TOWN OF STETSON

SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES

Date: September 5, 2007

 

 

 

I. OPEN MEETING

 

            A. ROLL CALL:         George Hockstadter, Gerald Button, Brenda Clark, Donald Carroll, Gary Bellefluer, and a long list of guest. (see attached sign in sheet) 

 

            B. MINUTES OF THE MEETING

                        1. August 15, 2007

                        2. Special Town Meeting Minutes – August 27, 2007

            Motioned, seconded, and unanimously voted to accept the above Meeting Minutes.

           

            C. QUIT CLAIM DEEDS     -           None.  

            D. WARRANT

                        1. Payroll

                        2. Expenditures

            Motioned, seconded, and unanimously voted to accept and approve the Payroll and Expenditures Warrants.

           

            E. BOARD OF ASSESSORS

                        1.         Travis – Taxes

            Taxes are ready to be committed and the mill rate set, this item was 

           tabled, because Travis was not present because of a Medical 

           Emergency.

 

                       

II. OLD BUSINESS 

            A.        Update on Flags around town

            Brenda Clark publicly thanked all those involved in donating both time and money to put these flags up in the Town of Stetson. “They look beautiful and we should all be very proud”.  There are presently approximately 45 flags all ready in place, and we have more available if anyone is interested.

 

III. NEW BUSINESS

A.           Preliminary Audit Report

Gary Bellefluer informed the public that he audit has been completed and it looks very strong and good compared to the previous.  There were some recommendations that the Board will be taking a look at.  What we do know, that there is nothing missing and we are now on track.  Also, the warrants presently match the expenses.

 

B.           New Health Officer – Nyree O’Donald

George Hockstadter informed the board and the public, that a Health Officer is now mandated for every town.  Nyree O’Donald is a nurse and has accepted the position of Health Officer.

 

C.           Municipal Property Plowing Contract

Bids for the Municipal Property Plowing Contract will soon be going out and the add will be in the Rolling Thunder.

 

D.           Discussion about Budget Committee

Gary Bellefluer:

            “Questioned if the 70 or so residents that signed the petition were present now.”  Gary also addressed the 6 or 7 points in the letter of petition, (pro-active, learn municipal government, forum to discuss, public info, new candidate interest, preparedness for new board members, and building trust.  Gary noted that this petition was initiated at a time when there were concerns.  “We have seen changes in both the selectmen and the staff.”  “The first half of the Audit (July – January) there were numerous questions and accounting errors, the second half of the Audit (January to June) was much, much better.  January is when Diane came to us and the first half and the second half is like two (2) different snap shots.”  Gary noted that there are other opportunities to get involved with the Town and that Department Heads develop their own budgets to be approved by the selectmen and the residents at town meeting.  These budgets are also overseen by the Selectmen.

Gerald Button:

            States, “Committees are, and have good ideas, but feels that a Budget Committee would complicate the budget process.”  “The residents of Stetson have elected this board to do that, and anyone whom had an interest in this process, you run for office.”

Brenda Clark:

            Brenda states that, “she is not sure how she feels about the budget committee, I am a new selectperson and I am just learning.”  Brenda supports Gary in knowing that the office is running fine now and request that the board is given a chance.”

George Hockstadter:

            George stated that every resident in Stetson is part of a Budget Committee by attending the Town Meeting and placing their vote on the individual articles in the Town Report.  George feels there is no need at this time for a Budget Committee.

Donald Carroll:

            “People have asked me, “if I am for or against the Budget Committee”?  “The town of Stetson has tried this before, and it did not work for us.”  “We do not have a very large budget, and we do have budget workshops that are open to the public.”  “I am not for it or against it, but do not feel that there is a need for one, I will live with what every decision is made here tonight.”

Open Discussion from pubic:

Unknown:    “Lets give this board a chance; I think they will do a good job.”

Unknown:    “Why is it someone is afraid of power being removed, and not is support of using individual expertise that people have to offer?”  “Some board members work, some have health problems, and town business is very complicated.”

Betty Bridges:

            “Diane is very good at what she does, but why should we not use all of our resources?”

 

Donald Carroll:

            “This town is very short on Volunteers, one way volunteers good be a significant help to save our tax dollars is to work on increasing the recycling participation in this town.”  “We put out a cry for help 2 years ago and no one showed up, I think it is wonderful to have the attendance we do at these meetings”.

 

Upon motion by George Hockstadter, seconded by Donald Carroll, it was voted 3 to 2 against having a Budget Committee (the 2 abstaining, Donald Carroll and Gary Bellefluer).

 

E.           Discussion about Message Board

Gary Bellefluer:

            There has been some controversy dealing with the postings on the message board at the town office.  Gary read aloud the letter that was presented to the Selectmen by Terry Moore.  “The purpose of policies is to set criteria; I feel that there needs to be some discretion.”  The postings should be done in good taste, fairness, and the best interest of the town to get the information out to our residents.  Nothing should be posted that is defamatory or accusatory.  “We do not have to set criteria, but needs to be handled responsibly.”

George Hockstadter:

            The bulletin board has changed and we will show no favoritism and will show only town events and interest.

Upon motion by Gary Bellefluer, seconded by George Hockstadter, it was unanimously voted to review “the policy, or criteria” of the message board and bring it back to the next meeting.

