Town of Buxton
Minutes for December 9, 2015 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Clifford L. Emery, Jean C. Harmon, Peter E. W. Burns, Chad E. Poitras
Dennis Santolucito was absent.
Others Present: David Harmon, Julie Gamelson, Bradley Garand, Patrick Hanna
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
Selectman Emery called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Selectman Emery led the Pledge.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes December 2, 2015
Approved 4-0-1
- Discussion held between 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
At 4:15 PM the Board went into Executive Session per 1 M.R.S.A. 405 (6) (A). The Board came out of Executive Session at 5:17 PM.
At 5:33 PM the Board went back into Executive Session per 1 M.R.S.A. 405 (6) (A), regarding a personnel issue. The Board came out of that Executive Session at 5:50 PM.
After that our Public Works Director, Tom Kennie, and Peter Gordon, our Code Enforcement Officer, came in and gave the Board an update on paving that has been done on Davis Road. They had a lengthy discussion about that and also talked about a storage issue and whether the town should purchase or rent something to keep some evidence stored in.
At 6:47 PM Chief Grovo came in and the Board went into Executive Session per 1 M.R.S.A. 405 (6) (A), regarding a personnel issue. The Board came out of that Executive Session at 6:49 PM.
Email from Maine CDC – Re: Maine Rabies 3rd Quarter Update
Email from Stephen Heroux – Re: Business District Focus Group Meeting Minutes
Email from SAD #6 Business Office – Re: Recruitment Poster
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Poitras reported on the issue of Buxton Community Days. A month or two ago the Board was approached by a group of people who wanted to create a committee to explore doing Buxton Community Days again. The group met together and also met with people from other towns. Selectman Poitras said his impression from talking with the person who was heading up the group is that it is just not for them; the logistics necessary to pull off a successful Community Days is more than they want to get into at this time. Selectman Poitras said he does not know if there may have been some other issues that led up to the group deciding that they are not going to lead Buxton Community Days but unless someone comes forward in the next few weeks to lead this, it Buxton Community Days will
not happen in 2016. Selectman Poitras said the Board tried to present the community with an opportunity to lead this event, they were very supportive and presented the parameters on what things can and cannot be done because of insurance risk. He said unfortunately it does not look like there is going to be anyone running the event for 2016 and, until a strong group comes forward to take charge of the event, the Board is going to take a break from Buxton Community Days for a while.
Selectman Harmon asked about doing a condensed version like we had this past summer; the road race, parade and fireworks.
Selectman Poitras said he is all for it but someone has to lead it.
Selectman Harmon said the town applies for a grant each year for the fireworks and wanted the Board to know if they are planning to go forward with anything there are time limits on some things.
Selectman Poitras reiterated that he is in favor of doing any of it but there needs to be a strong team come forward to take charge.
Selectman Burns reported that he has been in a couple times this past week and talked with the Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Public Works Director on various issues. He also started going through the draft audit report.
Selectman Burns also reported that he received a call from a resident who met with him before concerning safety issues around high efficiency boilers that produce an acid exhaust that eats the clay liners in most chimneys. The resident wants the town to create an ordinance for boiler inspections for this issue. He has been working on this for some time and has been unsuccessful in getting anyone in Augusta to take action on it. Selectman Burns said he has been led to believe there is a class action suit on this. The top two clay liners of the resident’s flue were eaten away and crumbled into the cleanout at the base of his chimney. He (the resident) is concerned about the safety issue and he wants more people to be aware of this. Selectman Burns said he is not
sure how the town could do something with an ordinance that would be effective; the only time we would do inspections for new construction would be for an occupancy permit but people replace boilers all the time in older houses and that is not something they need a permit for. Selectman Burns said he is conveying this gentleman’s concerns and wants people to be aware of this.
Selectman Poitras commented on the earlier discussion about Community Days and wanted to add that our Recreation Director, Tashia Pinkham, was also supportive as was the Board, with the group that came forward to try to make something happen.
Selectman Harmon said the Board needs to start working on the budget. She said she could not find where a memo was sent to Department Heads last year in regards to raises and capital items. She suggested that the Board should have a workshop. The selectmen discussed the need to have a workshop quickly so that when they send out the memos to the Department Heads they can tell them what the expectations are.
A brief discussion followed and the Selectmen decided to block off an hour next Wednesday starting at 5:00. They agreed that if people come in they will work around that.
