Town of Otisfield
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
December 1, 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 17, 2010. *Motion to accept minutes. HF/LA– Unanimous.
4. SPECIAL EVENTS
A. SAD 17 Superintendent Rick Colpitts
1) A 10 year history of the assessments was submitted into public record. Working significantly less than the State thinks they should. The outlook for state funding is uncertain, but it is unlikely to improve for next year's budget. Colpitts’ said that the district is anticipating another $2 million reduction. Local property values in the district have increased at a rate greater than that of the state as a whole, which means that the state will give a smaller percentage of its education budget to the Oxford Hills area.
2) Otisfield Community School Mold Issue: There is an air quality problem which exists in the walls. Bad news is that at any point, a student could get pushed in the wall and create a hole and this would expose the students. State dollars for renovations will be available. The exterior walls from the inside will need to be gutted. Exterior sheathing will need to be removed. Long term enrollment projections show that Otisfield will continue to grow. BOS will need to find another location for the 2011 annual town meeting.
3) Otisfield Community School Safety Concerns: In response to a letter of concern that was sent to SAD 17 from Pattie Dyer-Haggerty, and multiple emails between Rick and SAD 17, wanting to know why there are no speed limit signs, flashing lights, and no cross walks at the Otisfield Elementary School. SAD 17 will provide and post drug free signs and children walking signs. DOT can post 15mph speed limit signs. Cross walks are not advised by SAD 17 and DOT. Both advise that No Parking signs should be added to the opposite side of the road, so as to discourage students having to cross Powhaten Road. BOS will meet w/ Colpitts and DOT at a date that works for all.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Road Study Review Committee: Quentin Henderson – Chair: This committee had a discussion as a time line on where they should be w/ this project. The committee would like guidance from the BOS as to what they want to bring before the town meeting in June 2011. HF: This should go to finance committee before town meeting. LA: The preliminary sketch was layed out at the transfer station. LA is requesting his son to make the drawing. RM: An architect will be required because it’s a public facility and needs to be reviewed by a structural engineer. RM: Need to have possibly two Public Hearings so that voters have enough input and knowledge prior to town meeting vote. Next meeting is January 16, 2011. General consensus of the BOS is to shoot for 2012 Town meeting with this.
B. Conservation Committee: Chair, Pixie Williams: The Otisfield Conservation Committee is open to all kinds of ideas on what the Town should do regarding Heniger Park. RM: The snowmobile club “may” be willing to help w/ maintaining the trails. BOS agreed to pay Dan Peaco to help w/ the trails as well. The Howard Dyer family has taken on a trail to keep it maintained yearly. A modest wish list will be composed so people know what they need help with. Quentin Henderson is donating a projection screen to this committee. Discussion of posting items on the web site. Future publicity in regards to Heniger Park. Putting a sign on the side of the road. Looking for a kiosk to be built. BOS feels this is an item the town will support. RM will run this by Frank Blauvelt and see if the Tech. School can help with a
design and sign/kiosk construction. RM will ask if one of the teachers and students could attend a BOS meeting. This committee is currently looking for new members.
6. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
A. None.
7. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A. None
8. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ITEMS:
A. Drainage Easement Lester Thomas Trust/ Town of Otisfield. *All BOS agree they would like this letter cleaned up and submitted for signatures at next BOS meeting.
9. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:
A. None.
10. UNFINISHED /SCHEDULED BUSINESS:
A. Community Hall: Drilled well discussion: RM: D&M Well Drilling has completed the well. There is 40‘ of casing, 260 feet deep, and 10 plus gallons a minute recovery rate. Richard Bean & Harley Johnson are going to work on this either immediately or next Spring.
B. Town Office update on accessibility changes- door & ramp. RM: The State found the town not compliant, state money is available and will reimburse the Town after they make the necessary repairs and updates. Ken Bartow has met with Rick & will be submitting a proposal asap.
C. Transfer Station repairs & alarm update: Alarm has been installed
11. SELECTMEN’S ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED & VOTED ON:
A. *Motion to sign Warrant # 10 to pay the town bills. HF/LA – Unanimous.
B. Investment discussion CD's: The scholarship committee wanted a guaranteed rate of return. LA: Suggests we discuss this w/ the scholarship committee before making any decisions. LA will talk to the committee chair to discuss option .45 % is the interest rate the CD was earning.
12. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD:
A. Annex workshop: December 8th was the original date, but board would like to rescheduled at next meeting.
B. TT’s Lap top: This was bought used for Zak Horton 5 years ago. Would like to see if funds are available for office equipment and have a line order. LA: Contingent funds should be available. RM will check with MIM on where to get the funds. David Hyer will help the town spec one out. Future protection is needed due to the town software that is used. New lap top will need to meet town specs.
C. DSI is the company that has been doing the maintenance on the overhead FD doors. RM will contact Jared Damon to see if this needs to go out to bid.
D. Winter Carnival Committee requesting that Richard Bean plow the snow off to the side, where it abuts the hill to give the kids a boost. LA will talk to Richard.
E. HF had BOS office hours last night. Mrs. Remington was not aware a building permit was needed, but will get one if they decide to build.
F. RM is a Board Supervisor for Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation. He has contacted Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District in hopes of finding available funds/grants for Pleasant Lake.~They informed him that there are funds available from left over grant money (used by Casco for Pleasant Lake) which can be used for the Otisfield end of Pleasant Lake. Approx. $1,300 dollars are available. RM will work with them to secure the funds to provide improved soil erosion remediation at the boat launch area.
13. Upcoming Dates:
A. Board of Selectmen Meeting, December 15, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
14. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. HF/RM – Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Taft, Secretary
Approved by:
Hal Ferguson, Chairman
Rick Micklon
Lenny Adler
Approved on: December 15, 2010
TAFT
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