Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
May 24, 2012

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

Others Present: Mary Sabins (Town Manager), Mary Grow (Town Line Reporter from China), Kristen Gay (Windsor), Angel Cayouette (Vassalboro), Gail Chase (KVCOG Representative), Annette Braun (Vassalboro), Mark Morissette (Vassalboro), Curt Dugal (Oakland), Brent Dugal (Sidney), Melanie Lessard (Vassalboro), Eleanor Lessard (Vassalboro), Don Nelson (Vassalboro), Julie McKenney (Vassalboro), Jenifer Dwelley (Vassalboro), Chad Green (Vassalboro), Katherine Bailey (Vassalboro), Douglas White (Vassalboro), Allen Craig (Vassalboro), Theresa Pulver (Vassalboro), Jeff Pulver (Vassalboro), Kylie Beaudoin, (Vassalboro), Felicia Baley (Vassalboro).

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Haines at 7:00 p.m. An attendance sign-up sheet was circulated. Chairman Haines gave a brief tutorial of Vassalboro Town Government functions for the benefit of the Erskine Academy students present in the audience who were completing a curriculum assignment by attending the meeting.

2. Minutes – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the 5/10/12 meeting as written.

3. Public Hearing on the CDBG Grant Application to Assist DP Industries – Chairman Haines called the Public Hearing to order at 7:03 p.m. and he explained to the public gathered in the room that the Town of Vassalboro, as the applicant, will be acting as an intermediary in receiving the CDBG grant funds, if awarded, and would pass the money on to DP Industries to increase their workforce and expand their company operations. DP Industries co-owner Curt Dugal stood, introduced himself, and explained that the Company plans to expand by adding an addition onto the existing building, add a new heating system, and new equipment. He stated the Company would add the jobs required by the CDBG Economic Development Program. Upon Chairman Haines’ inquiry, Curt confirmed that DP Industries plans to bring work back from overseas and add local jobs. KVCOG Representative Gail Chase introduced herself and stated that she did not have more to add to the explanation already given, but she did ask the members of the public present to add the name of the town they live in to the sign-up attendance sheet, if they have not already done so. Chairman Haines reminded the public that a request for voter approval to submit this CDBG Grant Application to assist DP Industries would appear as an article on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, June 11th at 6:30 at the Vassalboro Community School on Webber Pond Road. He encouraged all to attend the meeting. With no questions or comments from the public present at the meeting, the Chairman closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.

4. Tax Sale bid – Three bids were received for the sale of the tax acquired property located at 159 Cushnoc Road. Chairman Haines opened and read aloud the three bids as follows: Allen Craig d/b/a Craig Properties - $5,100; Lance Cloutier - $7,110; and Robert Hanson - $5,500. Without discussion and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the high bid of Lance Cloutier of $7,110.

5. Employee summer picnic – Selectman Titus offered to host the annual employee picnic at his home in North Vassalboro. After discussion, the Board set Sunday, August 19th at 4:30 p.m. as the date and time for the event. Lauchlin is also working on arranging an historical tour of North Vassalboro in a horse drawn wagon as possible entertainment for the group. Food for the event was also discussed. The town will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs; the employees will be asked to bring a salad or dessert to share. The transfer station will be closed at 3:30 p.m. on that day to allow the transfer station staff the time to attend the event.

6. Light at Webber Pond alewife fishing area – The request for the light has been withdrawn from Alewife Harvester Ron Weeks, so no action was taken on this agenda item.

7. Other (taken out of agenda order) – Resident Eleanor Lessard asked the Board to reconsider having a fireworks ordinance. Ms. Lessard stated she is concerned about the safety of Vassalboro residents with large fireworks going off all the time. She also expressed concern about animals, horses in particular, being startled by the loud bang. Ms. Lessard stated that fireworks are set off in her neighborhood daily and nightly. Chairman Haines stated that enforcement of a fireworks ordinance would be problematic, and that he hoped the Legislature will repeal the law between now and the next town meeting next June. He stated it is too late this year to propose an ordinance to regulate the use of fireworks in this town, as our town meeting warrant is already set for this year. Chairman Haines encouraged Ms. Lessard and her daughter to contact their House and Senate Representatives to encourage them to repeal the new law legalizing fireworks in Maine.

8. Reports – a. Status Report – Sabins updated the Board on the items on the status report. No formal action was taken by the Board. b. Road Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. c. Financial Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented.

9. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #60 and #61.

10. Other – 1. Sabins provided an update to the Board on the disposal of the tax acquired trailer located at 423 Main Street. The mobile home recycler, Geo & Sons, has stated that the trailer is not road worthy, so another option must be chosen. Sabins obtained a price for demolition from CMD Disposal, and Waste Management. Public Works Director Gene Field will talk with the fire chief to see if burning the trailer is a disposal option with metal recycling to be completed after the burn. 2. The Board discussed a complaint of trespassing made by Mrs. Ware, who lives on Three Mile Pond, abutting the public boat launch area off Rt. #3. Members of the public frequently use her shore property and take her belongings. She has requested that the Town put up a barricade at the property boundary to prevent the public from trespassing on her property. Selectman Titus stated that he had viewed the site and called Mrs. Ware to discuss the problem. Mrs. Ware suggested adding a pile of rip-rap at the boundary, but the Board expressed concern that the public would just climb on the rip-rap. Discussion was given as to planting thorny bushes and putting up signs, but both are already in place and are not effective. L. Titus investigated the possibility of installing a 16’ cattle fence attached to the existing picket fence and moored in the lake with a cement mooring, which DEP approved without a permit process. Before taking that measure, L. Titus suggested that the Town install the string of buoys that are no longer used to mark the swimming area, as a boundary in the lake between the properties to see if the public will honor it and stay off Mrs. Ware’s private property. Sabins will contact PW Director Gene Field to see if the buoys can be installed soon. 3. On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign a Release Deed prepared by a title attorney to clear title for a property with an undischarged tax lien from the 1980s. 4. L. Titus clarified that he would like to have the sidewalks in front of the Baptist Church in North Vassalboro fixed; not all of the sidewalks in North Vassalboro. 5. L. Titus requested an update on the tax acquired Patrick Sullivan property. Sabins stated that she had called the Town of China to see if they were interested in working together to dispose of the property, since the town line splits the parcel. The China tax collector stated she believes she has found a new address for the former owner in Canada and plans to attempt to contact Mr. Sullivan one more time before disposing of the property.

11. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on June 7, 2012 with the following amendments: None.