TOWN OF STETSON

SELECTMEN’S MINUTES

Date:  August 26, 2009

 

 

 

I.        OPEN MEETING

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance

 

A.     ROLL CALL

Gary Bellefleur, Brenda Clark, Lois Hawes, and Terry White were present.  (Don Carroll was absent due to medical reasons)

 

B.  MINUTES OF THE MEETING

                        1.         Approve August 12, 2009 Meeting Minutes

             Upon motion by Terry White, seconded by Brenda Clark, it was voted 3 to 1 to approve the August 12, 2009 Meeting Minutes. (Lois Hawes abstained because she was not present at the meeting)

 

            C. QUIT CLAIM DEEDS 

              None.

 

            D.  WARRANT

           

1.      Payroll Warrant – Approve warrant  #10

Upon motion by Terry White, seconded by Lois Hawes, it was unanimously voted to approve Warrant #10.

 

2.      Expenditures – Approve warrant  #11

Upon motion by Terry White, seconded by Brenda Clark, it was unanimously voted to approve Warrant #11.  (Noted to get the clarification on the “Single Vision Kit”.

 

            E. BOARD OF ASSESSORS       

                        1.         Discussion of Mill Rate for Tax Commitment

            Assessors Agent Danielle Smith provided the Board with 6 different scenarios dealing with the mill rate and the amount of overlay:

Mil rate                                         Overlay

1.      13.4                                              $5, 042.69

2.      13.5                                              $12,076.44

3.      13.6                                              $19,110.19

4.      13.7                                              $26,143.95

5.      13.8                                              $33,177.69

6.      13.9                                              $40,211.44

           

NOTE:   AT THIS POINT IN THE MEETING, DON CARROLL WAS CALLED AND PUT ON SPEAKER PHONE TO ALLOW HIM TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PART OF THE MEETING:

 

Diane Lacadie reported the requested comparison of the 30 day notices from this year to last year:  A difference of $18,641.21 more was sent out this year.

 

Don Carroll then stated his concerns of some Selectmen wanting to keep the mill rate at the lowest level.  Don stating between calculating what abatements we will have along with present unpaid taxes, the Town could be put in a financial turmoil.  Don stated, “I would rather have too much than too little”. 

Don informed the Board, that a Mill Rate of 13.8 would only increase the taxes on a $100,000.00 home by $60.00 for the year.  Although times are tough for the residents, they are also tough for the Town.

 

Assessor’s Agent, Danielle Smith was present and agreed with Don Carroll.  She also informed the Board that of all the Towns that she works in, Stetson is closest to last year’s Mill Rate.  (The least amount of increase)

 

Gary Bellefleur also agreed because the increased Mill Rate needs to cover the difference in the 30 days Notices and the Abatements.  That dollar amount being approximately 20 to 25 thousand dollars.

 

Terry White agreed and also noted that if you take the average of the last 2 years, there has not been an increase in Mill Rate.  Terry also stated that these are extra ordinary times and the unemployment rate needs to be factored in.

 

Don Carroll agreed, but the only way to lower the rate would be to cut services such as trash removal, etc.

 

Upon motion by Terry White, “based on Don’s historical analysis, the Assessor Agent’s opinion, and the past 2 years mill rates,  seconded by Lois Hawes, it was unanimously voted to set the Mill Rate at 13.8.

 

Don also apologized to Terry White for not being available to work with the inmates when they were in Stetson last week.  A medical emergency prevented him from being available.  Terry thanked him and informed Don that all went well.  Don also complimented Gary Bellefleur on the Letter that he wrote to the Town of Etna concerning the Fire Response issues.  Don state the letter was very well written.

 

 

Gary Bellefleur then reported that there are presently 10 new applicants interested in the Fire Department and Kim Tracy informed him that Etna has requested a joint meeting between Boards.

 

 

Lois questioned the updated 911 maps and street addresses.  Danielle explained that the 911 addresses are done by the county, not the Town.