Selectman Harmon talked with Bob Gingras from Parker Appraisals about the Homestead Exemption that will increase on April 1, 2016 from $10,000 to $15,000. The town will still be reimbursed for 50%. In 2017 the exemption will increase to $20,000. The reimbursement to the town will be 50% of the first $10,000 and 75% of the next $10,000. The increase is good news for taxpayers but Selectman Harmon said the town has to make up the loss somewhere. It will affect the town’s money, and will be part of the budget process of setting the mill rate.
December is the month when a lot of town appointments expire. John Myers has given Selectman Harmon the list and she will be notifying people asking if they want to re-up some of their appointments.
Selectman Harmon mentioned that there are vacancies on the Cemetery Committee, Estes Park, Bonny Eagle Park, Carroll Park, and on the Southern Maine Regional Planning & Development Committee. The Board would appreciate anyone who is interested.
Selectman Emery reported that he was in almost every day last week. He said he had conversations with Public Works, Greg Heffernan, and the Fire Chief, and things seem to be going well.
Selectman Emery talked more about the storage situation mentioned earlier. The vehicle that was involved in the accident recently on Turkey Lane is evidence that is under our (the Town) jurisdiction and we have to maintain the integrity of that vehicle until the case comes to trial which could take up to 2 years or more. In the meantime, the Town has to provide a secure place to store that vehicle. Right now it is taking up a bay in the Public Works Garage but Selectman Emery said we need that area. Selectman Emery talked with someone in the District Attorney’s Office and offered suggestions but he got nowhere and learned that the town is going to have to find a place to store the vehicle. The Selectmen have discussed some ideas but the Board is still working on making
a decision about whether to rent a trailer or buy something to have for future use in case something of this nature comes up again. The Board is planning to do something with that in the next week or so.
None
Selectman Harmon informed everyone that the Recreation Department offers discounted tickets for Mt. Abrams, Shawnee Peak, both adults and juniors; Camden Snowbowl, Portland Dine Around Cards, the Maine Red Claws, and the Pirates Hockey tickets.
E.O. 151612010 – An order to approve 32 hours of vacation time for John Myers
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 151612011 – An order to approve 16 hours or vacation time for Tashia Pinkham
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 151612012 – An order to approve the hire and appointment of Carol Rico to the position of Town Treasurer effective December 14, 2015, at a pay rate of $22.50 per hour
Approved 4-0-1
E.O. 151612013 – An order to approve 32 hours of vacation time for Bev Gammon
Approved 4-0-1
- Executive Orders by Initiative
None
- Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants
E.O. 151612008 – An order approving expenditures as documented in the Accounts Payable Warrant #51
Approved 4-0-1
The amount was $42,054.20
E.O. 151612009 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #50
Approved 4-0-1
The amount of one was $59,707.28
- Next Meeting of the Board
Board of Selectmen Meeting for a Workshop in their office on Wednesday, December 16 at 5:00 PM
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 PM. This meeting will be held in the selectmen’s office because the Toy Box is using the large meeting room. The meeting will be recorded but it will not be broadcast live.
The South Buxton Cemetery Association will hold their 9th annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony on Saturday, December 12, at the South Buxton Cemetery on Woodman Road in Bar Mills. The ceremony opens at 11:30 AM. For more information call 929-6495.
Notice to all veterans and partners; on Monday, December 14 there will be a supper and a meeting at 6:00 PM. They are serving Shepherd’s Pie and this will be at the American Legion building at 401 Bar Mills Road in Hollis. You can bring some food to share if you want and if you have any old American Flags that need to be disposed of you can bring those.
- Public Comments and Questions
Brad Garand, Buxton resident and School Board Member for SAD #6, went to the podium and gave an update on the regular school board meeting held Monday, December 7. Mr. Garand said the School Board had a workshop before that meeting and the discussion was around the Budget Advisory Committee’s recommendation to hire Dick Spencer from Drummond Woodsum. They are going to do that he said and Mr. Spencer is going to be looking into all of the tax implications of changing the cost sharing formula for Frye Island.
Julie Gamelson went to the podium and asked the Board if they would elaborate on the rabies update.
Selectman Emery read some of the statistics. A brief discussion followed between the Board and Julie Gamelson about the percentages and whether or not they are increasing for this area. Selectman Emery advised that the report is available if anyone wants to read it.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 PM
Approved 4-0-1
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