Town of Otisfield
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
November 4, 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. FLAG SALUTE
*Audience and Board members saluted the flag.
3. SECRETARY’S REPORT:
A. Meeting minutes from October 6, 2010. *Motion to accept minutes. HF/RM– Unanimous. *LA abstained.
B. Meeting minutes from October 20, 2010. *Motion to accept minutes. LA/HF– Unanimous.
4. SPECIAL EVENTS
A. Building Entrance Winter Maintenance Program 2010-2011. Bids opened at 7:15pm. Two (2) bids received. Dyer’s Camp and Cottage Service & Damon Builders: Discussion: Either contractor will meet the requirements as requested by the town. RM: Town is very pleased with both Garry Dyer & Jared Damon and the work that they have done for the town. No complaints on either. The BOS looked at the rates from Garry Dyer based on per hour opposed to Damon Builder’s seasonal rate and at this time feel Damon Builders seasonal rate comes just under Dyer’s Camp & Cottage Service per hour rate. Should these two bidders continue to bid as competitively in the years to come, the Board feels that alternating the awarding of the contracts could
be in order. *Motion to go w/ Jared Damon, Damon Builders. RM/LA – Unanimous.
B. Public Hearing General Assistance hearing opened at 7:30 pm. Discussion regarding General Assistance Appendices AB & C. The Appendices A, B & C have been revised for the municipality’s General Assistance Ordinance. These new Appendices, once adopted should replace the existing Appendices dated October 1, 2009 – October 1, 2010. Even if you have already adopted MMA’s model General Assistance Ordinance, the municipal officers must approve/adopt the new Appendices A-C yearly. The various maximum levels of General Assistance set forth in Appendices A-C are established as a matter of State Law based on certain federal values that are made effective on the first day of October each year. *Motion to close the hearing at 7:45PM. LA/HF – Unanimous.
*Motion to adopt & sign the Appendices A, B & C. RM/LA –Unanimous.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. None.
6. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
A. None.
7. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A. None.
8. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ITEMS:
A. Town Office Staff worked until 4AM Wed. morning due to counting the votes for the November 2, elections. MIM would like to investigate the cost of an “automated counter”. She spoke with the Secretary of State, and would like to request a standard ballot also. The State agreed that municipalities w/ less than 2,000 people should have a standard ballot.
B. Tax acquired property update. Map U18, Lot 10 – Crooked River has gone back out to bid with a $10,000 minimum. Bids will be opened at next BOS meeting, November 17, 2010. Discussion regarding the Town allowing people inside to view the building. BOS agree by consensus that it could be dangerous and a liability for the Town to allow individuals inside and would rather not take on that responsibility.
C. Boat dock replacement: Board reviewed a material cost estimate from Garry Dyer and Record Lumber. This is phase two of the necessary replacement of the dock systems at the Pleasant Lake Beach. Submitted into public record. HF suggests letting the finance committee look at the quote to see if money is available. RM suggested BOS should look at this again in April 2011. He felt that the voters had approved funds for Buildings and Grounds and that those funds should be spent and spent wisely, and it may allow a lesser amount to be requested for the following year. TT will put this on the calendar.
9. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:
A. None.
10. UNFINISHED /SCHEDULED BUSINESS:
A. Community Hall: Drilled well discussion: RM: D&M Well Drilling was contracted at a contract price for town starting at $3,800, for any well up to 300’ and then beyond that depth a $10/foot charge will be added. It was decided at a prior BOS meeting that funds available from Community Hall budget and the Eva Elliot Fund should be used first. RM explained the issues D&M was having. They can’t back a well drilling rig from 121 to get in there, due to the stream and electrical wires. The intention is to drill the well on northern side where the tree line is. Proposing to go around the Community Hall so it can be buried below frost line. The problem is the leach field location. The well driller has to get the variance due to the field location. He can be here within 3-5 days of the call. RM
intends to look at it Friday with Richard Bean.
