Regular Meeting (04-20-2020)
Selectmen Present: Douglas Small, Jared Fitts, Isaac Raymond and Daniel Frye
Absent: Suzan Rudnicki
Town Manager/CEO: Kevin Howell
Rec Secretary (Remote): Coreen Sylvester
Guests Present (Remote): Glennis McSorley and Toby Pelletier
7:30 PM: Jared Fitts called the meeting to order.
MINUTES: Douglas Small made a motion to accept the minutes of March 16, 2020 as Isaac Raymond seconded. Four voted in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Open 2020 Paving Bids: Selectmen received the following bids for 2020 paving:
Price
Bidder Total Bid Per Ton
B & B Paving $318,735 $78.70
Hopkins Paving LLC 298,946 75.15
Pike Industries 349,157 87.75
Vaughn D Thibodeau II 315,778 77.97
Wellman Paving 313,583 78.77
Douglas Small made a motion to accept Hopkins Paving’s bid of $298,946. Isaac Raymond seconded. Four voted in favor. Kevin recommended waiting until after tax commitment to have the paving done and Selectmen agreed.
Election Postponement: The Town Manager let the Board know the tax commitment will be later this year because the State and school budget referendum election has been postponed until July 14, 2020. Kevin said we will have the election at the Grange Hall again so we do not compromise the fire station.
Update on COVID-19 Crisis: Kevin Howell gave an update on the COVID-19 situation, and said the revenues affected are municipal revenue sharing and excise tax. Kevin is keeping track of all costs associated with COVID-19 so that we can get reimbursed from FEMA when it is over.
Online Burn Permits: Kevin stated we now have burn permits available online at no cost.
Road Postings: Kevin let Selectmen know he has taken the road postings down.
Update on April 9/10th Winter Storm: Kevin gave an update on the damages and ongoing cleanup work due to the winter storm. Kevin showed pictures of storm damage from Murray Road, Hinckley Hill Road and Highland Cemetery.
Information Sharing: The Town Manager stated he has been able to keep residents informed on current events via the Town’s website and facebook page. There was a recent incident in which a paper shredder truck hit the railroad trestle on Five Road, and he was able to immediately post that Five Road was closed.
Eagle Scout Project: Kevin said Noah St. Pierre came to him to see if he had any projects Noah could do for his eagle scout project. Kevin said he would like to expand the walking trail at the Rec Field. Noah presented the project to his scout leader, and Kevin will be meeting with Noah this week.
Tax Acquired Property Update: Kevin stated he had finally been able to get in to look at the two lots on Etna Pond Lane and Loon Cove, and showed Selectmen pictures. Kevin suggested we hold off for a while on putting them out to bid due to current travel restrictions. Selectmen had no objections.
Community Police Contract Renewal (Penobscot County Sheriff): After discussion, Isaac Raymond made a motion to continue with the law enforcement contract. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor. Kevin let the Board know Deputy Jon Carson has taken a position in Eddington beginning after our current contract expires, then Sheriff Morton will assign another deputy to Carmel.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of March 23, 2020 in the amount of $4,491.57. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of March 30, 2020 in the amount of $4,626.69. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of April 6, 2020 in the amount of $10,440.34. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of April 13, 2020 in the amount of $5,098.41. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of April 20, 2020 in the amount of $5,495.64. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of March 30, 2020 in the amount of $56,151.01. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of April 17, 2020 in the amount of $401,099.88. Daniel Frye seconded. Four voted in favor.
ADJOURNMENT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to adjourn. Dan Frye seconded. Four voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:22 pm.