TOWN OF STETSON

SELECTMEN’S MINUTES

Date:  May 25, 2011

 

 

 

I.      OPEN MEETING

The meeting was opened by Don Carroll leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

A.   ROLL CALL

Donald Carroll, Brenda Clark, Lois Hawes, George Hockstadter, and Terry White.

 

B.   MINUTES OF THE MEETING

 

1.     Approve Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2011

Upon motion by George Hockstadter, seconded by Don Carroll, it was voted 4 to 0 to approve the May 22, 2011.  (Terry White did not vote because he was not present at the May 11, 2011 Meeting.)

 

C.  QUIT CLAIM DEEDS 

                        None.

 

            D.   WARRANT

           

    Payroll Warrant – Approve warrant # 62

 Upon motion by Lois Hawes, seconded by Brenda Clark, it was unanimously voted to approve Warrant #62.

 

    Expenditures – Approve warrant # 63

Discussion took place on amount of work and Town Funds that should be spent on Loon Cove and if Loon Cove was labeled as a Private Road.

It was determined that the residents of Loon Cove previously signed a deed giving the town a right-of-way allowing the Town to plow.  The State also requires that the Town maintain Loon Cove to be “Safe and Passable”

Lois Hawes felt that at the previous Selectmen’s Meeting (May 11, 2011) the consensus of the Board was to only maintenance or improvement road work that was needed on an Emergency basis, and felt the amount of work and town funds that have been spent on Loon Cove recently is in no way an emergency.

Brenda Clark stated that we (the Board) should all be on the same page as what the definition of “safe and passable” means.  Brenda also stated whether or not Loon Cove is a private road or not, the Board should be united on the work that is to be done.  Brenda stated that $10,000 was spent on Loon Cove in the beginning and should have pre-approval from the Board before work is done.

Don Carroll stated that these complaints and concerns from the Board should be addressed with the Road Commissioner, not the Chairman of Selectmen.  Don being the contact in dealing with the roads felt that the Road Commissioner (John Biggar) had stated that Loon Cove needed ditching (Lois Hawes stated that only one side has been ditched).  Don Carroll also stated that the plowing may be damaging the road.  Don Carroll also explained to the Board that the State gives the towns money every year towards roads, and Loon Cove is on that list.

Terry White clarified that it was John Biggar who decided to do the present work to make Loon Cove “safe and passable”???  The Board can choose to pay or not pay the bill from Mr. Webber or get sued????  Terry questioned if the payment of the bill is delayed for further clarification of the road status????????

George Hockstadter stated the Loon Cove had been previously accepted as a Town road at an earlier Town Meeting and that Loon Cove is not a “Private Road”, it is a “Town Road”.

 

Upon motion by Lois Hawes, seconded by Brenda Clark it was voted 2 to 3 to approve Warrant #63 with the exception of the expenses dealing with Loon Cove. (NOTED 2 voting YES, and 3 voting NO; therefore the entire Warrant was approved by majority vote)

 

E.    BOARD OF ASSESSORS

Don Carroll reported that they are still working and the Assessing should be completed in another full day of work.

 

 

II.    OLD BUSINESS

1.    Tax Acquired – Mullen Road Property – Refund Request

Upon motion by George Hockstadter, seconded by Terry White, it was unanimously voted NOT to refund the $200.00 dollars deposit.

 

III.   NEW BUSINESS

The Board signed a Thank-you Letter thanking the inmates for their work in the Town of Stetson. (see attached)

Pole Permit was signed for Wayne Small.

Transco Contract was signed by the Board.

MMA Vote was cast for Laurie Smith of Wiscasset for Executive Committee Member.

Don Carroll also requested permission to seek prices for siding the front of the Town Office Building and to get rid of the light on the front of the building. (Consensus of the Board was to seek the prices and bring that information back to the Board for further discussion.)

 

     IV. COMMITTEE REPORT

A.  ANIMAL CONTROL       Nothing.                               

           B.  APPEALS BOARD         Nothing.

C.   CEMETERY   Don Carroll reported that the inmates had raked for 4 days and did not complete the work at the cemeteries or the cleanup of the dirt at the town office.  Therefore Chris Baker was hired to complete these projects before the Memorial Weekend.

Lois Hawes questioned why someone was hired to finish the clean-up.  She felt the clean-up was part of the Mowing contracts.  Don stated he will read the contracts.

