Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
May 13, 2010

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

Others Present: Town Manager Mary Sabins, George Gould, David Jenney, Mary Grow, John Melrose, four unknown women, Victor Esposito, Nicole Wasilewski and her two daughters (7:35), and Jen Fisher (7:35).

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Browne at 6:57 p.m.
   
   
2. Minutes – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by P. Haines, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 4/29/10 meeting as written.
   
   
3. Old Business –
   a. Barrows Road Discontinuance Order – Selectman Haines explained that he was absent from the last Board meeting when the public hearing was held on the Barrows Road Discontinuance, but that he had listened to the tape recording of the hearing, and that he was comfortable voting on the Order at the meeting this evening, given what he heard on the recording. Chairman Browne stated that he intended to abstain from the vote on this issue, since his business (Natanis Golf Course) is an abutter to the Barrows Road and is listed in the Order. Selectman Titus then read the following motion: “I move that the Selectmen order the discontinuance of the Barrows Road and extinguish the public easement, said road being a town way approximately 49.50 feet wide including the right-of-way, from a point beginning at the Webber Pond Road and extending in a generally westerly direction for a distance of approximately 136.61 feet and that the following damages be paid to abutting property owners as follows: China Lake Associates - $-0-; Natanis Golf Course - $-0-.” Selectman Haines seconded this motion and the vote was two in favor, none opposed, and one abstention (Browne).
   
   A second motion was then made by L. Titus, seconded by P. Haines as follows: “I move that the Selectmen issue and file with the Town Clerk an Order of Discontinuance that accurately reflects the action taken by the Selectmen to discontinue the Barrows Road, and that the Selectmen send abutting property owners best practicable notice of this action without delay.” Again the vote was two in favor, none opposed, and one abstention (Browne). The order and the letters to the abutters were signed by the voting Board Members.
   
   
4. New Business – (items were taken out of agenda order)
   a. Disposal of tax acquired property – Sabins explained that the 2007 taxes on the Richard and Joyce Chenette property located on the Webber Pond Road remained unpaid as of the March 4, 2010 foreclosure date, so the town has tax acquired the property. Sabins stated that she has written to the former property owner after the foreclosure and advised them they had 60 days to pay all of the outstanding taxes to regain ownership of the property, but they did not respond. The Selectmen have the authority from the voters at town meeting to dispose of tax acquired property, and that is the purpose of tonight’s discussion. John Melrose, member of the Kennebec Land Trust, stated that the Land Trust has a non-conforming lot that abuts the town piece and he expressed interest in working together, if possible, to sell the lots. After discussion, and on a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to sell the tax acquired property by sealed bid, and to set the minimum bid at $5,000; with a bid deadline of 5:00 p.m. on June 9, 2010 and bid opening at the next Selectmen’s meeting on June 10, 2010. Sabins encouraged the Land Trust to consider participating in the bid process, and then combining the two pieces of property together to sell one larger conforming lot.
   b. Public Comment – Four female members of the public were present and registered their concerns about the proposed cell phone tower to be erected on the Bog Road near the elementary school. The women stated they had appeared at the Planning Board Meeting where the tower application was discussed and voiced their concern at that meeting. The women felt their concerns were not given enough consideration and asked to share their concerns with the Selectmen. The Selectmen did let the women voice their concerns, and the women presented a petition with resident’s signatures that were opposed to the tower location, as well as a study that addresses their health concerns about electromagnetic energy fields. The Selectmen informed the concerned citizens that the town has no ordinance in place to regulate the tower location. David Jenney suggested an alternative solution might be to find another resident in town that would be willing to allow the tower on their site, but in a location away from the school. No other action was taken.
   c. Recreation Committee Update – Recreation Director Nicole Wasilewski provided an update on the work that she has accomplished since being appointed the new director. New programs to be introduced include a Bike Rodeo on June 26th at the town office parking lot, a Kayaking event on July 24th with Victor Esposito providing instruction, and a Physical Fitness Conditioning program for children entering grades two through five in August. General discussion was given about these programs as well as a new snack shack and bathroom building, new bleachers, and other planned improvements in the future. Chairman Browne reminded Nicole that upkeep of any new programs, buildings, and fields would still be necessary. The Board approved the committee’s plans as proposed.
   d. Energy Committee Update – Sabins explained that the first draft of the contract agreement for the $10,000 energy grant has been received. The Board gave approval for Sabins to sign the final draft of the contract when it arrives from Efficiency Maine. Efficiency Maine Representative Mike Barden confirmed for Sabins that grant money not used now can be used as matching money for the next grant application to implement the energy plan written by the committee.
   e. Town Meeting Warrant – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to sign the town meeting warrant.
   f. Ordinance certification forms – The Board signed certification forms for the Shoreland Zone Ordinance and the Enforcement and Appeals Ordinance that will be presented at the June Town Meeting.
   g. Quit Claim Deed – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to sign a quit claim deed to Christopher Poirier to return tax acquired property.
   h. Recreation Committee appointment – At the request of recreation director Nicole Wasilewski, and on a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Ryan Redman as a Recreation Committee Member.
   
   
5. Reports –
   a. Status report – The status report was read by Sabins and no action was taken by the Board.
   b. Road report – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Road Report as presented.
   c. Police report – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Police Report as presented.
   d. Financial report – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Financial Report as presented.
   
   
6. Treasurer’s warrants - On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #69 and #70.
   
   
7. Other – 1. Sabins informed the Board that Paul Morneau has offered to sell his sand pit property to the town for $375,000. The offer came too late in the town meeting process for any discussion or consideration to take place. 2. Sabins reminded the Board that the Erskine Academy “Day of Caring” project will take place on Tuesday, May 18th. The students will be working on the landscaping around the town office building. 3. The Board signed a CMP Pole Permit on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by P. Haines and voted unanimously by the Board. 4. A notice of the County Budget Public Hearing was read. 5. An update on the work being performed by the mowing contractor was provided.
   
   
8. 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 May 27, 2010 with the following amendments:

Page 1: Others Present section should include the name of Sue Linscott and change four unknown women to three unknown women.

Page 2: Section B – Public Comment should say that the petition presented to Selectmen contained both resident and non-resident signatures.