Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
January 17, 2013

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

Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Susan Cover, Don Robbins, Dick Phippen, Don Breton, Doug Phillips, John Melrose, Lori Fowle, Bill Browne, Jim Hart, Dr. John Burke, and William Whitley.

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Browne at 7:02 p.m.

2. Minutes – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 1/4/13 meeting as written.

3. Orthoimagery Program – Sabins explained that an opportunity exists to participate in the Maine GeoLibrary’s upcoming Orthoimagery Program. The State plans a fly-over of Kennebec County to take digital aerial photographs in April 2013 and all towns within the County have the opportunity to participate and pay an additional fee for closer image levels. These close images will be useful with the town tax maps and can be used by the town planning committees. Sabins explained to the members of the Budget Committee and Select Board gathered at the meeting that the price to purchase images at a 6” level two increment is $9,000 and the money can be found within the current year budget; all that is needed is approval by both Boards to transfer the funds from various existing expense lines, as required by town meeting warrant article. After review of the financial reports showing where the money could be transferred from to fund the project, and after discussion about the usefulness of the images we will receive, a motion was made by Budget Committee Member Bill Browne to approve the Manager’s recommendation to transfer the funds needed to participate in the Orthoimagery Program. This motion was seconded by Dr. John Burke, and voted unanimously by the remaining members of the Budget Committee. Selectman Phil Haines then made a motion to approve the transfer of funds and to enter into a contract agreement to obtain the Digital Orthoimagery at the six inch level two increment. This motion was seconded by L. Titus, and voted unanimously by the Select Board.

4. Other – (taken out of agenda order) – Jim Hart addressed the Board and requested their support for a feasibility study to introduce alewives into China Lake. The water quality in Webber Pond and Three Mile Pond has improved greatly since the introduction of alewives into those lakes, and the same water quality improvement is hoped for in China Lake. Mr. Hart told the Board that he and members of the China Lake Association and the China Region Lakes Alliance have become aware of a grant opportunity to fund a feasibility study, and the deadline to submit an application is mid-February. The grant opportunity will not arise again for an estimated three years or more, so the group is anxious to move quickly to meet this deadline. Mr. Hart spoke of a recent tour of the dams that are now barriers to the introduction of alewives into China Lake. The feasibility study would identify possible locations for fish ways to allow fish passage through and around the dams and evaluate the benefits thereof. Mr. Hart has received much support for the idea from the dam owners as well as interested agencies, and he is seeking support of the Selectmen because the town owns the Outlet Stream Dam on China Lake. After discussion, and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by P. Haines, the Board voted unanimously to approve and support Mr. Hart’s request to participate in the feasibility study. The Board also agreed that Town Manager Sabins can sign the letter of support on behalf of the Selectmen that will be provided by Mr. Hart for the grant application.

5. Reports – a. Status Report – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. b. Road Report - On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented.

6. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #46 and #47.

7. Other – 1. Sabins informed the Board that she had received a letter from the DEP concerning well water test results of three properties located east of the closed town landfill. The DEP has determined that the well water contains higher than normal levels of iron, manganese, and arsenic and they believe it is due to leachate from the landfill. The DEP is requesting that the town pay to have filtering systems installed in the three homes. Before we agree to do that, Don Robbins agreed to review the letter from the DEP and report his findings back to the Manager. 2. A thank you note from Jim and Vicki Schad was read individually by each Selectman. 3. Don Robbins noted that the East Vassalboro Water Company, of which he is a co-owner, was recently approved by the PUC for a rate increase. 4. State Representative Lori Fowle provided an update from the Legislature. She stated that the State budget looks nasty with severe State Revenue Sharing and budget cuts being proposed. It’s very early in the process, and she promised to provide regular updates as new information becomes available. She encouraged the Board to contact her with concerns.

8. Executive Session – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted at 8:27 p.m. to enter into an executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA, Section 405, subsection 6(A) to discuss a personnel matter. The Board returned to open session at 8:50 p.m. and took no formal action as a result of the executive session.

9. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 1/31/13 with the following amendments: None.