SELECTMEN'S MEETING

February 2, 2016

5:00pm

 

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion by Bill Shields, seconded by Ed Walsh to accept the agenda as presented with the amendment that Item C-3 be heard as Item #3. The motion passed 3-0 as amended.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Motion by Bill Shields, seconded by Ed Walsh, to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2016 meeting as written. The motion passed 3-0.

Dennis Long, who initiated the request to determine the status of the road, thanked the Board for proceeding with his request and said he would bring the Attorney's information to the property owners.

 

4. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

District Commissioner A. Special Project Request: Scott Mooney, District One Road Commissioner, stated that he requested a quote for reclaiming, grading, resurfacing with a 2" base and 1" surface on Nason Road to Goose Pond. Because the quote came in higher than he expected, he is requesting that only half of the project be funded for the ensuing year, $30,000, which would complete the improvements from the end of the road to the dip to the top of the hill, approximately 1500 feet.

Conservation/Forestry

A. Consolidation Article Request: William Maloney noted that the Forestry and Conservation Committees up until twenty years ago were one committee. Currently there is overlap in the efforts of the committees so members are requesting that the two committees again be consolidated. Consensus of the Board was that an Ordinance may need to be updated to accomplish consolidation so consideration of the request was tabled until that determination can be made.

5. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Fire-Rescue Consolidation Update: Mrs. Roux reported that all paperwork is complete and the Ambulance Transfer of Assets document is ready to be signed. She assured Board members that billing can be submitted up to thirty days retroactively by both entities. The ambulance will be registered to the Town of Acton on Wednesday morning, February 3rd.

Bill Catansye signed the Ambulance Transfer of Assets document and Elise Miller, William Maloney and Tom Cashing witnessed his signature.

Ed Walsh thanked the founders that started the Ambulance service in 1980 and all the people who kept the service functioning so well over the years. Jennifer Sayre thanked the Board of Selectmen for making the transition happen.

B. Official Votes for Special Articles:

1. Romac Orchards (Secret Ballot): Motion by Ed Walsh to include the purchase of the Romac Orchards as a secret ballot referendum at the Annual Town Meeting. The motion seconded by Bill Shields, passed 3-0. Tom Cashin and Carl Davis will assist in writing the article.

2. Siding: Motion by Ed Walsh to request $40,000 on the Warrant for siding the Town Hall. Ted Kryzak noted that the funding should come out of the Capital Improvements or the Undesignated Funds so that taxation will not be increased. Bill Shields seconded the motion which passed 3-0.

3. Library Entrance: Motion by Ed Walsh to request $20,000 on the Warrant to rebuild the Library entrance. Ted Kryzak again noted that the funding should come out of the Capital Improvements or the Undesignated Funds so that taxation will not be increased. Bill Shields seconded the motion which passed 3-0.

4. Town Hall Reconstruction: Motion by Ed Walsh to request $25,000 on the Warrant for reconstruction of the Town Hall Administrative offices. Ted Kryzak noted that the Town's gymnasium is costing the town money so he suggested considering returning the gym equipment to the Fire Department and relocating the library in that building. Consensus of the Board was that funding the Library Maintenance request and the Town Hall reconstruction be tabled until research can be done. Elise Miller requested that the Library Board be included in making the decision.

Barbara Secker suggested that a Committee be formed to help oversee and prioritizing the building improvements and maintenance.

Jim Driscoll commented that the Board of Selectmen has done an exemplary job in updating and maintaining town properties and stressed that the Library is a very important resource for residents.

5. District 1 Special Project: Motion by Ed Walsh, seconded by Bill Shields, to include the project on Nason Road as outlined by the Road Commissioner, Scott Mooney on the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. The motion passed 3-0.

6. Tattle Street Donation Request: Motion by Ed Walsh, seconded by Bill Shields, not to include the request as discussed at the meeting of January 26th on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant because it is a private road and that there are other avenues for raising the funds. The motion passed 3-0.

7. Library Maintenance: This item was tabled during discussing item B-4.

8. Conservation/Forest Consolidation: Motion by Ed Walsh, seconded by Bill Shields, to include the consolidation of the Conservation and Forestry Committees on the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting as requested. The motion passed 3-0.

9. 4.2.2.6 Strike-Out - Planning Board: Motion by Ed Walsh, seconded by Bill Shields, to include the request to revoke section 4.2.2.6a of the Zoning Ordinance on the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting as submitted by the Planning Board. The motion passed 3-0.

