Regular Meeting (02-11-2019)
Selectmen Present: Douglas Small, John Luce and Jared Fitts
Absent: Suzan Rudnicki and Joshua Devlin
Town Manager/CEO: Kevin Howell
Recording Secretary: Coreen Sylvester
Guests Present: Sheila Mahon, Toby Pelletier, Glennis McSorley and Bruce Flaherty of the Spirit of America Foundation
7:30 PM: John Luce called the meeting to order.
MINUTES: Douglas Small made a motion to accept the minutes of February 4, 2019 as written. Jared Fitts seconded. Three voted in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Certification of Ordinance – “March 2019 Amendments to the Town of Carmel Land Use
Ordinance”: Town Manager Kevin Howell said that because we have a lengthy amendment to an ordinance, MMA suggests that Selectmen certify an ordinance entitled “March 2019 Amendments to the Town of Carmel Land Use Ordinance.” After discussion, Jared Fitts made a motion to accept certification of the proposed ordinance. Douglas Small seconded. Three voted in favor.
Ambulance Billing Collections Contract: Kevin stated the ambulance billing has been going
well, and said we are now at the point where the first bills can go to collections. Kevin recommended going with Advanced Collections Services for our ambulance billing collections. After discussion, John Luce made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Advanced Collection Services. Jared Fitts seconded. Three voted in favor.
Assessment Information: Kevin said people often ask if they will be taxed differently if their
residence is in a commercial zone. Kevin said they are assessed on current use of their property, not potential use. There was discussion about our state valuation assessment, and Kevin said we are still very close to 100% and will not need a revaluation in the near future.
Old Fire Station Easement Update: The Town Manager let the Board know the Town’s
attorney suggested filing a termination of indenture simultaneously with the new easement from the owners of Rick’s Mini Mart. Jared Fitts made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the termination of indenture with Hari LLC. Doug Small seconded. Three voted in favor.
Mailing List Certification for Public Hearing: Kevin said there are specific notification laws
for public hearings, which include mailing notices to abutting landowners, posting the notice at the office and posting the notice in the newspaper. Kevin stated the notices were all done properly for the Planning Board hearing in January, but part of the process is for Selectmen to certify the mailing list. After discussion, Jared Fitts made a motion to certify the mailing list for the notification of the zoning ordinance public hearing. John Luce seconded. Three voted in favor.
Selectmen’s Annual Letter: Selectmen went over their letter for the annual report and approved it.
Sand Shed: Kevin let the Board know the new sand shed door was installed today. There was discussion about paving in and around the sand shed.
Town Attorney: The Town Manager asked if Selectmen would consider switching our attorney from Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson to Eaton Peabody. Kevin said he has built up a good working relationship with Mike Hodgins who was with Bernstein, Shur and has moved to Eaton Peabody. Selectmen approved switching to Eaton Peabody; Kevin said he will have them draw up a letter of engagement.
Safety Lane Streetlight: Doug Small said Glennis McSorley had mentioned at an earlier meeting that since the street light at Safety Lane was adjusted, it is very difficult to see the road when you are turning onto it. Doug stated he had an opportunity to notice this himself tonight as he came from the direction of the village to the meeting. Kevin said he would look into it.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of February 11, 2019 in the amount of $4,045.07. Doug Small seconded. Three voted in favor.
WARRANT: Jared Fitts made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of February 11, 2019 in the amount of $176,530.98. Doug Small seconded. Three voted in favor.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Fiberight Plant: John Luce asked about the progress of the Hampden plant. Kevin stated he and the president of MRC were chosen to oversee performance tests for the plant in March. The plant will start operating in March and ramp up to full operations by June.
Spirit of America Foundation: Bruce Flaherty explained that the Spirit of America Foundation is an organization that honors volunteerism. Mr. Flaherty said a municipality may pick a person, project or group to honor, and there is a county-wide ceremony to present awards. Over 160 towns currently participate, and there is no fee to participate. The Town Manager to provide more information at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: Jared Fitts made a motion to adjourn. Doug Small seconded. Three voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm.