TOWN OF ACTON

SELECTMEN'S MEETING

MARCH 11, 2008

Nancy announced that Dick Neal is away on vacation in Georgia.

1.      APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Approved as written.

2.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Approved as written.

3.      WARRANT: Approved and signed.

4.      OLD BUSINESS

a. ASSESSING/ABATEMENTS: Abatement deadline was March 10. No more abatement applications will be accepted. Errors noted will be corrected but no refunds paid.  Rod will be in the office on March 26. Data entry into the Trio program will begin soon.

b. CABLE CONTRACT: Selectmen met with Metrocast last week and the contract is to be signed by April 1.

5.   NEW BUSINESS:

      (A) OPEN SEALED BIDS: Bids for the Flat Ground Road property were opened with the following bids submitted:

Lindalee Lambert, $ 2,600.00; Stephen Ledoux, $ 2,800.00; Thomas Sroka, $ 2,950.00; Wendy Jimmo, $ 2,976.00; Floyd Brown, $ 4,075.00; Donald St. Hilaire, $ 4,160.00; Greg Tetherly, $ 4,500.01; Scott Lizotte $ 5,000.00; Brian Melanson,$ 5,000.00; BruceHenry, $5,001.00; Richard Hurlburt, $ 5,501.99; Janice and James Melanson, $5,555.00; BrianGreenleaf, $6,751.99; Larry Tetreault, $ 8,333.39; Donald Campbell,  $ 8,357.00; Brian Melanson,  $10,000.00; Patrick Stevens, $11,000.00; Lloyd Gifford, $24,210.00; Robert Normandeau,  $26,500.00; Deborah and Berton Rogers, $35,609.00.

Selectmen awarded the bid to the highest bidder, Berton and Deborah Rogers.

      (B) MEET WITH TRANSFER STATION: Steve Ledoux, Transfer Station Manager was present and reported things are going fairly smoothly at the Transfer Station. The biggest problem right now is that high fuel charges are causing increases in tipping fees and surcharges on transportation charges. State licensing fees have increased also. Steve is working on a contract with Punsky. Even though his rates will increase $15 per haul, this is still a lower price than other venders charge. The recycling market is very strong with lots of competition. He estimates income from   recycling at about $ 14,000. Steve suggests that if the recycling income is applied to the budget it will offset the increases. The recycling rate percentage for Acton is now 47%. Brian McGlincey noted that if the public saw the income from recycling being put back into the budget it might  encourage them to increase the amount of recycling. Demolition debris is still a problem. It  was suggested that a fee be established for contractors and the CEO issue demolition disposal permits.

      (C) APPOINT REC COMMITTEE: On a motion by Mike,  the following officers for the Rec Committee were appointed: Ken Joy, President; Robert Jones, Vice President; John  Scarpelli, Treasurer and Peter Belanger, Secretary.

(D) LINE OF CREDIT: Selectmen have decided to establish a line of credit in the event that it is  necessary to borrow money in anticipation of taxes.  Mike Conway made the following motion: “I move that     (1) Pursuant to Section 5771 of Title 30-A of the Maine Revised Statutes, as amended, the Town Treasurer     is hereby authorized and empowered to borrow money from time to time during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 from the Sanford Institute for Savings (“SIS”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000 at any one time outstanding, in anticipation of collections or receipts from property taxes, by the issuance of tax anticipation notes, which notes shall be designated “2008 Tax Anticipation Notes”. (2) That all such tax anticipation notes, and any extensions, renewals or replacements thereof, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen, and shall be payable on or before July 31, 2008, out of money raised by taxation during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. (3) That the Treasurer is hereby authorized  to award the notes to SIS in accordance with the terms  set forth in a letter  from Robert P. Trumpler, V.P. and Commercial Loan Officer to Town Treasurer Vicki Ridlon, dated March 11, 2008. (4) That the notes authorized herein are designate as qualified tax exempt obligations for the purposes of Section 265 (b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to the extent that such designations may be applicable or appropriate.

      (5) That the Treasurer be authorized to covenant with the purchasers of the notes on behalf of the Town  and for the benefit of the holders of the notes, that the Town will take whatever steps, and refrain from taking any action, as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that interest on the notes will remain free from federal income taxes, including without limitation, the filing of information returns and reports with the Internal Revenue Service and the payment of any rebate due to the United States of America. (6) That all   action taken by the Town, its municipal officers, and agents in the authorization of said Notes are hereby    ratified and approved. (7) That the Treasurer and Chair of the Board of Selectmen are authorized to take any and all action necessary to carry out the provisions of this motion.” The motion was seconded by Nancy  and voted 2 yes, 0 no.

 

      (E)  CLEAN UP BIDS FOR TOWN POUND: The selectmen will be requesting proposals for cleaning out the Town Pound which was filled with sand, rocks and debris at the time of the Patriot's Day Storm.

PUBLIC FORUM: Dennis Long noted that he felt it was a good idea to have the recycling income applied to the Transfer Station budget. He also suggested any bids or proposals for the venders at the Transfer Station should be in writing. Dennis also feels since the overdraft in snow removal is over the 15% allowable, it is time that the Town puts in realistic figures for the appropriation. Dennis feels the Warrant and Finance Committee and Department Heads should meet with the auditor.

Debbie Rix asked if they will be holding a special town meeting to cover the overdraft.  A discussion relative to snow removal followed. Holly said the Road Commissioners did not choose to over draw the account. Mary Yeaton said we have received over 150 inches of snow. Robin Ham said we have better roads than surrounding towns. Davey Winchell said the Road Commissioners are using too much salt and wasting money -Acton's expenditures are much higher than Shapleigh - and that Shapleigh came in under their budget. He also cursed, and Mike told him to watch his mouth. Carl Hodgdon asked about the price that was paid for the sand that was purchased.

Pam asked about the school time line for budget meetings. Pam also asked what  had been done about the culvert that damaged the road by Patti Dutil's. Mike said he had not spoken to the owner yet. He turned the photos over to the CEO, but he is on vacation right now.

6.   ADJOURNMENT: Adjourned at  8:55 pm.

7.    MEMBERS PRESENT: Nancy Ruma, Mike Conway

8.   OTHERS PRESENT: Percy Lowell, Deb and Bert Rogers, Carol and Dennis Long, Pat Stevens, Patti Dutil, Mark and Debbie Rix, Pam McAlinden, John Moore, Davey Winchell, Brian McGlincey, Karl Hodgdon, Paul Sanicandro, Robin Ham, Charlene Marzza, Paul Larose, Tony Cogliandro, Mary Yeaton, Holly Mooney, Steve Ledoux, Lorraine Yeaton.