Town of Otisfield
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
Hal Ferguson, Chairman, Rick Micklon & Lenny Adler present.
2. FLAG SALUTE
*Audience and Board members saluted the flag.
3. SECRETARY’S REPORT:
A. Meeting minutes from February 16, 2011. *Motion to accept minutes. HF/RM– Unanimous. ~
4. SPECIAL EVENTS
A. None.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. None.
6. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
A. CEO- Reviewed the new state plumbing fees with the BOS. Standard Fee schedule for Plumbing. As of January 18, 2011 the state has upped the permit fees significantly, but is allowing the Towns to go as long as April 1st, before making it mandatory. The State gets 25% of the fees assessed and the Town gets 75% of the fees. The Town will up the fees as of April 1st. The town currently charges a fee of $25.00, above and beyond the state minimum fee which is currently in place. LA thinks the Town should drop the $25.00 fee. Times are tough enough as is. *Motion to remove the $25.00 fee. LA/RM – Unanimous. *TT will update the fee schedule on web site and make it active as of April 1st.
B. CEO credit requirements for new state Building Official accreditation: Richard has passed all of the tests that he has taken so far for the Town and he has (2) classes left to take. Rick Micklon has spoken to towns who are offering books (Building Code Basics) to local contractors. RM: Would we like to entertain taking book orders and selling them to contractors. LA thinks it could save CEO some time if the books are in house and easily accessible. Pricing discussion: All BOS agree that in town contractors can pay at member cost and out of town contractors pay at non member cost. *All BOS are in favor of doing this. CEO will research price of an IPAD to have information readily available to him while in the field.
7. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A. None.
8. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ITEMS:
A.
9. ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA:
A. None.
10. UNFINISHED /SCHEDULED BUSINESS:
A. None.
11. SELECTMEN’S ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED & VOTED ON:
A. *Motion to sign Warrant # 16 to pay the town bills. HF/RM – Unanimous.
12. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD:
A. Redesign of Town Office: RM provided design layouts from Dave Hart, Fish Street Design on how the town office could look w/ the suggestions of the BOS and Office staff. (Plans were submitted into public record). RM: Provided a printout of the Commercial Vertical Platform Lift that David recommended for accessing the first floor to the new lower level. This wheelchair lift is capable of supporting up to 600 pounds. This is designed for any mobility issues. The actual cost of said lift is $4,299.00. This price does not include the install. BOS are surprised at how low the price is considering all of its functions.
B. Town Tax Maps: RM: Otisfield is one of only very few towns that does not provide Tax map copies. Survey results submitted into public record. RM suggested that we consider adding a 2011/12 budget of $1,750 for on-line access to our tax maps; through O’Donnell & Associates.*Tabled until an upcoming meeting. In the interim, BOS agree to have MIM purchase an 11”x17” tray and paper for the copier, so that copies can be purchased by interested parties. Price discussed to be: $2.00 first copy made and $1.00 for each additional copy.
C. Credit Cards: RM: MMA is having a work shop tomorrow about technology, and recommended that one person from Town staff should go every year. “Munici-pay” and “Maine Pay-Port” are new ways for tax payers to pay for taxes, registrations, etc using a credit card. A fee will be assessed to the taxpayer, but can be accounted for within the bill. *Tabled until an upcoming meeting.
D. Wireless network: RM: Some Board and committee members are asking about having access to the internet. There is a total one time fee of $175.00 for the system hardware/software. David Hyer would make it a secure set up, password protected and put up a firewall so that no financial or personal records are taken. *Motion to have this move forward w/ David Hyer being the liaison person. RM/LA – Unanimous.
F. *Motion to send all 4 employees to the upcoming MMA Lien Process training class Thursday, March 24, 2011. LA/RM – Unanimous. *Town office will be closed and it will be posted on the bulletin board and website.
G. Time to get rid of the old copying machine. HF will discuss w/ MIM.
H. Selecting and hiring Town Auditor on next agenda to do this officially. Town Auditor hiring needs to be on yearly calendar. *BOS will find out when he has been doing it, so they know when to place it on the calendar.
I. Class on the automatic defibulator: BOS would like to buy one and place it at the town office. All town employees should be trained on this.
13. Upcoming Dates:
A. Board of Selectmen Meeting, March 16, 2011 @ 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: March 16, 2011
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