Northport Selectmen’s Meeting

6/21/04

PRESENT:   Paul Rooney; Ed Moran; Bill Magruder; Vickie Eugley; Barbara Wallace

ROAD COMMISSIONER:

Bill Magruder gave an update on road work within the Town.  Mr. Steele is having construction work done and wanted the 30’ culvert extended to connect to the next culvert, giving him more yard area when he filled it in.  AGREED.  The length is too long for connection and filling in the area to extend personal yard area is not acceptable.

Maine Drilling & Blasting has been doing work in this area and ripping up the newly hot topped section of road.  Bill is meeting with them to see if they are going to make repairs to the road.

Lane Construction is continuing paving.  They are working on Beech Hill Road, Prescott Hill and Congress Street.  Nelson Drive is also on the list but this could be held off to do another road in more need of repair.

The Bluff Road water line went out; the cross sections are rotted and need to be replaced.  Sergeants is already working there and Bill recommended seeing if Sergeants will do this repair work while already there.  He recommended the 12’ sections all be upgraded to 15’, but leave the 18’ sections as is.  AGREED by the selectmen.

Appropriate signs are in place in all work areas and flaggers are present.

BOOKKEEPING:

Vickie went over bookkeeping clean up items.  She noted the article to appropriate for the snowmobile club was left off the Town Warrant, but the money was distributed.  This needs to be addressed.

Where are we with GASBY?   The fire department has the equipment list, needs values.  Paul and Bill need to place values on the roads and the assessors will apply land values after the re-evaluation is complete

SELECTMEN:

The assessors are still working on the re-evaluation.  Letters will be sent notifying residents of the tax changes and property values the beginning of August.  A week will be set aside for anyone who wants to address their valuation with the assessors.  Tax bills may not go out until the end of August or the first of September.  This is going to put the town in a tight money situation.

Ed asked if it is possible to send the tax bills out with the letters. Barbara will check with the assessors on this. 

DISCUSSION:

Charles Gerry asked that the signs at the beginning and end of Cross Street have the same speed posted.  One end is 25mph, the other is 35mph.  Bill will fix this.

The right of way at the end of Cross Street was also discussed.  The owner at the end of the street says the right of way does not go through his property.  He stated if the RofW is not maintained by the Town, the abutters can assume that land.  Paul and Ed agreed all the RofW in Town should be clearly noted and maintained by the Town, especially those going down to the water.  Charles Gerry volunteered to help maintain these RofW and suggested putting an ad in the paper to form a committee. 

No bids came in for cemetery maintenance.

Bill presented information on an RSMS workshop for roads.  Paul and Ed will attend.  Paul also recommended ordering more 25mph signs if needed.  

At the Transfer Station, the “Northport Residents Only” needs to have the brush cut back and trimmed to be clearly seen.