Members Present: Rob Browne, Barbara Redmond, and Chris French

Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Mike Poulin, Becky Goodrich, Al Roy, Ryan Page, Sentinel Reporter Evan Houk, Tom Richards, Don Breton, abatement applicant, Melissa Olson, Walker Thompson, Mike Vashon, Lee Trahan, Darrell Gagnon, Ray Breton, Sue Taylor, Liz McMahon, Dan Mayotte (6:45), George Hamar, Richard Green, and a few other members of the public.

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rob Browne at 6:30 pm.

2. Minutes – B. Redmond stated that in the sixth line from the bottom on page two, the minutes should not say that Mr. Caron owns a one-acre parcel on the South Reynolds Road. Instead, she believes Mr. Caron said the parcel of land is owned by a friend. The sentence was amended as follows:

Mr. Caron stated that he plans to move the junk to a one-acre parcel he owns owned by a friend on the South Reynolds Road.

A motion was then made by C. French, seconded by B. Redmond, and voted two in favor with one abstention (R. Browne who was absent from the 1/6/22 meeting) to accept the minutes of the 1/6/22 meeting as amended.

3. Dangerous Building update – Code Officer Ryan Page provided an update to the Board on the declared dangerous building located at 14 Priest Hill Road, owned by Chad Caron. Ryan stated that he has taken photos of the property every work day to document any progress being made by Mr. Caron. No visible improvements were noted; possibly even more accumulation of stuff. It’s difficult to note all changes after a recent covering of snow. Ryan made multiple attempts to reach Mr. Caron by phone over the last two weeks before finally making connection with him to remind him of the looming deadline. The next door neighbor reported to Ryan that there has been no sighting of Mr. Caron in several days. Ray Breton expressed his concern about motor oil being dumped on the ground at Mr. Caron’s property. Ray stated that he indicated to Mr. Caron that Ray would call the DEP to report the oil slick. CEO Ryan will provide another update at the next Board meeting in two weeks. Tom Richards said we need to quit fooling around and need to take some action now. Chairman Browne stated that we need to follow the process. Ray Breton then also stated that Mr. Caron is using a jack that is too small for the job. The foundation is rubble, and the steeple is tilting toward Martha’s house (neighbor) and the road. Ray’s opinion is that nothing good will come of that place.

4. FD request for town meeting warrant article – Mike Vashon told the Board that the fire department has about 20 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) that are 25 and 30 years that need to be replaced. Mike has applied for a federal FEMA grant to replace these SCBA for the last three grant rounds. He is hopeful this year the grant application will be successful, but if not, Mike asked the Board to include a warrant article on the town meeting warrant in the amount of $81,650 for funding to replace 10 of the 20 SCBA. There will be no need to raise funds for a fire truck lease payment at town meeting this year, as the funds have already been raised by FD members through outside donations. Instead, the FD needs this Scott air-pack funding article now. Select Board Member Chris French asked why the FD waited 30 years to replace the SCBA if NFPA says the packs are obsolete at 10 years. FD Chief Walker Thompson stated that planning for equipment replacement going forward will be very important. Don Breton expressed concern and the need for planning for roof painting at the North Station where the paint is peeling off the metal roof. Discussion was given concerning the possible start of a reserve designated for truck or equipment replacement that could be added to each year.

5. Library budget request – Library Director Brian Stanley was unable to attend the meeting to give the presentation tonight due to ill health. Instead Library Trustees Sue Taylor and Liz McMahon addressed the Board. Sue Taylor stated that she felt it is important to pursue what we feel is important about Vassalboro. The Library has experienced good attendance during past programs and the trustees want to see growth in development in new programs. More hours are needed for the Library Director to develop more program offerings to residents. More funding is needed from the town to support the additional program development hours and duties. Liz McMahon stated convenient library hours are essential and the library is only effective when it is open. More library hours need to be offered. The Town funding pays for staff salaries; the staff writes grants. The grant proceeds and fundraising campaigns pay for programs. A sheet of paper with three separate funding options was distributed to Board members ranging from increases of $2,065 for no additional library hours, to an increase of $30,600 for two additional open days at the library. Chairman Browne expressed concern about the town rec program, which was part of the original idea considered for a joint activities/recreational director. Now the rec program is not included in this proposal. Rob said the Board will take the request under advisement when creating the budget over the next several months. No decision on the request was made at this meeting.

6. Town Forest and Red Brook Trail Rules – With little discussion and on a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to approve the trail guidelines as presented by the Trail Committee. Fire Chief Walker Thompson asked if the entire trail is wide enough to get a rescue ATV in the woods if rescue of an injured patient was needed. Mike Poulin, who assisted with creation of the trails, said no. Walker will talk with Trail Committee Chairman John Melrose about that.

