Board of Selectmen Minutes

Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
July 23, 2007

1.0 Convened 7:02 P.M.; Pledge to Flag followed; Selectmen present: Muriel Bonin & Glen Ridley, Mark Russell joined at 7:18 P.M.

Guests present:

Tony LeClair Barb Lamontagne

Don Lamontagne Rob Gordon

Rachel Sukeforth Sharon Spring

Carol Bailey Barbara Clements

Kevin Pulk Dean Shelton

George Rogers Eric Seaman

Steve Ochmanski Dan Craft

Veronica Craft

Town Manager Steve Musica also present and served as secretary.

3.0 Agenda Adjustments

6.1 MMA Vice President & Executive Committee Elections

6.2 U.R.I.P. Certification

4.1 Reports and Correspondence

Town Manager- G.S.I. requesting savings accounts with major inactivity be closed. MOTION by Muriel Bonin 2^nd by Glen Ridley to authorize acct. 912533 (surplus savings) balance of $2,593.62 be used to reduce the tax commitment. PASSED 2-0-0

Mrs. Bonin to check Adie B Earle Scholarship Fund; Ethan Perry’s Eagle Scout project shelter building at Woodbury Park noted. Thank you note to follow; Mr. Ridley, Chief Labbe and Mgr. met with Maine Turnpike Authority officials last week pertaining to unpaid Town services on their private road; ads placed for new Town Manager as directed; severe house fly problem reported at numerous Pleasant Pond camps east of Beal’s farm.

4.2 Code Enforcement Officer Report —Boutin consent agreement not required.

MOTION by Glen Ridley seconded by Muriel Bonin to approve new road name Lois Lane. PASSED 2-0-0

Building without permit (illegal deck due to Shoreland Zone violation) reported at Map U17/lot 13 (Schrader) on Rosser Drive. Mr. Ochmanski explained. MOTION by Mark Russell seconded by Muriel Bonin to authorize CEO to notify owner at U17/13 to respond within 2 weeks to C.E.O to arrive at terms/conditions of a consent agreement relating to this violation. PASSED: 3-0-0

A discussion with Kevin Pulk and father-in-law on junkyard/auto graveyard violation at Pulk’s R2/121B property followed. CEO and Eric Seaman explained that the “materials storage” section of our Land Use Ordinance differed from State laws. MOTION by Glen Ridley seconded by Mark Russell when CEO satisified with junkyard clean-up inspection at R2/121B to waive Town’s related annual permit requirement and allow for “antique auto” storage in approved area. PASSED: 3-0-0

5.3 Parking Ordinance 7:49 PM Public Hearing- Upper Pond Road Section. MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to enter Public Hearing to consider amending Litchfield Parking Ordinance. PASSED: 3-0-0

Mr. Rogers and Manager led a discussion on hazards currently existing when vehicles park too close to corner during winter sledding days.

No public comment. Chairman brought out of Public Hearing. MOTION by Muriel Bonin 2^nd by Glen Ridley to amend Art II, Sect 1-103 of Parking Ordinance to include no parking on east side of Upper Pond Road within 120 feet of Plains Road intersection and approve sign placement for same. PASSED: 3-0-0

5.10 LeClair Tree Growth Penalty

Mr. LeClair and Board reviewed minutes of 9/2006 assessing a (reduced) penalty for removal due 12/31/06 or to reenlist in program by the same date. This spring LeClair received bill from Mr. Murphy of $3770. (new tax year, no action by LeClair before 12/31/06) LeClair said he never received bill before that for previous amount.

Selectmen reverted to MOTION at Sept. 2006 meeting for $2,587 penalty plus interest from 12/31/06 to date. LeClair said he’d pay immediately. Manager to prepare abatement for $3770.00 supplement.

5.2 School Consolidation/Regionalization

Rob Gordon, Town’s School Committee consolidation representative, updated all, on progress complying with LD499: School Administration Reorganization. Each Union 44 Town and Union will return notices of intent to D.O.E. by 8/31/07. Litchfield’s options include: 3 towns joining Lisbon District; or forming a district with Richmond and Monmouth; join SAD 75 (Ararat); combine with Turner and Greene; join SAD 11; or, if none work become our own SAD unit (with Sabattus and Wales). State’s attempting to reduce Administration, Transportation, and maintenance costs by 5%. Discussion followed on savings (or not) with various reorganization scenarios.

