Poland Board of Selectmen
Minutes of Meeting
December 6, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Erland Torrey called the meeting to order at 6:15PM with Selectmen Wendy Sanborn, Larry Moreau, Lester Stevens and Steve Robinson present. The Town Manager and Recording Secretary were also present.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Selectman Robinson moved that the Board of Selectmen enter into executive session with Town Manager, Rosemary Kulow pursuant to Title 1 MRSA Chapter 13 Public Records and Proceedings, subsection 405 Executive Sessions, § 6(A) to discuss a personnel matter. Selectman Moreau seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Robinson moved that the Board of Selectmen enter into executive session with Town Manager, Rosemary Kulow and economic development consultant John Cleveland pursuant to Title 1 MRSA Chapter 13 Public Records and Proceedings, § 405 Executive Sessions, § 6 (C) to discuss the consideration of property use or acquisition. Selectman Moreau seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Minutes of Previous Meeting – Not available.
PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance
Selectman Moreau moved to open the Public Hearing on the proposed Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
The town manager provided a brief overview of the proposed ordinance. There were no public comments.
Selectman Moreau moved to close the Public Hearing on the proposed Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Robinson moved to adopt the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Point of Order: The manager pointed out to the Board that the proposed ordinance would have to go before the town’s governing body which would be at the next annual town meeting. Selectman Robinson withdrew his motion.
APPOINTMENTS
Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector/ Plumbing Inspector
Confirmation of Town Manager’s Appointment - Selectman Moreau moved to confirm the town manager’s decision to hire Nicholas Adams and that upon his first day of employment he is appointed the town’s Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector and Plumbing Inspector. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Recognition of Visitors (A list of visitors who attended the meeting are attached to these minutes.) None.
Reports and Communications
Town Manager’s Report – In addition to a written report, the manager provided a verbal summary of activities that took place subsequent to submitting her report.
Noted Actions:
- Wright-Pierce So. Village – the project continues to go very smoothly with a great financial outcome; connections to water and sewer lines will be the next item to address. Selectman Moreau asked if John would supply them with costs estimates on the larger need connections for next meeting.
- BETE reimbursement has come in $200,000+.
- RSU 16 is looking for 2 budget committee members to participate on the school budget committee. The Board would like the members of the budget committee notified and to find out who is really interested and can meet the Board’s expectations of commitment and involvement on the committee.
- Additional Closing Day Request – Friday, December 30th – staff would like to have an additional day off during the holiday and close the offices for this day using vacation pay or personal day pay. The Board did not see any problems as long as all employees had available time to take and agreed to use it for this purpose.
- Agenda packets will now be available to the Board on Fridays.
Financial Reports FYE 2012
John Cleveland asked to discuss the listing of Poland businesses recommended for the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce award. Selectman Moreau stated that he would like the Board to discuss the matter in an Executive Session.
Communications - The following materials were included in the meeting packets:
MMWAC October Report
OLD BUSINESS
AVCOG Membership and Appropriation Of Prorated Dues – The manager reported that the cost for the remainder of the year (6 months) would be $4280.00 and that funds would be available in this year’s budget due to a smaller than budgeted increase in health insurance premiums. Selectman Moreau moved that the town rejoin AVCOG provided a positive response is received from AVCOG in joining half way through the year. Selectman Stevens seconded the motion. Discussion: Selectman Sanborn still feels there is a lot of redundancy in AVCOG’s services and would like to see that a record is kept of the services we use. The other Board members agreed. Selectman Robinson supports the membership because of the continued infrastructure and economic development within the town.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Weatherization of Town Office – The Board approved the town manager going forward with the weatherization of the Town Office. The manager is going to speak with Efficiency Maine about possible grant funds. The Board did not feel a new energy audit was needed and that just an update of the existing one would be sufficient. The project will be paid for through the Municipal reserves account.
New Business
Board of Selectmen Oversight of Planning Board – Selectman Sanborn spoke further clarifying the Board’s position and limitations on dictating the outcome of Planning Board issues. A legal opinion of the issue was provided to the Board from the Maine Municipal Association’s legal division. Selectman Moreau moved to adopt as policy MMA’s legal opinion provided to the Board dated November 21, 2011, as the Board’s authority in the oversight of the Planning Board. Selectman Robinson seconded the motion. Discussion: The Board continued there discussion from their last meeting with citizen Michelle Arsenault who wanted to know how she would go about filing a complaint about the Planning Board’s actions. The Board reiterated their previous
recommendations and apologized for the prior confusion.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Letter to Maine DOT Regarding 5 Corner Intersection @ Rte. 26 and Rte. 11 – The Board would like the manager to continue to move forward with the need for traffic lights at the ‘5 corner intersection’ and suggested getting additional support from Mechanic Falls as well.
NIMS Training for Elected and Appointed Officials – After further review of the noted classes the manager informed the Board that she needs to clarify the differences in the required training.
ASSESSING BUSINESS
Abatement Denial - Selectman Moreau moved to deny the abatement request before them. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Payables
Selectman Moreau moved to approve the bills payable in the amount of $1,548,779.24. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Any Other Business
Selectman Moreau inquired on the status of the health insurance review – the manager reported that it is still in progress.
Selectman Sanborn inquired on the possibility of out-sourcing the Newsletter for printing – the manager and recording secretary stated that out-sourcing had been looked into in the past, but that it is still more cost effective to do the newsletter in-house.
Chamber of Commerce Award – The Board would like to see the list much earlier next year.
Adjourn
Selectman Moreau moved to adjourn. Selectman Stevens seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Recorded by: Rosemary E. Roy
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