TOWN OF STETSON

SELECTMEN’S MINUTES

Date:  May 13, 2009

 

 

 

I. OPEN MEETING

A. ROLL CALL

Gary Bellefleur, Gerald Button, Donald Carroll, Brenda Clark, and Lois Hawes

 

            B. MINUTES OF THE MEETING

                        1.         Approve April 22, 2009 Meeting Minutes

            Upon motion by Lois Hawes, seconded by Brenda Clark, it was unanimously voted to approve the April 22, 2009 Meeting Minutes.

 

            C. QUIT CLAIM DEEDS 

            None.

 

            D.  WARRANT

           

1.    Payroll Warrant – Approve warrant # 62 & 64

Upon motion by Don Carroll, seconded by Gerald Button, it     

          was unanimously voted to approve Payroll Warrant # 62.

Upon motion by Don Carroll, seconded by  Lois Hawes, it was    

           unanimously voted to approve Payroll Warrant # 64.

 

2.    Expenditures – Approve warrant # 63 , 65 and 66

Upon motion by Don Carroll, seconded by Lois Hawes, it was unanimously voted to approve Expenditures Warrant # 63.

Upon motion by Don Carroll, seconded by Gerald Button, it was unanimously voted to approve Expenditures Warrant # 65.

Upon motion by Lois Hawes, seconded by Brenda Clark, it was unanimously voted to approve Expenditures Warrant # 66.

(Also noted was to change wording on electric bill on warrant from truck plug to sand and salt shed, and to request the Parks and Rec Director; Steve Ferris to attend the next Selectmen’s Meeting.

 

            E. BOARD OF ASSESSORS       

            Don Carroll requested if any of the Selectmen could ride with Daniele on Thursday to help with the assessing.

 

II. OLD BUSINESS

Don Carroll reported on the condition of the “trees” at the meeting house that Marty Hipsky was/is concerned about.  The Insurance will not cover replacing the trees, in part because the way in which they were planted was incorrect.  Don also stated that all but one of the trees have leaves on them, showing they are still alive.

 

 

Gerald Button gave his War Memorial Committee Report (see attached).  The report suggested 2 different questions.  Consensus of the Board was to combine the 2 questions to one question and for the vote to read, “Leave or Stay”.

 

III. NEW BUSINESS

1.            2010 fiscal year fuel pricing

Don Carroll reported to the board that he had spoken with Chuck about whether or not to “lock in” fuel prices for the upcoming year.  Don state that fuel prices went up 18% from last month.  The town could lock in at $2.25 for fuel and $1.61 for propane.

Gary Bellefleur stated that a lot of times fuel companies use the rising prices as a “scare tactic”, and now may not be the time to “lock in”

Upon motion by Lois Hawes, seconded by Don Carroll, it was voted 3 to 2 to “lock in”.  Lois Hawes, Don Carroll and Gerald Button voting YES (lock in) and Brenda Clark and Gary Bellefleur voting NO.

 

2.            Review of warrant articles

The articles were reviewed by the Board and with the exception of a few typos and the Levy Limit figure; the articles were approved and ready to go.

 

 

 

III. COMMITTEE REPORTS

            A.  ANIMAL CONTROL       - Nothing.

B.  APPEALS BOARD 

                        1.         Looking for a member if anyone is interested

                        Announced.

            C.  CEMETERY

                        1.         Update on prisoner’s work group                         

            Don Carroll reported that the prisoners are almost done the work in the cemeteries, and will dig around the trees at the meeting house to allow bark mulch to be put down to protect the trees.  They will also be cutting brush on the Blaisdell Road.

            Fire Chief Kim Tracy requested that the prisoners paint the front of the Fire Station.  Don will try to get them back again so they could possibly paint the Fire Station at another time.

