Regular Meeting (11-28-2016)

Selectmen Present:                Suzan Rudnicki, Douglas Small, Earlyn Bowers, John Luce and      Jared Fitts

Town Manager/CEO:           Kevin Howell

Recording Secretary:            Coreen Sylvester

Guests Present:                      Wilbur Senter, Deidra McIntosh, Linda Ricker, Paula Leavitt, Sue Kircheis, Evelyn Smith, Kirsten Hebert (Director of Maine Rural Water Association), Glennis McSorley, Toby Pelletier and Fire Chief Ryan Simpson

7:30PM:  Suzan Rudnicki called the meeting to order.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Junkyard Hearing (Renewals):  Suzan Rudnicki called the hearing to order.  After discussion,John Luce made a motion to sign junkyard permits for Paul Falkenburg, Ideal Recycling and R&R Lumber Co.  Jared Fitts seconded.  Five voted in favor.  Hearing closed.

 

Kirsten Hebert of Maine Rural Water Association:  Kirsten Hebert gave the Board and Town Manager literature on the pros and cons of having a public water system.  Ms. Hebert said some of the main considerations are whether we need a public water system, whether we want public fire protection from that system, the number of users that would be on it and the cost to taxpayers for the system.  Kevin Howell asked what kinds of tests we would need to do to determine if we actually need a public water system.  Ms. Hebert said there   are grants available to do a study.  No action taken at this time.

 

Library Budget:  There was discussion about the proposed library budget, and the library  expansion funds.  Evelyn Smith explained the renovations to the library are not completed yet, and if they have any leftover funds the grant states an endowment fund must be created.  Any leftover funds cannot be used for operating expenses.

 

2017 Budget:  Kevin stated the Budget Committee approved the Administration, Protection, General Assistance and Public Works last week, and will work on Health & Sanitation, Library and Community Activities next week.

 

Fire Department:  Ryan Simpson went over the fire department's estimated payroll budget for next year and said we will have to pay by the hour except for on-call pay, which will be $20.00 each for two people per night, plus hourly pay if they go on a call.

 

Sue Rudnicki asked when the new ambulance is coming.  Ryan said they finalized everything with him two weeks ago, and the ambulance should be here any time.

Sue asked if radio communication is any better, and Ryan said it is still terrible.

There was discussion regarding the need for new air packs.  The Fire Chief recommended setting up a reserve account to purchase air packs, and said we could get a purchase/lease agreement for $26,000.00 down and payments for ten years.

 

Rec Director Position:  Kevin Howell stated he had interviewed four applicants and found Deidra McIntosh to be the best fit for Carmel.  Kevin introduced Deidra and gave some background on her, and asked the Selectmen to appoint her as Rec Director.  Suzan Rudnicki made a motion to appoint Deidra McIntosh as Recreation Director for the Town of Carmel, effective January 1, 2017 for the ensuing year.  John Luce seconded.  Five voted in favor.

 

Sex Offender Notification Policy:  Kevin said he has not been able to find an official policy for sex offender notifications, and said there was no law requiring towns to post them.  Kevin suggested having it available at the town office, with the rec director and at the schools in a notebook form for residents to view if they choose.  The State of Maine keeps a public website that is updated daily.  After discussion, Selectmen decided they would like to have sex offenders posted on the town office wall as we have always done.

 

OLD BUSINESS: 

 

Procedure Manual:  After discussion, Earlyn Bowers made a motion to accept the Procedure Manual.  Douglas Small seconded.  Five voted in favor.

 

Water in Village:  Linda Ricker said there is still a problem with the water from the Village Market icing up, and she noticed it is iced up tonight.  Kevin explained he has been in contact with the owner and with Maine Department of Transportation, both roads at the intersection are State roads and it is private property, so his hands are tied.  Kevin further stated the owner doesn't want to spend the money because he is selling it, and the buyer would love to spend the money but can't because he doesn't own it yet.

 

MINUTES:  John Luce made a motion to accept the minutes of September 26, 2016 as written. 

Jared Fitts seconded.  Three voted in favor.  Earlyn Bowers and Suzan Rudnicki abstained as they were not present for that meeting.

 

MINUTES:  Earlyn Bowers made a motion to accept the minutes of October 31, 2016 as written.  Jared Fitts seconded.  Three voted in favor.  Suzan Rudnicki and John Luce abstained as they were not present for that meeting.

 

MINUTES:  Suzan Rudnicki made a motion to accept the minutes of November 14, 2016 as written.  Jared Fitts seconded.  Three voted in favor.  John Luce and Earlyn Bowers abstained as they were not present for that meeting.

 

WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of November 21, 2016 in the amount of $4,910.77.  Earlyn Bowes seconded.  Five voted in favor.

WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of November 28, 2016 in the amount of $23,192.20.  Earlyn Bowers seconded.  Five voted in favor.

WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of November 28, 2016 in the amount of $17,902.60.  Earlyn Bowers seconded.  Five voted in favor.

WARRANT: John Luce made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of November 28, 2016 in the amount of $3,767.75.  Earlyn Bowes seconded.  Five voted in favor.

 

TOWN MGR/TAX COLLECTOR/CODE ENF OFFICER/RD COMM.REPORT:

 

            1.   Town Manager Kevin Howell he laid Willie Dunton and Thomas Benecke off on Friday.

 

            2.   Kevin said he has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to start talking about whether sidewalks in the village are an option.  There is a program where federal money pays for eighty percent.

 

            3.   Doug Small asked Kevin to consider putting fog lines on the roads with new pavement.

     

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Sue Rudnicki made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to 1MRSA § 405(6)(A) to discuss a personnel matter.  Jared Fitts seconded.  Five voted in favor.  Selectmen went into executive session at 9:45 pm.  Selectmen reconvened in regular session at 10:10 pm.  No action taken, informational only.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  John Luce made a motion to adjourn.  Suzan Rudnicki seconded. Five voted in favor.  Meeting adjourned at 10:11 pm.