7. Background check policy – B. Redmond stated that she has read the policy samples and that she also likes the simplicity of sample #2. At an earlier meeting, Chairman Browne stated that he preferred sample #2. Both agreed simple is better and this draft is a starting point. The Board asked Sabins to bring back a draft background policy based on sample #2 for discussion at a future meeting.

8. Solar Ordinance – C. French stated that the State is creating legislation to regulate decommissioning of solar arrays. We need clarity on the state rules so we don’t recreate something already done. Sabins will call MMA for clarity on proposed state rules. Discussion was given if we need to create and propose an ordinance at town meeting that we get it done in time for the election ballot deadlines.

9. ARPA funding usage – Brief discussion was given regarding the ARPA fund usage requests received already from First Responder Chief Dan Mayotte. Also mentioned was possible usage for hazard pay for staff and emergency volunteers, as well as the Sanitary District’s request for funds. First Responder Chief Dan Mayotte stated that the purchase of AED’s that have failed are a priority, and he wants funds to train new members. C. French stated if we slated $15K for AED’s, we could absorb that in the annual budget if the Feds do not approve the expenditure for AED’s from the ARPA funds. When discussing possible use of ARPA funds for staff and volunteers, B. Redmond stated that she has printed a list of towns that have already voted to use the funds to pay hazard pay to staff for working through the pandemic. Transfer Station George Hamar reminded the Board that staff are still working with the public in hazardous pandemic conditions. FD Chief Walker Thompson stated that if hazard pay is approved, he would like to see payment to FD members made by the calls served, rather than a lump sum. Some FD members are more active than others. When asked, Walker agreed he could put a list of calls together naming participants. Dan stated that he could do the same for First Responders. C. French made a motion to use ARPA funding for 1st Responder training. R. Browne stated that he was not ready to decide tonight. B. Redmond reviewed the list of funding requests from the First Responders and stated she was not clear on what was qualified for funding under the Act. Further discussion revealed that training is coming up for new First Responder volunteers and a decision needs to be made if the town will pay the $1,400 per person enrollment fees for the three people who have expressed an interest in attending. C. French moved to expend up to $4,000 from ARPA funding for three people to attend the EMT training. B. Redmond seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously by the Board.

10. Heat pumps for the Town Office – The Board briefly discussed the need for research into the installation of heat pumps for the town office. All three agreed it’s a good idea and timely to be thinking about it at budget season.

11. Reports – On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Road and Treasurer’s Reports as presented. B. Redmond noted in the road reports that Walker has been helping out as a substitute plow driver. Walker stated from the audience that after his brief experience as a plow driver, he wanted to give a shout out to the full time plow drivers and give credit due to them for their work.

12. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by C. French, seconded by B. Redmond, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #40, #41, and #42.

13. Other – 1. On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to approve a BYOB liquor license for Don & Jennifer Avery for a wedding reception event to be held at the St. Bridget Center on May 7, 2022. 2. C. French asked for an update on the installation of the transfer station compactor equipment. Sabins will get update for next meeting. 3. B. Redmond stated that she feels the town needs better communication with the townspeople. She wants a town face book page created with comments restricted, and she would be willing to help. Both Chris and Rob thought this was a good idea and a great way to get info out. Sabins reminded the Board that the town website is updated weekly and residents always have a choice to go to there for current information. 4. Sanitary District Treasurer Becky Goodrich asked about the ARPA funding and when a decision for usage was going to be made. The Sanitary District had provided a list of requests for the ARPA funds some time ago. R. Browne stated the Board will try to fund some of the requests if they are determined to be an allowed use of the funds, according to the Federal Guidelines. Sanitary District Engineer Richard Green stated that funding for the extension of manhole collars is an allowed use. Tom Richards stated the town needs a backup plan to get the recessed manholes fixed before someone gets hurt. First Responder Chief Dan Mayotte suggested the Select Board hold a special workshop on ARPA fund usage. R. Browne agreed this was a good idea and stated we need to set a workshop date.

14. Executive session – On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously at 7:45 pm to enter into an executive session pursuant to 36 MRSA Section 841 to discuss an abatement request. The Board returned to open session at 8:00 pm. On a motion made by B. Redmond, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to abate the 2019 taxes, interest, and costs for case #21-01.

15. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Board of Selectmen on 2/17/22 with the following amendments:

Chris French stated that in Section 4, the sentence that reads: “Select Board Member Chris French asked why the FD waited 30 years to replace the SCBA if NFPA says the packs are obsolete at 10 years” should be corrected to read: “Select Board Member Chris French asked why the FD waited 30 years to replace the SCBA if FEMA says the packs are obsolete at 10 years.”

Also, Chris French noted that in Section #9, in the last sentence that reads now as follows: C. French moved to expend up to $4,000 from ARPA funding for three people to attend the EMT training. B. Redmond seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously by the Board” should be corrected to read as follows: “C. French moved to expend up to $4,200 from ARPA funding for three people to attend the EMT training. B. Redmond seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously by the Board.”