SELECTMEN’S MEETING

October 25, 2016

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 Elise Miller, seconded by Bill Shields, to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of October 11, 2016 as written. The motion passed 3-0.

• Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Ed Walsh, to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of October 18, 2016 as written. The motion passed 2-0-1.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

A. Forest / Conservation:

Town Forestry Account: Tom Cashin requested that the Board of Selectmen confirm their support of the Town Meeting vote which approved appropriating money from the Town Forestry Account to develop and maintain recreational trails on Town-owned properties, specifically the trail to be developed on Goat Hill. Jennifer Roux will research the Minutes from that Town Meeting and bring information regarding this request to the next meeting.

Romac Orchards Purchase: Carl Davis reminded Board Members that at a previous meeting, he informed the Board of a grant the Three Rivers in seeking to defray some of the purchase price of Romac Orchards. It is still unknown what the total grant will be because the cost of developing a trail is still undetermined. Mrs. Roux will bring the letter back to the next meeting for Board action after that figure is included in the document

Mr. Davis explained that the grant is a reimbursement grant so the Town will have to submit an invoice to be repaid after the purchase is final. He stated that if the Town is not comfortable with the reimbursement route, then a purchase and sale option is available. Three Rivers will pay $40,000 of the $179,000 purchase price and enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the option to reassign the Agreement to the Town at least seven days prior to the closing; Mr. Davis felt that it would be reassigned at least a month prior. He said that perhaps Three Rivers could pay the entire purchase price, the Town’s portion as well, and then get reimbursed. The seller will be paid an additional $7,000 for holding the sale until June, 2017. The Chairman noted that the agreement states that the entire selling price is the Town’s responsibility and expressed concern that there are too many things in the Agreement that encumbers the Town. Mr. Davis reminded the Board that they had agreed to pursue this grant. Mrs. Roux wanted to know exactly what the final cost to the Town will be once the legal fees, transfer costs, etc. minus the Forestry Account availability are determined.

Mr. Davis noted that the grant will cover many of the closing fees.

Consensus of the Board was to defer further discussion until the Town’s Attorney can review the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Bill Shields expressed concern that aerial spraying of the site took place at least twice a year for many years and that the property should be tested. Mr. Davis reminded him that only the orchard was sprayed not the portion of the property that the Town is purchasing. The Board requested that Mr. Davis research the cost of testing.

Carl Davis spoke about the resolution that was included at the Annual Town Meeting in June. He noted that the Grant is contingent on the Board’s agreement that the land cannot be sold or another property of equal value must be made available for recreational purposes. Elise Miller asked about the agreement with the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Mr. Davis will provide a copy of the Agreement

B. Cemetery Committee: Lois Michaud reported that she has been working with Jennifer Roux and Ken Paul in mapping the various cemetery sites in Town and developing an agreement that will be used to gain access to private properties to maintain graves and cemeteries. Mrs. Roux noted that she has ordered a street composite map to be used to map cemeteries and graves throughout the town. She noted that once all the sites are determined, Cardiographics can develop an overlay on the Town maps so that property owners will know if a grave exists on their property and what restrictions might have to be considered.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Fire Station Roof: Mrs. Roux reported that the project will be finished the following day. The Chairman requested that the Fire Chief review the project and advise if the final payment should be made.

B. Library Walkway: Both Mr. Walsh and Mrs. Miller commented that the Library entrance looks excellent. Mrs. Roux stated that the railings should be installed within two weeks and Tom Drummey will repair a small area in the stonework that is too high. She advised that the Board should consider including a request in the next budget to install the other two doors.

C. Award Sand Bid: Scott Mooney recommended awarding the Town’s road sand purchase for the ensuing year to Gorham Sand and Gravel for the delivered price of $9.50. He noted that the price is not the highest nor the lowest of the seven bids but the quality of the sand is excellent and the Gorham Sand and Gravel facility functions year round.

D. Mary Grant Pumpkin Carving: Mrs. Roux reported that Barbara Seckar, the event’s organizer, said that the day was very successful despite the rain with a great participation. She noted that over forty pumpkins were donated. Mrs. Seckar thanked McKenzie’s Farm, the Beaudoin Family, the Seckar Family and the Lowells. The Chairman said that Mrs. Seckar does a great job with organizing the pumpkin carving event.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Appointments: Mrs. Roux explained that with the upcoming Presidential election, people working on the event must be lined up exactly right to avoid any challenge of the vote, Republican and Democrats equally. She noted that the two parties have the option to submit a list of recommended workers but this year she didn’t receive a list from either party. She requested that the Election Warden and the Election Deputy Warden be appointed until November 10, 2016 and that the Election Clerks be appointed for one year.

Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to appoint Virginia Shea as Election Warden to November 10, 2016. The motion passed 3-0 and the Certificate of Appointment was signed by all three Selectmen.

Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to appoint William Williams as Election Deputy Warden to November 10, 2016. The motion passed 3-0 and the Certificate of Appointment was signed by all three Selectmen.

Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to appoint Marita Lowell, Walter Scott, Nancy Ruma and William Lotz as Election Clerks until June 30, 2017. The motion passed 3-0 and the Certificates of Appointment were signed by all three Selectmen.

Mrs. Roux noted that election training will occur on Wednesday, November 2^nd at 6:00 p.m.

B. Assessor's Return: The Chairman read a notice from the Assessors:

“Pursuant to a warrant to us directed from York County Commissioners for the County of York dated the sixth day of July ad 2016, we have assessed the estates of the inhabitants and the estates of the nonresident properties of the Town of Acton in said County the sum of $293,072.61 and have committed list thereof to the Tax Collector of said Town or City with warrant due from the citizens by the first day of September, 2016.”

All three Selectmen signed the document.

C. Abatements: The Board considered two abatements:

• Richard and Sharon Tetu, Map 148, Lot 035, assessed value reduced from $39,968 to $35,968 based on a building being removed from the property. Consideration of the abatement was tabled until the next meeting because the Board had a question on the reason for the reduction of land value in addition to the building value.

• John and Lillian Carty Trustees, Map 208, Lot 109, land value adjusted from $38,250 to $1,900 based on the land being deemed unbuildable. The assessed tax is reduced from $431.31 to $21.38. Moved by Elise Miller, seconded by Bill Shields, to approve the abatement request for John and Lillian Carty Trustees per the Assessor’s recommendation. The motion passed 3-0 and the document was signed by all three Selectmen.

D. Rear Stairs: Mrs. Roux reported that the work on replacing the rear stairs has been started.

 

6. PUBLIC COMMENT: Paul Poyant inquired as to the adjustment to the walkway, he wondered if there was a provision for rain drainage and snow build up. Mrs. Roux will research the answer to the question.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A Town Hall Closed Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, in observance of Veterans Day

B. A.E.D. Training November 16; Town Hall Closed 12 - 1:30pm in observance of Thanksgiving

D. Town Hall Closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25

E. 2016 Dog Licenses Now Available

F. Old Sand/Salt Bldg Demolition Bid

G. Christmas Tree Lighting on December 3, 2016

H. Library Crockfest Chili and Chowder Cookoff on November 5, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

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

9. OTHERS PRESENT: Jennifer Roux, Tom Cashin, Carl Davis, Rollin Waterhouse, Scott Mooney, David Winchell Jr.