SELECTMEN’S MEETING

December 6, 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: Approval of the minutes of the meeting of November 29, 2016 was tabled to the next meeting.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

A. Road Committee Update: Jennifer Roux reported that the Road Commissioners were willing to call a meeting and will participate but one of the Commissioners, based on the time of year, favored calling a meeting in the Spring. The other Road Commissioner favored holding a workshop with the Board of Selectmen and the Committee to discuss the purpose and goals of the Committee. Mrs. Roux reminded the Board that workshops are not typically televised and no action can be taken during the workshop such as electing a Chairman.

The Chairman stated that he didn’t agree that the time of year creates a problem and that a short televised meeting in order to elect a Chairman of the Committee and then followed up with a workshop would work.

Consensus of the Board was to request again the Road Commissioners schedule a meeting to form the Committee and elect a chairman.

B. Warrant and Finance Committee Update: William Williams updated the Board reporting that the Committee has held two meetings. At the first meeting, members discussed donations which account for approximately $70,000 of the budget, however, in the last two years, no process has been used to get information regarding the request from the recipients. He stated that the Committee has developed an application form that will be used by everyone that requests funding from the Town. Mrs. Roux noted that the draft of the form will be reviewed at the workshop to be held on December 13^th.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Library Door Glass: Mrs. Roux reported that the replacement glass for the door has been ordered.

B. Rear Stairs: Mrs. Roux reported that Ken Paul expects the project to be completed by the end of the year.

C. Removal of Old Sand/Salt Shed: Mrs. Roux noted that this is a topic to be discussed at the workshop on December 13^th. The Chairman expressed concern that the bid will only be held for sixty days.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Email from Superintendent: Elise Miller read an email that was received from Jonathan Ross, the Superintendent / Principal for the Acton Elementary School on Friday, December 2^nd:

“I want you to know that the Acton Road Commissioners and crews did a great job with sanding the local roads last Tuesday morning. I watched the weather and texted Andy Brazier at 4:30 a.m. to ensure that transporting students to school could be done safely. The weather forecast and conditions at that time suggested a safe ride. The Acton students who were transported to Sanford High School experienced no rain nor sleet; however, approximately five minutes into the elementary school bus run, the temperature dropped just enough to create a thin coating of ice on the roads making them potentially dangerous. The sand trucks were out immediately and the school busses made it through their a.m. run without incident. Please extend my thanks to the Acton Road Commissioners, Mr. Mooney and Mr. Winchell, for a job well done.”

Mrs. Miller heartily agreed with the Superintendent’s commendation. Mr. Walsh stated that he has received two emails also praising the road maintenance effort of the two Road Commissioners.

B. Abatement: The Chairman read the abatement for Dean Knight’s property, Map 225, Lot 007, based on the fact the Homestead Exemption was not applied to the original valuation. The original assessment was $30,250 for the land and $22,421 for the structure. Applying the exemption changes the original valuation from a total of $252,671 to $236,171 with a tax due of $2656.92, reducing the original tax due of $2842.55 by $185.63.

Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to approve the abatement for the property held by Dean Knight, map 225, lot 007 as submitted by the Town Assessor. The motion passed 3-0 and the abatement was signed by all three Selectmen.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT: NONE

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A. 2017 Dog Licenses are now due. Mrs. Roux reported that the State of Maine allows a grace period for the month of January but assesses a fine in February of $25 per dog. Warrants are issued in March for unpaid dog licenses.

B. Snow and Ice Controls Workshop, December 8 at 7:30 a.m.

C. Budget workshop / time line creation, December 13, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.

D. Special Town Meeting - December 13, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to consider the Goat Hill grant.

E. Annual Holiday Tea at the Library on Thursday, December 8^th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

F. The Library Story / Activity Hour on Fridays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. for parents and children up to age three

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

9. OTHERS PRESENT: William Williams, Eric Dawagna, Jennifer Roux