Town of Otisfield
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2010
1. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting was called to order at 7:31 PM.
Hal Ferguson, Chairman; Rick Micklon and Lenny Adler were present.
*Audience and board members saluted the flag.
2. SECRETARY’S REPORT:
A. Meeting minutes from January 6, 2010. *Motion to accept minutes. RM/LA– Unanimous.
3. SPECIAL EVENTS
A. The Feb. 3 meeting will start with a conservation Biologist who is a member of Project Coyote. She will share her research with the public in living with coyotes. A Maine Game Warden will also be in attendance to answer questions related to what options the town or landowners have, when coyotes become a threat to their personal safety and or their domesticated animal's safety. ~
4.COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Ordinance Policy Review Committee - Joe Zillinksy: Would like to see an Agenda and wants to know the protocol for not attending a committee. RM/HF: We allow committees to decide amongst themselves who will be the Chair and expects the chair or secretary would be notified if a member can not attend. TT will put together an Agenda w/ the election of Chair, and email all committee members. Next meeting will be held February 11, 2010 @ 7:00 PM.
B. Road Study Review Committee – Frank Blauvelt is resigning from this committee. He will attend tomorrow night’s meeting to inform the other members. TT will update this on the web site and post volunteers needed again.
C. Winter Carnival Committee - Hal Ferguson, This year’s theme is going to be Winter Olympics. The town office will be used as in the past for arts and crafts and sledding. The scheduled date is Feb. 12 & 13.
5. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
A. Richard St. John, CEO: Quarterly update: Plumbing & building permits are 20% less than in 2008.
B. Town Clerk, Sharon Mathews: Boston Cane: Questions have been coming in regarding the criteria for this. Discussion: All BOS agree that candidate should get a plague w/ a picture of them w/ the cane, but the actual cane should be kept at the town office for safe keeping. It was suggested that Orrell Linnell who turns 100 on March 16th, be presented w/ this honor. All BOS agree.
6. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A. None.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ITEMS: (MIM is absent tonight)
A. None.
8. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:
A. None.
9. UNFINISHED /SCHEDULED BUSINESS:
A. Great Oaks Update: BOS are concerned about the safety of individuals who may try to go inside. It has been boarded up, in an attempt to keep people out, because it’s not structurally sound. The town has taken it over as tax acquired property and Geoffrey Hole, Town attorney is in the process of “quieting the deed”. RM suggests scheduling a public informational meeting, to allow the voters a chance to participate in discussions, prior to putting this back to the voters and ask them what they would like to do w/ this property. RM & HF were approached by someone who thought BOS should know that this property can not be subdivided, due to existing conditions and restrictions on the subdivision plan. RM stated that this is one of many topics that need further public discussion, prior
to any town meeting warrant.
B. Vault ventilation system/ contractor update: Anthony Cardillo, TC Sheetmetal, submitted his insurance certificate and everything is in order to start within the next three weeks. Board agreed that due to the simplicity of the project, no outside engineering/management is necessary, but RM will oversee the project and report back to BOS as work is completed.
C. Community Hall proposal: BOS hired architect David Hart, Fish Street Designs,Fryeburg.He is waiting for the proposal he sent in a month ago to be signed. BOS were under the assumption that MIM had sent it off. RM will talk to MIM upon her return and have this taken care of. A written overview and proposal will be provided, before the BOS meet again. This will feature current structural integrity, cosmetic issues, utilities, and estimated costs to bring the Hall up to code and potential costs to make it a year round facility.
10. SELECTMEN’S ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED & VOTED ON:
A. *Motion to sign Warrant # 13 to pay the towns bills. LA/HF – Unanimous.
B. CMP Pole Permit/ Fairpoint Communication - Gore Road.
*Motion to sign the permits. LA/HF – Unanimous.
11. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD
A. Missing road signs/ Sand Shed Signs: BOS would like a report back from MIM getting a status on the missing signs that are on order for roads and for the Sand Shed.
B. Wind Turbine Debate: RM asked if BOS, CEO, and Stan Brett & Dan Peaco (Planning Board) wish to attending a debate on Feb. 4th, 2010, in Mexico, Maine. RM: We need to start the educational process of alternative energy resources, and wind power is a highly debated issue amongst towns throughout Maine. Before a developer or a landowner approached the Planning Board, we need to understand the town’s position through an ordinance and our Comprehensive Plan. LA: It has been proven in Maine courts that a Comprehensive Plan is a guide only, and cannot restrict permits or construction. That must be done through local building ordinances.
D. Rec committee: HF: A committee will be formed and volunteers will be needed, if you are interested let the Town Office know.
E. Chimney fire – BOS received a letter from John and Linda Poto regarding their recent experience w/ the Otisfield FD. They had a chimney fire and wanted to thank the FD and let the town know how appreciative they are of the FD members and how considerate they were of their personal belongings. BOS all agreed that we are all very fortunate for the fine service that our Fire Department provides.
12. UPCOMING DATES:
A. Board of Selectmen Meeting February 3, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
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
approved on: 2/03/10
| 
