SELECTMEN’S MEETING
August 26, 2020

6:00pm

CALL MEETING TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY UPDATE

The DEP has scheduled a meeting in the Town Hall for September 15, 2020 with approximately 15 people. The Governor’s protocols will be in place.

District 1 Road Commissioner has some questions for the Board regarding the new pay and Workers Compensation. Does the Board wish to schedule a workshop or add this to their meeting agenda? The Board responded to schedule during the meeting.

A Wakefield Selectman reached out to the Town Administrator to ask if he could make a presentation to the Board regarding the bridge. The Board welcomes this opportunity.

The Town Administrator recapped that she attended a Maine Municipal class on Freedom of Information and noted that the Board’s policies were in line with what is required. More in-depth details will be shared with the full Board next week.

District 1 Road Commissioner gave the Town Administrator an invoice from Maine Line Fence for repairs to guardrail damaged in vehicle accident. Discussion ensued whether to go after the driver for reparations. The Board decided to review each situation as it arises but in this situation the person at fault will be contacted.

The Town Administrator reached out to the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee Chairman for assistance in recruiting Recreation Committee members.

The Town Administrator updated the Board that Cartographic does receive updates from the Town twice a year (Dec. 31 and April) but until now had only uploaded information once per year. However, out of 25 records, 22 were picked up in regards to commitment.

The Town Administrator has been working on setting up the Town Hall for its use September 1, 2020 when it is opened for meetings. Clarification was sought whether protocols were 6 ft. social distancing and masks of 6 ft. social distancing or masks. Understanding is 6 ft. or masks. With those guidelines, chairs will be set 2 ft. apart and masks will be required. An email will be sent to all Department Heads and Committee Chairs announcing opening and protocols to be in place as well as reminding all to leave configuration as it is and to sanitize before leaving.

The Shapleigh Board of Selectmen agreed to share the costs of the Animal Control Officers cell phone and both Towns will issue that number as the primary contact number for all ACO related business.

Selectmen Walsh asked the Town Administrator if the DEP was repaving the roads at the foot of the Lake. The Town Administrator response was that the intersection was being reconfigured but did not know if that involved paving the state maintained road as well.

3. WARRANTS/BILLS

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion was made by Selectmen David Winchell to approve the agenda as written; seconded by Selectmen Ed Walsh.  No discussion. All in favor.

5. MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS – Minutes of August 19th and 24th were tabled.

6. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES  - None

7. OLD BUSINESS

A) Article 43 Applications

No further progress at this time; waiting on Road Committee’s meeting.

B) Tanker Truck Bids

The Town Administrator informed the Board that the bid that was received last week electronically and deemed sent via hard copy as requested and not yet delivered had indeed arrived. The package ship date was clearly stated on the package as Wednesday, August 19, 2020 and arrived at the Town Hall yesterday, August 26, 2020. This was not in compliance of the bid package requirements. How did the Board wish to proceed? The Board chose to disqualify the bid as it was not received in the appropriate time frame or by the appropriate method of delivery. The Town Administrator will inform the Fire Chief to pull the bid from review.

8. NEW BUSINESS

A) RFP Proposals
The Town Administrator presented a draft loan document from the Treasurer for the Board to review. Once a bid is chosen and the financials are clear, the intentions of the Treasurer is to only take a loan for the balance of the sum required once the $70,000 is expended.

B) Mary Grant Appointments
The Mary Grant Committee did meet last week to start discussions on a pumpkin carving event; no decisions to be made until Committee is formalized.

The Town Administrator presented 4 members for appointment to the Mary Grant Committee. Selectmen Ed Walsh read aloud the appointments.

Selectmen David Winchell made a motion to appoint Virginia Deboer, Daniel Krampetz, Tammy Krampetz and Barbara Seckar as Mary Grant Committee members until June 30, 2021; seconded by Selectmen Ed Walsh. No discussion. All in favor.

C) Set Tax Rate
The Board reviewed the final 2020 Municipal Tax Rate Calculation Form and agreed to set the tax rate at $12.05.

A motion was made by Selectmen David Winchell to set the Town of Acton’s tax rate at $12.05; seconded by Selectmen Ed Walsh.  No discussion. All in favor.

Selectmen Ed Walsh thanked the entire staff/employees on their hard work budgeting and the local tax payers for voting this budget in.

The Town Administrator commented that Homestead Exemptions increased which should give some tax payers a decrease on their tax bills.

D) Fire Dept Grant

The Fire Chief is applying for a grant through Maine Municipal Risk Service for the provision of safety equipment. Worksheet provided indicated total for equipment is $2,614.30; grant amount is $1,742.87 and the Fire Departments portion is $871.43.
Only the Chairman of the Board’s signature is needed and it in no way ties the Board to any financial obligations. The Town Administrator will have the Chairman review and sign.

9. PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Selectmen David Winchell asked to speak under Public Comment to correct statements made under Public Comment the prior week when he was attending a training class and note that there were 5 committee resignations received and none of them had anything to do with the Select Board. Further, anything said is Executive Session stays in Executive Session and the Board can’t defend themselves against accusations or inaccurate comments.

It was also noted during Public Comment that Selectmen Winchell needed to apologize to the Land Use department and Selectmen Winchell could not understand why this was requested when he has a good working relationship with that department, there were no disciplinary actions or situations being dealt with to warrant an apology. Selectmen Winchell however did want to apologize to the Select Board members because his action to speak forth rightly brings unnecessary attention to the group based on what he says and how he says it. Mr. Winchell indicated unfortunately, too many people jump to conclusions without understanding all the facts. Example - Selectmen Winchell knows there is a petition out to recall him; before signing listen any petition he recommends that the tape be listened too and realize most items stated under Public Comments are false. He went on to say this was unfortunately and unfair to be addressed in such an unwarranted way because all were slated to be reappointed. There will be no apology to the Planning Board by Mr. Winchell.

Selectmen Ed Walsh agreed with Mr. Winchell and further commented that individuals should not include the Town Administrator Jennifer Roux in their lashing. Mrs. Roux is an employee of the Town. Yes, the Board is elected officials and they have broad shoulders to bare these issues, but you don’t shoot the messenger. Mr. Walsh went on to say he hopes that after the Executive Session everyone would move forward but if any apologize was warranted it was to the Town Administrator.

There were no further Public Comments.

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
* Road Committee meets Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 6 pm.

* Planning Board meets the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month.

* District 2 Road Commissioner position has been posted. There have been a few interested

parties to stop in for it. The Town Administrator read posting aloud; deadline for submittal is

September 0/9/20 at 3 pm.

11. MEMBERS PRESENT

Selectmen Ed Walsh, Selectmen David Winchell and Town Administrator Jennifer Roux; Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn was absent.

12. ATTENDANCE (screen names as designated on Zoom)

Dan Krampetz, Rollin’s iPad, Rich Hart, Joyce Bakshi, iPhone, iPhone, arnie, Nathan Tapscott, Charlescrespi, Nancy Ruma and Dan Drisko (Cheryl).

A motion was made by Selectmen Ed Walsh to adjourn at 6:45 pm; seconded by Selectmen David Winchell. All in favor.

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