Regular Meeting (06-15-2020)
Selectmen Present: Suzan Rudnicki, Jared Fitts, Douglas Small, Isaac Raymond and Daniel Frye
Town Manager/CEO: Kevin Howell
Rec Secretary (Remote): Coreen Sylvester
7:30 PM: Suzan Rudnicki called the meeting to order.
MINUTES: Douglas Small made a motion to accept the minutes of June 1, 2020 as written Jared Fitts seconded. Five voted in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Consider Closing Office for 4 Hours on Tuesday, July 14th to Accommodate Election:
Suzan Rudnicki made a motion to have the Town Office closed all day on July 14, 2020. Isaac Raymond seconded. Five voted in favor.
Consider Disposition of Tax Acquired Property Located at 51 Hampden Road: There was discussion regarding tax acquired property at 51 Hampden Road. The Town Manager stated it is not owner-occupied but family-occupied as far as we know. If we sell it as tax acquired property, it would become the responsibility of the new owner to go through the eviction process. The Town Manager recommended putting it out to bid after the Loon Cove sale is over. After discussion, Isaac Raymond made a motion to put 51 Hampden Road out to bid. Daniel Frye seconded. Five voted in favor.
Maximum Interest Rate for Taxes: Kevin let Selectmen know the State had mistakenly posted the maximum interest rate at 9% (should be 8%) this year, and we voted at Town Meeting to use that rate. That mistake is easily remedied, since we can go lower but not higher.
New Carmel Deputy: Kevin stated Sheriff Morton has hired a new deputy for Carmel. He lives in Carmel and has signed a five-year contract for the Carmel position.
Legislative Policy Committee: Kevin said he has served on the Legislative Policy Committee for the past two years. His term is up and he would like to continue to serve on it if the Selectmen would like to nominate him. Selectmen signed the nomination paper to recommend Kevin to the committee.
Grist Mill Bridge Railing: Kevin let the Board know the railing is done on the Grist Mill Bridge and he is very pleased with the job.
Story Walk: The Town Manager said Da Vinci Signs rebuilt the story walk for the Rec Field, and said he will be posting it to help the library advertise it.
COVID Update: Kevin Howell gave an update on COVID19, and said we are letting two people at a time into the office. Everyone is doing well keeping their distance, and things are running smoothly.
Coastal Resources: The Town Manager stated the Coastal Resources plant in Hampden has suspended operations. The technical side of the plant is working fine and they have their D.E.P. permit, but there is a problem between the bond holders and the operator. Kevin said he will be attending a meeting tomorrow and will learn more.
Church Street Culvert: Douglas Small asked if Kevin has the culvert on Church Street on the list to work on. Kevin said he would look into it.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of June 8, 2020 in the amount of $11,809.12. Doug Small seconded. Five voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of June 15, 2020 in the amount of $5,998.44. Doug Small seconded. Five voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of June 15, 2020 in the amount of $66,147.71. Doug Small seconded. Five voted in favor.
Wayfinder Signs: Kevin showed Selectmen the wayfinder signs he had designed, and said Johnnie DeLuck had loaned him his post hole digger to dig holes to put the signs in.
High Grass at 849 Main Road: Kevin stated the grass and bushes at 849 Main Road cause visibility issues every year for traffic in that area, and D.O.T. is working on an easement to be able to get in there with weed killers to keep the area clear of grass and bushes.
ADJOURNMENT: Suzan Rudnicki made a motion to adjourn. Jared Fitts seconded. Five voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.