Minutes of Selectmen’s Meeting

January 17, 2008

 

1.0     Meeting convened at 7:00 P.M. Pledge to Flag. Selectmen present: Muriel Bonin, Glen Ridley and Mark Russell

          Guests included: Ken Bonin, Vicki Russell, Beth Nagusky, Eric Seaman, Douglas Caton and Walter McCarty.

          Town Manager, Mike Byron, also served as secretary.

 

2.0     Motion by:         Seconded by:     Accept minutes of Passed

          Mark Russell                Glen Ridley         12/10/07                     3-0

          Mark Russell                Muriel Bonin       12/27/07                     3-0

                                                             To table minutes of

          Mark Russell                Muriel Bonin        1/3/08*                      3-0

*per Mark Russell minutes appear to include a meeting other than 1/3/08

 

4.1     Manager: (a) will sign new signature cards next week for Town’s accounts with the Savings Bank of Maine  (b) reported that Tom Skelton was concerned that recent Morton Salt delivery was “wet” and “too fine”

 

4.2     CEO issued: (a) one permit for Glen Dube’s mobile home on Lemay Lane;  (b) two Shoreland zone enforcement actions- Olson expanding within 100’ setback, and Rowell for a deck/ “structure”

 

5.1     Litchfield Fuel Fund

          12/12/07 Musica to Board memo:  MMA Legal Dept.  advises Town requires ordinance authorizing Town to accept fuel fund donations with criteria for disbursement to eligible citizens.

 

          Manager will check with MMA Legal to see whether Board has any “emergency” authority to accept/disburse such funds without an enabling ordinance.

 

          Mark Russell: another option- local churches could accept/distribute fuel funds

 

          Beth Nagusky will write article for next Sodalite newsletter outlining fuel fund options she also invited “Efficiency Maine”/PUC due to present a home “winterizing” seminar to the Town

 

5.2     Verizon Pole Permit:

 Glen Ridley moved/ Mark Russell seconded (passed 3-0) to approve Stevenstown Road pole.

 

5.3     Peacepipe Shores:

Mark Russell moved/Glen Ridley seconded (passed 3-0) for surveyor.  Paul Ruopp, to research deed preparatory to possible sale of “town –owned beach”

 

5.4     Tax Commitment:

Reviewed taxes (about $1.5 million) recommitted from Musica to Byron

 

5.5     Change of Meeting Date:

 Chair Muriel Bonin, at manager’s request, directed future Board meetings to be held on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the month, starting at 6:30 P.M.

 

5.6     Douglas Caton:

          Glen Ridley moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 2-0-1- Mark Russell abstained) to fine Mr. Caton $750 for not obeying CEO’s stop work order on an unpermited* canvas shed.

 

          Glen Ridley moved/Mark Russell seconded (passed 2-1-Muriel Bonin) fine payable within 30 days.

 

          Board directed CEO, when snow is gone, to verify setbacks.  Manager will accompany CEO on the site inspection.

 

*on 1-14-08 permit/$100 fee received by CEO

 

5.7     Abatement for Poverty:

 No board action required as taxpayer’s Credit Union paid 2005 taxes in full on 1/15/08

 

6.1     Salt Tonnage:

 Board reviewed Glen Ridley’s ’04-’07 salt tonnage used figures.  Appears that tonnage has significantly increased over last 3 years (490 tons to 620 tons) compared to prior 2 years (330 tons to 398 tons)  Manager and Glen Ridley will meet with Public Works Foreman to discuss this data, as well his request  to purchase additional cutting edges.

 

6.2     Tax Payer Reports:

Glen Ridley asked if law stipulates that town must mail out this document (which requests taxpayers to list their personal and real property).  Manager will follow up.

 

8.1     Deputy Tax Collectors/ Treasurers Appointments:

Board approved (3-0) previously signed appointments.

Trudy Lamoreau as Deputy Tax Collector and Deputy Treasurer.

Doris Parlin as Deputy Tax Collector and Deputy Treasurer.

Lezley Sturtevant as Deputy Tax Collector and Deputy Treasurer.

 

8.2     Recreation Committee Termination: 

At the request of the Recreation Committee, Mark Russell moved/ Glen Ridley seconded (passed 3-0) to terminate Krissi Ring for not attending meetings since July 2007.

 

8.3     Senior Housing Advisory Subcommittee:

Muriel Bonin moved/ Mark Russell seconded (passed 3-0) to accept Carol Bailey’s resignation.

 

Mark Russell moved/ Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to appoint C. Russell Thayer to the subcommittee.

 

9.0     Warrants:

 Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to approve/sign Town Voucher # 15 for $149,923.37 / Payroll # 14 for $18321.67 and #15 for $16,124.86 and School Voucher #14A for $120.00 and #15 for $39,314.06/Payroll #14 for $110,316.10 and #15 for $122,071.01.

 

10.0   Selectmen/Public Discussion:

Board/Manager discussion on how/who to assist manager as road Commissioner.  Consensus to accept Walter McCarty’s as-needed assistance to Manager.

 

11.0    Future Agenda Item:

Bruce Slattery/Litchfield’s Emergency Operation Plan

 

12.0   Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

M.G. Byron

Secretary