TOWN OF STETSON

SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES

01/20/04 @ 6:00PM

 

 I. OPEN MEETING

 

            A. OPEN SESSION

            B. ROLL CALL Present: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hipsky, and Mrs. Ham

Guests:  Mrs. Connie Merrill and Mr. Charles Leighton

            C. MINUTES OF THE MEETING 01/06/04 were viewed and approved by the Board.

            D. BOARD OF ASSESSORS

1. Ms. Thompson has sent a letter to Mr. Robert Merrill regarding be taxed for the wrong number of acres off Loon Cove (Map 55 Lot 32).  Mr. Merrill has been taxed for 43 acres when there is actually 54 acres.  Mr. Merrill will be taxed next year for the correct number of acres, the Board acknowledged.

            E. QUIT CLAIM DEEDS

            F. EXPENDITURES WARRANT

 

II. OLD BUSINESS

 

A.     Nomination papers are available at the town office for 2005FY Budget, the Board acknowledged.

B.     The Newsletter deadline was Friday, 01/16/04.  Mr. Hipsky wrote something for the Selectmen’s Corner, the Board acknowledged.

C.    Mr. Hipsky asked the other Selectmen what they thought about applying for a grant for a Sand/Salt shed; Mr. Hipsky feels that because the town is eligible to apply for a grant we should try.  Mr. Carroll received information that stated all grants needed to be matched $100,000.  Mr. Hipsky was not aware of this information and asked the board to table this matter until he got more information, the Board agreed.

 

III. NEW BUSINESS

 

A.     Budget sheets were mailed to the various Department Heads on Friday 01/16/04, the Board acknowledged.

B.     PVCOG send a letter informing communities that the State Planning Office has announced potential funding for Comprehensive Planning and Implementation Grants, the Board acknowledged.

 

 

 

C.    The town received changes on the 2004 Penobscot County Proposed Budget.  The proposed mil rate for 2004 is now

$1.1.09, which is an increase of $0.002, the Board   acknowledged.

D.    The Board acknowledged a concealed firearm permit.

E.     The town received $630.72 for our municipality’s share of resident snowmobile registration fees for the 2002/2003 seasons, the Board acknowledged.

F.     The Board acknowledged 2004 MMA Workers Compensation Fund Renewal.

G.    The water pipes in the bathroom at the Town Office where froze Monday, 1/12/04.  Mr. Brown cleared out the area where the water heater is so more heat could get to the problem.  He got the pipes thawed out by sticking a littler heater down the hole where the water tank is.  After Mr. Brown unthawed the pipes he contacted Mr. Hipsky and asked if he had a light bulb to put down the hole during this cold spell.  Mr. Brown also suggested keeping the heat up to 70 degrees on really cold days/nights.  Mr. Brown also suggested getting a small heater to put under the tank.  The board agreed to look into this option but at the present time keep the heat up, keep the area where the tank is open and plug in the light bulb on really cold nights.

H.     Mr. Brown gave his resignation effective June 30, 2004.  The board was reluctant to his decision but supportive.  Mr. Brown has one year left on his term.  Mr. Carroll is going to call MMA and get further information on what the process should be with our election coming up in May.

 

IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

            A. ANIMAL CONTROL

1. Ms. Jennifer Stalter informed the town that she no longer has her pager.  Ms. Stalter can be reached on her hand held cell phone; if she’s not available leave a message and she’ll get back to you ASAP.

            B. APPEALS BOARD

C. CEMETERY

1. Mr. Hipsky asked Mr. Carroll if he would write something for the next Newsletter regarding the changes/improvements that will be happening at the Cemetery’s this spring, Mr. Carroll agreed.

            D. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

1. Mr. Carroll asked whatever happened to the new fee schedule that was going to be adopted when the Land Use Ordinance passed.  Mr. Hipsky stated that we where waiting for the Ordinance to pass, but where it didn’t we could adopt it at any Selectmen’s Meeting.  The Board decided to table this fee change.

E. EDUCATION

            F. FIRE DEPARTMENT

1. MMA sent a letter to Mr. Leighton stating that the bill for town’s forestry pump will not be reimbursed, the pumped ceased functioning while being used to pump out a tank truck.  MMA stated that they will not pay for loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by a mechanical breakdown, the Board acknowledged.

