TOWN OF ACTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
June 8, 2022

6:00pm.

Iron Tails Liquor License Public Hearing:

Mr. Martinez was present. There were no concerns regarding license from the Fire Department, the Code Office, or the York County Sheriff regarding the establishment. There was no Public Comment regarding the matter.

1.      CALL MEETING TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.      WARRANTS/BILLS: Signed

3.      APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to approve the agenda. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

4.      MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: The Minutes were tabled.

5. TOWN ADMINSTRATOR WEEKLY UPDATE:

The review of the York County Sheriff activities reports that there was a home invasion, a fugitive arrest, 9 traffic stops, 3 traffic arrests, a solicitation charge, a collapse/rescue at Horn Pond, a MVA with transport, and the Department participated in an education program and several awards were given to Department members.

The Sheriff provided a document to post in the Town Hall regarding sex offenders. Mr. McGurty asked if this was a common practice, and the Town Administrator stated that law enforcement recommended it be posted.

June 8, 2022 is the last day to request absentee ballots for the upcoming election.

The Town has had a conversation with Shapleigh regarding safety. A meeting will be set up the week of June 20, 2022 for further discussion.

The auditor was in the Office today for eight hours with The Town Administrator and Deputy Treasurer.

The Election Clerk appointments are being presented this evening for review.

The State sets the dates for the elections, and the Town Meeting follows on the next Saturday. Town is sorry that the Annual Town Meeting falls on Father's Day weekend, however it coincides with the Primary.

A Policy change regarding the excise tax for a Veteran that is 100% disabled but does not have Veteran auto plates has been updated. The question has risen if the excise tax already paid for this year could be refunded. There are five Veterans in Town who fall into this category.

Tom McGurty made a motion to refund paid excise tax. Kimberly Stacey-Horn seconded the motion.

Discussion and Public Comment:

Ray Lopez commended the Select Board for approving this request.

All in favor, motion carried 3-0. Refund approved.

Tom McGurty announced that the Agenda would be posted prior to the Select Board meeting, the goal was by the end of the day Tuesday with the understanding that it was subject to change.

The Town Administrator reported that the property tax lien reminder notices werr sent out and any tax amounts less than $1.00 were written off by the Town.

The Rec. Department has some ideas for the future:

A drop off box for school supplies

Using the meeting room for Senior Bingo

There will be a Tumbling and Cheering program

There will be an email list

There will be a Field Day every other weekend at the Rec. Field to provide activity and movement for the Town children.

There was a request for permission for someone to donate time and equipment to finish the parking lot at the Rec. Field. Road Agent Will Langley stated that there is a plan already to be done. If someone were to donate their work, would there be a redirection of planned funds?

Tom McGurty stated that if the work was done appropriately and in kind, and if the whole project was finished with quality, care, and oversight, this might be a good opportunity for someone to donate their time and work.

Hold a car show at The Fair Grounds. The rental fee of the Fair Grounds has been waived and there would be a catered mobile alcohol vehicle set up. The question of liability was raised and is to be investigated.

A question arose if donations could be made to the Rec. Department as a nonprofit.

A certified soccer coach is willing to donate his services and hold some soccer clinics for the Rec.

6.      DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES:

Will Langley reported that he put down 500 yards of gravel on the H Road.

The telephone pole in the Town Office parking lot needs to be replaced as there is a crack in it. The quandary is whether to leave it where it is or move it across the street. David Winchell Jr. stated that he would speak with CMP.

7. OLD BUSINESS:

A. New Bridge Road: Will Langley inspected the fence that the homeowner erected and stated that the concern is with the road width and plowing since the road is just a three rod road. Discussion ensued and the three options that were presented were:

1. Leave the fence alone and the homeowner sign off absolving the Town of any damage in the Town’s right of way.

2. Push back the fence to the edge of the right of way.

3. Just leave the fence alone.

The Select Board asked the Town Administrator to contact the Attorney to form a draft of a letter to rectify the situation. Tom McGurty stated that it would probably be a simple release.

