FARMINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 15, 2004
(Public Session)
Attendance: Chairman Joan A. Funk, Matthew Scruton, Gerald McCarthy, Paula Proulx, Paul Parker &
Student Selectman Brandon LaRoche
Staff: Ernest M. Creveling, Town Administrator, Director of Water & Waste Mgemt. Dale Sprague
The meeting convened and was called to order by Chairman Funk at 6:00 p.m. She led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Joan then introduced the two new Selectmen, Paula Proulx and Paul Parker.
Brief on Issues
Ernie said if Paula and Paul would like to schedule a private meeting for a question and answer session, he would be happy to oblige. He said it would also be necessary to arrange special meetings with all the departments for presentations concerning their respective projects, issues/concerns. Ernie said on March 29th the Selectmen could hold a workshop regarding what they would like to see happen over the next year. He then provided copies of organizational charts. Joan asked if the new Selectmen would sit with the Board, the day of the Town Meeting continuation and Ernie said from what he understands from the Town Clerk/Tax Collector they can/should be present. He said another item to address would be the Boards and Committees seat vacancies. Gerry asked that a copy of the
policy, as it pertains to Board appointments be provided to all members. Ernie said he would cover all items between the March 22nd and March 29th Selectmen’s meetings.
Election of Officers
Gerry said he would like to see the Board reorganization occur this evening. Paul Parker nominated Gerald McCarthy as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Paula Parker seconded the nomination. Matt said he would like to nominate Joan Funk as Chairman. He then asked both nominees to explain what they would do as Chairman and why they desired to be Chairman of the Board. Gerry said he feels the Selectmen have a responsibility to the community and to those who elected them, in order to assist how the community grows and helping to set the direction of growth in Town. He said the Planning Board is also a very important Board in the community. Joan said she agrees with Gerry and feels this is the direction the Board should go. Joan said economic growth is important to Farmington as
well, along with relief of rising taxes and the need for an open government. She said she also agrees with Gerry that the Farmington employees are important because they help to make the Town run smoothly. Paul Parker said in nominating Gerry he feels over the years Gerry has worked hard for Farmington and he would like to see him exit his years of service as the Chairman. Matt said he nominated Joan because through the last year she has seen through many new projects and issues and he feels it would be consistent to see her follow them through. The vote was four in favor and one opposed to the nomination of Gerald McCarthy as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Next was the nomination of the Vice Chair. Joan A. Funk nominated Matthew Scruton and Paul Parker nominated Joan Funk. Paul said he nominates Joan as Vice Chair for all the reasons Matt gave to support his nomination of her as Chairman. Matt said he wished to decline the nomination in favor of Joan’s nomination as Vice Chair. The vote was unanimous. Gerry said it’s important to select a Selectmen’s representative to the Planning Board. Paula Proulx nominated Paul Parker as the Selectmen’s representative to the Planning Board. Matthew Scruton seconded the nomination. The vote was unanimous. Paul Parker then nominated Paula Proulx to serve on the Economic Development Commission. Joan A. Funk seconded the nomination and
the vote was unanimous. Paul Parker nominated Joan A. Funk as the Selectmen’s representative to the Downtown Committee and Paula Proulx seconded the nomination. The vote was unanimous.
Joan A. Funk then nominated Matthew Scruton as the Selectmen’s representative to the Budget Committee and Paul Parker seconded the nomination. Matt said it would be difficult for him to attend all the Budget Committee meetings, due to other obligations. The vote was unanimous. Joan A. Funk nominated Paula Proulx to serve as an alternate representative to the Budget Committee and Paul Parker seconded the nomination. The vote was unanimous.
Selectmen’s Minutes 03/15/04-Pg. #2
Paul Parker nominated Matthew Scruton as an alternate representative to the Planning Board. Gerald McCarthy seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
The Board of Selectmen asked Ernie to ensure the availability of information about the number of vacant seats on all the Town’s Boards and Committees, as well as advertising the availability of them. Gerry recommended placing the seat vacancies on the Channel 26 Bulletin Board too.
Regional Solid Waste Disposal Meeting
Dale said tonight the Board was supposed to meet with area communities concerning the option of working collaboratively with other communities for solid waste disposal, but this was not an available meeting date/time for a few of the Towns and the remaining Towns called to cancel their attendance at the last minute. He said he feels this would be an important alternative to explore and said he would reschedule the meeting. Dale said it would be helpful to find out where the outlaying communities are in their decision process regarding solid waste. Dale said mid-week for these communities would be more convenient. The Selectmen said Wednesday would work for them. Paul Parker said the first and third Wednesdays of the month are best for him. Dale said he would schedule this regional
meeting a few weeks out ahead, in order for the Selectmen to have plenty of advance notice. He said he needs to come before the Selectmen tonight to decide upon a water/sewer rate increase. He said he’d supply a projected rate structure to help ease the increase.
Gerry said the Boad probably would be better to schedule a few meetings, over which to review the issues before each Town department. He said Dale tends not only to water/wastewater, but also to the landfill and will need ample time to review all the pertinent issues. Paul Parker asked Dale if he had cost comparisons to provide and Dale said no, noting this is really more of a philosophical decision whether or not to encourage extra water/sewer customers.
Building Permit on a Private Road
Ernie said before the Selectmen this evening is a building permit on Lancelot Shores for Tax Map R 06, Lot 32 for property owner, Marcotte. Matt asked what he said is an unrelated question about whether or not the private road signs, stating a road as private have been mounted yet. Ernie said he wasn’t sure. Matthew Scruton motioned to permit the request for a building on a private road in Lancelot Shores for Marcotte. Joan A. Funk seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Metrocast Bond
Ernie mentioned that Metrocast has supplied a larger franchise bond, asking Joan to sign the acknowledgement page.
Other Business
Joan said the Board of Selectmen haven’t yet discussed the drafted letter to the Farmington Fire/Rescue dept. about restoring the bay space within the fire station to provide room for equipment presently be stored outside, which should be under cover.
Matthew Scruton made a motion to adjourn. Joan A. Funk seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn C. Seaboyer _____________________________
Admin. Asst. Matthew Scruton
APPROVED
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Paula Proulx
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Gerald McCarthy, Chairman
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Paul Parker
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Joan A. Funk
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