Minutes of Selectmen’s Meeting

March 13, 2008

 

1.0     Meeting convened at 6:35 PM. Pledge to flag.

          Selectmen Present: Muriel Bonin, Glen Ridley and Mark Russell

          Guests included:

          Judy Bourget         Sarah Flaks           Bill Najpauer

          Mel Cole                Brian Kent             Barbara Clements

          Nancy Beal            Pat Soboleski         Kevin Doyle

          Tiffany Caton        David Larrabee      Diane Clay

          Teague Morris       Vicki Russell          Judy Rogers

          George Rogers        Betty Jo Wade      Walter McCarty

 

2.0     Mark Russell moved/ Glen Ridley seconded (passed 3-0) to accept minutes of February 28, 2008.

 

5.2     Litchfield Senior Housing Subcommittee/Conservation Committee Meeting with Board  (Note: this agenda item taken out of order):  Discussion centered on the need, and potential sites, for senior affordable housing in Litchfield.

          Mel Cole (Senior Housing sub-committee):  2006 survey reflected that seniors preferred housing sited where walking trails and wildlife exist, such as the 106 acre town-owned (via Conservation Commission Trust) Pine Tree Road parcel (R10 Lot 30).     

          Brian Kent (Conservation Commission): presented/reviewed three site plans reflecting 6, 11 and 14 “clustered” units

          Bill Najpauer (Renaissance Planning Assoc.): In order for Senior Housing to be “affordable” (e.q. $500-$600/ month rent), land must be “inexpensive” (e.q. Town-owned) with a short access road.

          Teague Morris (Conservation Commission):  Senior affordable housing is a good idea; however, raised several concerns:

-         Does the project “fit” with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan?

-         Does the “need” still exist (survey is nearly 2 years old)?

-         What would the impact be on the Town’s infrastructure?

Mark Russell: Believe that “spent” portion of Town’s sand/gravel pit could be used to site the project.

Muriel Bonin moved/Mark Russell seconded (passed 3-0) to task manager to draft a warrant article to ask Town to authorize Board to execute a Purchase and Sales contract (terms and conditions to be determined), conveying a portion(size to be determined) of town-owned property to the projects developer (to be determined)

 

4.1     Town Manager:

(a)  Walter McCarty, Deputy Road Commissioner, supervised posting of the roads this past Monday.

(b)  Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to authorize Manager to sign the Smithfield Plantation Project Canopy grant application

4.2     C.E.O. permit log reviewed by the Board

 

5.1     Foreclosed Properties

          (a)  Board reviewed foreclosed properties list dated 3/5/08.

          (b)  Manager to follow up on “in-house” auction notices

 

5.3     Radio Station WCYI/$52 million tax exempt bond issue:

(a)  Mark Russell moved/Glen Ridley seconded (passed 3-0) to hold the required Public Hearing on April 8, 2008 (as part of the regularly scheduled Board meeting.

(b)  Manager will follow up with the projects Bond Counsel to notice the public hearing (in the KJ) at least 14 days prior to the hearing.

 

5.4     Map U17 Lot 011 Property:

Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to sign quit claim deed on subject property.

 

6.1     Town Election/Meeting Date:

          Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to set June 10, 2008 (Tues) for the town to meet local elections and June 14, 2008 (Sat.) to reconvene the Town Meeting.

 

6.2     Recreation Committee- Lighting Issue:

          Secretary Vicki Russell will get a quote to install quartz lighting on the ball field and report back to the 3/25/08 Board meeting.

 

6.3     Peacepipe Shores:

          Manager tasked to contact Paul Ruopp, surveyor, re: Status of his reviewing certain deeds in the subject subdivision.

 

8.1     Kendall Bonin: Resigned on March 3, 2008.

 

9.1     Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to approve/sign Town Voucher #19 for $143958.75

 

9.2     Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to approve/sign Town Payroll # 19 for $15780.55

 

9.3     Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to approve/sign School Voucher # 19 for $139545.44

 

9.4     Mark Russell moved/Muriel Bonin seconded (passed 3-0) to approve/sign School Payroll #18B for $457.39 and #19 for $130,961.20

 

10.0   Selectmen/Public Discussion:

          Walter McCarty reported:

         (a) Recently 270 yards of sand delivered to shed @$8.69/yard or    approximately $2.3 K

          (b) About 10 tons of salt left in shed.

          (c)  Truck #5 brakes fixed for about $600

                 Mark Russell asked Manager to place some FY ’09 departmental budget drafts on the 3/25/08 agenda; and invite Budget Committee to attend.

 

11.0    Future Agenda Items:

          (a)  Cobbossee Yacht Club/Milfoil Prevention

          (b) Recreation Committee- Lighting Issue

 

12.0   Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted

 

MG Byron

Secretary