SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 14, 2006

 

Meeting convened at 7:00 P.M. and Pledge to Flag followed. Selectmen present: Larry Parlin (Chairman), Muriel Bonin and Mark Russell. Town Manager, Steve Musica, also present and served as secretary. Guests included:

Vicki L. Russell

JoAnne Locke

Dave Cummings Sr

Deborah M Couture

Bonnie J. Gruber

Betsy Fleming

James Fleming

G. David Byras, Sr.

Venise Curtin

David Curtin

Elizabeth Budd

George Rogers

Judy Rogers

John Carpenter

Leroy Merry

Elaine Carpenter

Judy Bourget

 

Gail D’Errico

Mike D’Errico

Bill Doiron

Joan Thomas

Pat Soboleski

Renee Lachapelle

Bernie Mayo

Jack Duggins

David Cummings Jr.

Robin Cummings

Gil Griffiths

Roland Chesley

Kevin M. Doyle

Shareen L. Gustin

Cynthia Burnham

Nancy Birkhimer

Mary Fitzmaurice

 

 

• MOTION made by Muriel Bonin and seconded by Larry Parlin to approve the minutes of July 24, 2006 as submitted.

PASSED: 3-0-0

 

• 6.1 New Employee Evaluation

 

• Ordering salt through 4 town Coop; 174 liens recorded two weeks ago, about 50 more than usual; Mike St. Jean has appealed latest judgment against him; Gustin Road very rough and waiting for grader; problems with garage generator.

 

• Deputy Tyrol submitted May Activity report.

 

4.3 Steve Ochmanski submitted July permit report and corrective language from attorney Goodall expanding enforcement section of Glen Dube Stormwater Mgt. agreement (See 7/24/06 meeting minutes; 5.2)

MOTION made by Mark Russell, seconded by Larry Parlin to approve language of G. Dube Stormwater Mgt. Agreement for Dube’s Whippoorwill Road Subdivision.

PASSED: 3-0-0

 

• Manager explained Litchfield Fire Department Building also having generator problems. Installer met with Chief Stan Labbe to identify problem. Update to follow.

 

• Sheriff’s Contract

Capt. Perkins reported via phone that they have not finalized 2006-07 per hour fee. The fee should be available for next meeting. Discussion continued on contract requiring quarterly reports identifying contract vs. non-contract incident responses.

 

 

• Computerization / Revaluation Update

 

• Preliminary 2006 Tax Notices sent and Jim Murphy and Manager have held two of four days of explanation / correction sessions. Manager reviewed history of 1995 J E O’Donnell Associates revaluation. They were very liberal in granting adjustments (reductions by percentages) for topography, wetness, Resource Protection, poor shorefront quality, etc. Although Selectmen previously said to use O’Donnell grades and adjustments, no land adjustments were entered into computer program. Manager estimated $15M to $20M less in value if all adjustments are accounted for. All cards / accounts would have to be checked again and a couple of computer entry glitches rectified. He strongly recommended postponing revaluation until 2007-08 so needed corrections and adjustments could be done. The revaluation schedules appeared fine. Time didn’t permit for this and new notices with new increased mill rate projections mailed to taxpayers: Mr. Murphy and manager answered questions from attendees. Mr. Seaman felt the new schedule should be published before 2007-08 tax bills. Mr. Byras favored a full revaluation with interior inspections.

MOTION made by Muriel Bonin and seconded by Mark Russell to postpone Town-wide revaluation until 2007-08 fiscal year.

PASSED: 3-0-0

 

Agreed to mail notices much earlier next year. Manager said assessing efforts would be focused on transferring one year’s worth of new buildings, splits, and property changes to current TRIO system and 1995 schedules.(Ms. Bonin recommended better sampling before mailing notices.) He said we have just about “maxed-out” the $50k estimated in the $425K bond issue for revaluation / computerization work. There will be a full bond issue report at the next meeting.

 

• Tree Growth reduction, Bureau of Property Tax Explanation

 

• Thorofare Road : Waste Facility

Ms. Bonin explained reported problems with boaters and users of this State boat ramp area needing a portable toilet and trash receptacles. This would possibly eliminate a trash problem of boaters using private lake front property to relieve themselves. The Town only maintains the boat ramps per our agreement with Department of Conservation. Discussion followed on poor track history with offering these services in an unsupervised, environmentally sensitive area. Ms. Bonin withdrew this item.

 

• Quit Claim R3 / 88A

Manager asked Board if they’d consider a MOTION to sign Quit Claim Deed for these foreclosed properties owned by Marc Lemay and condition it to release deed only upon delivery of a bank check clearing all three lien years. Closing was expected within a week to ten days. No action taken.

 

• MOTION made by Larry Parlin and seconded by Muriel Bonin to appoint Fran Rudoff as Board of Appeals alternate.

PASSED: 3-0-0

• MOTION made by Muriel Bonin and seconded by Mark Russell to approve Town Payroll Warrant

#2 for $12,152.68.

PASSED: 3-0-0

• MOTION made by Larry Parlin and seconded by Muriel Bonin to approve Town Voucher Warrant

#2 for $46,222.80.

PASSED: 3-0-0

 

• Board asked Manager to see if Kennebec Journal’s Betty Adams would do a tree growth reimbursement article.

 

• Mr. Russell would like TABOR tax referendum question (November elections) on last meeting in September agenda.

 

• Personnel: New Employee Evaluation

At 8:45 P.M. and on MOTION by Muriel Bonin and seconded by Larry Parlin to enter executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A).

 

Chairman brought out of session at 9:09 P.M.

 

It was announced that Ronald K Ridley Jr. of Litchfield would be hired as the Town’s new full-time Public Works employee.

 

• Meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Steve Musica

Town Manager