Poland Board of Selectmen
Minutes of Meeting
June 5, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Lionel C. Ferland, Jr. called the meeting to order at 6:00PM with Selectmen Sandra Knowles, Wendy Sanborn, Erland Torrey and Joseph Cimino (arrived 6:35PM) present.
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Also present were Town Manager, Richard Chick, Assistant Town Manager Rosemary Roy, Nancy & Richard Fraser, George Sanborn, John Cleveland, Bruce Uldall, Dan Stevenson, Willie Rice, Joel Dulberg, Chuck Finger, George Twine, Jane & Bob Boyle, Steve Verrill, Mark Wood, Rebecca Moran, Bill Stubbs, Larry Moreau, Glenn Peterson, Cindy Robbins, Jeff Coolidge and Dan Roy.
Downtown Village District
John Cleveland, Chuck Finger and Daniel Stevenson (DECD) discussed with the Board the upcoming plans for the Downtown Village District. John Cleveland explained the goals of the Economic Development committee and the plan to present to the state, the Board and the townspeople a “walkable”, pedestrian friendly, dense development with a consistent look with businesses that compliment one another. The committee will be working with the DOT as well as the DECD on future development plans. The committee hopes to be back before the Board in August to request a Special Town Meeting for the purpose to move forward with the development of the Downtown Village District. This would then complete the requirements of the district. All parties agreed that a special meeting in the fall, as late as
November, would be within the necessary timeframe to complete this action.
Other related topics discussed:
Mr. Stevenson stated that the process of towns reporting information to the state would be looked at closer this year. He stated that the forms for reporting were online as of today, but this is an area that needs to be looked at.
John Cleveland stated that the EDC would still, at some point, be working with the Comprehensive Planning Committee to ensure consistency between both committees.
In working with senior housing, Maine State Housing Authority usually establishes a separate TIF that ties into the main district.
It was clarified that the Board of Selectmen has the authority to approve the spending of TIF funds with the one exception of any project that would require bonding. This has to go before the townspeople for their approval.
Expanding existing TIF districts are allowable but would require a complete review of the district and approval of the townspeople.
Chuck Finger updated the Board on other EDC activities such as the Business After Hours, Virtual Town Hall web site, progress of the Dunkin Donuts opening.
Ricker Road Discussion – Bob Boyle inquired as to the status of the Ricker Road bid. The Town Manager stated that the design has been approved and is ready to go to bid but he was waiting for the completion of the Plains Road to see if enough funds were going to be available. The discussion continued as to what, if any, problems could arise with the current construction of Plains Road but in conclusion the Board felt it was necessary that the request for proposals go out immediately on the Ricker Road. Selectman Knowles moved that the Town Manager solicit bids for the Ricker Road as soon as possible. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: The Town Manager stated he would do it tomorrow.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Reports and Communications
Assistant Town Manager’s Report – Selectman Sanborn requested a timeline on the work conducted on the handicap ramp for the next meeting. Citizen Glenn Peterson commented on how the payments were made on the ramp before being placed on a warrant for Selectmen approval. Selectman Knowles moved to approve the Assistant Town Manager’s biweekly report. Selectman Cimino seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Town Manager’s Report – Mr. Chick reported that a 24ft. culvert had been stolen from a work site on the North Raymond Road. Selectman Sanborn moved to approve the Town Manager’s biweekly report. Selectman Knowles seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Chick stated that he has a meeting scheduled tomorrow with Cyndi Robbins and that he would supply the Board with copies of his letter supporting Sheriff Desjardin.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Financial Report – There were two legal Town Hall Ramp accounts listed on the report. Dick will have Debbie correct. It was commented that revenue sharing might fall short by the end of the year.
Review Bills Payable/Monthly Warrants
Selectman Knowles moved to approve the bills payable from May 23, 2007 through June 5, 2007 in the amount of $1,225,416.09. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: Selectmen Cimino and Sanborn did not feel comfortable voting on the payables until they hear more from the new auditors and that new procedures are developed.
