Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
August 15, 2007

Don Breton called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. In attendance were the following: Rob Browne, George Gould, Jim Hart (KWD), Bob Van Riper (biologist from DIF&W), Adam Loiko, Skip Loiko, Charlie Clark (China school board chairman), Lori Fowle (Vassalboro school board chairperson), Eric Rowe, (Vassalboro fire chief), Mary Grow and Mike Vashon. Absent; Libby Mitchell (unexpectedly called out of town).

The July 17th minutes were reviewed and approved, Rob/Don 2-0

The Warrant was reviewed and approved, Rob/Don 2-0.

The Road Report was reviewed and approved, Rob/Don 2-0.

The Status Report was reviewed and the town manager indicated the Oakland recycling facility is 60 to 70% complete. Rest Area on route 3 is still waiting for fed approval before any funds can be expended.

Don Breton requested we poll the residents of the Bog Road for the possibility of increasing the speed limit. The town manager also indicated he would contact David Allen, traffic engineer for the D.O.T. Also added to the status report was the railings and fence at the outlet of China Lake in East Vassalboro and the possibility of posting signs of no swimming or trespassing.

The Police report was reviewed and approved, Rob/Don 2-0.

The Financial Report was reviewed and approved, Rob/Don 2-0.

Old Business: Jim Hart director of water quality for the Kennebec Water District and Bob Van Riper, regional biologist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, both indicated they do not object to having some of the screens removed at the China Lake outlet dam in East Vassalboro. Jim Hart indicated that KWD will continue to monitor the quality of the water and may even expand it and would update the selectmen annually if such a request was made. Bob indicated that DIF&W usually stocks fish in the spring and fall and the fish are scattered throughout the lake, rather than in one location, thereby decreasing the migration out of the lake.

Lori Fowle, chairperson of the Vassalboro school board and her counter-part in China, Charles Clark both indicated there is some confusion on school reorganization and all schools are required to report their intentions by August 31, 2007. Lori indicated that Vassalboro would like to continue with their current partners, Winslow and China and possibly add Palermo. Winslow appears to have other intentions, such as joining with Waterville, and SAD 47 (Oakland, Rome, Belgrade and Sidney). Lori indicated the Vassalboro school board meets on August 21 and there is a meeting scheduled for August 22 in Oakland to discuss the possible regionalization of SAD 47, Waterville and Winslow. Lori indicated she would be out of town and suggested that the selectmen should make an attempt to attend.

New Business: The town manager distributed a recap of the bids received for the surplus equipment.

For the 1982 GMC 7000 Cab and Chassis there were three bids; $537.00, $705.00 and $200.00. The town manger indicated they should accept the high bid of $705.00 from Dore’s Equipment. A motion was made by Rob Browne to accept the high bid of $705.00, seconded by Don Breton, approved 2-0.

The next vehicle was a 1983 Ford F-350 “Cube” Truck used by the fire department. There were three bids; one for $285.00, $305.00 and $600.00. Eric Rowe, fire chief recommended the selectmen not accept the high bid and allow the fire department to sell the truck. Rob Brown made a motion to reject the high bid, seconded by Don and allow the fire department to sell the vehicle, vote 2-0 to reject.

The next vehicle was a 1995 Chevrolet Caprice (former police car) and the town received five bids; 800.00, $400.00, $833.00, $533.86, and $310.00. The town manager suggested the selectmen should accept the high bid of $833.00 from a Steven Connors. A motion was made by Rob Browne to accept the high bid of $833.00, seconded by Don Breton, approved 2-0.

The fourth item was a 1979 David Brown tractor. The town received five bids of; $1,501.00, $705.00, $425.00, $785.00 and $878.00. The town manager suggested the selectmen accept the high bid of $1,501.00 from Fred Ames. Rob Browne made a motion to accept the high bid of $1,50l.00, seconded by Don Breton, and approved 2-0.

The last item was a 1982 Ford 800 Diesel Cab-over fire truck. The town received three bids of; $3,000.00, $1,205.00 and $730.00. The town manager suggested the selectmen accept the high bid of $3,000.00 from Main Street Motors. Rob Browne made a motion to accept the high bid of $3,000.00, seconded by Don, and approved 2-0.

There was a question by Skip Loiko as to why the town did not put the above equipment in the auction that was conducted on their property. The town manager indicated he had experience with auctions and that in his opinion the town could get more for the items with private bids.

The next item on the agenda was the appointment of the Assessor, Ellery Bane. A motion was made by Rob, seconded by Don to appoint Ellery Bane as the town’s assessor.

There was no discussion of Partridge Hollow Drive. Mike Ayer elected not to attend the meeting.

The town manager indicated that Winfried Cates had placed a white primer coat on the Dam Building at the outlet of China Lake and requested two gallons of paint and $50.00 to finish the job.

Skip and Adam Loiko attended the selectmen’s meeting and requested other invoices associated with the printing of the town report. Town manager indicated he would forward copies. Skip Loiko also request a copy of any policy the town may have for purchasing. The town manager indicated he would research and get back to him.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the selectmen’s meeting at 8:55 p.m. Rob/Don, 2-0.

Attest: ______________________________ Michael A. Vashon