Town of Otisfield
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. All BOS were present.
2. SECRETARY’S REPORT:
A. Meeting Minutes from April 1, 2009.Motion to accept minutes as amended. HF/RM– Unanimous.
*Discussion: Sale of Fire Truck: LA will call to discuss a down payment of $500.00 with a term of (6) months of payments until fire truck is paid in full. All BOS agree the term is not to exceed (6) months.
3. SPECIAL EVENTS
A. Henry Hamilton- President Otisfield Historical Society (OHS) - The OHS is looking for the BOS to turn the building over to them. The proposal for the transfer has been submitted into public record. HF: The general consensus of the board is to turn it over to the Historical Society if the town people agreed. The BOS would like a stipulation that states if the OHS can’t maintain it, it will then be turned back over to the town for ownership. RM: Suggests placing it on a town warrant or having a public hearing prior to the annual town meeting to see what the people think. HF: suggests sending it to the town attorney to help w/ the verbiage. Motion to generate an article for the June Meeting. HF/LA – Unanimous.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. None.
5. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
A. Richard St. John – CEO:
1) Building permits are a little under half from this time last year, plumbing has been lower than this time last year also. Shoreland zoning has passed DEP’s first review. Flood plain ordinance has passed the States review. The map is back to AVCOG to make the changes the PB requested.
2) Dehumidifier is working downstairs. CEO has been checking on it periodically and they are functioning properly and the humidity level has been tracked. RM will maintain while CEO is on vacation.
3) CEO Office will be closed next week. RM will come in and check answering machines or items of precedence. RSJ will check w/ Jeff Vandecker, LPI, of Norway code to see if he can stand in while he’s on vacation.
4) Moose lake ranch: 150 acres. Renting property for $10,000.00 a week; boat and ATV’s are available.
Single family dwelling is what the permit was for. Commercial use requires PB and Fire Marshall input. Web site was originally withdrawn. New website was discussed and he explained he needs to recoup cost of what was spent on the property. Under 15 people, nothing is triggered that would require a permit.
6. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A. Jean Hankins: Thinks the town would benefit from giving the Bell Hill Town Hall to the Otisfield Historical Society, and appreciates the opportunity of offering the building and letting the town people decide.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ITEMS:
A. Scribner's Mills Bridge update. Brad, Town Manager of Harrison said DOT has no input about the bridge for at least a year or two. Brad still wants to take the site walk w/ Otisfield BOS. No action needed at this time from either town. MIM will get something in writing from Brad stating DOT has no action. RM: feels Ross Cudlitz or someone w/ knowledge of bridge should go w/ BOS on site walk. RM will call Ross and set up a date.
B. Conservation Committee requesting funds for 1,000 copies of educational handout which will cost
approx. $750.00 for TLEA. LA recommended we contribute $500.00 for distribution to Otisfield residents. Educational cost of $500.00 was originally discussed. No money has been distributed as of this point. *A notice can be placed on the web site stating this can be picked up at the town office. Motion to contribute $500.00 for the cost of printing. LA/HF – Unanimous.
C. CMP pole permit came in. BOS signatures are needed. *Motion to sign the Pole permit for Mr. Tozier.HF/LA – Unanimous.
D. Five dead trees on the corner Powhattan Road and 121 are a major safety issue. Richard Bean has checked and this is the town’s responsibility, not the State. Motion to have Richard Bean call to get it done in a timely and costly basis. HF/LA – Unanimous.
8. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:
A. None.
9. UNFINISHED /SCHEDULED BUSINESS:
A. Performance Evaluations (WIP) Meeting tomorrow night @ 7:00PM.
B. Road Study Discussion (WIP) Other committee members may be available.
C. Comprehensive Plan (WIP)
D. Road Posting Discussion- RM discussed a legal note from MMA, Maine Townsmen. Legal notes from MMA submitted into public record. The State says the BOS must adopt regulations or an ordinance in order to post and enforce vehicle weight limits on local roads. TT will fill out OPRC request form and bring to an upcoming OPRC meeting.
E. Vault HVAC update (WIP) RM has taken snapshots and he will forward to appropriate persons to get a quote. RM will report back w/ an estimate at next meeting.
F. Town Building replacement costs (WIP) Insurance company sent more info. MIM submitted into public
record. East Otisfield was $86,000 and now it’s $91,982.00 Gore Road was $102,000.00 now at $113,576.00. MIM to research and get info in writing regarding the blanket. *Tabled until next meeting.
G. TLEA draft letter (WIP) *Nothing received as of yet.
H. Beach Gate Keepers: *We will remain w/ the same people as last year. No need to re-advertise.
I. Raises for town employees. *Budget item. This will be discussed on May 12th @ 7:00 PM.
J. Town non finance committee of the budget. *Same as above.
10. SELECTMEN’S ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED & VOTED ON:
A. Motion to sign Warrant # 18 to pay the towns bills. LA/RM – Unanimous
B. Finance Committee is looking at the possibility of recommending a Bond for upcoming building maintenance requirements – HF
C. Buildings & grounds expenditures-. LA Revenue vs. Expenses: LA would like us to look at what we are spending and what we are receiving. Roofs approx $3,000.00 and Plowing was approx. $3,000.00 to discuss at budget meeting on May 12th.
11. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD
A. Legislature passed a bill: Any items that go directly to the State, i.e.: plumbing permits and registration only need one BOS signature. LA suggests we have a policy written up for this. TT will fill out OPRC request and bring to an upcoming OPRC meeting.
B. TLEA grant money. HF spoke w/ Richard Bean, Road Commissioner. No intention to work on any of the roads mentioned in this budget, so the money needed for TLEA would be separate from what is in road budget. HF will inform Finance committee.
C. Salt has doubled from last year. This has caused the winter road budget to go over.
D. Conservation Committee: One opening on the board. TT will post on the web site.
E. HF has checked with MMA about appropriate wording for the town to go from (3) to (5) BOS members.
He will provide the Article to be presented at the town meeting at the next BOS Meeting for review.BOS will review all warrants before they go to print.
12. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM. HF/LJA – Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Taft, Secretary
Approved by:
Hal Ferguson, Chairman
Rick Micklon
Lenny Adler
Approved on: May 6, 2009
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