5.41 Seniors Director’s Position

Four resumes opened. Tabled until later in meeting.

5.42 Senior’s Bus Usage Policy

Tabled until policy available

5.5 Public Works Garage Addition

Dan Craft submitted no estimate and said he’d use contract previously submitted. Until bolt sizes were specified on plans, a quote was not possible. Manager was very disappointed Mr. Craft appeared not ready to “work with the Town” to make this project work. Craft stated he had a lot of work and maybe Town should look for someone else and left the meeting. Mr. Ridley to inspect construction plans this week and Manager to look for another contract format.

5.6 Gardiner Ambulance Contract

Don and Barb Lamontagne, speaking as citizens, offered their opinions on present ambulance service and how it was critical to study all variables before changing contracts. They also updated on possibility of our Rescue expanding services in the future. Manager discussed MMA’s opinion to use small claims court to collect “uncollectables”. Board asked him to draft a pre-court warning letter.

MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to sign the 2007-08 Gardiner Ambulance Contract. PASSED: 3-0-0

8.2 Appointments Seniors Advisory Committee

MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to appoint Carol Bailey, Judy Bourget and Sharon Spring to 3 year terms on Seniors Advisory Committee, Priscille Hatch to a 1 year position filling Norm Berube’s position.

2.0 MOTION by Muriel Bonin 2^nd by Mark Russell to approve as submitted Selectmen’s meeting minutes of July 9, 2007. PASSED: 3-0-0

MOTION by Muriel Bonin 2^nd by Glen Ridley to approve minutes of Special Selectmen’s Meeting of July 16, 2007 as submitted. PASSED: 3-0-0

5.11 2007 Land Schedule

Board reviewed adjustments made 7/16/07 on land and waterfront schedules and commitment workshop document based on town valuation generated by schedules.

Motion by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to approve land/waterfront schedules as presented tonight and have manager add 12 mills information to notices to be mailed.

PASSED: 3-0-0

Notice costs to come from Reval/Bond Acct.

6.1 MMA Vice President & Executive Committee Elections

No action

6.2 U.R.I.P. Certification

MOTION by Mark Russell seconded by Muriel Bonin to approve and certify use of $58,072 of MDOT Rural Initiative Funds for 2007-08 PASSED: 3-0-0

5.7 K.V. Humane Society Contract

MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Glen Ridley to approve 2008 contract with Kennebec Valley Humane Society for the sum of $4,291.80—(1.38 per capita) PASSED: 3-0-0

5.8 Quit Claim Deed: Town to Ridley Map: R02 Lot 120 on 1

Mr. Ridley paid bid price in full. (See 7/9/07 mtg)

MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to approve Quit Claim Deed from Town to Ronald Ridley Sr for a mobile home at 128 Center Road. PASSED: 3-0-0

8.2 Appointments Conservation Commission

MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to appoint Elaine Carpenter to 2 year term on Conservation Committee. PASSED: 3-0-0

7.1 Maine Turnpike Meeting

Tabled until MTA correspondence received

9.1 MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to approve Town Voucher Warrant # 2 for $29,511.68. PASSED: 3-0-0

9.2 MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to approve Town Payroll Warrant # 2 for $12,366.72. PASSED: 3-0-0

9.3 MOTION by Mark Russell 2^nd by Muriel Bonin to approve School Payroll Warrants #2 for $91,261.33, #1A for $266.33, #1B for $862.24, #2A for $ 1,880.53 and School Voucher Warrant #1 for $92, 082.64. PASSED: 3-0-0

5.41 At 10:13 P.M. and Pursuant to 1 MRSA 405, 6.A.F. and on MOTION by Muriel Bonin 2^nd by Mark Russell entered executive session. Session ended at 10:34 P.M.

Town Manager to interview selected applicants for Senior Director with Chairman of Seniors Advisory Committee or their designee.

12.0 Adjourned at 10:35 P.M.