D.   CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER   The Board accepted the resignation letter presented by Danielle Smith (see attached).  There will be an ad in the Rolling Thunder and Danielle will stay on Board until a new CEO is in place.     

            E.  E911             Nothing.

            F.  EDUCATION       The closer referendum was noted for June 7th, and also noted the budget vote that will take place on June 30.  As of this moment the Stetson share of the RSU budget will be $687,270 is the Elementary School is to close, and $792,683 is the Elementary School is to remain open.

            G.  EMERGENCY PREPARENESS COMMITTEE       Nothing.                      

            H.  EMT/RESCUE    Nothing.

             I.   FIRE DEPARTMENT    Nothing.

            J.  MEETINGHOUSE           Connie Merrill of the meeting house trustees was present  and reported that the flower bed is being worked on.

K   PARKS & RECREATION         Nothing.                   

L.  PLANNING BOARD       Nothing.

            M. PLUMBING INSPECTOR         Nothing,

N. RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION         Nothing.

            O. ROAD COMMISSIONER           Not Present.

P.  STATE LEGISLATIVE CORRESP      Don Carroll reported that Congressman Mike Michaud had returned his call and informed him that there is nothing that can be done at this time to deal with the truck detours in the town of Stetson and that the DOT does not want to discuss the possible reimbursement to Towns in dealing with damage to town roads.  On June 16th, there will be a vote dealing with the weight limit on Interstate 95 to again increase the limit from 80,000 to 100,000.  

Q.   TREASURER     Diane Lacadie reported that MMA is researching Stetson’s request to increase the value of the stained glass windows at the Meetinghouse.

R.   WELFARE DIRECTOR                       Don Carroll reported that the Audit has been completed by Augusta for the General Assistance program and it stated that the Town of Stetson is in compliance with all state and federal regulations.  The Board thanked Diane Lacadie for her work in complying with that Audit.                               

S.   MEMORIAL COMMITTEE        Marlene Webber informed the board that the Memorial arrangements will be placed by Saturday morning.

T.    OTHER   

Discussion took place on the trailer on Rte 222 that the Town has deemed uninhabitable.  Numerous reports have come into the office stating that occupants are presently living there.  The CEO went to the trailer on Wednesday (May 25, 2011) and it is her opinion that the occupants are living there.  The CEO (Danielle Smith) informed the occupants that under no uncertain terms can they be staying there or using any sources of plumbing for water to do anything (laundry, shower, dishes, etc.)  Because of the unsafe conditions, and the fact of 4 very young children in question, the Board has requested that the Town attorney be called to inquiring about getting a court order to remove the family.

 

V.           TRAINING

None.

 

VI.          PUBLIC COMMENTS 

Joyce Doher questioned why the flags on the poles were not up yet in the Town of Stetson.  Brenda Clark informed Miss Doher that they are up.  Miss Doher apologized and thanked Brenda for her time and efforts in dealing with the flags in town.

 

VII.         SELECTMEN COMMENTS

Lois Hawes:  Informed the Board that she had received a complaint from Mr. Booth stating that Mr. Richard Webber had told Mr. Booth that the logging truck were not allowed on Loon Cove and in fact also stated that the Selectmen were behind this decision.

George Hockstadter:  Questioned if the minutes could be verbatim verbal record.  Consensus of the Board was that is not possible, and if that is the way George would like it, the meetings can be tape recorded for that record.

 

VIII.       EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Lois Hawes Requested Personnel Matters  -  1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(A)

 

Discussion of Confidential Records  -  1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(F)

 

Upon motion by Lois Hawes, seconded by Brenda Clark, it was unanimously voted to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters (1 M. R.S. A sec 405(6)(A) and Confidential Records (1 M.R.S.A. sec 405 (6)(F). Time 7:35 p.m.

 

Upon motion by Terry White, seconded by George Hockstadter, it was unanimously voted to come out of Executive Session and to take No Action at this time as the result of Executive Session. Time 8:15 p.m.

 

IX.          ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Terry White, seconded by George Hockstadter, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________Donald Carroll

 

_______________________________Brenda Clark

 

_______________________________Lois Hawes

 

_______________________________George Hockstadter

 

_______________________________Terry White

 

 

Minutes recorded by;

Diane Lacadie