Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
April 15, 2009

Members Present: Libby Mitchell, Lauchlin Titus, and Rob Browne

Others Present: Mary Sabins and approximately 80 residents and members of the public interested in contributing their input to the discussion on the proposed adult entertainment ordinance.

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mitchell at 6:30 p.m. and she welcomed the group that had gathered.

2. Public discussion on what type of Adult Entertainment Ordinance to propose at the June Town Meeting – During the hour long discussion, many residents shared their concerns and opinions about the current topless coffee shop and the recent announcement that the business owner is planning an expansion of the business to include a strip club. The Selectmen asked the group for their opinion about what type of Adult Entertainment Ordinance they would like to see proposed for adoption at the June town meeting. Several samples of Adult Entertainment Ordinances from several different towns were available at the meeting for the public to review. The discussion boiled down to either proposing a complete ban or proposing an ordinance with location restrictions. The Selectmen voiced their concern that a complete ban might not be constitutional. After the discussion came to a close and later in the meeting, the Board made the decision to pursue the creation of an ordinance that would allow such adult businesses, but with location restrictions. Once created, the draft ordinance will be discussed again at another meeting.

3. Paving bid (taken out of order) – After discussion and on the recommendation of the Road Commissioner Eugene Field, the Board voted unanimously on a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, to award the bid to Pike Industries.

4. Debriefing with the School Board and Budget Committee of the 4/8/09 AOS Budget Meeting – Many members of the Budget Committee, the School Committee, and the Selectmen all shared their thoughts about the AOS budget meeting. Many expressed concern that because Vassalboro is a small town dealing with two larger communities and with only one voting member on the AOS board, that the Town of Vassalboro will always be outvoted on AOS issues and frustration was expressed that the proposed AOS budget was not reviewed by anyone other than school officials. Suggestion was made to propose to the AOS Board through our representative Amy Nutting that a budget committee be formed to review future proposed AOS budgets.

5. Minutes – On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 3/25/09 meeting as written.

6. Reports – a. Status report – The items on the status report were reviewed. CEO Paul Mitnik provided an update on the Leo Barnett case. Leo has filed a request with Superior Court for an appeal of the Appeals Board’s decision. Road Commissioner Gene Field provided an update on the sale of the town public works truck that has not yet sold. Gene recommended leaving the truck at Stimans for awhile longer to see if they can sell it for us. b. Road report – on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as written. c. Police report - on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as written.

7. New business – a. Consent agreement – CEO Paul Mitnik presented the consent agreement for the Selectmen to sign that he had reached with Greg O’Halloran and his attorney concerning the property on the Stone Road. On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to sign the agreement. c. Mowing bid – Eleven bids were received and the bid from Knox Yard Maintenance for $13,700 to mow all the lawns and cemeteries listed in the bid specifications was accepted on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, and voted unanimously by the Board. d. AOS referendum warrant – The Board signed multiple copies of the warrant calling for the AOS referendum warrant election on June 9th. e. Alewife harvest - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the contribution of the profits from one bushel of alewife a day during alewife harvesting season to go toward the Alewife Harvesters Group. f. School Union #52 dissolution agreement – The Board signed the settlement agreement on the Superintendent’s office building. g. Rt. #3 Rest Area – Discussion was given concerning the State’s requirement that the Town return the rest area land to it’s original condition including removal of the pavement if we wish to reverse our lease agreement for that area. The Selectmen advised Sabins to write a letter to the State to tell them that we understood the lease agreement to require us to return the property to the state in which we received it, not prior to when the State received it. h. Foreclosed properties – Due to the late hour, discussion on this matter was postponed until the next meeting. i. Set meeting date – The next regular Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 29 to review the Adult Entertainment Ordinance. The date for the public hearing on all proposed ordinances and ordinance changes was tentatively set for May 12th.

8. Other – a. Sabins indicated we will have discussion on the boundary agreement at the Webber Pond Property on the next agenda. b. Sabins and Chairman Mitchell have both received correspondence from Jim Kvool concerning his request to have the Selectmen include a warrant article in the Town Meeting Warrant to have the Town take over operation of the Sanitary District functions. The Board chose not to include the article on the warrant. Sabins was asked to notify Mr. Kvool that he has a right to circulate a petition to force the article on the warrant. c. The Town Report cover and dedication was briefly discussed and possible subjects for the dedication were offered. d. Brief discussion on the budget process was given by L. Titus.

9. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 4/29/09 with the following amendments: None.