Town of Otisfield
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
November 17, 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 November 4, 2010. *Motion to accept minutes. HF/LA– Unanimous.
4. SPECIAL EVENTS
A. 7:15 PM: Tax Sale Bids to be opened. Map U18, Lot 10 – Crooked River property. This tax acquired property went out to bid with a $10,000 minimum.
(3) Bids received 1) Chuck Starbird made a bid of $16,503.00, 2) Stacey L. Worster made a bid of $15,101.00 & 3) Matthew & Fredericka Collins made a bid of $20,100.00
*Motion to go w/ the higher bid Mathew & Fredericka Collins for $20,100.00. LA/HF –Unanimous.
B. 7:20 PM: George Lobb- Committee to Save Saturday Pond. Barry Vaill, President of Pond View Association is speaking on behalf of George Lobb. For background: 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. 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. 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. Tonight’s objective is asking the BOS to pass a resolution supporting the petition to limit the horsepower to 75HP. *BOS all agree and support this petition. They also agree that 75HP is more then
adequate for these small ponds.
C. 7:30 PM: Linda Walbridge, Western Maine Economic Development Council (WMEDC) WMEDC was founded November 13, 2007 as a department of Community Concepts, Inc., to facilitate regional economic development throughout Oxford County and bordering towns. Their mission statement: To create economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in Western Central Maine. Unlike most other counties, Oxford County had never before focused on county-wide economic development until the inception of WMEDC. Linda presented the BOS with a list of current projects that WMEDC is assisting with and promised to be available to help Otisfield and any of its residents; should we need any economic assistance, advice, guidance, or small business capital.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Job Description Review Committee: Callie Zelinksy submitted the Fire Chief Job description into public record. BOS reviewed and signed off on this job description.*TT will add it to the web site. Chief Hooker is looking at defining other Fire Dept. positions, ie; Captain, Assistant Chief, Safety Officer, etc. Frank Blauvelt is working on the Emergency Management job description. Danny Peaco is working on the Sexton position & TT’s job description is on the upcoming list to be worked on. HF thanked the committee for all their continued hard work.
6. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
A. CEO:
1) CEO wrote a letter to Mr. & Mrs. Remington, Map R12, Lot 008 It appears the Remington’s did not have a permit on file before starting some construction on their property. CEO has asked that they cease construction and either remove the structure, or file an after-the-fact application for this construction within 21 days. BOS approve and support this.
2) CEO office is closed next Monday 11/22 – Friday 11/26 due to training and holiday. TT posted it on the web site and CEO St John has put a sign on his door with Rick Micklon’s name and number, as Rick will be his Acting Deputy while he is away.
3) ICC – CEO is requesting to pay the dues for this organization. It looks like it may cost about $300.00 but it will reduce the prices on books that he will need and the savings are significantly higher than the membership fee, making it worth it.
4) Planning Board Site Walk - Richard Negus, represented by Rick Dunton, Main-Land Development Consultants, Inc. Map U-08 Lot 004. Construction of a new cottage on a lot of record within 100' setback of Thompson Lake. Site Walk will be held Thursday, November 18th @ 10:00 AM. ~
5) Boat launch on Saturday Pond. Drainage easement still needs to be discussed. *MIM & CEO will discuss after Christmas.
7. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A. None.
8. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ITEMS:
A. CMP Pole Permit- Oak Hill; NNET Operations, LLC and CMP are requesting (1) pole and relocating (1) pole to the opposite side of the street. *Motion to sign the pole permits. LA/HF – Unanimous.
B. Planning Board Application received from Rick Jackson. *Discussion below # 11, B.
C. Elections: Grant money update: MIM spoke w/ the State and there is $3,500 in available State funds, but an invoice must be submitted first. These funds would be available for the automatic opening device for handicapped individuals and the railing that does not currently meet code. The State is working on a standardized machine and ballot and by next year the Town can purchase a machine and an “automated counter” for use during elections, to save the town time and money.
9. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:
A. None.
10. UNFINISHED /SCHEDULED BUSINESS:
A. Community Hall: Drilled well discussion: RM: D&M Well Drilling could have a well on site as soon as this coming Thursday or Friday. Proposing to go around the front of Community Hall so it can be buried below frost line. The well driller may need to get the variance due to the field location. RM and Richard Bean had a change of thought on whether or not there would be a small ramp. Patch pavement will be used so that the same entrance will be used on the front as what is currently on the side. Richard will be waiting until the well is drilled before doing any of his excavating.
B. Transfer Station alarm: RM looked into the cost of an audible alarm system along w/ a strobe light to be placed on the outside of transfer station, which will bring audio and visual effects to an intruder. It can be hooked up to a monitoring alarm at any time. The cost is under $500.00 completely installed. *Motion to invest the $500.00 towards this alarm. To be taken out of solid waste account. HF/LA – Unanimous.
C. Powhatan Road/School Crossing discussion: BOS received a copy of the letter from Rick Colpitts, SAD 17 Superintendant’s office (submitted into public record) in response to a letter of concern that was sent to them from Pattie Dyer-Haggerty, wanting to know why there are no speed limit signs, flashing lights, and no cross walks at the Otisfield Elementary School. SAD 17 responded; the flashing signals you see at many other schools have been placed there because there are crosswalks. Flashing signs are placed near the cross walks. The flashing lights are only used in the morning at arrival time and in the afternoon at dismissal time. Not every school has a flashing light. Hebron, Otisfield and Waterford do not have crosswalks. They state that all of the students attending these schools are bussed to and
from school and that no kids are walking. The letter goes on to say that signs are posted warning drivers of a school zone, but flashing lights are not necessary because there are no cross walks. The letter states that The Maine Dept. of Transportation will not authorize the posting of 15 mph school zone speed limits from anything more than a posted 30 miler per hour zone. Powhatan Road has a speed limit of 45mph. There are signs posted on either side of the school site notifying driver of the presence of a school. The school district does not believe it’s a problem not having these items, and they feel as though it is adequately posted. BOS all agree that the proper signs are necessary (in both directions) and that at the absolute minimum a 15 mph sign should be placed up. BOS feel this is a district issue and should be addressed with them again. RM will take digital pictures and then bring it to the attention of SAD 17, in hopes that they will improve upon
what’s already there.
11. SELECTMEN’S ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED & VOTED ON:
A. *Motion to sign Warrant # 9 to pay the town bills. LAHF – Unanimous.
B. Planning Board: Application submitted from Rick Jackson
*Motion to appoint Rick Jackson for a 5 year term to expire 6/2015 on the Planning Board as an Alternate. HF/RM – Unanimous.
12. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD:
A. Emergency Response system: BOS, Richard Bean, office staff and Frank Blauvelt (Otisfield Emergency Management Director) had a recent training session with Scott Parker, Oxford County EMS Director. Training focused on “what would happen if a local emergency occurred that involved an extended power outage and possible multiple road closings". As a result, communications with Otisfield residents became a major topic of concern. RM is trying to implement an emergency icon on the web site, which will alert & update residents regarding emergency conditions, help & assistance, and allow residents to communicate with town officials “during” the emergency. He is working w/ Scott Parker and when they can implement the icon/link, RM & TT will place the adequate info on the web
site so that it is available to the public.
B. Great Oaks - Discussion: HF spoke with Geoff Hole regarding any MMA legal counsel updates. The certified letters have been opened and attorneys are hopeful that communications can be escalated forward asap.
13. UPCOMING DATES:
A. Board of Selectmen Meeting, December 1, 2010 @ 7:00 PM.
14. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM. HF/RM – Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Taft, Secretary
Approved by:
Hal Ferguson, Chairman
Rick Micklon
Lenny Adler
Approved on: December 1, 2010
TAFT
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