rescue Chief – Re: False Magazine Solicitation
Selectman Emery informed us that people from The Volunteer Fireman publication are soliciting money from businesses and individuals to advertise in this magazine. They are using our Fire Chief’s name and leading people to believe that this will benefit the Town and Buxton Fire-Rescue Department. Chief Schools wants people to understand if you receive any of these calls, this fundraising does not benefit the department or the Town, it benefits a private organization that is in no way affiliated with Buxton Fire-Rescue.
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Santolucito reported that he and the rest of the Selectmen attended the Fire-Rescue awards benefit last night at Flanagan Farm. Selectman Santolucito expressed his gratitude to the men and women who do what we need to have done in this Town every day. He said Fire, EMS, and the Fire-Police were all there and received awards.
Selectman Santolucito reported that he was in a couple days this past week meeting with two of our IT vendors looking at 2, 3 and 5-year plans and some upgrades the Board might want to do. They created a list and prioritized some of the things we should do in the short and long-term. He said the Board does not have anything back, they are just trying to get some ideas on things they need to talk about.
Selectman Santolucito also mentioned that the Board attended a Workshop Monday night and talked about reconciliations and carry-forwards.
Selectman Poitras said there was an incident in Town this week dealing with dogs that he was involved in as the Health Officer. He complimented our Animal Control Officer, Adele, and Officer Adam Ricci for their work and professionalism resolving the issue as soon as possible.
Selectman Poitras mentioned that he was at the banquet as well and said the Fire Department is quite a brotherhood and it was a good time.
Selectman Burns reported that he and Chet Ouellette went over to the Elden Store (old EMA building) and took out an old stove that was in there. He said somebody will be going in there very soon to do the repairs from the water damage from broken pipes. He has also accepted one of the estimates we received for painting the West Buxton Public Library and they will start that project sometime in October so it can be finished before winter.
Selectman Burns also attended the Fire-Rescue banquet last night and the Workshop Monday where they talked about reconciliation of accounts and talked about our carry-forwards.
Selectman Emery has been busy working this past week and said he has not had a chance to get in the office much. This is a busy time of year for him. He talked about the workshop and the Fire-Rescue banquet. This is the 20th anniversary of the Fire Department being set up the way it is. He said it was great to see Gene Harmon, Mac McGlauflin, Herb Ranks, Durward Lang and all of the men who were Fire Chiefs when it was three Departments. Selectman Emery said it was also great to see young people who are coming into the organization all the time, and nice to see that some of the younger, newer people were the ones who got some of the awards. Selectman Emery expressed how much we appreciate the effort they are putting into it all the time and
all that they do.
None
Selectman Burns noted that we still have an open position in the front office for a Deputy Business Office Clerk. The Board has started receiving resumes and Selectman Burns said if someone is interested they can go to our website and follow the instructions there.
Selectman Burns reminded everyone that all the schools are in session and he asked people to take that into consideration, slow down and drive carefully.
Selectman Emery cautioned everyone to pay attention and observe the 15 mile an hour speed limit near the school.
Selectman Burns also mentioned that there is still an opening on the SAD 6 School Board and the Budget Committee as well. If anyone is interested, please call Buxton Town Office at 929-5191 to let us know. The Board would like to fill the School Board position as soon as possible.
E.O. 151609003 – An order to approve an Application for the Widow of a Veteran for [Map 3, Lot 72E]
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 151609004 – An order to appoint David M. Anderson to the position of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Agent; such appointment to be effective until cancelled
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 151609005 – An order to approve Ruth Scheibenpflug’s attendance at the 2015 Elections Conference
Approved 4-0-1
- Executive Orders by Initiative
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O. 151609001 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #19
Approved 4-0-1
The amount of the Warrant was $50,705.78.
E.O. 151609002 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #18
Approved 4-0-1
The amount of the Warrant was $48,030.24.
- Next Meeting of the Board
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, September 9 at 7:00 PM
There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive at Buxton Town Hall Tuesday, September 8, from 1:00 PM ~ 6:00 PM. Please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS for an appointment.
The Buxton Town Office will be closed Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.
The Transfer Station will be closed Tuesday, September 8 for Labor Day but there will be no change in the curbside trash pick-up schedule.
