Members Present: Rob Browne, John Melrose, and Barbara Redmond

Others Present: Mary Sabins, Kayla Krause, Mary Grow, Karen Howard, Thomas Richards, Cynthia Hinkley, Anntoinette Brown, Alan Brown, Mike Poulin, Jessica Reed, Rick Rancourt, Jennifer Rancourt, Tina Wood, Zach Olson, and Mr. Beaudoin.

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Melrose at 6:30 pm.

2. Minutes– John Melrose stated that a correction in wording for clarification is needed in a sentence near the end of Section 4 of the 4/15/21 minutes as follows (remove struck-out words “a sidewalk” and add underlined word “curbing”.):

Recap of MDOT meeting regarding paving in the North Village area – Chairman Melrose reviewed the Maine Department of Transportation’s (MaineDOT) plan a few years ago to conduct a large reconstruction project of Route #32 from China to Winslow, but delayed the project due to the Vassalboro Sanitary District sewer main project on Rt. #32 that tore up the highway and took a few years to complete. The funding for that large reconstruction project is no longer in place. Instead, MaineDOT now plans to put down a less-costly skim coat of hot top in the summer of 2021. J. Melrose discussed the meeting that he, Sabins, and PW Director Gene Field had recently attended with MaineDOT representatives regarding the drainage and sidewalk improvements needed in the North Village area before pavement is laid. As a result of the discussion, MaineDOT representatives will meet with Ray Breton to investigate and learn what Ray knows about the ongoing drainage problems in the North Village area. J. Melrose also told how the options for sidewalk maintenance or replacement in the North Village area were discussed at length. It is estimated by MaineDOT that it would cost approximately $400K to place new sidewalks with granite curbing on both sides of the road. The use of slip form curbing made of concrete instead of granite would be cheaper, about half the price. Currently, sidewalks are only on one side of the road. It is unclear at this point if a sidewalk curbing on both sides of the road would be required or if additional savings could be realized by refurbishing just the one sidewalk now in place. J. Melrose described an idea that PW Director Gene Field had to reclaim the top of the existing sidewalk, reset the curbing, and resurface the existing sidewalk. After discussion by the Board Members on this topic, no formal action was taken at this time.

On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the minutes as amended.

3. Public Hearing on the proposed Marijuana Business Ordinance – J. Melrose opened the floor up to public comment on the topic. There were no questions or comments from the public. B. Redmond motioned to close the hearing, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing.

4. John Green to discuss his request for a key to access the Transfer Station – John Green requested to be on the April 29th agenda to discuss his request for having a key to the Transfer Station facility, for after-hours access. John Green was not present at the meeting. J. Melrose stated that he believed a problem arose a couple of times this past winter when the Transfer Station was closed during inclement weather. Due to the closure, John Green was unable to access the Transfer Station to unload his trash he had collected the day before for his business. M. Sabins stated John Green had come into the Town Office and wanted to know why he can’t have a key to the Transfer Station. She spoke about the Town’s liability if something were to happen during off hours. M. Sabins also stated she spoke with George Hamar, the Transfer Station manager, to inquire if he was accessing the facility off hours, as that was a comment John had made during the meeting. George stated that he was entering the Transfer Station a half hour prior to regular hours to off load his garbage that he had collected from his business. She encouraged George to work it out with John to come to a resolution that would work for everyone and not impact the Town’s liability. Several people from the audience had questions and comments in favor of J. Green having a key, as he was doing the town a service by disposing of garbage. Residents spoke that in the past, there was a key allowed for the previous owner of J. Greene’s business and that key had been taken away and they wanted to know why. No decision was made and it was agreed upon to allow the two men time to work it out between themselves.

5. Review and possibly award the school generator bids- M. Sabins reported that only one bid was received for the stand alone generator project to be installed at the Vassalboro School. That bid was for $121,250.00 received from Generators of Maine however, that bid was $6,250 more than the price estimate used for grant application submission months ago. The town will need to absorb the extra costs, since the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant was awarded based on an estimated cost of $115K for the project. FEMA will pay $86,250; the Town will have to pay the balance of $35,000, which is $7,000 more than the amount approved at town meeting a few years ago. There was discussion of where to find the extra funds so that the project could continue moving forward. It was suggested to reach out to the Vassalboro School to see if they could contribute funds to make up the difference. R. Browne also suggested use of the contingency article that is approved on the town meeting warrant annually to make up the shortfall. On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by B. Redmond, the Board voted unanimously to award the bid to Generators of Maine and to authorize a check to be cut for the first 30% deposit that is required.

6. Review and sign the June 7-8, 2021 Town Meeting Warrant – On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the Town Meeting Warrant.

7. Sign quit claim deed for Thomas Ibbitson - Mary Sabins explained that Thomas Ibbitson had paid his taxes in full for his Real Estate Account # 3136, Map 008 Lot 123-6. This property was foreclosed on by the town on 2/19/2021. A Quit Claim Deed was made to sign the property back over to Thomas Ibbitson. B. Redmond motioned, R. Browne seconded and the Board voted unanimously to sign the Quit Claim Deed.

8. Reports- Road Report - On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by J. Melrose, the Board voted 2-0 to accept the Road Report, with R. Browne absent for the vote (he had stepped out of the room momentarily to accept a phone call).

Financial Report - Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #60 and #61.

9. Other- 1.) M. Sabins stated that a call had come into the office that week to inquiry about holding a concert on a parcel owned by Patricia Trask on the Nelson Road. It was described as having some well-known names preforming such as Shooter Jennings and Coleman Williams, the son and grandson of Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, Jr. respectively, and could potentially draw a large crowd. Since the Town of Vassalboro does not currently have a Mass Gathering Ordinance, should the process start to develop such ordinance? M. Sabins reached out to the Town’s attorney and it was suggested to use the Mass Gathering Ordinance from the town of Readfield, which was provided for the Board to look at. Chairman Melrose requested to add this topic to the next meeting agenda. 2.) J. Melrose spoke about the Kennebec County’s first Budget Committee meeting which was held on April 28, 2021 and discussed the impact on Vassalboro. He stated the next meeting was scheduled for May 12, 2021 for the Kennebec County Budget Committee. 3) Resident Tom Richards inquired about planned paving on Rt. #32 for the upcoming season. J. Melrose explained that the D.O.T. has changed the paving plans due to budget constraints. A 5/8” treatment would be laid down on several roads in town to smooth out the surface and help maintain the roads.

10. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

/khk

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 5/13/21 with the following amendments: None.