Feb
6
2017

Regular Meeting (02-06-2017)

Selectmen Present:                Suzan Rudnicki, Earlyn Bowers, Douglas Small and John Luce

Absent:                                   Jared Fitts

Town Manager/CEO:           Kevin Howell

Recording Secretary:            Coreen Sylvester

Guests Present:                      Deputy Mark Lloyd, Glennis McSorley and Toby Pelletier

7:30 PM:  Suzan Rudnicki called the meeting to order.

MINUTES:  John Luce made a motion to accept the minutes of January 23, 2017 as written.  Douglas Small seconded.  Three voted in favor.  Sue Rudnicki abstained as she   was not present for that meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Planning Board Vacancy:  Sue Rudnicki stated Herb Dean said there is an opening for an alternate Planning Board member, and asked if Selectmen thought Zack Russell would be a good Planning Board member.  Selectmen had no objections to Herb approaching Zack Russell to see if he is interested.

 

Town Meeting Audio:  The Town Manager asked if the Board is willing to have Herb Dean provide audio at the Town Meeting again this year.  The Board had no objections.

 

Assessing Contract:  Doug Small made a motion to approve the assessing contract for RJD Appraisal.  No second.  Motion died.  Selectmen tabled the matter in order for the Town   Manager to clarify things with RJD on the contract.

 

OLD BUSINESS: 

 

Air Packs:  Kevin Howell stated he spoke with several people including Bob Thomas, senior loss control consultant for MMA, and they all said there is no age limit for air packs. Maine has not adopted the NFPA standard that requires SCBA's be replaced every two     cycles.  Kevin said our air packs have passed all the inspection tests.  The bottles need to   be replaced at fifteen years, and the air packs should be replaced when the maintenance becomes too costly or difficult.  Kevin suggested we start a fund in 2018 so there is money available when we do need them.

 

Worker's Comp/Volunteer Status for Fire Fighters:  Kevin said he spoke with the Department of Labor and MMA and learned that fire fighters can be volunteers, but if they do get paid it has to be at least minimum wage.  Kevin said he also learned that a fire fighter is covered by worker's comp from the time they leave their dooryard to respond to a call.  If they get hurt, worker's comp would cover their full-time pay from their regular job.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Town Meeting Moderator:  Kevin Howell let the Board know Paul MacDonald has agreed to be moderator for Town Meeting again this year.  Kevin also said that Paul Carter (Etna's moderator) is available too, and suggested having Paul MacDonald elected, then have him appoint Paul Carter as deputy.  Selectmen had no objections.

 

Ambulance Receivables Collections:  The Town Manager said he had spoken with the Thomas Agency to find out the collection process if Selectmen decide to put ambulance     receivables into collections.  After discussion, John Luce made a motion to get started on writing an ambulance billing policy.  Doug Small seconded.  Four voted in favor.

 

Recycling:  Last week Kevin Howell met with a representative from ECO Maine to discuss our recycling contract.  The contract will automatically renew on July 1, 2017 unless Kevin stops it ninety days before renewal time.  There was discussion of our options for recycling, including Fiberight, ECO Maine and Cosella.  The item was tabled for Kevin to gather more information on shipping.

 

Winter Sand:  Kevin stated our winter sand this year has too many fines in it, which makes it silty, and suggested in the future we have specs for the sand put into the contract and inspect the pits.

 

Sign Annual Town Warrant:  John Luce made a motion to approve the warrant for the 2017 annual Town Meeting.  Earlyn Bowers seconded.  Four voted in favor.

 

WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of January 30, 2017 in the amount of $4,342.55.  Earlyn Bowers seconded.  Four voted in favor.

WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of February 6, 2017 in the amount of $4,443.00.  Earlyn Bowers seconded.  Four voted in favor.

WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of February 6, 2017 in the amount of $173,584.02.  Earlyn Bowers seconded.  Four voted in favor.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  John Luce made a motion to adjourn.  Earlyn Bowers seconded. Four voted in favor.  Meeting adjourned at 9:37 pm.