Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
July 22, 2010

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

Others Present: Mary Sabins, Dick Kelly, George Gould, Ginny Brackett, Lance Cloutier, Mary Grow, David Jenney, and Cathy St. Pierre.

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Titus at 7:00 p.m.

2. Minutes – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 6/22/10 meeting as written. On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 6/24/10 meeting as written. On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 7/8/10 meeting as written.

3.New Business –

a. Consent Agreement - On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign the revised consent agreement for 12 Weeks Road and the new property owners Thomas & Darlene Hineman.
b. Planning Board Appointment – Chairman Titus explained that a vacancy exists on the Planning Board because one of the earlier appointees (Penny Plourde) was not able to take the oath of office due to unexpected health issues. Resident and former Planning Board Chairman Virginia Brackett stated that she didn’t understand the reappointment process and that she now wants to understand why she wasn’t reappointed. She stated that, in the past, she has been reappointed at all times of the year, not just around June 30th and that her term would continue on until she was reappointed. Chairman Titus explained that since he has been a Selectman in the last two years, he has only known reappointment time to be at the end of June before the appointment terms expire on June 30th and that the process recently conducted seemed normal to him. Ginny stated that she missed the Manager’s phone call and message left at her home last month inquiring if she was interested in being re-appointed because she was out of state visiting colleges with her daughter. Chairman Titus stated that since he has been on the Select Board, all the heartache that he has dealt with has come from issues related to the actions of the Planning Board. He stated that new potential members expressed an interested in serving on the Planning Board recently, so he felt it was time for some changes on the Planning Board. It’s time for a fresh approach where new members could receive training that is available from MMA, and new by-laws could be created for Planning Board members to handle such issues as continued absenteeism from the meetings. Chairman Titus stated that he felt it is time for a change in the Chairman of the Planning Board and now is the time to consider it; change seemed warranted since the Manager’s inquiry was not returned. Ms. Brackett responded by saying that many of the legal issues the town encountered in the last year or two were not the Planning Board’s fault, but was the fault of others and extenuating circumstances. Selectman Haines stated that he, too, felt it wouldn’t hurt to stir up the membership a bit on the Planning Board. He apologized to Ms. Brackett for her wanting to be reappointed to the Planning Board and for the Selectmen not knowing her desires. Phil stated that he doesn’t want to proceed with the same old Planning Board practices and protocols that have taken place for so many years. Selectman Browne informed Ms. Brackett that he did nominate Ms. Brackett for a position on the Planning Board at the meeting where annual appointments were made, but the motion died for lack of a second. Rob stated that he nominated Ms. Brackett to stabilize the number of personnel changes on the Planning Board, but he respects the other Selectmen’s opinions and desire for change. He felt it is a good time for changeover; the Selectmen just didn’t agree on where the turnover occurred. Planning Board Member George Gould stated he felt it was asking a lot of the Planning Board Members to know all this stuff and he wanted to know what the specific complaints were. Chairman Titus stated that he didn’t want to beat people up about it. Selectman Haines asked Ms. Brackett, after all that she had heard this evening, if she was still interested in an appointment on the Planning Board. Ms. Brackett stated that she was still interested. On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Virginia Brackett to a two year term on the Planning Board. Such term will expire June 30, 2012. Chairman Titus stated that he was ecstatic that Ms. Brackett and others spend as much time as they do on Town Boards.
c. Cemetery Rules – Cemetery Committee Chairman Dick Kelly updated the Selectmen on the work that the Committee has been doing. The survey and marking of the new Section I in the North Cemetery has been completed. The Board reviewed the survey map of the new section. Discussion was also given about the new rules the Committee has been working on to regulate activity and lot sales in the new section. The creation of a unified system of record keeping for the sale of lots in the new section is still needed. The committee used samples of rules and regulations from other towns, as well as our old rules, to compile the new draft set of rules. David Jenney suggested that the draft rules be shared with other private cemetery caretakers to collaborate on their creation in order to create a product that all cemeteries in town can operate by. All agreed that the Selectmen would review the rules again in August after David has had a chance to review the proposed rules.
d. MMA Ballot – After discussion, and on a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to vote for candidate Sophia Wilson and the three other uncontested candidates on the ballot.
e. Lance Cloutier – Although not on tonight’s agenda, Lance stopped by the meeting to provide an update on the progress being made to purchase the tax acquired property. Lance stated that he cannot agree to wait the 3-month waiting period to run out for Sears to redeem the taxes owed on the property in question. Lance would like to pay Sears off so he could proceed with the sale quicker, and he asked the Selectmen if they would contribute $1,000 to pay Sears the amount they are requiring to clear the title. If the Selectmen refuse to contribute the $1,000, Lance stated he would like to have his deposit money back. The Selectmen reviewed the bid documents that stated that the deposit would be forfeited to the town if the sale was not completed by the highest bidder in 14 days after bid award. After discussion and careful consideration, Selectmen Haines and Titus told Lance that they could not contribute $1,000 to pay Sears, and they could not give Lance his deposit back. Selectman Haines offered that Lance should think about the situation a few more days and he encouraged Lance to pay Sears off, especially since Lance told the Board that Sears has drastically reduced the payoff amount of their Writ from the original projections of twelve and twenty-four thousand dollars to a now unannounced amount, and move forward to complete the purchase so he can get on with his plans for the land before cold weather. Lance agreed that he would speak with his attorney and let the town know of his decision.
f. Employee picnic – Selectman Browne offered that his golf clubhouse could be available on Sunday the 8th and 15th, or Friday the 13th and 20th to house the employee gathering. It was decided that Sunday, August 8th at 4:00 p.m. would work for all present at the meeting. The Board agreed to allow the Transfer Station to be closed that day at 3:00 p.m. to allow the Transfer Station staff time to attend the gathering. Discussion was given about the refreshments and who could provide what.
g. Recreation Committee appointments – At the request of Recreation Director Nicole Wasilewski, and on a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Lance Cloutier and Kristen Bowker to the Recreation Committee. Their terms will expire on June 30, 2011.
h. Supplemental tax bill – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign a 2007 supplemental tax bill for $103.20 to zero out a credit balance on account #3266 in the name of Charles Tibbetts. The tax payment was made on a mobile home mid-year to allow the home to be moved out of town; a tax bill was never produced on the trailer as the account had been deleted in error before tax bills were run.

4. Reports – a. Status report – The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the list. No action taken. b. Road Report – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the road report as presented. c. Police Report – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the police report as presented. d. Financial Report – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the financial report as presented.

5. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #5 and #6.

6. Other – 1. Proposed changes in some Transfer Station fees and the handout are planned for the next meeting. 2. Receipt of a letter from KVCOG offering their services to create a Comprehensive Plan for the town was noted. The Board requested that the subject be placed on the August meeting agenda. 3. The Kennebec Water District has notified the town that Trustee Don Robbins will not be seeking reelection this November and a new candidate is needed to seek office. Selectman Haines asked Sabins to inquire of the District Manager if Selectmen are allowed to serve as a trustee. 4. Sabins informed the Board that former employee David Proulx has completed his restitution to the Town. 5. On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to write off the taxes on account #1495 in the name of Mark Isaacson as uncollectible. Mr. Isaacson gifted the land to the Town of Vassalboro and the Townspeople accepted the gift at the June town meeting. 6. The Board agreed to call a Special Selectmen’s meeting on Thursday, August 5th at 3:00 p.m. to set the 2010 mil rate.

7.Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 8/19/10 with the following amendments: None.