10. Fire Dept Roof: Motion by Ed Walsh, seconded by Bill Shields, to include the request funding the Fire Department roof on the warrant of the Annual Town Meeting. The motion passed 3-0.

11. Staff Retirement: Motion by Ed Walsh, seconded by Bill Shields, to include the request funding the Maine State Retirement plan on the warrant of the Annual Town Meeting. The motion passed 3-0.

 

C. Social service requests: Motion by Ted Kryzak, seconded by Bill Shields, to include an article for Social Service requests that are a 3% increase or less over last year's request on the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting. The motion passed 3-0. Motion by Ted Kryzak, seconded by Bill Shields, to include an article for Social Service requests that represent an increase of more than 3% over last year's request on the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting. The motion passed 3-0.

Motion by Ted Kryzak, seconded by Bill Shields, to include an article for new Social Service requests on the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting. The motion passed 3-0. D. Fire Chief Update: William Williams asked the Board if they have a list of criteria that the committee should use for selecting potential Assistant Fire Chief candidates. Consensus of the Board was that they will ask Peter Smith to help develop that list.

E. Abandoned Properties: Jennifer Roux reported that the Town is still waiting for a court date. F. Winter Sand - Salt Shed: Ted Kryzak will get an update.

 

6. NEW BUSINESS:

 

A. FOI Request: Ed Walsh made the motion to approve a request for information regarding an individual complaint against property at 278 Langley Shores Drive.

 

B. Right to Redemption Letters: The Tax Collector reported that at 4:00 p.m. this date, the Town officially foreclosed on three properties based on three years of unpaid taxes. A letter will be sent to the three property owners that they have thirty days to pay all back taxes and related penalties and administrative costs. Motion by Bill Shields to approve and sign the Right to Redemption letter relative to property on Map 229, Lot 043 at 199 H Road for the amount of $3,260.43 which includes taxes, interest and costs for years 2013, 2014 and 2015 allowing the property owner to repurchase the property no latter than Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in order to avoid public advertisement and auctioning of the property. The motion, which was seconded by Ed Walsh, passed 3-0.

 

Motion by Bill Shields to approve and sign the Right to Redemption letter relative to property on Map 229, Lot 046 abutting H Road for the amount of $3,678.72 which includes taxes, interest and costs for years 2013, 2014 and 2015 allowing the property owner to repurchase the property no latter than Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in order to avoid public advertisement and auctioning of the property. The motion, which was seconded by Ed Walsh, passed 3-0.

 

Motion by Bill Shields to approve and sign the Right to Redemption letter relative to property on Map 248, Lot 015 at abutting Foxes Ridge Road for the amount of $1212.96 which includes taxes, interest and costs for years 2013, 2014 and 2015 allowing the property owner to repurchase the property no later than Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in order to avoid public advertisement and auctioning of the property. The motion, which was seconded by Ed Walsh, passed 3-0.

 

C. Transfer of Assets - Ambulance: This item was heard during item 5A.

 

7. OTHER BUSINESS:

 

8. PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

A. Barbara Seckar suggested that Selectmen appoint a committee to work on identifying and prioritizing the maintenance of town-owned properties.

 

B. Tom Cashin requested the Mark Davis be considered for replacing the Fire Department roof. Ted Kryzak responded that Mr. Davis is welcome to submit a bid for the project.

 

C. Dennis Long suggested that the selectmen have Ken Paul survey the Library section of the Town Hall to determine that the floor and roof can sustain either the continuance of the Library or moving the Administrative Offices to that area.

 

Mr. Long also noted that the Acton School Department made a decision to consolidate the Principal position with the Superintendent position. He expressed support in retaining the current Principal based on the fact that she is an excellent resource and that the savings in the budget would be minimal.

 

9. ANNOUCEMENTS: Elise Miller, the Librarian, announced that the second annual Take Your Children to the Library event will be held on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. with reading and refreshments.

 

10. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ted Kryzak, Ed Walsh, Bill Shields

 

11. OTHERS PRESENT: Joe Lenkowski, Jim Driscoll, Dave Langley, Bill Catansye, Bill Maloney, Tom Cashin, Carl Davis, Barbara Seckar, Robert Seckar, Dennis Long, Scott Mooney, Dick Neal, Will Williams, Elise Miller, Jen Sayre, Dennis Long III, Peter Smith, Bob Smith, Wesley Ham

 

12. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Bill Shields, seconded by Ed Walsh, to adjourn the meeting at 6:04 p.m. The motion passed 3-0.

Bill Shields seconded the motion. The motion passed and the document was signed.