- Public Comments and Questions
Jan Hill, President of Buxton-Hollis Historical Society, went to the podium and introduced herself. She commented on Buxton Fire-Rescue and said two firemen went over and gave them a demonstration on how to operate fire extinguishers. She (Jan Hill) said some of the members had never operated one and several had trouble pulling the pin. Mrs. Hill said it was a great experience for them.
Jan Hill went on to remind the Board and to invite the public as well to the dedication of landscaping and memorial planting at Elden Store, and dedication of the N. C. Watson one-room school museum sign. Those things are happening in conjunction with one another on September 12 at 3:30 in the afternoon. Jan said the Historical Society would really love it if people would show up. She shared some details about the ceremonies and also invited anyone who might be interested to attend the regularly scheduled baked bean supper at the Buxton Center Baptist Church. Jan said Elden Store is a historic building built in 1802 and one of the few public buildings in Buxton that is on the National Register.
Jan Hill said she was happy to hear that work is going forward on repairing the water damage on the first floor of the EMA building. She asked the Selectmen what the use will be for the first floor.
Selectman Emery said it will be used for meetings for some children’s programs so they can use the first floor and not have to climb upstairs.
Selectman Emery and Jan Hill explained where Elden Store is located and talked about the recently finished brick-looking walkway, how much it improves the look of the building, and how nice it looks. Selectman Emery credited Tom Kennie, our Public Works Director, with doing the work. Jan asked if the EMA building is going to be used this winter.
Selectman Emery said the building will not be heated this winter. Jan Hill expressed her concerns about that and said it is dangerous for the health of a brick building to be left unheated over the winter. Jan whether or not there will be any snow plowing at the EMA building this winter.
Selectman Emery replied that there will not be any additional snow pushed onto the lawn.
Jan Hill went on to talk about two little bushes that were supposed to go in front of the building and some bushes that the snow plow took out. She would like to transplant those to where they belong according to the landscape plan.
Jan Hill asked the Board about the status of the old Town Garage lot.
Selectman Emery responded saying that the Board has not made any decision about that.
Jan Hill passed along a suggestion someone made about what could be done with the portion of wall that is left there, namely grading the dirt the wall is holding up, and perhaps doing some landscaping as well.
Ellen DeCotiis went to the podium and introduced herself. She asked some questions and shared some ideas about the bridge in Bar Mills. She talked about an interesting program she recently saw on Saco River Community Television about the bridge. She said tonight she heard something that sounded like a helicopter over there. She shared concerns about how people will be notified when the bridge is going to be closed and said people are already asking about that.
Selectman Emery said that is a long way out. Maine D.O.T. is going to have to build the bridge almost to the Buxton side before they close it so it will most likely be sometime toward the end of next year.
Ellen DeCotiis asked if there will be a way to tell people about that when the time comes.
Selectman Emery said the Board will make sure that people know about it.
Ms. DeCotiis went on to ask if the business advisory group that had been talked about has been formed and asked if the public will be informed about who is on it.
Selectman Emery advised her that the group has been formed. Steve Heroux, Tom Saxby, and Laurie Warschol are on the committee at present.
Selectman Santolucito said the Board is looking for two more members.
Selectman Emery said there are two more people the Board is going to be talking to about it. The Board would like to keep the members at five to start with. He said the group has already had a couple of meetings and the Board just received the minutes from that. He said the Board does not have a specific direction they are headed in. They want to see what the group comes up with and talk about it.
Selectman Burns reported that he just received a text message from “somebody in the know” who informed him that there was a helicopter in the area working on the transmission lines that go over the river.
Ellen DeCotiis mentioned the discussions about the possibility of opening up the transfer station to other towns. She asked the Board if that is plausible.
Selectman Emery replied that Chad Poitras and Greg Heffernan are working on it.
Selectman Poitras said they are just mulling around some ideas right now. Right after they started working on it, we got a new Code Enforcement Officer, and some things had to get pushed to the side for a while but Selectman Poitras said it is going to be brought back to the forefront very soon.
Janice Hill went back to the podium to remind everyone that on November 7 the Historical Society is having their regular annual meeting dinner. She said they always have a really great speaker and some great topics. This year Brent Hill is going to be presenting the Maine D.O.T. consultant’s report on the bridge. The Historical Society has a copy of it and it will be available for public viewing. They expect it to be a very interesting program. They have lots of slides and lots of information. She invited people to attend. The dinner meeting starts at 5 o’clock on Saturday, November 7.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 PM
Approved 4-0-1
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