Canal Bridge Road: Adam Doliber inspected the Bridge and put down erosion mulch. The guard rails were measured to be sure they were the correct height. David Winchell Jr. stated he saw that there were spots undermined by water. He has a DEP certification and approval. The erosion mix was installed appropriately. He stated that the Bridge Ranger was contacted pro actively. The Bridge is on the Federal list of Historic Sites. The Bridge received a 66.4 % rating because of the historic bridge underneath.

B. Siding: The Siding Company is going to insert their contract into the language of the RFP and will return the document soon.

C. Excise Exemption Policy: A motion was made by Tom McGurty to approve the revised Excise Exemption Policy. Kimberly Stacey-Horn seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

8. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Iron Tails Liquor License:

A motion was made by Tom McGurty to approve the Iron Tails Liquor License. David Winchell Jr. seconded the motion. Kimberly Stacey-Horn recued herself from the vote. Two in favor, one recused, and motion carried 2-0-1.

B. Renaissance Faire Mass Gathering Permit:

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to approve the Mass Gathering Permit for the Renaissance Faire on July 23 and 24, 2002, and July 30 and 31, 2022. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

C. Cheers to You, Inc.:

In conjunction with the Renaissance Faire, a four day liquor license is requested from the mobile alcohol caterer. There is proof of insurance.

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to approve the temporary permit for the liquor license for Cheers to You, Inc. for the Renaissance Faire on July 23 and 24, 2002, and July 30 and 31, 2022. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

D. RHR Smith Agreement:

The Auditing Company offered to provide assistance for the transition with the new Treasurer to prepare records for audit and to provide training for Treasurer to get acclimated to the system. The cost will be $125.00/ hour not to exceed $5000.00. The auditor would not make any decisions.

A motion was made by Tom McGurty to approve the HRH Smith Agreement for the next two months. Kimberly Stacey-Horn seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

E. Appointments: Election Clerks:

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to approve the appointment for the Election Clerks from June 14, 2002 through June 30, 2022. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Dennis Long commented regarding the Rec. Department at the Fairgrounds with the alcohol caterer. He stated that historically the fund raisers held did not serve alcohol where children would be so as to not set a bad example. He would like to know the details of the event. The Town Administrator stated that she would ask Samantha Singleton to come to a meeting to explain.

Jim Driscoll asked for coverage for the Animal Control Officer on July 23, 2022, so that he could attend a family function from 6 a.m. to midnight. Several options were discussed including calling the York County Sheriff’s Deputy to be responsible for coverage.

F. Executive Session 405-6.A.1. Personnel (School Safety)

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to go into Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to come out of Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

G. Executive Session 405-6.A.1. Personnel (Treasurer Search)

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to go into Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

The Select Board approved that the Town Administrator will set up negotiations with Candidate A.

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to come out of Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

10.     ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thursday, June 16 Planning Board 6:00pm - Public Hearing - Kenyon; Auto Repair Shop

Saturday, June 18 Town Meeting 9:00am Acton Elementary School

Monday, June 20 Conservation/Forest 6:00pm

Wednesday, June 22 Select Board 6:00pm

Monday, June 27 Road Committee 6:00pm

Wednesday, June 29 Select Board 6:00pm

David Winchell Jr. stated that this may be his last Select Board meeting, depending on the outcome of the upcoming election, and it is a pleasure working with the Town.

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to adjourn the meeting. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

11.     MEMBERS PRESENT: Ray Lopez, Deborah Lopez, Dennis Long, Greg Martinez, Joyce Bakshi, Rollin Waterhouse, Judy Shain, Jon Ross, Elias Thomas, Jane Thomas, Jim Driscoll, Robin Ham, William Langley

12.     ATTENDANCE: David Winchell, Kimberly Stacey-Horn, and Tom McGurty.