Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
August 10, 2017

Members Present: Rob Browne, Lauchlin Titus, and Phil Haines

Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Roxanne & Billy Pullen, Dick Dolby, Joe Presti, Jane Aiudi, and Gene Field (7:02)

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Haines at 6:59 p.m.

2. Minutes – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the 6/29/17 meeting as written.

3. Donald Lagasse to discuss damage to his boat after launching at China Lake – Mr. Lagasse did not appear at the meeting; therefore the agenda item was postponed.

4. Cemetery survey bid award – The Selectmen reviewed a handout from Sabins of the three bids received ranging from $3,660 to $6,029. Cemetery Committee Chairman Jane Aiudi shared with the Board that the Cemetery Committee members had reviewed the three bids and recommended that the Selectmen award the bid to the high bidder Thomas Stevens because he offered many different options and varying prices for the work and shape of the lot markers that are desired by Committee members. After discussion and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Cemetery Committee’s recommendation and to award the cemetery survey, mapping, and marking bid to Thomas Stevens for $5,170.80 (includes 4” round polymer marking pins), pending acceptable reference checks and discussion with the bidder.

5. Boat damage – Once Public Works Director Gene Field arrived at the meeting, this agenda item was revisited. Upon inquiry, Gene stated that the cement planks at the boat ramp that were in disarray at the time of the boating mishap, were remedied by Gene and his team the day after the problem was reported. The day the problem was reported by Mr. Lagasse, the PW team was already involved in a culvert replacement project and could not be redirected to the ramp until the culvert project was finished. Gene stated that he had called the State Boat Launch Division, and the State Director did not want Gene to shut down the launch site, but rather attempt to improve the defect to the best outcome possible until the planned launch renovation can take place in late September this year. Speculation was given as to whether Mr. Legasse may have attempted to launch his boat with the motor down, which caused damage to the prop. Billy Pullen from the audience stated that he has knowledge that Mr. Lagasse has operated a boat for some time, and he did not think Mr. Legasse would have done that. L. Titus stated that he had called his own insurance agent to inquire if such an incident would be covered, and the agent suggested that Mr. Legasse should call his insurance agent to file a claim. L. Titus suggested Sabins could inform Mr. Legasse of this option.

6. Road paving – PW Director Gene Field stated that he had requested to have this subject on the agenda so he could discuss how the paving money will be spent, as he wanted to be on the same page with the Board. Due to the lower than expected paving bid price this year, we can accomplish more paving than planned. Gene’s recommendation is to extend the planned paving on the Cross Hill Road an additional two to four tenths of a mile. By consensus, the Board gave their approval of Gene’s recommendation. Also, Gene informed the Board that he needs more culverts, but that his culvert budget has already been expended. The Board gave their okay to over-expend the culvert budget line as long as the overall public works budget is not overspent.

7. Tax-acquired subdivision lots on Ilona Drive – Audience member Joe Presti introduced himself. He has been attempting to purchase the house within the subdivision on Ilona Drive at a bank foreclosure auction, and wants the land within the twelve house lots to go with the house to make one large property for his family. Mr. Presti indicated that the bank has delayed the auction on the home twice now, so he still does not know if he will be successful in buying the home. He wants to purchase the land from the town and undo the subdivision, but only if he is successful in buying the home. Chairman Haines offered, and the other Selectmen and Mr. Presti agreed, that the town would take no action on selling the tax acquired subdivision land until the house within the subdivision sells at auction.

8. Kilburn Road name – Code Officer Dick Dolby stated that Mrs. Kilburn came to the town office to visit with him to discuss the recent controversy over the name of Kilburn Road. The day prior to her visit, Mrs. Kilburn had received a visit from Mrs. Shirley Lacy, who is leading the effort to get the road name changed to Pleasant Point Road at the request of her neighbor Mr. Young. Mrs. Kilburn told Dick that she sees no reason to change the road name, as it has been Kilburn Road since the mid-nineteen nineties. Mrs. Kilburn stated that she doesn’t want to be confrontational, and did not plan to attend the meeting this evening to discuss the matter. She would also like to become a year-round resident. After discussion, and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board agreed to take no action to change the road name.

9. Mil rate – The Board reviewed the mil rate options as prepared by the Town Assessor Ellery Bane. After discussion and expression of desire to keep the mil rate as low as possible, on a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, the Board set a tax mil rate of .014550 for the FY2017-18 tax year. This new rate is a 50 cent increase over last year.

10. Appointment paper corrections – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign corrected appointment papers for the Planning Board and Appeals Board term renewals. The original sets of appointment papers contained incorrect expiration dates.

11. MMA Election for Executive Committee and Vice-Presidency positions – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to cast the Town’s ballot for the nominated candidates on the ballot.

12. Personal property abatement – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign an abatement of personal property taxes for tax years 2011-2015 for John Green Paving, who went out of business in 2010.

13. Reports – a. Road Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. b. Police Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. c. First Responders’ Report – no report available. d. Financial Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented.

14. Treasurer’s Warrants –After an explanation by Sabins, and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to allow and authorize a prepayment of $1,496.00 to Snowpond Technology Group. This vendor required the money upfront to purchase a new computer for the front counter, plus a replacement router for the network. Labor charges will be billed and paid after the hardware installation. On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #10 and #11.

15. Other – 1. On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign a quit claim deed for Seth Cates and Sherry Cates to clear the title from two old tax liens from 1978 that were never discharged. 2. The Selectmen approved the insertion of a tax bill insert that announces the start of the new KVCAP explorer bus route in Vassalboro. 3. The Board approved the town participation in the US Census LUCA program to help identify addresses in Vassalboro for the census workers. 4. Sabins updated the Board on a conversation she had recently with Ed Wasilewski who had offered to be a grave opener for the town. Details are still being discussed with Ed. 5. Bill Pullen asked for a status update on the LED streetlight conversion project. Selectman Titus stated the project is on hold pending the outcome of other town’s projects. 6. Bill Pullen reminded the Board that a year ago, the Selectmen approved the use of the Town Office grounds on September 9th for a car show during Vassalboro Days. The car show is being planned now.

16. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 9/21/17 with the following amendments: None.