Members Present: Barbara Redmond, Chris French, and Rick Denico

Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Mike Poulin, Kayla Krause, Peggy Horner, Billy Pullen, Holly Weidner, Tom Richards, Roxanne Pullen, Boy Scout and his mother, George Hamar, and Gene Field.

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chair Barb Redmond at 5:45 pm.

2. Executive Session – On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously at 5:45 pm to enter into an executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA Section 405(6)(A) to discuss a personnel matter. The Board returned to open session at 6:48 pm on a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico and voted unanimously by the Board.

3. Minutes – On a motion made by R. Denico, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the 6/23/22 meeting as written.

4. Development of new town Park on Rt. #32 – Vassalboro Conservation Commission (VCC) Chair Holly Weidner listed the items on the plan for development of the park. Work began last year with removal of dead trees and mowing the grass. Future plans for development include a six-car parking lot, crushed stone pathway to the stream, picnic tables near the stream, and a pavilion over time. Holly offered that the VCC can work with Sabins and PW Director Gene Field to make a development plan within budget and she asked the Board how they would like the VCC to proceed. R. Denico and B. Redmond stated they like the plan as outlined. R. Denico suggested the work be completed piecemeal. During discussion and sharing of ideas, Sabins distributed photos of a streamside park in Dover-Foxcroft beside an ATV trail that she had visited recently depicting a land layout similar to this new park, plus a photo of a sample gazebo she had seen on the internet. The Board suggested that the VCC move slow and keep the Board apprized as development progress is made and to work with Sabins in the decision making process. Board members asked “What is the proposed name for the park that is being considered?” Holly responded “Eagle Park” was the name suggested by the VCC Members.

5. Maine Community Resilience Partnership Grant – VCC Member Peggy Horner stated that she was always on the lookout for conservation grants. She recently found this climate resiliency program. She provided handouts for the Board to review that explained how to join the program and the three steps needed for completion. The first step is a self-evaluation, which the VCC members determined they cannot perform because they don’t know the answers to the questions. They are seeking the assistance of someone from the town with the knowledge needed. Step two includes public involvement to determine the resident’s priorities. Step three involves completion and adoption of a resolution based on samples provided. There are two grant opportunities; one in the spring, one in the fall. It was determined that it was too late to complete the necessary steps for a fall application but we could shoot for the February application deadline. R. Denico stated that he likes the project possibilities listed on the handout. C. French suggested that the Board have a goal setting session in October as was done last year, and to add this topic to the agenda for that meeting. Other Board members embraced this suggestion and tentatively set October 6th as the date for that goal setting meeting.

6. Trash compactor covering – Transfer Station Manager George Hamar distributed copies of two sample covering option ideas that he had drafted. He proposed removal of the existing tower and constructing a Quonset hut covering over the two compactors at an estimated cost of $48K. Until the covering can be permanently installed, a temporary catwalk needs to be installed before winter at an estimated cost of $2K - $3K. There are currently approximately $31K remaining in the fund for this project which is not enough for the proposed Quonset hut. Chair B. Redmond stated that she would go to the transfer station on Saturday morning to view the project area, as she was not familiar with it. Further discussion on this topic will be held at a later time.

7. Trash hauling contract extensions – After brief discussion, and on a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to accept the prices for contract extension for one year as provided by both companies (Casella and Bolsters).

8. Other (taken out of agenda order) – Gene Field asked to speak with the Board about paving. He distributed a handout showing the paving per-ton price increase due to the escalation clause in the contract agreement and the high cost of fuel. He reported that it is likely we will not have enough funds to complete all of the paving that was originally planned. He recommends that if we have to postpone a road paving project that we postpone paving the Cook Hill Road and continue with the rest of the list. The pavers can start the work in approximately two weeks. On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to accept the paving plan as submitted by G. Field and to give Gene the authority to sign the contract for paving.

Gene also asked the Board to waive the procurement policy to allow him to pursue the purchase of a town truck and plow with O’Connor Motors in Augusta in October. After discussion and on a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to waive the procurement policy, to allow public works foreman Gene Field to order from O’Connor the truck he specked out, and to sign a contract to purchase the truck in Town Manager Sabins’ absence. Gene also explained that he has learned that there is not enough money in the budget to purchase the roadside mowing attachment that he had requested in this year’s budget.

9. Dangerous building update – Sabins reported that the declared dangerous building located at 14 Priest Hill Road was demolished on schedule on July 13th. There were no injuries or other property damage reported.

10. Solar Ordinance first draft reading – Chair B. Redmond had put together this first draft and asked each Board Member to read and provide feedback. B. Redmond stated that she would also like to have the Code Officer and the Planning Board review the draft. R. Denico asked about the process for who writes the ordinances. Sabins explains that it varies. Sometimes the Board writes them; sometimes the CEO writes them. In the past, a consultant has also been hired to assist the Planning Board to make changes to some of the land use ordinances that they use. Before the Ordinances are put before the legislative body for adoption, the town attorney is usually asked to review them to provide feedback and suggestions for amendment. The goal for this solar ordinance is to be ready to present to the voters on the ballot for the November 2022 election.

11. Planning Board appointment – On a motion made by R. Denico, seconded by C. French, the Board appointed Dan Bradstreet as an alternate member of the Planning Board. His term will expire June 30, 2024.

12. Treasurer’s Disbursement policies – On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to accept and renew the three annual Treasurer’s Disbursement Policies.

13. ARPA Funds – C. French suggested another public meeting to gather input on the distribution of the second half of the ARPA funds that were recently received. The date of the meeting is yet to be determined. The possibility of spending some of the funds on repairs to Outlet Stream Dam were briefly discussed with no decision made.

14. MMA Ballots – The ballots for the Legislative Policy Committee and the MMA Executive Committee were both read aloud by Chair B. Redmond. On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to vote for Courtney Allen for the LPC vacancy, and to vote the slate of nominated Executive Committee members on the ballot as read.

15. Reports – On a motion made by R. Denico, seconded by C. French, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Road, Financial, and Police Reports as presented.

16. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #1, #2 and #3. The Board chatted briefly with the Boy Scout and his mother that were in the audience and gave them some background information and details about the Board’s activities concerning items on the agenda.

17. Other – 1. On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Ken Bowring as a member of the Trails Committee. 2. On a motion made by C. French, seconded by R. Denico, the Board voted unanimously to reappoint John Phillips as a member of the Planning Board. 3. Billy Pullen reminded Sabins that he needs her to order two portable toilets for the car show event held at the town office during Vassalboro Days in September. He prefers one regular toilet and one handicap toilet. 4. Tom Richards asked if there was a plan to repair or replace the bridge on the Cushnoc Road that has been weight restricted by MDOT. The Board said there is no current plan.

18. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Board of Selectmen on 8/11/22 with the following amendments: None.