TOWN OF STETSON

SELECTMEN’S MINUTES

Date: March 26, 2008

I. OPEN MEETING

A. ROLL CALL

George Hockstadter (chair), Gerald Button, Gary Bellefluer, Donald Carroll, Brenda Clark, and a list of guests. (see attached sign in sheet)

B. MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Upon motion by Gerald, seconded by George, it was unanimously voted to approve the March 12, 2008 minutes.

C. QUIT CLAIM DEEDS

None.

D. WARRANT

1. Payroll

Upon motion by George, seconded by Brenda, it was unanimously

voted to approve the Payroll Warrant.

2. Expenditures

Upon motion by Gary, seconded by George, it was unanimously voted to approve the Expenditures Warrant.

E. BOARD OF ASSESSRORS

Nothing.

II. OLD BUSINESS

1. Fire Dept., Library & Parks & Rec. Checking Accounts

Upon motion by George, seconded by Brenda, it was unanimously voted to table this item indefinitely to look into other way of handling these issues.

III. NEW BUSINESS

1. Transfer of Funds

Upon motion by George, seconded by Gerald, it was unanimously voted to transfer $40,000.00 of the General Fund to the checking, to cover expenses until taxes start coming in.

2. Extend Snow plowing contract and trash removal contract

Upon motion by George, seconded by Don, it was unanimously voted to issue a “letter of intent” for the above 2 contracts and then the money will be voted on at Town Meeting.

3. Purchase of towns own snow plowing equipment to be put on Municipal election ballot.

Don Carroll looked into the purchase of equipment and that cost would be approximately 1 million dollars. He also stated that if we were to include expenses such as drivers and maintenance, the town’s taxes would increase approximately 130 %. The Selectmen do have the obligation to honor the request because all requirements have been met with the amount of signatures and were received in the required time frame. Gerald Button felt he owned everyone an apology because he signed the petition. Gerald also expressed that he will talk to the person whom submitted the petitions and explain what this would mean to the town if it was to pass and that maybe he will reconsider them being submitted. Gary stated that the town does not have the resources to accommodate this request, this is the wrong way to go about these changes. Consensus of the Board was to have public hearings to explain this to the town and its consequences.

4. To have all Town own equipment kept on town property to be put on Municipal election ballot.

Consensus of the Board was the this will not be an issue with the new Sand and Salt shed being completed, Town property can be stored there in one location.

III. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. ANIMAL CONTROL

1. Reminder dogs must be registered by March 31^st. Late fees after this date will be $25.00.

Announced.

B. APPEALS BOARD -Nothing.

C. CEMETERY -Nothing.

D. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER -Nothing.

E. E911 -Nothing.

F. EDUCATION

1. School Consolidation Update

Don Carroll stated that the Legislature has made this process easier for the schools, such as forming unions. There are presently a lot of appeals, and the whole process is a mess,

G. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE – Nothing.

H. EMT/RESCUE

George informed the Board that the EMT/RESCUE department has requested a budget of $7,500 (a $2,500 increase), this increase partially does to training increases. Don felt that each department head should be at the public hearing for the budget and be able to explain their requested amounts.

I. FIRE DEPARTMENT

Kim Tracy’s budget for the Fire Department will remain the same ($18,000.00).

The alarm system for the meeting house was again discussed along with the historical importance of meeting house to the town of Stetson. This alarm system costing $1,200.00, with an amount of $1,249.00 in the proposed account that will be used to pay for the system. Don questioned if the total cost would go over the available amount. George confirmed that $1,200.00 is the complete total cost.

Upon motion by George, seconded by Gerald, it was voted 4 to 1 to have the alarm system installed. (Don Carroll voting No.)

J. MEETINGHOUSE - Nothing.

K. PARKS & RECREATION

1. Stetson Days update

Gerald addressed the public with ideas such as games, parade, grand marshal, oldest person in Stetson, dignitaries, military, state representatives, marching bands, girl scouts, cub scouts, and maybe even an old fashion play. He again announced that he needs a lot of volunteers to step forward, and informed all present that there would be a Stetson Days meeting immediately following the Selectmen’s Meeting.

L. PLANNING BOARD - Nothing.

M. PLUMBING INSPECTOR -Nothing.

N. RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION

Don Carroll asked if the Board had an opinion on the information he provided to them regarding solid waste collection. (see attached). George stated that this service is costing the town a lot of money per year (approximately $22,000.00). Melodie Bellefluer stated that this is the one service the town provides for the residents tax dollars. She also stated that residents will go back to burning the garbage instead of buying bags and paying for the removal. Don Carroll stated that he was only looking for an opinion and feels the residents sometime take advantage of the free service . He also stated that if the residents would increase the participation in recycling, we would be OK.

O. ROAD COMMISSIONER -Nothing.

P. STATE LEGISLATIVE CORRESP -Nothing.

Q. TREASURER -Nothing.

R. WELFARE DIRECTOR -Nothing.

S. OTHER -Nothing.

IV. TRAINING

Announced and handed out – Universal Waste Training.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

VI. SELECTMEN COMMENTS

Brenda Clark:

Stated that the cleaning services should be going out to bid. She also stated sense she has became a selectmen she has tried to be truthful and honest. Brenda feels that she is being put between friends and other Selectmen, this is not fair because I am both a loyal friend and I take my job as a town official very seriously. I am concerned that when I go into the Town Office to discuss anything, I then leave, and within 15 minutes, it is being reported back to me by someone else all misinterpreted. If this continues, I will have to resign. We should all be able to trust one and other and be able to work together as a team. Brenda also stated, “I am the residents representative, and I want to represent all, that is what I was voted into office for.” “Sometimes I just stop in the office to get something off my chest, and to tell the girls what a good job they are doing.”

Donald Carroll:

Stated that Brenda is a good person and could add a lot to both the Board and the Town, but she is sensitive. What is happening should not be happening.

Gerald Button:

Stated he was concerned of all the little so called “little groups” “hate mogers”, and this just goes on and on. Gerald feels that both Don and George are part of this problem and we should all commit to working together. We all need to pull together in today’s economy. The new separate office will help. We will have separate areas to discuss issues and concerns.

VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

i. Fire Department Personnel Matters

Statutory citation 1 M.R.S.A. 405(6)(A)

Upon motion by George, seconded by Brenda, it was unanimously voted to enter into Executive Session per 1 M.R.S.A. 405(6)(A).

PUBLIC ALLOWED BACK IN

Upon motion by George, seconded by Brenda, it was unanimously voted to come out of Executive Session and open the meeting back to the public.

Upon motion by George, seconded by Gary, it was unanimously voted to take no action concerning the Executive Session.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by George, seconded by Don, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m.

_______________________________George Hockstadter

_______________________________Gerald Button

_______________________________Gary Bellefluer

_______________________________Donald Carroll

_______________________________Brenda Clark

MINUTES RECORDED BY:

DIANE LACADIE AND ARE

ALSO TAPE RECORDFED