B. Town Office Annex (former class room) Project is complete for the phase incorporating moisture control. RM had forwarded an email to BOS & CEO, from the Maine Fire Marshall’s office stating that the work completed to date did not require a permit, but that future work may trigger one. Rick will coordinate all such permits with them.RM requested a workshop to discuss what’s next & BOS agree to meet on December 8, 2010 @ 7:00 PM.
C. Western Maine Economic Development Council wants to come in and meet BOS on November 17, 2010. BOS would like MIM to put them on the agenda @ 7:15PM.
11. SELECTMEN’S ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED & VOTED ON:
A.*Motion to sign Warrant # 8 to pay the town bills. HF/LA – Unanimous.
B. Plowing and Shoveling Additional Contract for 2010-2011- All workman comp forms signed as independent contractor, Frank Blauvelt, Glenn Pastore & Garry Dyer. Waiting on Richard Bean, Jr.
*Motion to sign the Workman’s Comp contracts for Frank Blauvelt, Glenn Pastore & Garry Dyer. LA/HF – Unanimous.
C. Vol. FF Blanket Accident Insurance discussion: MMA can not tell you exactly what it covers, because it’s on a case by case scenario. It does not replace Workman’s Comp. *Motion to sign and get this coverage for the Volunteer Fire Dept. members. HF/LA – Unanimous.
D. Powhatan Road/School Crossing discussion. A letter of concern was sent to SAD 17 from Pattie Dyer Haggerty. She wants to know why there are no speed limit signs, flashing lights, and no cross walk. The BOS agree and support this request. At the absolute minimum a 15 mph sign should be placed up. RM: Research should be done to ensure it’s not the town who needs to do this, rather than SAD 17.
12. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD:
A. MIM will place on the bulletin board that the BOS are available to meet w/ anyone on the last Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
B. RM: An email from Richard St. John, received on August 24 regarding concerns raised by Sharon Mathews, Clerk, re: handicapped entrance during elections. Current rail does not meet the code. The front door needs new automatic opening device. BOS meeting room needs a paddle type door hardware and copier needs to be moved. RM will work w/ CEO on updating these restrictions. MIM & Sharon will look into the State funding that might be available.
C. Just an FYI: RM received an email, October 19, 2010 from George Lobb, President of Great Oaks: Asking RM to distribute an email to all the people who attended meeting re. Saturday Pond. (Submitted into public record) The phosphorus level of the pond rose from 5PPM’s to 10PPM, this level is a warning light that something is wrong and something needs to be changed. Rick asked that the Board be supportive of the protection of not just the lakes, but our two ponds as well. Saturday Pond is very shallow and if allowed to be jeopardized, it will cost the entire town a huge amount of money in the long run.
D. HF: Transfer Station was broken into 10 days ago. The door is being fixed. Nothing was stolen, but personal items. Coveralls and gloves should be reimbursed to Eric. All BOS agree. An alarm system is being considered. *Motion to replace Eric’s personal items. LA/RM – Unanimous.
E. Great Oaks - Discussion: MMA legal counsel is still working on this and waiting to meet w/ Great Oaks Attorney. BOS all agree there has been more than enough time on this issue. MIM will contact Attorney and try to get the ball rolling to at least set a date so that certified letters can be opened.
F. Robinson Dam Update: HF: Ross Cudlitz, P.E reviewed seven hours worth of video at the Dam meeting last weekend. That whole screen system was in place because the mill used it for power. Currently it is no longer being used for power and may no longer be needed. Ross will check to see if the screen system is still needed. So far, just a little under $5,000 has been spent for engineering, video taping from the diving firm & plywood over the walk ways.
13. Upcoming Dates:
A. Board of Selectmen Meeting, November 17, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
14. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM. HF/RM – Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Taft, Secretary
Approved by:
Hal Ferguson, Chairman
Rick Micklon
Lenny Adler
Approved on: November 17, 2010
| 