 

II. OLD BUSINESS

           

1.                  Update on work inmates had done

     Terry White reported that the wrong crew showed up without chain saws or anything.  The Blaisdell Road, the Merrill Road, and the Cross Road are completed and all ended up well.  The inmates will be back on the 5th through the 8th of October.  Marlene Webber suggested the inmates clean the front of the Town Office Building with a pressure washer and Lois Hawes also suggested doing the same at the Meeting House on the front porch.

 

 

II.      NEW BUSINESS

1.     Opening of the Snow Removal & Dry Hydrants Bids

            There was only one bid presented to be opened:

                        Clyde Gray:              $6,500.00

            Upon motion by Terry White, seconded by Brenda Clark, it was unanimously voted to accept Clyde Gray’s bid.

 

III. COMMITTEE REPORTS

            A.  ANIMAL CONTROL                   Nothing.

B.  APPEALS BOARD 

                        1.         Looking for a member if anyone is interested

            Terry White stated that he knew someone that might be interested and would follow up with that person.

B.     CEMETERY       

Gary Bellefluer reported a complaint from a resident about the mowing at the cemeteries.  The mowers are set to low for some of the high spots and the grass is dying in those areas.    Diane will contact Mr. Babcock to inform him of the complaint.

            D.  CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER   Busy with the free fill provided by the State.             

            E.  E911         Lois reported that Stetson responded to 2 calls for Etna.

            F.  EDUCATION       School starting soon

            G.  EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE    Nothing.                   

            H.  EMT/RESCUE               

 

I.   FIRE DEPARTMENT (see letter E. committee report)

            1.         Anyone interested in joining the Fire Department should contact Kim Tracy.

Announced.

Marlene Webber questioned the Fire Department equipment and if the equipment is adequate and or purchased specifically for each individual fire fighter.

            J.  MEETINGHOUSE           Again noted that the front porch needs to be cleaned and that the barricades can be removed.

K.  PARKS & RECREATION

Lois reported that the recreation department needs new soccer nets.  Dick’s sporting goods price was $120.00 each and Marden’s was $39.99 each.  Lois also reported that the baseball uniforms were left in the dug-out after baseball season.               

L.  PLANNING BOARD

            1.         Looking for planning board Members

             Announced.

            M. PLUMBING INSPECTOR         Nothing.       

N. RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION   Nothing.                        

            O. ROAD COMMISSIONER

            Terry White reported that pass the cemetery on the Lapoint Road the beavers have blocked the damn.  Terry will call the game warden.

P.  STATE LEGISLATIVE CORRESP      -Nothing.

            Q. TREASURER     

            Diane questioned the hourly wage that Wayne Hawes was to paid and asked for direction.  Diane will talk with John Biggar to get the exact hourly figure.

R.    WELFARE DIRECTOR

Diane pointed out the importance of making sure all those getting assistance from the food cupboard were Stetson Residents.  The Selectmen stated that the Food Cupboard is its own entity and the Selectmen do not have a say on how it is run.                              

S.     MEMEORIAL COMMITTEE

Applications are being filled out to receive the benches, and work thus far looks fantastic.

T.      OTHER   

Noted:

Road Commissioner should inform the town office of any road closing that will be taken place for repair.

Mike Cleaves requested his valuation of his property be looked at by the Selectmen (Assessors) for a second opinion.  The Selectmen requested that Assessor Agent Danielle Smith look at the property first and give her opinion.

Robert Waugh requested reimbursement for installing a replacement culvert at the end of his driveway.  The Selectmen requested that John Biggar be contacted to see what the normal procedure of replacement culverts is and also stated that they are not comfortable with paying a bill “after the fact” instead of requesting the replacement be done by the town.

 

IV.               TRAINING

Payroll training has been completed and it was noted that the MMA convention is coming up in October.

 

V.                 PUBLIC COMMENTS    

None.

 

VI.               SELECTMEN COMMENTS

None.

 

VII.             EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

 

VIII.           ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Terry White, seconded by Lois Hawes, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________________Gary Bellefleur

 

 

____________________________________Donald Carroll

 

 

____________________________________Brenda Clark

 

 

____________________________________Lois Hawes

 

 

____________________________________Terry White