11/13/07

SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES                                                                                                              

November 13, 2007

PRESENT:  Ted Poirier, Ed LeBlanc, Jim Trask, Jim Roberts, Susie Bellerose

ABSENT:  Angela Cushman

OTHERS PRESENT:  Sheila Dube, Lisa Whitney, Amos Gay, Keith Harris

Selectman Ted Poirier declared the meeting open at 19:00

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  

The Selectmen went in to executive session at 20:00 to discuss a general assistance case as pursuant to 22, M.R.S.A. Section 4306.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

APPOINTMENTS:     

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

PUBLIC FORUM:

 

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Employee Handbook – draft being worked on by Angela Cushman and Jim Roberts.
  2. New Town Office Committee members – Selectmen looking for two residents to serve on the committee.    Angela Cushman is scheduling a time for interested residents to come in to speak to Selectmen.
  3. The Selectmen are looking to meet with several individuals to obtain more information on items that might impact the Town in the future.  Dan Cabral will be at the Selectmen’s meeting on Nov. 19th. 
  4. The Town owns property on Hollis Rd. There is currently an easement to access the property.  The Selectmen discussed the possibility of selling or trading this property.  David Ordway, town attorney is still working on determining feasibility of selling/trading.
  5. Amos Gay was in to give a proposal on mapping for the Town.  The Town’s Zoning Ordinance was approved 06/07.  The proposed zoning changes will need to be voted on at the next annual town meeting in 2008.  Selectmen to review proposal.  Sheila Dube asked whether other estimates have been obtained for this project.  Jim Roberts has asked several other individuals and there was no interest.
  6. Jim Trask and Sheila Dube provided an update on the school re-organization.  The RSU needs to file their plan by Dec. 1st.  Six wards have been determined for the RSU. There will be one school board for the RSU.  Jim and Sheila will be attending two meetings after Thanksgiving.  Ed LeBlanc asked what happens if the Town does not approve the RSU budget?  How will voting for the wards occur when the ward covers two towns? Jim Trask to obtain more information.  Jim Trask discussed the cost of plowing and mowing for the school. Once the RSU is in place the snow plowing and mowing will be paid by the RSU.  When the RSU becomes effective the school building and a determined amount of land is given to the RSU.  If the RSU decides to close the school, the school is given back to the town. 
  7. The cause of the damage to the fencing at the Transfer Station has been determined.  Repairs will occur in the near future.
  8. Dayton Sand & Gravel will be paving area near salt shed at transfer station. 
  9. The Selectmen Chair, Ted Poirier, will determine when the office should be closed during storms.  Personnel will be notified and the town website will be updated.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Keith Harris provided an update on the ballfields.  The committee is ready to bring in material, which has all been donated, to start building up the fields.  The Selectmen communicated that the Recreation Committee will have control of the field.  Keith had spoken with the Little League last spring about providing some funding.  Keith was under the impression that the Little League would donate 10% of their fundraising.  Recent conversation with Little League has found this funding will not occur.  Discussion was held regarding charging Little League for use of the fields.  Possible fundraising ideas are being pursued by the ballfield committee.  The committee is now focusing on bringing the material in, leveling off and planting grass.  A soccer field and baseball/softball field will be installed in the area behind the Town Office.  Paul Fitzpatrick has started work on the cemetery area located in the ballfield area.
  2. Susie Bellerose, tax collector, provided an update on taxes collected for September and October 2007.  As of November 8th there is $195,527 outstanding for property and real estate taxes. Motor vehicle registrations for Sept. were $32,582 and for Oct. $29,814.  Registrations for Oct. were 10 new vehicles and 27 used vehicles and for Sept. there were 16 new and 23 used vehicles.  Susie also asked the Selectmen to re-visit LD227.  After completing some research on the impact of this bill and what other towns are doing, Susie is recommending that we not refund excess excise tax.  Ed LeBlanc made a motion to accept Susie’s recommendation; Passed 2/1.

 

SIGNED:

 

REMINDERS:       

ADJOURNMENT:   

 Motion by Ed LeBlanc seconded by Jim Trask to adjourn at 20:30.

*Minutes may not be verbatim they may have been paraphrased for clarity.

 

_________________________Ted Poirier (Chairperson)

_________________________Ed Leblanc

_________________________Jim Trask

amc