 

F.            Update regarding the moving of the Food Cupboard

George reported that he had spoke with Mr. Rush and the slab will be completed by the week-end and things will move quickly from there and that they should be out by the first of October.

Don Carroll felt that the first of October should be made mandatory.

Upon motion by George, seconded by Gerald Button, it was unanimously voted to mandate that the Food Cupboard be out by the first of October.

 

G.           Selectmen Meeting Agenda’s (all request for agenda items should be in to George by 2:30 the Wednesday prior to meeting)

George explained that this would make it easier to prepare for the meetings.  Don Carroll pointed out that this is for “citizen request”.  Gary Bellefluer stated that the agendas and minutes needed to be forwarded for the web-site.

 

 

III. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

            A. ANIMAL CONTROL        -None.

            B. APPEALS BOARD         -None.

            C. CEMETERY                     -None.

            D. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER    -None.

            E. E911          -None.

F. EDUCATION

                        1.         School Consolidation Update

                        Mr. Button reported that the “letters of intent” have been filed.  Sid’s #46 and #41 are being considered.  Ron from Glenburn called and would like to meet and reconsider Glenburn’s previous decision of removing Stetson from their list.  Mr. Button informed Ron that Stetson did not support the previous actions of Glenburn and would speak to others involved and then maybe meet again.  Mr. Button also informed the public and the board of a meeting taking place at the Ramada inn in Bangor on Saturday.  This meeting will be to repeal the law presently in place and we need at least 1,000 signatures.   Don Carroll states that he thinks Dexter would be a good fit for Stetson.

 

                        2.         Appoint Brian Boggs for School Director

                        Upon motion by George, seconded by Mr. Button, it was unanimously voted to appoint Brian Boggs for School Committee.

 

G. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE     -None. 

            H. EMT/RESCUE     -None.

            I. FIRE DEPARTMENT

            Fire Chief, Kim Tracy explained the Emergency Management Association (EMA).  This is a plan for any type of emergency.  The town can either develop their own, or have Penobscot complete the plan using the town’s resources that they have. 

            Upon motion by George, seconded by Don, it was unanimously voted to go with the Penobscot County plan.

            Kim Tracy also informed the Board that the generator was in need of repair and he has received an estimate of approximately $500.00 and wondered where this money for the repair could come from.  Don Carroll expressed using the Equipment reserve fund.  Consensus was to have the generator repaired and bring the bill to the Town Office for payment.

            Kim Tracy also requests the support of the Board for the Mutual Aid Agreement with Carmel and Etna.  Kim explained that mutual aid save lives and property that may not be saved without the help and quick response of others.  Kim also thanked the board for their support.

            J. HISTORICAL SOCIETY  -None.

            K. MEETINGHOUSE           -None.

L. PARKS & RECREATION

                        1.         Looking for new Park & Rec. Director

            Roger Collins has now sold his home in Stetson and has moved out  

           of Town.  We are still looking for a new Parks & Rec Director.

 

M. PLANNING BOARD

                        1.         Mike Kosciusko will be the new alternate 

            Mike Kosciusko is now the new alternate for the Planning Board.

            N. PLUMBING INSPECTOR          -None.

            O. RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION         -None. 

            P. ROAD COMMISSIONER          

            The bids were open for the 3 roads projects.  (Burleigh Road, Mt. Pleasant Road, and Corboro Road)

                                                Burleigh Road         Mt. Pleasant             Coroboro

            Richard Webber     $47,500.00                $34,300.00                $25,500.00

                                                                                                TOTAL  $107,500.00

            R.A. Paradis             $47,500.00                $34,000.00                $27,700.00

                                                                                                TOTAL  $109,200.00

            Eastwood Cont.      $57,044.00                $36,540.00                $30,458.00

                                                                                                TOTAL  $124,042.00

            One bid was received, but not opened because the bidder did not follow the bid process in full (he did not complete the site walks)  That bid was from Hopkins construction.

            Upon motion by George, seconded by Gerald, it was unanimously voted to accept Mr. Webber’s bid of $107,500.00

            Don Carroll also noted that $4,555.00 was paid out of the “Town Roads Account of $35,000.00” and should have been paid out of the “Town Road Improvement Account of $80,000.00”.  The bill was to prepare the Lapoint Road for paving.

            Upon motion by Don, seconded by George, it was unanimously voted to move the $4,555.00 to the correct acct.

                       

            Q. STATE LEGISLATIVE CORRESP       -None.

            R. TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR        -None.

            S. WELFARE DIRECTOR              -None.

             

IV. TRAINING 

            None.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Palmer

            Alberts Point –

George informed him that Albert’s point will be fixed in – house.

 

Mr. Hipsky:

            States that a secretary is needed at the Selectmen’s meetings.  George explained that the meetings are taped.  Mr. Hipsky states that he is still confused about the bids and the amounts, if a secretary was present, everything would be documented properly. 

 

Newsletter:   information from the Town will be completed and submitted by Mr. Button to go into the Towns newsletter.

 

Website is being updated

 

George will post “another resident needed for the School Consolidation Committee. 

 

VI. SELECTMEN COMMENTS 

            None.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Motioned, seconded, and unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

 

_____________________________George Hockstadter

 

_____________________________Gerald Button

 

_____________________________Brenda Clark

 

_____________________________Don Carroll

 

_____________________________Gary Bellefluer

 

 

Minutes transposed by Diane Lacadie

Minutes are also tape recorded