Members Present: Rob Browne, Lauchlin Titus, and Phil Haines
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, and Jean Poulin
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Haines at 7:00 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 12/18/14 meeting as written.
3. First Responder’s Policy and Procedures Manual – At the Manager’s recommendation, and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to table the review of this manual until grammatical and technical amendments can be made to the proposed policy.
4. CDBG intent to file forms – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Survey Methodology and Certification Form. This form will accompany the CDBG Letter of Intent to Apply Form, which the Manager will sign. Both forms will be submitted to the CDBG State Office by KVCOG Representative Gail Chase by the application deadline on Friday, January 16th to assist the Vassalboro Sanitary District Trustees who need to apply for grant funding for a major sewer system upgrade they are planning.
5. 2012 unpaid tax foreclosure list – Sabins distributed a list of property owners with locations noted whose 2012 taxes have not been paid. The foreclosure notices were sent out on January 9th. Automatic foreclosure day is Friday, February 20th.
6. Budget meeting dates – The Board reviewed the list of tentative meeting dates and timelines, and made one change at the request of the Manager. The Selectmen’s meeting originally scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9th will be moved to Tuesday, April 7th at 6 p.m. The Board agreed by consensus that the tentative list of planned meetings as amended was okay with them. The 2015 Town Meeting will be held on Monday, June 1st at 6:30 p.m. at the school.
7. Auditor’s invoice – The Board reviewed the recent invoice from the audit firm, which was priced at over twice the contract amount of $4,500. After discussion with the Manager and the Town Bookkeeper Jean Poulin, the Board agreed to pay only the contract price of $4,500. The Town Attorney will be consulted if the audit firm raises an objection to the payment amount.
8. Town Report content – Sabins explained she needed ideas for a theme for this year’s town report. As of the last few years, a milestone anniversary of some organization within town has been commemorated with a centerfold story in the book. Selectman Rob Browne offered that Natanis Golf Course is celebrating a 50th anniversary, and the Board thought this was a very good idea for the centerfold story. Discussion was then given about dedicating the book to the generations of the Browne Family who have made the Natanis establishment what it is today.
9. 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 - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. c. Financial Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented.
10. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #44 and #45.
11. Other – 1. The Board reviewed a list of written comments made by Linda Titus concerning a request that the Town reimburse Ray Breton $355 for expenses she estimated that Ray has incurred to purchase extension cords, Christmas lights, along with heating costs associated with hosting the annual tree lighting event at his old mill in North Vassalboro in early December. After discussion, Selectman Browne offered that his business would pay this reimbursement request this year. The Board agreed that before another event is held at the mill, a prior fixed amount (suggested at $100) be agreed upon with Ray prior to the event. Payment for portable toilets at Ray’s swimming hole property in the North village area, as well as a portable toilet for the Vassalboro Days event in 2015 was also briefly discussed, but no formal decision was made at this time. 2. A thank you note from the Loiko family was read. 3. At the Manager’s request, the Board suggested she present proposed percentage increases of 2%, 2.5% and 3% for staff wages for upcoming budget deliberations. Sabins also reminded the Board that her contract is up for renewal this year as well. 4. Sabins read a memo from the town assessor stating that a surveyor had recently notified him that a parcel on our tax maps with an unknown owner appears to be owned by the town through tax lien foreclosure in the 1960’s. Assessor Bane will adjust the assessment records. The Board asked Sabins to contact the abutters to see if there is an interest in acquiring the property. It appears one of the abutters has located his garage on the property now owned by the Town. 5. It was noted that the Vassalboro Sanitary District Trustees plan to use the town office conference room to hold a public hearing on their future wastewater discharge options on Monday, February 2nd at 6:00 p.m. 6. L. Titus noted that former Vassalboro resident Rev. Jane Schwab was recently killed in an out-of-state automobile accident.
12. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
/mss
These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 2/12/15 with the following amendments: None.