            D.  CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER   -Nothing.

            E.  E911         - Nothing.

            F.  EDUCATION       Gary present the Board with the completed budget from MSAD 64.

            G.  EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE               

            H.  EMT/RESCUE                EMT / Rescue chief Bev Tracy reported to the Board an accident that occurred while responding to a wild fire.  Bev has received an estimate of $1,285.00 for a new tail gate and a plastic piece for the bumper.  MMA insurance requires that the accident be reported to the police if the amount of damage is over $500.00.  Bev will contact the police and file a report.  Bev also informed the Board of Selectmen that she is resigning as of January 2010 and she is concerned, because no one is qualified to take her place.

I.   FIRE DEPARTMENT  -Fire Chief Kim Tracy informed the Board of Selectmen that he will be stepping down as Fire Chief as of July 1, 2009.   Kim stated that he has tried for 15 years to get help within the Department and no one will help.  Kim stated that he is just getting burnt out.  The Department has responded to 62 calls so far this month, it use to respond to 40 calls a year.  Kim informed the Board that the Department responded to a grass fire recently where only 3 fire fighters showed up!  Stetson has automatic aide response with Etna and Kim also recommends to hire the Etna Fire Chief.  Kim will agree to stay on for 6 months in order to train a new Chief if needed.  Stetson also has mutual aide with the town of Newport.    The Board of Selectmen also learned that David Emerson is simply going to quit.     

The Board of Selectmen thanked both the Tracey’s for their years of service and the fine job they had done.

Don Carroll and Kim Tracey will request the Etna Fire Chief to the next meeting on May 27, 2009.

Don Carroll also requested that Kim show someone how to  inspect the fire extinguishers.  Kim will write up a written procedure.

            J.  MEETINGHOUSE           Don Carroll informed the Board that there are 2 trees that need to be replaced at the Meeting House.  One was broken off by wind, and the other was not damaged from the string on the weed whacker.  All the trees need to be fertilized and Don will check the price on replacing the 2 that are dead.

            Brenda Clark also reported that there was no heat at the meeting house on Sunday when she was at the shower.  Don will make a phone call to have the furnace checked.

 

K.  PARKS & RECREATION 

The Board requested Steve Ferris attend the next meeting.

L.  PLANNING BOARD

            1.         Looking for Planning board Members

Announced.

            M. PLUMBING INSPECTOR         Nothing.                   

N. RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION         Nothing.                   

            O. ROAD COMMISSIONER  Complaints on the Merrill Road and Coboro Road.  The Board requested that all complaints be written down and passed on to them.

P.  STATE LEGISLATIVE CORRESP

            1.         Update about LPC Meeting

Don Carroll reported the last meeting was cancelled.  A bill was printed to manage funds for Volunteer Fire Departments and EMS.

 

            Q. TREASURER      Nothing.

R.   WELFARE DIRECTOR                        Nothing.

S.   OTHER   

The Board went over the Labor Standards Correction List.  Gary will train the office on the Injury Log and Don will handle the remainder of the list.

     

 

IV.          TRAINING

None.

 

V.           PUBLIC COMMENTS 

      Judy Biggar was requested to pass on the written complaint on the Merrill Road to John Biggar.

 

VI.          SELECTMEN COMMENTS

None.

 

VII.         EXECUTIVE SESSION

1.     Poverty Abatement (36 M.S.R.A. § 841 (2))

Upon motion by Don Carroll, seconded by Gerald Button, it was unanimously voted to enter into Executive Session (36 MRSA§ 841 (2) at 8:20 p.m.

Upon motion by Lois Hawes, seconded by Gary Bellefleur, it was unanimously voted to come out of Executive Session and back to Public Session at 8:45 p.m.

Upon motion by Don Carroll, seconded by Lois Hawes, it was unanimously voted to take no action as a result of the Executive Session. (Journal Entry)

 

 

 

 

VIII.        ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Gerald Button, seconded by Don Carroll, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

 

 

____________________________________Gary Bellefleur

 

____________________________________Gerald Button

 

____________________________________Donald Carroll

 

____________________________________Brenda Clark

 

____________________________________Lois Hawes

 

 

 

 

Minutes recorded by;

Diane Lacadie