Vassalboro Select Board
Minutes of the Meeting
October 8, 2008

Members Present: Libby Mitchell, Lauchlin Titus, and Rob Browne

Others Present: Mary Sabins and Mary Grow

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

2.Minutes – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted 2-0-1 to approve the minutes of the 9/24/08 meeting as written. Libby Mitchell abstained from the vote as she was not present at the 9/24/08 meeting.

3.Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #19 and #20.

4. Reports – 1. The Road Report was read and accepted on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, and voted unanimously by the Board. It was also noted that the furnace at the Town Garage has stopped working. Efforts are being made to research if the furnace is still under warranty. Also, Sabins reported that the tailgate on one of the public works trucks opened up while the truck was traveling on Route #32, spilling a load of rocks in the road. The spillage was cleaned up immediately; no property damage and no injuries have been reported.
2. The Status Report was reviewed.
3. The Police Report was reviewed and accepted on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, and voted unanimously by the Board.

5. Public Hearing to adopt General Assistance Appendices A, B, and C – Chairman Mitchell opened the pubic hearing at 7:30 p.m. to hear the public’s comments prior to adoption of the proposed Appendices. Townline Reporter Mary Grow asked Chairman (Senator) Mitchell to work on changing the State Statute that requires towns to advertise the public hearing for the adoption of the GA Appendices, which results in taxpayer expense that yields no response from the public. Ms. Grow stated that in the three towns that she covers, all three pay to advertise the annual GA Appendix adoption hearing, and no one ever shows up for the hearing. Senator Mitchell stated she would follow up with Ms. Grow on the matter further. L. Titus inquired about the origin of the maximum housing allowance in the proposed appendices. Sabins explained that the proposed amounts are regionally-based, provided by the State, and they are usually accepted by the Towns. There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept Appendices A, B, and C as proposed. L. Mitchell requested that Sabins provide information on a monthly basis concerning the number of GA cases seen at the Town Office, along with the dollar amounts being spent.

6. AOS agreement – L. Titus gave the Board an update on the school consolidation effort in the form of an AOS agreement with Winslow and Waterville. L. Titus serves as the Chairman of the school consolidation Reorganization Planning Committee and he reviewed each item on the agenda for the Planning Committee’s meeting to be held on October 9th.

7. Details for the Spirit of America Award presentation planned for October 22nd was discussed. Sabins will notify the recipients, and their co-volunteers, to encourage their attendance.

8. Other – The Town received a notification letter and a framed certificate from the Maine Municipal Association that we have received the Supreme Award in the 2008 Town Report Competition.

9. Executive session – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously at 8:12 p.m. to enter into an executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to 1 MRSA, Section 405, Subsection 6(A). On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board returned to open session at 9:25 p.m.

10. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on October 22, 2008 with the following amendments: none.