Town of Buxton
Minutes for December 16, 2015 Selectmen’s Meeting
Prepared by: Beverly Gammon
Members Present: Clifford L. Emery, Peter E. W. Burns, Dennis Santolucito, Chad E. Poitras
Jean C. Harmon was absent.
Others Present: David Harmon, Bradley Garand, Patrick Hanna, Scott Warchol
Selectmen’s Meeting Agenda
Selectman Emery called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Selectman Emery led the Pledge.
- Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Meeting Minutes December 9, 2015
Approved 4-0-1
- Discussion held between 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Tom Kennie came in to update the Board and talk about a position he still has open for a part time, on call snow plow driver.
The Selectmen talked about finishing their review of the draft report on the audit and plan to have the auditors in right after the first of the year.
The Board is going to send a letter out to Department Heads to get started on their budgets that will be due to the Board the first week of February. The Board is also going to ask for a list of capital items that are really needed listed by priority. The Selectmen want to have all 5 Board members present for a discussion on what they are going to do with salaries this coming year.
At 5:54 PM the Board went into Executive Session, per 1 M.R.S.A. 405 (6) (A), on a personnel matter. The Board came out of Executive Session at 6:26 PM.
The Selectmen spent the rest of the time going through correspondence and talking with the new Treasurer to see how things are going there.
- Email from SAD #6 Business Office – Re: Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda for 12-17-15
- Letter from Patrick Bonsant, Director, Saco River Community Television – Re: Fiscal Year 2016/17 budget
- Letter from Maine Revenue Services – Re: Changes in laws having impact on property tax administration
- Email from Patrick Bonsant, Director, Saco River Community TV – Re: Bar Mills Bridge History
- Email from Maine D.O.T. – Re: Buxton/Hollis Bridge Progress Meeting Minutes for 12-15-15
- Email from Superintendent’s Office – Re: SAD #6 Board Meeting Agenda for 12-21-15
- Email from Kate Dufour, Maine Municipal Association – Re: MMA’s Comments Regarding D.O.T.’s Proposed Urban Compact Rule
- Review of Projects and Issues
Selectman Santolucito reported that he will be attending the SAD #6 Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday evening to get more updates on Frye Island.
Selectman Poitras reported on the Wreaths Across America ceremony that took place last weekend. He said it went very well and the town got great participation from the Police Department, Fire Department, some selectmen were there and wonderful attendance from the townspeople. It was a great tribute to veterans.
Selectman Poitras also followed up on the issue of Buxton Community Days saying that no one has come forward at this time to lead that event.
Selectman Burns has been in the office some this week finishing up a review of the audit report. He has some questions that he went over with Selectman Harmon yesterday. She was able to answer some of them but he still has questions to ask the auditors when they come in. Selectman Burns reported that he talked with the Treasurer and mentioned having her go through the report and sit in when the Board meets with the auditors in January.
Selectman Burns said he will attempt to make the meeting tomorrow night for the SAD #6 Budget Advisory Committee.
Selectman Emery reported that he has been in the office more regularly than usual. On Monday he came in and saw Carol Rico, the new Treasurer. That same day he and Selectman Harmon spent a few hours at the attorney’s office on some personnel issues. Yesterday he came in and went over some things with the new Treasurer. He also talked with the attorney and got some things clarified regarding the issue they discussed Monday.
Selectman Emery reported that he attended the Wreaths Across America ceremony. He thought it went very well and said everyone should be proud of the whole program; it was well-attended and the people participating did an excellent job. Bill Nemitz was the keynote speaker and Selectman Emery said he gave an excellent speech that was very appropriate for the occasion.
None
None
E.O. 151612016 – An order to approve an Application for Veteran Exemption for [Map 3, Lot 68-1]
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 #53
Approved 4-0-1
The amount was $624,855.45
E.O. 151612009 – An order approving expenditures as documented in Payroll Warrant #52
Approved 4-0-1
The amount was $47,807.06
- Next Meeting of the Board
SAD #6 Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday, December 17, at 6:00 PM at the Central Office
Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, December 23 at 7:00 PM. That meeting will be back out in the big meeting room.
- Other Business
- Public Comments and Questions
Patrick Hanna, a Buxton resident, asked some questions about the policy that was approved by the Board about five years ago to not allow dogs in the Town Office. His understanding was that it was not an insurance issue but that it was done because of a past employee.
Selectman Emery explained that some people are uncomfortable around animals, especially in confined areas, and the policy was adopted mostly for insurance reasons.
Selectman Emery said there were a couple of employees who wanted to bring their pets to work and the Board said no. Service dogs are allowed. Selectman Emery said it was not done because of one person.
Patrick Hanna asked if the bridge video is available on line. The Board suggested he contact Saco River Community Television to get that information.
Patrick Hanna asked the Selectmen if there is a direct number he can call to complain to the State about the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 22 & 202.
A discussion followed about that light and how long people have to sit at the intersection and wait for the light to change.
Scott Warchol got up to speak and thanked the Board for having the discussion a couple weeks ago about a Town Manager. He said it was refreshing to have the commentation to see where the Board members stand. Mr. Warchol asked what brought that discussion up.
Selectman Burns said he and Selectman Harmon have talked about it off and on for some time. He said we are fortunate we have had good Boards and usually there are at least one or two people who can spend more time in the office. He said a lot of things come up when there is no selectman here and there are only certain things they can approve that don’t require the Board to be here as a Board to approve. Selectman Burns said this is the largest town in the State without a Town Manager. The laws get tougher and tougher and we have over a $12,000,000 budget between the school and the town which is a huge responsibility. He said some Board members think they should be talking about this and they would need to change the Charter and to get a change like that done takes
a long time. He said we are about a year and a half out and the longer they wait, the longer it will take. He said people talk about the selectmen making decisions and say if we had a Town Manager things could get done faster? Selectman Burns said things would be done faster. Selectman Burns said he hates to lose the small town feeling where you can talk with your selectmen one on one any time you want. He said you can come to the Town Manager; his office is going to be more formal. A lot of people don’t like that. He said it would be new to a lot of people but the fact remains that the laws keep changing and he believes the Board needs to start thinking about it.
There was a brief discussion about what several other towns are doing and the pros and cons of that.
Selectman Santolucito talked about the last proposal for a new charter and said he did not support it because it seemed to be written for a place that was much larger than Buxton. He thinks it needs to be approached carefully. He said the departments seem to be going good and run well and he likes the strength of having an open door policy and he is open to the idea of a Town Manager but he thinks Board should be cautious going forward about how the Charter is written.
Scott Warshol commented on the Dollar General store in Turner and said he believes they have building standards. He said he is looking forward to seeing what our folks come up with.
There was some discussion about the new Dunkin Donuts store and its appearance. Mr. Warshol said he thinks it will be nice when we have some building standards.
None
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 PM
Approved 4-0-1
paste minutes here
| 
