Select Board

Minutes of the Meeting

May 7, 2008

Don Breton called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. In attendance were the following: Libby Mitchell, Rob Browne, George Gould, Richard Phippen, Mary Sabins, Bill Whitley, Doug Phillips, Lori Fowle, Gary Smith, Lauchlin Titus, Matt Masse, Elizabeth Reuthe, Mary Grow and Mike Vashon.

The May 7 minutes were reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 3-0.

The Warrants were reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 3-0.

The Road Report was reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 3-0.

The Police Report was reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 3-0.

The Financial Report was reviewed and approved, Libby/Rob 3-0.

The Status Report was reviewed and the town manager indicated no changes for this meeting.

The Emergency Plan would be given to Libby to review before the next meeting. Update on both Francis and Olin for the next meeting.

Old Business: The budget committee met with the selectmen and representatives of the school board as well as the school union. The town manager distributed a revised two page summary and copies of the warrant as completed by Donald Breton and reviewed by the town manager. The mill rate as calculated is 9.1548 or approximately .5548 more than the current year. The town manager indicated that the valuation on the two page summary could change from what was projected at $322,533,000. If the valuation increases, and the final numbers may not be available until late June or July the assessor and the town manager would make recommendations to the Select Board and there is a possibility that if the valuation increases the mill rate could be adjusted to reflect the change. The town manager would speak with the assessor to see if there were any material change in the valuation for the next selectmen’s meeting. The town manager indicated the two page summary would be a good handout for the town meeting and all agreed. Don would make the copies available since the town did not have a color copier. There was a discussion on the school articles and it was explained that the residents would have to vote by secret ballot, YES or NO on the total budget. There was an extensive discussion on Article 56, as this stated the expenditures exceed the State’s Essential Programs and Services funding model by $553,789. Lori Fowle, chair of the school board indicated she would have a one page summary for the residents at the town meeting explaining this and why we are over. It was also indicated that a financial statement should follow article 58. The business manager would forward to the town manager for completion. The total school budget had not changed since the last budget committee meeting, although some of the articles were changed as a result of a conversation Gary Smith had with the state. The budget committee left the room and voted to support all the school committee recommendations as reflected in the handout.

Libby indicated she had receive a copy of an email from David Landry regarding maintenance of the China Lake dam and this email should be sent to the other selectmen and for discussion at the next selectmen’s meeting. The town manager indicated he would forward the email.

New Business: There being no further business, there was a motion to go into executive session, Libby made a motion: “I move that the board enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to 1 MRSA, Section 405, subsection 6(A).” at 8:05. There was a motion to go out of executive session, Libby/Rob vote 3-0.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the selectmen’s meeting at 8:39 p.m. Libby/Rob 3-0.

Attest: ______________________________

Michael A. Vashon