TOWN OF ACTON SELECT BOARD MEETING

December 7, 2022

6:00 pm

Kimberly Stacey-Horn is absent due to illness.

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.      WARRANTS/BILLS: Signed

3.      APPROVAL OF AGENDA: David Winchell, Jr. made a motion to approve the Agenda. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 2-0.

4.      MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Tabled

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY UPDATE

The Southern Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery Association thanked the Select Board for the donation. The donation was appreciated and relied on.

November Contract Deputy reported a stolen property investigation of propane tanks taken from Apple Valley Campground, Acton to which a gentleman has confessed; a report of arson has been made on Goding Road at the Acton Lebanon Town line with a possible witness; A domestic disturbance was reported on Orchard Road.; The Deputy was dispatched to Shapleigh following several calls of a male walking down Newfield Road in only his boxer shorts; A report of theft of two Husqvanra chainsaws on New Bridge Road.

The Town Offices were closed today for an in-depth in-service training program which included information regarding harassment, personnel Policy updates, a Safety Orientation, a program on how to deal with difficult customers, stress management techniques, and an insurance informational program with the representative from the Maine Municipal Trust Health Insurance program. The deadline to commit to the program is December 16, 2022.

The Transfer Station would like to close at 12 noon on Saturday, December 24, 2022. The Select Board agreed to the closure change.

When committee appointments are contemplated, the Committee liaison of the Select Board would like to meet with the prospective volunteer in advance of the appointment to orient the candidate to the task at hand.

6.    DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES:

Robin Ham will post signage regarding the Transfer Station closure at noon on Saturday, December 24, 2022.

7. LIAISON UPDATES

Tom - Warrant & Finance Committee will meet on December 13, 2022.

Fire Department meeting on December 14, 2022.

Kim - Recreational Committee, School, APAT, Cemetery Committee. No report

David - Code Enforcement and Land Use has hired the Assistant, David Riley. Conservation / Forest Committee will meet on December 12, 2022, to review the job description.

8. OLD BUSINESS

A Transfer Station Trailer Box Purchase: This decision is on hold until an accounting of available resources to pay for the container can be reviewed. Robin Ham inquired if the $800 is available to have the wheels removed from the old container.

B. Facility Assessment R.F.P: The Select Board would like to go through the proposals in detail; there is a large price difference. The proposals will be tabled until next meeting.

C. Civil Engineer R.F.P.: The Select Board would like more information to be included in the R.F.P. including references, billing method and detail including its billing done on an hourly rate or job rate , and what jobs have they done and where have they worked. R.F.P. due date will be January 11, 2022.

David Winchell, Jr. made a motion to approve the R.F.P, including changes, and approve advertising for the R.F.P. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 2-0.

9.         NEW BUSINESS

A. York County Sheriff Letter / Deputy Contract: David Winchell, Jr. reported on the meeting the Select Board had with Shapleigh and the County Manager and the York County Sheriff. He stated that Shapleigh had similar concerns as those of Acton. The contract was read by the Town Administrators, changes were sent to the Town Attorney, and in turn sent to the County Manager. The contract was returned with all changes deleted. The purpose of the changes was to protect Shapleigh and Acton and to provide something to fall back on if circumstances change. The three year contract even with a price escalation clause was important to avoid a time when there could be no coverage available. The plan is to sign the one year contract and then communicate with other towns regarding their coverage and then make a better informed decision. A letter to the County Manage, The York County Sheriff, and the County Commissioners has been drafted to be sent to state the Select Board’s displeasure regarding the contract.

David Winchell, Jr. made a motion to sign the one year contract and the explanation letter. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 2-0.

B Executive Session Personnel - 405 6 A-1:

David Winchell, Jr. made a motion to go into Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 2-0.

David Winchell, Jr. made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 2-0.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ray Lopez wanted to know why the contract was so important if the services were provided any way by the Sheriff’s Department, and paid for by the county taxes. David Winchell, Jr. replied that the Select Board wanted to understand the alternatives.

11. PENDING

A. Town Website R.F.P. - 12/21/2022: A couple of RFP’s have been received.

B. West Shore Drive Culvert: A Zoom meeting will be scheduled wit h Ransom after the holidays.

12.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

December 12, 2022 Capital Improvement 4:30pm

December 12, 2022 Conservation / Forest 6:00pm

December 13, 2022 Warrant and Finance 6:00pm

December 14, 2022 Select Board 6:00pm

December 15, 2022 Planning Board 6:00pm w/Public Hearing Re: Lake Side Storage

December 21, 2022 Select Board 6:00pm

December 28, 2022 Select Board 6:00pm

David Winchell, Jr. made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 2-0.

13.    MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom McGurty and David Winchell, Jr.

14.     ATTENDANCE: Ray Lopez, Robin Ham