SELECTMEN’S MEETING

March 21, 2017

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to approve the agenda as written. 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 March 7, 2016 as written. The motion passed 3-0.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

 

A. Three Rivers Land Trust: The representative of the Trust didn’t attend the meeting so the update was tabled until the next meeting.

B. Cemeteries: Lois Michaud spoke with the Board regarding accessing cemeteries that are situated on private property. The Chairman stated that the Board does not have the authority to grant permission to enter private property. Jennifer Roux will research what authority the Board has in that regard. There is a form that will be used for property owners to sign allowing maintenance and care of cemeteries that exist on their land. Mrs. Michaud is requesting access to all the cemeteries existing on properties listed on the document she provided. Mrs. Michaud and Mrs. Roux will identify the sites on the Town’s maps and determine the map and lot numbers so that property owners can be identified and notified. Mrs. Michaud noted that the Maine State Law states that all veterans’ graves much be maintained, therefore, if property owners deny access to their property, they should be responsible for that maintenance.

C. Warrant and Finance Committee: William Williams reported that the Committee has completed two of the four sessions meeting with the School Committee, another is scheduled for this evening and the final session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28^th at which time all articles on the Warrant will have been reviewed. The Committee will meet and determine if there are any final questions based on the information they have gathered.

D. Road Committee: Mrs. Roux noted that one person has expressed interest in serving on an ad hoc committee to draft a proposed ordinance defining the roles and responsibilities of the Road Committee.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A MMA Action Plan: Mrs. Roux reported that two of the items on the list have been completed and she outlined some of the action items listed on the Plan:

• The Townhall will be closed on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in order to do mandatory VDT staff training.

• The Fire Chief conducted the annual fire extinguisher maintenance.

• The power supply to the two refrigerators in the kitchen area will have to be addressed.

• Shelving can be purchased from the Equipment Supply Account that the storage room downstairs can be better organized. Mrs. Roux will contact members of the Recreation Committee and Ken Paul to determine when they can work with that.

• A quote has been requested for painting the exterior wall of the Gym which, hopefully, will seal the surface.

• The keypad at the Gym is no longer used so that can be dismantled. Ed Walsh offered to do that as long as it isn’t wired into the alarm system.

• The five action items relative to the kitchen can be addressed when Mrs. Roux meets with the Lions Club.

• Ed Walsh will speak with the maintenance person regarding diverting water from the egress steps in front of the Townhall door.

• The emergency lighting unit only needs a new battery installed.

• Mr. Walsh also offered to mount the fire extinguisher.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Recreation Committee Appointments: Mrs. Roux announced that two people have offered to serve on the Recreation Committee. Moved by Elise Miller, seconded by Bill Shields, to appoint C.J. Gardiner and Chris Whitman to serve on the Recreation Committee through to June 30, 2018. The motion passed 3-0. The appointment papers were signed by all three Board members.

The Chairman thanked the new members for serving on the Committee and stated that it is “greatly appreciated”.

B. Liquor Store Hearings: Mrs. Roux reported that the Town was notified that a hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 24^th at 1:00 p.m. in Augusta to review an application for Willy’s Market, 1060 Route 109, to become a legal agency liquor store. The notice requested that if the Town has any information or an objective for this applicant to please contact the agency. The Chairman stated that he thinks Willy’s Market is currently licensed to sell wine. Mrs. Miller stated that she objects to the nip bottles which usually end up littering the roads. Mrs. Roux will provide her with the email address so that she can forward her concerns.

C. Animal Welfare Shelter Agreement: Mrs. Roux stated that the Agreement is to pay an annual fee of $3401.32 to be paid quarterly for processing and sheltering stray animals. She reminded the Board that they had expressed concern with item #6 on the Agreement which allows the Shelter to release animals without proof that the Town impound fees, which pay for the expenses associated with stray animal transportation to the Shelter, have been paid. A representative from the Shelter told Mrs. Roux that they rarely do this but they need this flexibility in case it become necessary to do so. The waiver has never been used to date and they will continue to avoid this practice unless they have no other option.

Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to approve and sign the Animal Welfare Shelter Agreement. The motion passed 3-0 and the Chairman signed the Agreement.

D. Dog Warrant: Mrs. Roux explained that approving this Warrant allows the Animal Control Officer to go to the home of dog owners that have not paid the licensing fee. The warrant requires that the $25.00 late charge be raised to $50.00 and if the owners still do not license their dog within seven days, a court summons to appear in court will be served. There are still fourteen outstanding licenses, some of which may have moved or the dog is no longer in the home.

Moved by Elise Miller to approve the warrant giving the Animal Control Officer authority to receive and process the summons when necessary, seconded by Bill Shields, the motion passed 3-0.

E. BCN Contract: Mrs. Roux requested that this subject be tabled to the next meeting so that she can gather more information.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT:

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A. Nomination papers for electing one Selectman and two School Committee Members at the Annual Town Meeting on June 13, 2017 are available at the Town Offices. Valid nomination papers with a minimum of twenty-five voter signatures and no more than one hundred signatures are due in the Town Clerk’s Office by Friday, April 29^th at 4:00 p.m.

B. The Planning Board will hold an Informational Meeting Thursday, April 6^th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance.

C. A Healthy Living Expo will be available on Monday, March 27^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Trafton Center, 19 Elm Street, Sanford offering health resources information, exhibitors and entertainment. Safe drug disposal will be available. Transportation is available with reservations through Robin Bibber, telephone number 459-2989

D. Southern Maine Agency on Aging requested that a representative from each municipality ride with drivers for the Meals on Wheels program in order to experience first hand some of the needs of older citizens. There are five recipients in Acton. Mrs. Roux did this and stated that it was probably one of the “most emotional days” she’s had. Many of the meal recipients are alone, their homes are unkempt, there are health and emotional concerns. She stated that the Meals on Wheels drivers are phenomenal, many of them senior citizens themselves. Mrs. Roux stated that the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Account can be used to help with some of the concerns, such as a much needed ramp, food, prescriptions. She urged people to take the time to check on older neighbors.

The Chairman thanked Mrs. Roux for taking the initiative to answer the Meals on Wheels request and also for her compassion.

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

9. OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Poyant, William Williams, Rollin Waterhouse, Lois Michaud, Jennifer Roux, Eric Dewalga