SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES

October 8, 2007

 

1.0           Meeting convened at 7:03 P.M.; Pledge to Flag followed.  Selectmen present Glen Ridley and Mark Russell (chair pro temp).  Muriel Bonin (chair) joined at 7:12 P.M.  Guests:

 

                                Rich Leeman                                         Eric Seaman

                                Shirley Williams                                   Larry Williams

                                Walt McCarty                                       Bill Quackenbush

                                Jean Stout                                             Dave Byras

                                Betty Jo Wade                                      Terry Tracy

                                John Upham                                                                                                         

                                               

                Town Manager, Steve Musica, also present and served as secretary.

 

3.0           6.1           417 Richmond Road Reimbursement

                6.2           Tax Commitment Documents

                6.3           Garage Addition:  Update

 

5.1           Libby Road

                Manager updated situation.  Williams’ remain upset that the public is allowed on the closed section of Libby Road (See previous related items in 2007 minutes).  Selectmen reminded them the Board committed to ask Town to remove public easement on western half of road.  Williams’ felt the Town “traded” them the new for old section (and should be their’s exclusively). 

                Dave Byras and Bill Quackenbush gave their recollections and confirmed the “trade talk” in this period.  Messrs. Leeman and Upham thought abandonment points of law favored Williams.  Mrs. Wade said road has been used by Smithfield Plantation for years.  The Board and Manager pointed out the Town Meeting (and other) means used in 1974 didn’t legally accomplish what might have been original intentions.  Manager recommended an impartial legal opinion.  He would also ask M.M.A. opinion again.  Mr. Ridley felt survey law might even have Town “owning” closed section.  Williams agreed to wait until 2008 Annual Town Meeting for disposition of road.

 

5.2           Town Manager Search

                Invitees Dave Byras and Walt McCarty joined.  (No word from Elton Wade or Bruce Chesley)

                Manager distributed sample questions, information, etc. from M.M.A.  He’ll also obtain questions illegal to ask.  Consensus for interviews: Tuesday 10/30/07 for 6:30 (procedural workshop) and 7:30 P.M.; 10/31/07 for 6:30 and 8:00 P.M.

                Larry Parlin to be asked to join if either Mr. Wade or Mr. Chesley are unavailable.

 

5.4           General Assistance Amendments

                MOTION made by Muriel Bonin and seconded by Mark Russell to enter a Public Hearing on G.A. maximum allowances for 2007 – 2008.

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3-0-0

                D.H.H.S. and M.M.A. documents and maximums reviewed. 

                Mr. Seaman asked proceedural questions.  Board discussed how we’ve been increasing housing maximums (by 10%) over listed Kennebec County numbers.  No further public comment.  Chairman brought out of hearing at 8:24 P.M..

 

                MOTION made by Mark Russell and seconded by Glen Ridley to accept new recommended basic living maximums for general assistance except housing – which would remain at 2006 -2007 levels.

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3-0-0

 

5.3           Special Town Meeting

                Board reviewed warrant prepared by Manager.  No problems seen.

 

                MOTION made by Glen Ridley and seconded by Mark Russell to approve Special Town Meeting Warrant and hold 10/29/07 @ 7:00 P.M.  Selectmen’s meeting to follow.

 

                                                                                                                                PASSED  3-0-0

5.5           Pine Tree Road Wood Lot    

                Board reviewed final boundary survey of Town’s Map R10, Lot 30 parcel done by Robin Redmond.  No problems seen.  This could now be a candidate for forest management plan.

 

                MOTION made by Mark Russell and seconded by Glen Ridley to accept R10, Lot 30 Boundary survey presented tonight.

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3-0-0

6.1           Tax Foreclosed Property 

                10/3/07 letter form Harold W. Lilly, Jr.’s lawyer Dennis Jones referencing Land and House at 417 Richmond Road recently offered to Mr. Lilly to repurchase read.  Mr. Lilly asking for a 15 day extension (to October 30, 2007) for bank to prepare closing documents so he could pay lien and clean-up costs.  (See 9/10/07 meeting)

 

                MOTION made by Mark Russell and seconded by Glen Ridley to extend repayment deadline on “Lilly” property to 10/29/07.

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3-0-0

6.2           Tax Commitment Documents 

                MOTION made by Mark Russell and seconded by Muriel Bonin to authorize Selectmen to sign 2007 – 2008 Commitment documents individually.

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3-0-0

6.3           Public Works Garage Addition

                Discussion followed on establishing a timetable for commencement of general contractor/framing work.  Concrete should be done by end of the month.  Consensus was to have Bandit Builders commence by 11/1/07 and have weather tight by 11/30/07.

 

10.0         Mrs. Bonin inquired about Town line with W. Gardiner on north side of Map R14, Lot 25.  Town Manager still waiting for Selectmen Merton Hicky to meet with him.  Litchfield has amended the acreage of said lot following deed research. 

 

8.0           Selectmen accepted with regret Marvin Allen’s resignation from the Planning Board.  Their Secretary will be asked to advertise for 2 alternates in the Sodalite.

                               

9.1           MOTION made by Mark Russell and seconded by Muriel Bonin to approve Town Voucher Warrant # 7  for  $246,116.61.             

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3-0-0

 

9.2           MOTION made by Glen Ridley and seconded by Mark Russell to approve Town Payroll

Warrant # 7  for  $16,977.53.

                                                                                                               

9.3           MOTION made by Muriel Bonin and seconded by Mark Russell to approve School Warrants

                Payroll Warrant # 7  for  $126,621.91                School Voucher # 7 for  $136,830.77

                Payroll Warrant # 7A  for  $571.04                    School Voucher # 7A  for  $2,049.36

                                                                                                                                                 

10.0         Mr. Seaman hopes the Board of Selectmen take a stance on what original intent was of Town action on Libby Road relocation action in 1970’s.

 

2.0           MOTION made by Mark Russell and seconded by Muriel Bonin to approve Minutes of September 24, 2007 Selectmen’s Meeting as submitted.

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3.0.0

 

                MOTION made by Mark Russell and seconded by Muriel Bonin to approve Minutes of October 2, 2007 Special Selectmen’s Meeting as submitted.

                                                                                                                                PASSED 3-0-0

 

10.0         Selectmen could meet with Sabattus and Wales Selectmen on 10/11/07 or 10/25/07.  Would prefer Litchfield venue.

 

 

12.0         Meeting Adjourned at 9:13 P.M.

                                 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Steve Musica
Town Manager