SELECTMEN’S MEETING

July 10, 2019

6:00pm

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY UPDATE

The Board of Selectmen reviewed with the Town Administrator the following updates:

• 7^th Street – Request made to gather documents on 7^th Street. Based on information the Board had nothing further was required. 7^th Street was removed from the agenda.

• Fire-Rescue Coverage for the Fair – What does Acton wants to pay for coverage at the fair needs to be thought upon. Last year's compromise was 4 people at the fair and 2 at the firehouse. Selectmen Walsh updated Selectmen Winchell on the history of what happened, how it was paid and community outreach.

• Fairgrounds – Call from representative to inform the Board that they had donated use of the fair grounds to Habitat for Humanity; requested temporary use of the Transfer Station for household trash.

• Fitness Center – Locks have been changed; new keys are available. Snow birds have called asking about a 6 months snow bird period. Town Administrator indicated it is easy to track so the request could be accommodated. The Town Administrator will bring back next week with a plan.

• Fitness Center Cleaning and Maintenance – Town Administrator asked if the Board wanted to waive the fees for the 2 persons who clean and maintain the gym. Board agreed.

• Fitness Center Rec Storage Room in the Gym. It was suggested to move a wall and enlarge the area. Board will hold off until Rec Committee can meet, organize their items in storage and visit whether they need additional space or not. Town Administrator will talk with the Rec.

• Town Administrator received several calls about houses being cased in the Milton Mills area. Deputy Sevigney has been notified. Recommends the public call 911 and be vigilant of any suspicious activity. Tips are helpful.

• Fire-Rescue Commission – The 6 members of the Commission had to pick a member of the public. The Town Administrator has 4 - 6 names of those who are interested. Other than reviewing the names to make sure there are no conflicts and appoint the last member tomorrow night. Selectmen Winchell suggested the committee review the list of names and narrow down to 2 or 3 and then vote from there by secret ballot.

• Young's Ridge Road – being handled by Road Commissioner

• Library Parking Lot – Customer stumbled over edge of parking lot and wanted to let the Board know in case something could be done about it.

• CEO's new tablet came in, Town Administrator had IT set it up and get it running.

• Fire Extinguisher Company was in; bill left to be signed.

• Cell phone - Town needed the ability to send a pictures to the Sheriff Department was discussed and the Sheriff’s Department will upgrade the telephone for the Deputy.

• New ACO has been busy, and is under the direction of the Town Administrator until his certifications are complete. The 4^th of July was an active day with dog complaints; there was the loose horse on Sunday and then Monday the horse was loose again; plus a cat call today. Training will be in October.

• Directory has been updated with all the new changes and distributed.

• Town Administrator will set up a meet and greet with the new Deputy and Animal Control Officer.

• Reviewed the Agenda with the Board.

3. WARRANTS/BILLS

STATE REPRESENTATIVE THEODORE KRYZAK

Mr. Ted Kryzak updated the Board of the tax changes taking place on the State level that affect the Town:

• Homestead Act has been increased to 25% and reimbursement at 75%; takes effect in 2020.

• Earned Income Credit has been expanded to 18 year olds.

• Revenue sharing has been increased to 3% this year and 4% next year.

• Teacher raises has past; all teachers will start at $40,000 per year; tiered at $35,000 the 1^st year, $37,500 the 2^nd year and $40,000 the 3^rd year.

• Teacher prep work negotiations passed, however, the Governor vetoed.

• Teacher striking ability was passes, again, the Governor vetoed.

• In September, State Representatives will be back for a special session to work on passing bonds.
  
  

Mr. Kryzak asked the Town to please mark all emails or correspondence to him with a Name and Address so that he knew which he received from Acton in order to give them the appropriated attention.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to accept the agenda as written; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.

5. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn made a motion to approve the minutes from June 22, 2019 and July 2, 2019; seconded by Selectmen Dave Winchell. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.

6. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

• Mr. Dennis Long updated the Board on what transpired at the Warrant & Finance meeting.

7. OLD BUSINESS

A. Fire-Rescue Commission / Fire Chief Position

Selectmen David Winchell updated the Board on the proceedings of the Fire-Rescue Commissions' 1^st meeting.

B. Penny's Rubbish

The Town Administrator updated the Board that Penny's Rubbish's paperwork was all in order and that she needed the Board's signature.

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to accept the application from Travis Penney for Commercial Hauler's permit; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved. Application signed.

C. Rec Director

The Town Administrator reminded the Board that this agenda item was tabled until the Rec Committee meets next Wednesday.

There was a note received from a former member of the Committee as to whether they wanted to participate on the Committee; that thought process may change based on the direction of the Committee takes regarding the Rec Director position. Discussion ensued. The Board recommended that the Rec Committee's meeting be a workshop so that members could decide participation based on the information that is released. The Board asked the Town Administrator to reach out to this former member regarding making a decision and to be appointed before the next Committee meeting so that they can be a part of that Committee's decision making process.

D. Loop Road

The Town Administrator recommended to the Board to table; the Road Committee was meeting tonight after the Board Meeting and will be making a recommendation.

8. NEW BUSINESS

A. State Representative Kryzak

- See above.

