Regular Meeting (01-11-2021)
Selectmen Present: Suzan Rudnicki, Jared Fitts, Douglas Small, and Daniel Frye
Absent: Isaac Raymond
Town Manager/CEO: Kevin Howell
Rec. Secretary (Remote): Coreen Sylvester
7:30 PM: Suzan Rudnicki called the Selectmen’s meeting to order.
MINUTES: Douglas Small made a motion to accept the minutes of December 21, 2020 as written Daniel Frye seconded. Three voted in favor. Suzan Rudnicki abstained as she was not present for that meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appointments for Rec Director, Fire Chief, CEO, LPI and Registrar: Jared Fitts made motion to appoint Coreen Sylvester as Registrar of Voters for the ensuing two years, Ralph Shaw as Fire & Rescue Chief for the ensuing year, Deidra McIntosh as Recreation Director for the ensuing year and Kevin Howell as Code Enforcement Officer, LPI and Building Inspector for the ensuing four years. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
Earned Paid Leave – Revision of Personnel Policy: Town Manager Kevin Howell explained that the State of Maine passed a law that any employer with more than ten employees must pay earned paid leave to all employees, including part time and per diem employees, at a rate of one hour earned for every forty hours worked. There was also a revision to re-categorize public works employees as full-time seasonal employees to qualify them for sick time and vacation pay. Suzan Rudnicki made a motion to adopt the personnel policy as revised. Douglas Small seconded. Four voted in favor.
Murray Road: Kevin said after doing more research on the Murray Road closing, he found that it was ended at Mr. Murray’s driveway in 1961.
Building/Plumbing Permits: Kevin gave the Board an update on building and plumbing permits issued in 2020.
Coastal Resources Plant in Hampden: The Town Manager stated there is a buyer in place and if all goes as it should, the plant should re-open in the spring.
Mailbox Damage Complaints: There was discussion regarding multiple complaints of mailboxes being hit by snowplows. Kevin said there have been many more than normal, some residents having had theirs hit two or three times in the few storms we have had this winter. The policy has always been not to replace mailboxes, as residents put mailboxes up at their own risk in the road right-of-way. Kevin said he has spoken with Robert (Bobby) Noyes, owner of R&R Lumber. The snowplow contract does say that excessive speed and disregard of mailboxes must be controlled by the contractor, and Kevin said he has made it very clear that something has to be done. After discussion, Selectmen decided to see how it goes during the next storm to see if Bobby has addressed the issue.
2020 Recap: The Town Manager gave the Treasurer’s Report as of December 31, 2020.
2021 Budget: The Selectmen and Town Manager went over the proposed 2021 budget. Daniel Frye made a motion to recommend the budget as proposed. Jared Fitts seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of December 28, 2020 in the amount of $4,602.26. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fits made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of December 31, 2020 in the amount of $7,798.92. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of January 4, 2021 in the amount of $12,083.83. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of January 11, 2021 in the amount of $4,925.28. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fits made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of January 11, 2020 in the amount of $271,311.32. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Dunham Junkyard: Doug Small asked if there was anything new on Stephen Dunham’s junkyard. Kevin said it is hard to see what is there with snow covering and suggested waiting until spring to make sure he is keeping the cars and junk off the property.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Suzan Rudnicki made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to 1MRSA §405(6)(A) to discuss the Town Manager’s evaluation. Douglas Small seconded. Four voted in favor. Selectmen went into executive session at 9:07 pm. Selectmen reconvened in regular session at 9:47 pm. No action taken. Informational only.
Town Manager Contract: Jared Fitts made a motion to sign the Town Manager’s amended contract. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
ADJOURNMENT: Sue Rudnicki made a motion to adjourn. Doug Small seconded. Four voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.