Members Present: Libby Mitchell, Lauchlin Titus, and Rob Browne
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Paul Mitnik, Mary Grow, Chuck O’Neal, George Gould, Mike & Sue Vashon, Elaine Crawford, Peter Vashon, Rev. Jane Schwab, Dick Phippen, Keel Hood, Jim Schad, Sally Michaud, residents from the Coyote Ridge Subdivision Road, and approximately 15-20 members of the public.
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mitchell at 7:03 p.m. Libby gave introductions of town officials and officers and opened the meeting to the next item on the agenda of public discussion.
2. Public Comment – A majority of those in attendance at the meeting this evening were present to express their concern over the Planning Board’s recent decision to approve an application for a topless coffee shop on Rt. #3. Chairman Mitchell explained that the Town has no ordinance in place to govern the establishment of adult entertainment businesses in Town and that the Selectmen cannot reverse the Planning Board’s decision. Many of the concerned residents expressed their concern about the nature of the new business and asked the Selectmen to draft an ordinance to be proposed at the June Annual Town Meeting that will give the Planning Board more tools to work with in the event of a similar future application. Sabins explained that she had spoken with an attorney at the Maine Municipal Association and she had also obtained sample ordinances from other town’s websites to help draft a new ordinance. After discussion and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to ask Manager Mary Sabins to pursue drafting an adult entertainment ordinance. Selectman Titus stated that Sabins’ priority focus must be on the creation of the new budget this time of year, but requested that she plan to have the ordinance ready for the June vote. Mike Vashon offered his assistance in writing the ordinance.
3. Minutes – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 12/17/08 meeting as written.
4. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #44 and #45.
5. New Business – 1. Elaine Crawford introduced herself and other members from the local Ministry group present at the meeting who oversee the local fuel assistance fund. Elaine stated that she had asked to be on the agenda to make the Selectmen aware of the local fuel assistance program. She explained that the volunteer group has been soliciting donations and helping those in need of fuel assistance for four heating seasons, and described the confidential service that they provide without income guidelines to many residents in Town. Elaine asked the Selectmen to consider asking the Town to support her program at Town Meeting. Chairman Mitchell thanked Elaine and her other volunteers for the work that they do to help the residents of the community. 2. Auditor Keel Hood distributed a three-year analysis of the trend in increased balances in tax receivables, and the decrease in excise tax collections. He stated that he has noticed that these trends seem to be consistent in all the Towns he has audited. Keel stated that the Town of Vassalboro’s fund balance is in good shape and more can comfortably be used if needed to reduce the Tax Commitment. 3. Solid Waste Transportation bid – After brief discussion and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept Sabins’ recommendation to award all four bids to RC Service of Oakland, ME as follows: MSW to Perc: $240/trip; Bulky Waste to Norridgewock: $150/trip; Recyclables to Dexter: $175/trip; and Recyclables to SKILLS: $85.00/trip. 4. Public Hearing on automobile hobbyist permits – Chairman Mitchell opened the Public Hearing at 7:55 p.m. CEO Paul Mitnik recommended approval of all the applicants as follows: Dan Toto at 11 Mill Road, Map 1, Lot 12; Eldred Getchell at 34 Evans Road, Map 8, Lot 3; and Richard Cain at 358 Hussey Hill Road, Map 7, Lot 108. With no public discussion being heard, the public hearing was closed at 7:56 p.m. On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the applications as recommended by the Code Enforcement Officer. 5. Dam operation agreement – Without discussion, Chairman Mitchell signed the China Lake Dam Operation Agreement already signed by Kennebec Water District representatives and previously approved by the Selectmen. 6. Finding of facts on the Sarah and Rick Luce appeal case – documents that Sarah and Rick had requested to have considered by the Board at the appeal hearing on 1/28/09 were distributed to the Board Members. 7. Update on Coyote Ridge subdivision road issue – Several landowners in the subdivision were present at the meeting to learn of any new developments in the resolution to the road problems. Sabins informed the group that she and CEO Mitnik have a telephone conference call with the Town Attorney, Ron LaVallee and his attorney David Lipman scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20th to discuss the road problem. The landowners expressed their desired outcome to have the road brought up to Town standards so that it could be adopted by the town as a town road.
6. Reports – a. The Status report was reviewed by Sabins. b. The Road Report was read and unanimously accepted on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne. c. The Police Report was also read and unanimously accepted on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne.
7. Other – Chairman Mitchell extended congratulations to Lauchlin Titus on the passing vote yesterday in all three towns of Vassalboro, Winslow, and Waterville to approve the formation of the new school AOS. Brief discussion was given as to how the new AOS may be affected if the pending repeal vote on the new school consolidation law is passed.
8. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
/mss
These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 2/11/09 with the following amendments: None.