Town of Otisfield
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2010
1. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
Hal Ferguson, Chairman; Rick Micklon and Lenny Adler were present.
2. SECRETARY’S REPORT:
A. Meeting Minutes from December 16, 2009. *Motion to accept minutes. RM/LA– Unanimous.
3. SPECIAL EVENTS
A. None.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. None.
5. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
A. Mike Hooker, Fire Chief: Financially the FD is on schedule. Patty & Al Haggerty have stepped down as officers. Mike was re-elected as Fire Chief, and plans to revamp training program this year. Monthly news letter has been being published and is proving to be effective. Starting this month, a little less than 40 hours a year will become mandatory for FD personnel. RM: Suggests the FD get the lock on the E.Otisfield Station asap due to liability. All agree. MH will take care of this within the week. *Motion to accept Mike Hooker as the Fire Chief. HF/LA – Unanimous.
B. Town Clerk, Sharon Mathews: Report update on taxes will be ready for the January 20th meeting.
6. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A. Mr. Howard Dyer passed away at 103 years old. He was the holder of the Boston Cane. The BOS and public held a moment of silence in his honor. The BOS would like to have the Town Report dedicated to Mr. Howard Dyer this current fiscal year.
B. Job Description Review Committee: Callie Z.: Done w/ the Road Commissioner job description. Callie will get an advance copy to Richard Bean, to review prior to meeting w/ him and the BOS. Next job description to undertake will be FD Chief and employees within. *Motion to extend the same committee members for an additional year. RM/HF – Unanimous.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ITEMS: (MIM is absent tonight)
A. Maine Warden update regarding coyotes. At Rick’s request, MIM has attempted to contact Maine Warden Service regarding the recent killing of a horse on Peaco Hill. No return calls were made, but she has been in contact w/ the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife specialist regarding how Maine towns need to learn to live peacefully with coyotes. She wishes to provide a presentation to the town. BOS would like Maine Game Wardens to be involved so that residents know what options the town has regarding both sides of the issue; living with coyotes while preventing them from killing domesticated animals. TABLED: MIM will report back at the next meeting.
8.ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:
A. None.
9. UNFINISHED /SCHEDULED BUSINESS:
A. Great Oaks Update: HF called Geoffrey Hole to find out about the personal items left behind in the structures. The prior owner should (and will) be notified within 30 days of any demolition / burning of the structures; requesting them to remove any and all personal belongings. In the spring, FD Chief MH can use this property as a water shuttle training to burn the wood that’s in a pile to the side of the structure. HF has received questions on what the town intends to do w/ this property and Board agrees that there are no aspirations at this time to do anything w/ the property. This property consists of 40.9 acres. RM suggests putting this back to the voters and ask them what they would like to do w/ this property. He feels that the town shouldn’t be in the real estate ownership business,
and taxpayers may find good use of the funds generated from the sale of this property; such as renovation of existing town buildings. Right now BOS are only concerned about the safety of individuals who may try to go inside. It has been boarded up because it’s not structurally sound in an attempt to keep people out.
B. Vault HVAC contractor update: RM reviewed the history behind the vault’s faulty air exchange system. *Written Proposal has been submitted from TC Sheet Metal. He proposes to furnish all the materials and perform the labor necessary for the following, adding to existing trunk line. (2) Diffusers, 2-8” trunk and insulation. Total price is $1,173.00. Currently there are no major problems, no mold, no mildew, etc. HF: Does he have the proper credentials to work on this. RM: yes the proper insurance is in place. RM: Sprinklers should be dead ended and some form of fire suppressant may still be necessary, but we are not at that phase as of yet. This was the least expensive way to go. *Motion to accept the proposal from TC Sheet metal in the amount of $1,173.00. LA/HF – Unanimous.
C. Community Hall proposal: BOS hired architect David Hart, Fish Street Designs, out of Fryeburg, and he has provided a preliminary report for the town. The structural integrity and the cost analysis will be included to identify what is necessary to bring the structure up to code. An analysis for the cost of repairs should be in by the end of this weekend. BOS are looking into what it may take to bring this facility up to a year round status, and then bring before the voters at the annual town meeting to see if they agree and want to spend the money. Sharon Mathews: The office is getting a lot of feedback on individuals wishing to help w/ the resurrection of this project and she is willing to volunteer to be on a committee to help w/ this project. BOS suggest that before a survey is put out to the public, a cost analysis should be put together to be more informative.
10. SELECTMEN’S ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED & VOTED ON: .
A. *Motion to sign Warrant # 12 to pay the towns bills. LA/RM – Unanimous.
B. *Motion to Sign Warrant to have a Special Town Meeting. HF/LA – Unanimous. The warrant items are. 1) Changes to the Shoreland
Zoning Map (required by DEP), 2) Definitions in the town Building Ordinance required by DEP). The definitions that need to be changed are: foundation, normal high water line, residential dwelling unit and shore frontage. 3) To approve a use of up to $11,000 of tax acquired property to pay for the new Comprehensive Plan Study (by AVCOG). Copies will be available at town meeting.
11. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD
A. CEO submittal: Plumbing & building permits for this quarter: Building permits and plumbing permits are 20% less than in 2008, not great news, but still much better then surrounding towns.
B. RM: Just wanted to make note that at his County Commissioner meetings, they start each meeting by saluting to the flag. He feels it’s a nice touch and suggests that this meeting starts off the same way. LA and HF agree w/ gesture and would be happy to do so. *Motion to start saluting the flag at all BOS meetings. RM/LA – Unanimous.
C. Snow Plowing: LA: All Fire stations have been being shoveled and the plowing is working out well. No issues or concerns this year to date. Chief Hooker also very pleased.
D. Hiring Policy: LA would like to suggest that the town have a hiring policy and ensure that it is followed. All agree. RM: MMA has one that can be adopted if the Board sees fit. *Motion to have a hiring policy. LA/RM – Unanimous. MIM to download, edit & propose to Board at future meeting.
E. Missing road signs: BOS would like a report back from MIM getting a status on the missing signs that are on order.
12. Upcoming Dates:
A. Special Town Meeting January 20, 2010 @ 7:00 PM with Board of Selectmen Meeting to follow.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM. HF/RM – Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Taft, Secretary
Approved by:
Hal Ferguson, Chairman
Rick Micklon
Lenny Adler
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