2. Mr. Brown spoke with Newport Fire Department regarding how and when they replace gear.  The gentleman Mr. Brown spoke to was very helpful, he stated that if the shell was in good condition and needed new cuffs or buttons they sent the gears to someplace down in Southern Maine to get it repaired.  They can get 10 to 11 gears restitched and rebuttoned for approximately $300.00.  Newport Fire Department only replaces gear for a couple of men who work directly with the fire and wear their gear out.  Mr. Brown will get the name of the company who repairs the gears for Newport Fire Department.

            G. HISTORICAL SOCIETY

1. Mr. Charles Leighton was present and gave the Board a couple of different options to look at for the gateway signs.  The Board agreed on a style they really liked.  Mr. Hipsky is working on the grant application, he is meeting with someone from MDOT this Friday, 01/23/04.  Mr. Leighton also gave the Selectmen a couple of prices he was quoted.  The cost of the signs and installation varied, Mr. Leighton is still working on price and installation quotes.  Mr. Leighton also wanted to know if the grant didn’t work out could the historical society get some help from other departments.  Mr. Carroll stated that maybe later in the fiscal year the town would have a better idea of what department/account could help the historical society with this project.

2. Mr. Hipsky would like to apply for a grant for a few trees to be placed at the Meetinghouse and Firestation/Library Complex with the same grant application he is applying for the gateway signs.  Mr. Carroll stated that he could try, but doesn’t think the grant will accepted this year.

            H. MEETINGHOUSE

1. Mrs. Constance Merrill was present with the minutes from the Meetinghouse Trustee Meeting that was held Monday, 1/19/04.  The trustees are very upset with the condition of the meetinghouse, and it continues to get worse.  Mrs. Merrill pointed out in the minutes how the trustees are behind the Selectmen 100% if they decide the break the contract with the church group.  Mr. Hipsky added that the lease expires March 31, 2004.  The board was all in

 

 

 

favor of not renewing the contract.  Mr. Hipsky suggested inviting Pastor Ray and Mr. Blair Cawley to the next Selectmen’s meeting and to make the final decision to them regarding renewing the lease, the Board agreed.

           I. PARK & RECREATION

1. Mr. Carroll has spoken to the Parks and Rec. committee regarding the annual sledding party that takes place at his house.

J.      PLANNING BOARD

1. Minutes of the regular meeting on Thursday, 1/7/04 where acknowledged by the Board.

            K. PLUMBING INSPECTOR

L.      RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

1.      Mr. Carroll is waiting on the final figures to from Mr. Sullivan and PERC before he can finish the 2003 Municipal Solid Waste Report, the Board acknowledged.

2.      The Board acknowledged 2004 tipping fee from PERC.

3.      DEP sent information regarding collection of household hazardous waste at “satellite” collection points, the Board decided to table this until a later meeting.

4.      Mr. Hipsky spoke with Mr. Sullivan about the recycling problem at the store (Buda Belly’s); Mr. Sullivan was unaware that all the recycling wasn’t being picked up and would make sure it would be in the future.

M.    ROAD COMMISSIONER

1.      The Snow and Ice Contract will be going out the end of February/first of March, the Board acknowledged.

2.      State of Maine DOT will be having a Public Hearing Monday, 2/2/04 regarding highway improvements to Route 222, the Board acknowledged.

3.      Mr. Brown reported that Mr. Gray is wasting the salt by putting too much on the walkways and steps.  Mr. Brown reported big clumps being dumped and not spread out.  Mr. Hipsky suggested that next time Mr. Gray comes to the Town Office to mention that he needs to spread the salt out more evenly.

4.      Mr. Hipsky send a final letter to Ms. Robinson regarding the placement of her fence on Albert’s Pt and when the town voted to create a 2 rod town way by prescriptive use, the Board acknowledged.

N.     TREASURER

1. Banknorth sent information regarding a new procedure they have to help protect against fraud; which is automatic return of checks with duplicate check numbers, the Board acknowledged.

O. WELFARE DIRECTOR

           

 

 

P. STATE LEGISLATIVE CORPSE.

 

V. CORRESPONDENCE was acknowledged by the Board.

VI. TRAINING

A. Mrs. Ham is registered to attend a Town Meeting & Elections Workshop on Tuesday, 01/27/04 at the Four Points Sheraton, the Board acknowledged.

 

Minutes are not verbatim but summarized and recorded by: Dennell K. Ham

Approved by:            

 

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Dated: _____________________