TOWN OF ACTON SELECTMEN'S MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 2008

 

1. SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG

2. APROVAL OF AGENDA: Approved with the addition of 5.(e). .

APROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Approved as written.

4. WARRANT: Approved and signed.

5. OLD BUSINESS:

a.  ASSESSING: Joe Lessard will be in the office on September 26.  Tax bills have been sent.

 b. PETITION: The petition to rescind the June, 2008 vote on the new Zoning was discussed.  Selectmen have received advice from both MMA Legal and the Town Attorney that they could, but were not required to put the petition on a warrant. Nancy noted if our Zoning is not in compliance with the Comp Plan it will leave the Town vulnerable.  Nancy enumerated the aims and goals of the Comp Plan. Hodgdon said the State setting goals doesn't make it law. Hannon said existing zoning is already flawed. Tony said the law requires that zoning must match the Comp Plan. Petersen noted that the close vote, blank ballots, advice given by ballot clerk, poor treatment he received at Comp Plan meeting are all valid reasons to re-vote. McAlinden said she had talked with State Planning Office and they said that a petition can be circulated to repeal the Comprehensive Plan. Crockett noted that tthe public was given the opportunity to participate in the formation of the Comp Plan. It has been 6 years in the making. Kenny Smith, Dennis Long, Dean Knight, and Barbara Seckar all spoke in favor of re-voting the ordinances. Mike made a motion to put the petition on the November ballot. The motion died for lack of a second. Tony made a motion to not put the petition on the November ballot, with Nancy and Tony voting in the affirmative. 

 c. PAVING BID: MMA advised selectmen that because there was no contract, they cannot hold Torno to his quoted bid.

d. STATUS OF TOWN HALL: MMA's Insurance inspector reported concern for structural integrity of  the Town Hall and advised selectmen not to allow use of the building until a structural engineer had evaluated the problem. Civil Consultants engineer came on Friday and stated he believes water runoff from the parking lot hitting the foundation has caused the building to lean toward the library. He feels asphalt deflectors are needed and the building will need to be pulled back. He will send a report.

e. DRUG TESTING: Mike reported that the process had been corrupted by non-official interference causing his name to be removed from Choice Point records.  Selectmen signed new papers and Lorraine will FAX tomorrow am.

6. NEW BUSINESS:

 (A) SIGN ASSESSOR'S RETURN FOR COUNTY TAX: On a motion by Tony, it was voted to sign the return for $300,414.89 for County Tax.

(B) Larissa Crockett noted there is a vacancy on the Comp Plan Committee. Virginia Deboer volunteered to fill it. On a motion by Tony, Virginia was voted to be appointed.

7.  Adjournment: Adjourned at 8:30 pm

8. Members Present: Nancy  Ruma, Mike Conway, Tony Cogliandro

 9. Others Present: Herb Burwell, Mike Petersen, Larissa Crockett, Virginia Deborer, Rob Meyer, John Moore, Roy Trafton, David Bishop, Paul Poyant, Barbara Seckar, Bob White, Karl Hodgdon, Holly Mooney,  Alan and Linda Peterson, Ethan Currant, Charles Adams, Pat Hannon, Kenneth Smith, Stan Smith, Paul Provencal, Dean Knight, Roger Roy, Patricia Dutil, Pam McAlnden, Vicki Ridlon, Dennis Long, Lorraine  Yeaton