Minutes
Town of Vassalboro
Select Board Meeting
6:30 P.M. Vassalboro Town Office
Thursday, May 11, 2023

Members Present: Barbara Redmond, Chris French

Members Absent: Rick Denico

Others Present: Aaron Miller, Mary Grow, Mike Poulin, Melissa Olsen, Doug Phillips, Karen Hatch, John Melrose, Brian Lajoie, Laura Jones

  1. Call the Select Board meeting to order – The meeting was called to order by Chair B. Redmond at 6:30 p.m.
  2. Minutes: Review and approve the minutes of the April 27, 2023 minutes - C. French motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by B. Redmond with one amendment stating the meeting began at 6:30 p.m.; 2-0.
  3. Review Annual Town Meeting Warrant – B. Redmond motioned to amend article three to five percent interest; article 10 remove $10,000 or less and article 23 to reflect both selectboard and budget committee recommend approval, seconded by C. French; 2-0.
  4. Discuss Marijuana & Solar Fees – The Town Manager will seek clarification on charging landlords of marijuana grow operations more than 1,000 square feet. D. Phillips noted that the site review ordinance needs a fee assessed. He proposed $400 for major site review and $100 for minor. C. French motioned to set the major site review to $400 and minor site review at $100 for commercial building permits only, seconded by R. Redmond; 2-0.
  5. Discuss Recreation Department Bylaws – With the creation of a new Community Program Director position last year conflicts were discovered with the recreation department bylaws. C. French asked why bylaws were needed and perhaps job descriptions should be adopted. He added that it makes sense for the committee members to focus on volunteering their time working with youth sports rather than other areas. K. Hatch recommended doing away with the bylaws and looking at job descriptions. A. Miller suggested meeting with the director and recreation committee to discuss the matter further.
  6. Discuss Legal Services – The Town Manager asked the board if they would like to explore seeking proposals for legal services. Both board members agreed to leave that up to the discretion of the Town Manager.
  7. Reports – C. French motioned to accept the Town Manager, Road and Police reports, seconded by B. Redmond; 2-0.
  8. Approve Treasurer’s Warrants – C. French motioned to approve warrants 64,65 and 66, seconded by B. Redmond; 2-0.
  9. Other items as may be presented by the Town Manager or Board of Selectmen –

    Heat Pumps

    J. Melrose noted the selectboard approved $15,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to fund new heat pumps at the Historical Society building. The cost is expected to be about $18,000. He added by installing the new pumps could mean that the antiquated boiler system could be removed. He asked if the town would pick up the differential. C. French motioned to approve $18,019.06 from ARPA and authorize the Town Manager to sign the Efficiency Maine grant paperwork with Impact Heat Pumps, seconded by B. Redmond; 2-0.

    June Election

    The Town Manager announced that David McCarthy officially pulled his name from the selectboard race, which has been approved by the Town Clerk per state statute. This means that the race will be by a write in vote.
  10. Executive Session Personnel Matters 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) – C. French motioned to enter executive session, seconded by B. Redmond; 2-0. C. French motioned to exit executive session, seconded by B. Redmond; 2-0.
  11. Adjourn – B. Redmond motioned to adjourn at 9:21 p.m., seconded by C. French; 2-0.
    These minutes were read and accepted by the Selectboard on May 25, 2023 with no amendments.