SELECTMEN’S MEETING

January 29, 2019

5:00pm

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Selectmen Elise Miller made a motion to approve the agenda; seconded by Selectmen Ed Walsh. No discussion. All in favor. Approved.

2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Selectmen Elise Miller made a motion to approve the minutes of January 15, 2019 and table the minutes of January 22, 2019; seconded by Selectmen Ed Walsh. No discussion. All in favor. Approved.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

A. APAT – Mr. Mike Corey

Last year the APAT Department achieved the following:

• 11,000 videos archived (6 terabytes of data)

• Supports 174 subscribers to the website for viewing videos

• Purchased 2 new Cannon cameras which should service the department for several years

• Raised concerns regarding production failures:

  • 180 videos are done per year and 4-6 annually do not meet guarantee 3 business days due to personnel, equipment and service issues. This is a 94-98% success rate.

  • Walked everyone through process for production which included Import, Edit, Export, Upload, and Conversion along with the amount of time each phase required to perform the tasks. Total time to achieve full production is 1 to 4 hours.

  • His role:

    • To watch beginning and ending of videos and review for vulgarity and passing said content up the line to the Town Administrator and Board for final decision on release.

    • Anyone can email APAT or Mrs. Jennifer Roux is uploads are unsuccessful.

    • Last week's upload issue (confirmed by technician) was due to our service provider. Troubleshooting was initiated to locate source of issue.

B. FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Steve Johnson

The Fire Department performed the following:

• Answered 444 calls of which, 288 were medical and 159 were fire calls. This number is down due to better area coverage.

• This year so far, there has been 29 calls. 19 medical and 10 fire.

• Crews have done a phenomenal job on all calls. Each of the major house fires were mitigated efficiently upon arrival.

• Purchased and brought into partial service the Utility truck. It looks great and with in 2 weeks after lights, radio and lettering is completed it will be ready for full use.

• Training:

  • Improved the training schedule. What was 1 time per month on Mondays at 7 pm is now 1 time per quart with a full Saturday day training shift.

    • Crew is not tired but more invigorated.

    • Training days are better attended. Old method: 10 to 12 attendees. New method 24 to 26 attendees.

    • Training subjects are better and more in depth.

    • Ability to use State provided props and train more efficiently.

  • Hiring:

    • The department has brought on a couple more paramedics.

    • They now have fire fighter/paramedics and firefighter/EMTs

    • There are 2 members set up to complete their Paramedic programs.

    • 1 member to complete EMT and Fire 1 & 2.

    • 1 member completing Advanced EMT

    • Lastly, 1 EMT started their Fire 1 & 2 program.

    • Good news is that all these members completing courses are staying with our department and not moving on after certification.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Bridge Proposals

The Town Administrator hasn't been able to contact Chris Fournier with regards to winning bid. Once done, next steps is breakdown of plan.

B. Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials

Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn is out due to illness. Tabled until all can review.

C. Action Plan Maine Municipal Association

Town Administrator is working with Fire Department and Transfer Station to complete necessary tasks.

D. Road Commissioner/Public Works Director Status

The Board of Selectmen discussed the outcome of the public hearing and lack of support from the public on Road Commissioner/Public Director departmental option. A Special Town Meeting will not be done on February 6, 2019.

The Board will revise their presentation to go with 2 appointed Road Commissioners and no elected officials. The new path will look at guidelines and parameters for the appointed employees to work closely with the Board of Selectmen, Road Committee and Warrant & Finance to perform duties. Also under review is responsibilities to the Town, Job Description, Lead role expectations, Budget line items and project costs. Indications are that the Board would like another Public Hearing regarding new presentation which will be tentatively scheduled for February 6, 2019 at 7 pm. Further discussion tabled until Board can collectively gather to work on presentation.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

None.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Cindy Hart approached the Board to comment that cracks and road shoulder work is town wide and needs scheduled now for completion next summer.

Susan Meehan approached the Board to indicate that her resources say it is best to change auditors every 5 to 7 years so that current auditors are not auditing themselves. The Town Administrator commented that the Treasurer already proposed the same path moving forward in lieu of auditors changing staff. The Board has the final say.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Meetings are on the website

• Acton Ice Rink was a huge success. Ice rink is available all times, but Town activities will occur every Saturday between 12 and 3 pm.

• Budgets due Friday, Feb 1, 2019

• Super Bowl/Sledding Party will be held at Holdsworth Field on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2019 from 9:30am – 11:00am.

• Conservation/Forest Committee will hold a meeting to garner public input on Management plan on February 12, 2019 at 7pm

8. MEMBERS PRESENT:

Selectmen Elise Miller, Selectmen Ed Walsh and Town Administrator Jennifer Roux.

9. OTHERS PRESENT:

Mike Corey, Steve Johnson, Robin Ham, Dennis Long, Cindy Hart, Richard Hart, Susan Meehan,

Brendan Meehan, Rollin Waterhouse, Karen McManus, Joe Ruma, Greg Vermette, and Jay Ward.