SELECTMEN’S  MEETING

OCTOBER 4, 2004

PRESENT:

Paul Rooney, Ed Moran, Denise Lindahl, Bill Magruder, Raymond Tucker, Vickie Eugley, Basil Littlefield, Barbara Wallace

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER:

Raymond Tucker reported there have been complaints of loose cattle roaming the street at Alfred Bonin’s place.  They should be contained but the fences are not being maintained.  There is a safety issue with the cattle in the road.  He has spoken with Mr. Bonin and will contact the State to see if there is an ordinance for this situation.

ROAD & BRIDGES:

One bid was received for the Salt and Sand stockpile for the winter from Suydam and Sons.  It was AGREED to seek other bids before making a decision.

Bill Magruder reported he is meeting with Lane Construction this Tuesday to determine the balance of the hot top budget.  1800+ yds would be used on Pound Hill and Nelson Road .  Culverts that were sinking are being repaired and emergency ditching is being done.

Bill recommended all subdivisions have a plan in place regarding maintenance of those roads and what roads the Town will take over and care for.  The Planning Board will need to have specs in place in subdivisions before the Town will take over those roads.

Bill and received a complaint from Janice Crawford that water is being diverted onto her property.  She has also contacted Denise Lindahl.

The Road Commissioner reported this goes back to work that was done to a well on adjoining property with the approval of the State.  The DEP did the overflow work for the well with a 2” pipe through the Town right of way.  The culvert does not direct the water onto her land; it is the way it flowed before the DEP did the overflow work for the well.  Where the water flows is wet and soggy and the water table is high this year.  The ditch line itself and other overflow work was done by the DEP.   Denise will call the resident and explain this was done by the        DEP.  Bill AGREED to go take a look at the property at this time.

Some ditching is being done to get ready for the winter.  Bill stated one owner still has large rocks at the edge of his yard, placed during landscaping the yard, that  are on Town land and will be in the way of the plows this winter. They must be removed.   A discussion followed on the Roads & Bridges account.  With taxes just coming in roadwork needs to be kept to a minimum.  The appropriated funds are almost gone and the Lane bill has not been received yet.  It was recommended to write a letter to area contractors concerning working on Town land when doing work for residents.  A copy will be sent to Bill Kelly.

OTHER:

Basil Littlefield gave an update on the Cemetery Fence.  It’s coming along and looks great.  It will need a coat of paint before the winter to prevent rusting.  He presented the Selectmen a quote to do the painting before it gets too cold.  Discussion followed on what fund to use for this added expense.    It was AGREED to accept the painting bid.

Vickie Eugley presented some house cleaning changes to the previous Warrant to keep the accounts accurate.  She also gave the August Balance Sheet.  Her bill was given for bookkeeping services.  She recommended closing out the MBNA Park Fund and paying the painting of the Cemetery fence from the MBNA Cemetery Fund.

The question of where we are with GATSBY was raised.  Is this required or recommended?  Denise will call the Town auditors and check with them.

Barbara Wallace stated the office has been very busy with walk in traffic and phone calls.  People are coming in wanting tax and property information then and there that she and Robin are not able to get to at that moment.   Brokers call frequently wanting this information and many times on several properties.  The selectmen AGREED a policy regarding tax and property information requests is necessary and should contain the following information:  Request should be made in writing at least 24hrs in advance and an appropriate fee be assessed.  This will be posted in the Lobby and kept on file.

Tax money is starting to come in.  It was AGREED to pay the remainder of the August School bill but wait for more money to pay the Village share of the Sargent bill.

Denise reported on the following items:

No one responded to the ad to be a member of the new School Committee.  Denise will contact John Burgess and see if he is interested. 

Bruce Grant is interested in being on the Landfill Committee.  She will refer him to John Burgess.

Denise had talked with Chuck Weser regarding the Household Waste bill.  They have not come to an agreement and Chuck would like to speak with the Selectmen.  He is invited to attend the next meeting.

Lincolnville Pond and Lakes Committee would like a representative from Northport.  Ed Moran volunteered to be on the Committee and will contact them.

Fire Department/EMS:

One of the First Responders has been suspended for violations of the EMS By-Laws.  A letter was sent suspending him from making runs but allowing him to continue attending meetings and education.  He has stooped coming to meetings.

A letter was also being sent to a Fire Department member excusing him of his services to the Northport Fire Department.

Landfill:

Tim Patten inured himself lifting at the landfill and has reported this to the Selectmen.  They would like him to attend a meeting to talk to him about this.  Workers’ Comp will be notified.  If surgery is required a replacement will be needed for him until he can return to work.

Road Commissioner:

Bill Magruder returned from looking over the property discussed earlier.  He reported there is water coming out of the pipe but it is flowing toward the swale that has always been there, not across the owner’s property.

At this time he asked the Selectmen to consider an increases in his plowing contract due to the high cost of diesel.  He stated he would monitor the fuel used.  After discussion, the Selectmen agreed this would be a change to his contract and deferred on this until the plowing season progresses and there is a better understanding of the costs involved.

ADJOURNED