Vote: 3-yes 2-no (Selectmen Sanborn and Cimino voted in the negative)
Selectman Knowles moved to approve the Town Treasurer’s Warrant for May 2007 in the amount of $1,697,779.20. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 4-yes 1-no (Selectmen Sanborn voted in the negative)
Selectman Sanborn moved to approve the A. B. Ricker Memorial Library Treasurer’s Warrant for May 2007 in the amount of $2,637.14. Selectman Knowles seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
OLD BUSINESS
None.
New Business
Poland Spring Inn –Liquor License Extensions
Selectmen Torrey moved to grant the one day liquor license extensions to Image, Inc./Poland Spring Inn for the dates of June 13th, July 21st, September 20th, and October 14th. Selectmen Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Ministerial Fund – Chairman, Steve Verrill and Treasurer Mark Wood came before the Board to request action is taken regarding the ministerial funds. Steve Verrill explained that recently it was brought to their attention that a law was passed in 1972 that required ministerial funds, if not designated to ago to one specific church, be relinquished to the town to be used for the benefit of its schools. The consensus of the Board was to check this out with the new auditor as well as the town’s attorney.
Communications
The following materials were included in the meeting packets:
· MMWAC April 2007 Finance/Activity Report
· Maine Veteran’s Home – Open House invitation
· Recreation Department notice
· Management Representation Letter – State Post 2005 Audit
· Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions – ADA funding
· Town Hall Ramp – correspondence regarding halt of litigation
· Town Hall Ramp – Summary Time Line and back up
· MMA bulletin – School Consolidation Plan
· School Department financial report for April 2007
· School Committee Minutes of April 25, 2007
· Knightly News Letter
MMWAC representative David Corcoran brought the Board up to date on current events going on with MMWAC and went over the current MMWAC summary with the Board. They discussed commercial usage and Mr. Chick stated that the closest policy the town has to commercial use is that of MMWAC’s policy.
Selectman Cimino commented on the state notification regarding liquor store applications in Poland, in that he thought the town would have more say.
Appointments
Selectman Sanborn stated that she did not want to do the appointments in a group. Chairman Ferland stated that any order is acceptable.
Selectman Knowles moved to accept and appoint those individuals as submitted by the Town Clerk with the exception of the positions of Code Enforcement Officer. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: Selectman Knowles amended the motion to include the position of Alternate Code Enforcement Officer. Selectman Torrey seconded the amendment.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Knowles moved to appoint Arthur Dunlap as Code Enforcement Officer for the term of one year. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 3-yes 0-no 2-abstained (Selectmen Sanborn and Cimino abstained.)
Selectman Cimino moved to appoint Mark Hyland to the Board of Appeals for a term of five years. Selectman Knowles seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Knowles moved to appoint Carl Duchette to the Planning Board for a term of three years. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 4-yes 1-no (Selectman Sanborn voted in the negative.)
Selectman Knowles moved to appoint George Greenwood to the Planning Board for a term of three years. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
It was noted that there is a vacancy on the Scholarship committee. Committee member Angela Roberts has resigned. The tax collector/treasurer appointments were tabled to the next meeting. Selectman Ferland stressed the importance of appointing these positions before the end of the fiscal year. The Board agreed. It was also noted that there has been some interest in reviving the Conservation Committee. Citizen Glenn Peterson informed the Board that Peter Bolduc was also interested in this committee.
Recognition of Visitors
None.
Any Other Business
Selectman Cimino briefly went over his summary of the meeting held with the new auditing firm RHR Smith. He felt that the meeting was a very positive one and a good move for the town. Rosemary, who also attended the meeting, agreed.
A paralegal is currently working on the right of way request from Mr. Bisbee.
Selectman Knowles reported that Time Warner has the town’s cable ordinance however it does not comply with their contract. The contract and ordinance is with Time Warner’s attorney for review.
Selectman Torrey reported concerns that the Public Works department was not wearing safety vests while conducting work on the Cleve Tripp Road.
Adjourn
Selectman Torrey moved to adjourn at 9:20PM. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Recorded by: Rosemary E. Roy
Board of Selectmen
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Lionel C. Ferland, Jr., Chairman Erland M. Torrey, Vice Chairman
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Sandra T. Knowles Wendy S. Sanborn
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Joseph F. Cimino
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