Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
December 19, 2007

Don Breton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were the following: Libby Mitchell, Rob Browne, Lauchlin Titus, Gary Smith, Dick Phippen, Rick Jose, Lori Fowle, Kevin Levesseur, Elizabeth Reuthe, Hugh Reardon, Mary Grow and Mike Vashon.

The November 5th minutes were reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 2-0

The Warrant was reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 3-0.

The Road Report was reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 3-0.

The Status Report was reviewed and the town manager indicated no changes for this meeting.

The Financial Report was reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob, 3-0.

Old Business: None

New Business: Update on School Consolidation:

Although the meeting was advertised as an update on school consolidation the only persons in attendance were two school board members, school union superintendent and business manager and three budget committee members. Lori began the meeting stating there are no new updates regarding the consolidation that were not publicly stated previously. Libby indicated there would be a new bill proposed for the opening session in January that would deal with three issues; negative cost, removing 2 mill requirement, and postponing the referendum. The three Vassalboro representatives, Lori Fowle, Libby Mitchell and Lauchlin Titus all agree that consolidation would be a big plus for educational opportunities. It was indicated there is currently a negative financial impact on the town of Vassalboro with the current consolidation. Lori indicated that the proposed legislation to amend the state law may allow renegotiation of cost sharing. Lori also indicated their next meeting in late January and the legislature’s discussion in January may give some insight as to what may happen to Vassalboro. Libby indicated by that time there should be some word on whether the petition to repeal the reorganization law has enough signatures to force a June vote.

Lori Fowle stated that if the three Vassalboro representatives cannot support the new unit with SAD 47 and Waterville they may look for different partners or report to the state that they have a problem.

Libby also stated there are at least two substitutes for reorganization currently under discussion. One is Super unions, which is a larger version of the current Union 52 and the other is service centers, which would share transportation, payroll, food service and other functions without complete administrative centralization.

It was also indicated there would be a 13 member committee that would run the current unit as being discussed and Vassalboro would have one vote. Lauchlin indicated the planning committee decided to eliminate local school boards, since they would have no power. PTO’s would not be affected by the changes. The next consolidation meeting is scheduled for late January.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the selectmen’s meeting at 9:06p.m. Libby/Rob 3-0.

Attest: ______________________________

Michael A. Vashon