B. Health Insurance Renewal

The Town Administrator presented the Treasurer's findings and recommendations on Health Insurance Renewal. After reviewing the 3 quotes presented, options were very limited. The Town had budgeted for a 12% increase. Two plans came in within the budget limits. Harvard Pilgrim was unacceptable based on a $11,000 deductible. The current provider, Aetna, increased the deductible by $500 and the premium rate by 10%.

Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn made a motion to accept renewing the Aetna Policy as recommended by the Treasurer; seconded by Selectmen David Winchell. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.

C. Mass Gathering Permit

The Town Administrator presented to the Board a Mass Gathering Permit application received from Maine Renaissance Faire for an event to be held on July 27, 2019 at the Acton Fair Grounds. All is in order.

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to approve Maine Renaissance Faire's Mass Gathering permit application; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved. Application signed.

D. ACO - Lebanon Email
The Town Administrator informed the Board that she had received an email from the Lebanon Animal Control Officer requesting 3 hours of coverage pay and mileage for a call she handled in Acton. The Town Administrator told the Board that Dispatch had no authority to send someone on an Acton call from another Town; plus Acton's Animal Control Officer was the first one on the scene and the Sheriff’s department is the back up. The Town Administrator wanted to know how the Board wished to proceed. Discussion ensued. The Board was in agreement that the mileage would be Town mileage plus decided to have the Town Administrator reach out to the Lebanon ACO to ask what is expected per hour to cover this call. The Town Administrator will also cc the Lebanon Selectmen. Tabled until a response is received.

E Rowe Bridge Repair

The Town Administrator reviewed the email received from the Road Commissioner regarding 2 estimates received for Rowe Bridge; $3,000 for the fence and $3,000 for the excavation work. The Town does not have the amount of money needed to redo the entire bridge. This bridge was hit by 2 cars. The insurance company will pursue recovering the money after the repairs are done.

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to accept the bid from Patrick Stevens and Maine Line Fence to get the bridge repaired at $3,000 each; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.

F. Dam Meeting

Acton had $75,000 approved at the Town meeting to go towards the repair to the leakage of the dam. After going out to bid, the amount came in closer to $400,000 rather than $300,000. This is an increase of $19,000. Sanford is going back to the contractors to negotiate to cut back the bid amount. Tabled until contractor renegotiation; work is still to be done. Posting will be done on the website, cable and a few laminated letters of notification placed in a few strategic places like the post office and Acton Trading Post. Selectmen also asked the Town Administrator to look into the Smart Shopper ad cost.

G. Transfer Station Use / Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is at the Acton Fairgrounds for a long weekend and asked the Board of Selectmen if they can use the Transfer Station for their household trash. The Town Administrator will work with Mr. Mann to have it worked out.

H. D-6

Selectmen Walsh was working on getting the D-6 down to the Acton Fairgrounds for display. Selectmen Winchell noted that it needs to be kept under cover. While it is there, maybe it's display can generate some funds for its upkeep. It needs filters to make it run. Mr. Winchell will look into those costs and order. It will reside in the Town Shed but be displayed at the fair during the commencement of the fair.

I. Appointment

The Warrant & Finance Committee recommended to the Board Robert T. Gore as their W&F Committee member representative to the Fire-Rescue Commission.

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to appoint Robert T. Gore to the Fire-Rescue Commission; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.

J. Emergency Services Communication Form

The Town Administrator asked the Board for their signature on the Emergency Services Communication form as the appointment was already made.

K. Executive Session M.R.S.A. 405 6A

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to move into Executive Session M.R.S.A. 405 6A; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to come out of Executive Session M.R.S.A. 405 6A at 8:30pm; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.

9. PUBLIC COMMENT

• Rollin Waterhouse, citizen of Acton:

  • Wanted to remind the Board that current members Tucker Pearson, Rollin Waterhouse, Tom Gore, David Winchell Sr. still needed to be sworn in as Warrant & Finance Committee members.

  • Mr. Waterhouse also commented the there is a lot of road work to be done. Mr. Waterhouse thinks the town should look at possibly considering a bond so that all the paving work can be done properly. Combining both districts, there is not enough money. Bonds will raise taxes but is unfortunately necessary or the Town will never catch up.
    
    

• Leslie Berlan wanted to reiterate what Mr. Waterhouse stated and cited work was needed to be done on not only Row Bridge ($400,000) but West Shore Culvert Slip line ($350,000), H Road ($150,000+), Canal Bridge. Other roads include New Bridge, Young's Ridge Road, Buzzell Road and Langley Shores to name a few. A plan needs to be put into place. Capital funding more than $20,000 is needed.

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS

• There was a break-in on Milton Mills Road area, please keep your eyes open for suspicious activities and dial 911 to report. Any information is helpful.

• Condolences to the Wallace family for the loss of Mr. Wallace.

11. ATTENDANCE

Ted Kryzak, Dennis Long, Joyce Baski, Cindy Hart, Jay Ward, Paul Poyant, Greg Vermette,

Rollin Waterhouse, Joe Letourneau and Will Langley

Adjourn:

Selectmen Kimberly Stacey- Horn made a motion to adjourn at 8:31; seconded by Selectmen David Winchell. No further discussion. All in favor. So moved.