SELECTMEN’S MEETING

July 19, 2016

5:00pm

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to accept the agenda as presented. The motion passed 3-0.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 12, 2016 as written. The motion passed 3-0.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Foreclosure Properties - Tax Sale (Deadline August 12, 2016): No action.

B. Library Repairs: Jennifer Roux informed the Board that she contacted the second original bidder for an updated bid, however the bid was higher than the bid being considered, so she didn’t seek another quote. She suggested proceeding with spraying the three inch R-20 insulation at the price the low bidder quoted originally. The siding will need to be taken from the Building Maintenance Account. Mrs. Roux stated that she thinks there is enough money budgeted to do all the projects throughout the fiscal year.

Ed Walsh questioned that an air system is necessary considering the fact that the foundation of the Library is stone and granite which allows air circulation. He suggested doing further research on the necessity of installing an air system.

Moved by Ed Walsh, seconded by Elise Miller, to approve the expenditure of $1560.00 for spraying three inch R-20 insulation into the crawl space of the Library. The motion passed 3-0.

The agreement was signed by Ed Walsh and Bill Shields. Mrs. Roux will attach a copy of the minutes and will make certain that the contractor understands the scope of the work approved. Mrs. Miller stated that she would hope that the insulation could be sprayed for a reduced price.

C. Charter: Mrs. Roux informed Board Members that she contacted Maine Municipal regarding the process of forming a Town of Acton Charter Commission and approving a Town Charter. In an email, Susan Pilgrim, as an Attorney at MMA, referenced a website from which Mrs. Roux accessed attachments which she distributed to Board Members. Ms. Pilgrim noted that the packets have been reviewed and updated for minor changes to the law. She also referenced relevant information available in 2014 Legal Notes which are included in the packets provided to the Board. She stated that while she’s not certain why the Town of Acton is considering pursuing the Charter process, her opinion is that there is no need nor benefit to adopting a Municipal Charter unless the Town wishes to move to a council form of government and / or move some or all of legislative powers away from the Town Meeting to a Council or Select Board. So unless the Town wishes to change the form of government or wants to accomplish something that can only be accomplished through a Charter, most municipalities find that general Town Meeting government process is sufficient. The 2009 Legal Notes summarizes those issues that can only be addressed through adopting a charter. Ms. Pilgrim offered any assistance the Town may find necessary regarding this process.

Consensus of Board Members was to table the subject until they can read and consider the material.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Southern Maine Veteran's Association: Mrs. Roux noted that she had invited a representative of the Southern Maine Veterans’ Association to attend a Selectmen’s Meeting or the Special Town Meeting regarding the Warrant Article to answer some of the questions around how the funds are spent that came up during the Warrant and Finance Committee Meetings.

B. Fire/Rescue Building – Fairgrounds: Mrs. Roux informed Board Members that the white building that the Fire and Rescue members and Fair Security sit at during the fair was actually owned by the Fire and Rescue Association, which with the transition of the Department now belongs to the Town of Acton. The Town Attorney recommends that, for liability and insurance purposes, the Town does not retain ownership of a building that is situated on a lot not owned by the Town.

Consensus of Board Members was to schedule a meeting with the Attorney to discuss his recommendation.

C. Mary Grant Memo / Appointments: The Chairman read a memo from Mary Seckar dated 7-19-2016 regarding appointments:

Good Morning, Last evening, we had a gathering of friends and persons interested in going to the Mary Grant Nature Preserve. After chatting, it was decided since we would not make any moves until the new Board was formed, the following names would like to be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for approval of the Mary Grant Committee: Jeanne Achilles, Christine Beaudoin, Holly Mooney, Barbara Seckar. There are others that are interested on serving but the names will come later.

Mrs. Roux noted that other names were on the list but have not yet been conformed by her office. She is researching the formation of the Committee to determine how many members shall serve on the Committee, how long and if they must be residents or not.

Moved by Elise Miller, seconded by Bill Shields, to appoint Barbara Seckar, Jeanne Achilles, Christine Beaudoin, and Holly Mooney to serve on the Mary Grant Nature Preserve Committee until June 30, 2017. The motion passed 3-0.

Mrs. Roux noted that Lorraine Yeaton has stated that even if there is not a full Board appointed, there are many volunteers, including herself, that help out when the need arises.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT: Robin Ham requested approval to remove the dead tree in front of the Town Hall. Consensus of Board Members was to accept Mr. Ham’s offer to remove the tree with appreciation.

8. ANNOUCEMENTS:

A. Special Town Meeting: Thursday, July 28 6:00pm  at the Acton Town Hall.

ARTICLE 1: To choose a moderator for said meeting.

ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,000 for the Southern Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery Association.

ARTICLE 3: To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from the following revenues and fund balances to reduce the amount to be raised by taxation during the 2016 - 2017 tax commitment.

B. Committee Openings: Mrs. Roux noted that there are openings on the following Committees: Mary Grant, one Road Committee, one alternate Planning Board, one alternate Warrant and Finance and Parks and Recreation volunteers.

The Chairman noted that unless someone is able to work to organize the Parks and Rec Committee, the group will become defunct, many programs that benefit the children will not take place and the town will lose control over the field. He stressed the importance of this Committee.

9. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ed Walsh, Bill Shields, Elise Miller.

10. OTHERS PRESENT: Jennifer Roux, Robin Ham

11: Adjournment: Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to adjourn the meeting at 5:31 p.m. The motion passed 3-0.