Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
April 29, 2010

 

Members Present: Rob Browne and Lauchlin Titus

Members Absent: Phil Haines

Others Present: Mary Sabins, George Gould, Paul Mitnik, Mary Grow, Pam Colvin, Bob Thomas, and David Jenney.

  1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Browne at 7:00 p.m.

  2. Minutes – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 4/15/10 meeting as written.

  3. New Business – (agenda items were taken out of order)
    a. Update on MDOT sidewalk and pathways grant – East Vassalboro Resident Pam Colvin provided an overview of the Vassalboro Roadside Pedestrian and Bike Committee work that they have accomplished since 2007 in seeking sidewalks and pathways for the town. Word has been received recently from Dan Stewart of the Maine Department of Transportation that $2,500 has been set aside by MDOT to assist the Town in preparing a written plan that will identify the need and locations for sidewalks and pathways in town. The MDOT has hired KVCOG Planner Jen Boothroyd to write the grant for the town. Pam Colvin and Bob Thomas, co-chairmen of the Committee, along with Town Manager Sabins, have had a first meeting with Ms. Boothroyd to begin the plan writing work. The Committee and Jen will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office to gather the public’s input on the need and location for sidewalks and pathways in town. The public is encouraged to attend. Once the plan is completed, the plan will be used to write additional grants to fund the implementation process. Chairman Browne expressed concern that sidewalks in Town may create more work for the town maintenance crews especially in the winter, but stated that he thought flat walking shoulders along the sides of the roads would be okay. The Selectmen thanked Pam and Bob for the volunteer work that they are doing on this project.
    b. Public hearing – Floodplain Management Ordinance – Sabins announced that FEMA has notified the Town that the floodplain maps will not be ready for adoption until June of 2011, so we will not be adopting the ordinance revisions until next year and there is no need for a public hearing tonight.
    c. Public hearing – Enforcement and Appeals Ordinance – Chairman Browne opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. Code Officer Paul Mitnik introduced this ordinance that was originally adopted at last year’s town meeting and he described the proposed amendments for the upcoming town meeting. Most of the changes are wordsmith changes to clarify the intent. There was no public comment other than Reporter Mary Grow and the Selectmen had a few suggestions for grammatical changes to the text in section one on page one. The hearing was closed at 7:22 p.m.
    d. Planning Board alternate appointment – While at the meeting, Code Officer Mitnik asked the Selectmen to consider appointing an alternate to the Planning Board to fill the vacancy created when Gary Coull resigned recently. Mr. Mitnik stated that absenteeism is sometimes a problem with the Planning Board Members at the meeting and the presence of an alternate at the meeting to fill in and vote when needed would be very helpful. The Selectmen asked Paul to submit the names of those individuals interested in serving to the Manager for consideration of appointment by the Board. The vacancy will also be posted on the website.
    e. Public hearing – Barrows Road Discontinuance – Sabins explained that the vote to sign the Discontinuance Order could not take place until the next Board meeting on May 13th because Chairman Browne intended to recuse himself from the vote as his business is an abutter to the Barrows Road and he may possibly have a conflict of interest. Because Selectman Haines is not present at the meeting this evening for the hearing and to cast his vote, MMA Legal Staff has advised Sabins to tape record the hearing so that Selectman Haines can review the tape and vote on the Discontinuance Order accordingly at the next meeting. Chairman Browne opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. and the tape recorder was started. George Gould asked about the discontinuance efforts conducted in the past on this road and brief discussion was given. Chairman Browne also commented that the road is in a difficult location for large town plow trucks to back out into Webber Pond Road after plowing, as there is no place to turn around. The town has not been required for a number of years by the current homeowner to plow the road of 136.61 feet that serves as a driveway. The town would prefer to discontinue that responsibility. With no further discussion offered, the hearing was closed at 7:34 p.m.
    f. China Lake boat landing – Sabins explained that she was looking for guidance from the Selectmen as to their wishes concerning a possible agreement with the State Department of Conservation for future grant funding to move the China Lake boat ramp from the existing location to another area near Shorey Road. The reason for the discussion on the move is to get the launch out of the area of the Water District’s intake valves. Sabins has been asked to attend a planning meeting about a new launch on May 5th and wanted the views of the Board prior to the meeting. The proposed new site would be located on Water District property, but the Town would need to be the mechanism to accept the State’s grant funding and enter into a long term agreement for continued site maintenance thereafter. Discussion was given about the remoteness of the proposed site and the burden it would place on the town to patrol and maintain the site. L. Titus stated he didn’t mind the town being the mechanism for the grant, but felt it was the Water District’s responsibility to police and maintain the site once installed, as it is their land and they are the ones requesting the change to protect their natural resources. Chairman Browne expressed concern about the loss of business for the Corner Store if the ramp was to be relocated. Sabins indicated that she had not heard a lot of support for a change and that she had enough information to share at the upcoming planning meeting.
    g. Town Meeting Warrant review – The warrant articles were reviewed and changes made as necessary. The final review and signing will be at the next meeting.
    h. Quit claim deed – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign the quit claim deed for Daren Rodrique for an undischarged tax lien from 1996.

  4. Reports – a.) Status Report – no discussion. b.) Road Report – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the road report as written.

  5. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #66 and #67.

  6. Other – 1.) Receipt of the request for nominees to serve on the MMA Legislative Policy Committee was acknowledged. No action taken. 2.) An invitation to the upcoming Delta Ambulance Open House was read. No action taken. 3.) L. Titus gave an update on the work of the Energy Committee.

  7. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on May 13, 2010 with the following amendments: None.