Regular Meeting (06-20-2016)
Selectmen Present: Suzan Rudnicki, Douglas Small, Earlyn Bowers, John Luce and Jared Fitts
Interim Town Manager: Julia Pike
Recording Secretary: Coreen Sylvester
Guests Present: Deputy Kari Kurth, Code Enforcement Officer/Interim Road Commissioner Kevin Howell, Glennis McSorley and Toby Pelletier
7:30PM: Suzan Rudnicki called the meeting to order.
MINUTES: John Luce made a motion to accept the minutes of June 13, 2016 as amended. Earlyn Bowers seconded. Four voted in favor. Douglas Small abstained as he was not present for that meeting.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER/ROAD COMMISSIONER REPORT:
- Kevin Howell reviewed the proposal from the Planning Board to change the Land Use/Zoning Ordinance to reduce the lot size and frontage in 'looped' subdivisions only, and asked if the Board approved of the proposed changes. After discussion, Selectmen had no objections to the Planning Board submitting the ordinance for Town Meeting approval with the lot size and frontage reduced to 1.5 acres and 150 feet road frontage, as long as it is town wide, not just subdivisions.
- Kevin stated he spoke with Stephen Dunham who is aware that the Town is going to clean up his junkyard, and Kevin is going to meet with Stephen on Wednesday.
NEW BUSINESS:
Law Enforcement Contract: John Luce made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the law enforcement contract with Penobscot County Sheriff's Department for 2016 - 2017. Earlyn Bowers seconded. Five voted in favor.
PERC (Penobscot Energy Recovery Company): Earlyn Bowers shared with the Board a letter from Hermon Town Manager Roger Raymond; they're thinking of going with PERC for solid waste disposal and are negotiating a contract. Earlyn said Roger is willing to come to a meeting and talk to the Board. The other Selectmen thought that was a good idea; Earlyn stated he will contact Mr. Raymond to come in to talk the Board.
Fire Truck: Earlyn Bowers offered to put the old fire truck out to bid, and have bids due back on August 29, 2016. Selectmen had no objections. Earlyn said he would do it.
Policy and Procedures Manual: Earlyn said he and Julia Pike had found some more policies to add and asked if other Board members wanted updated copies. Other members said they would like updated copies when he has them ready.
Entry to Fire Department: John Luce stated he wanted to get into the fire department to look at air packs and the door was locked, so he asked Kevin Howell to let him in. Kevin told him the Fire Chief changed the code and will not give it to anyone at the Town Office. Suzan Rudnicki said she has it, and it has something to do with new drugs in the ambulance. John said he had thought any drugs had to be in a locked box. After discussion, Selectmen decided to have the Fire Chief come to the next meeting to explain why the code was changed.
Tax Commitment: Julia Pike stated that Assessor Robert Duplisea Jr. was here on Friday to set the 2016 tax commitment, and the new mil rate will be 14.00, which is an increase of 0.35. Julia also explained the State raised the homestead exemption to $15,000.00, but they will still only fund $10,000.00, so taxes will have to be raised to make up the $5,000.00.
MRC (Municipal Review Committee)/Fiberight: Julia stated she had spoken with Karen from the Brewer office of MRC regarding the Fiberight option for municipal solid waste disposal, and she said she would be willing to come talk to us. June 30, 2016 is the deadline if we have any interest in signing up. No action taken.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Sue Rudnicki made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to 1MRSA § 405(6A) to discuss a personnel matter. John Luce seconded. Five voted in favor. Selectmen went into executive session at 8:25 pm. Selectmen reconvened in regular session at 9:02 pm. No action taken, informational only.
WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the full-time fireman’s payroll warrant of June 20, 2016 in the amount of $878.49. Earlyn Bowers seconded. Five voted in favor.
WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of June 20, 2016 in the amount of $4,613.71. Earlyn Bowers seconded. Five voted in favor.
WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of June 20, 2016 in the amount of $21,685.83. Earlyn Bowers seconded. Five voted in favor.
ADJOURNMENT: Earlyn Bowers made a motion to adjourn. Douglas Small seconded. Five voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm.