Members Present: Rob Browne, Lauchlin Titus, and Phil Haines
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Lori Fowle, Ken Fletcher, Cathy & Bob Nadeau, Virginia Brackett, Rick Denico, Jr.; Doug Phillips, Tom O’Rourke, David Jenney, Don Breton, Don Robbins, Stephen Csengery, Ray Breton, John Melrose, Mike Vashon, Holly Weidner, George Hamar, Elizabeth Reuthe, Betsy Poulin, and Tom Richards (7:25).
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Haines at 7:00 p.m.
2. Minutes – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by P. Haines, the Board voted two in favor, and one abstention (R. Browne who was absent from that meeting) to accept the minutes of the 10/8/15 meeting as written.
3. Eagle Scout Candidate Stephen Csengery sought the Select Board’s approval for his proposed project of clearing the Seawards Mills Stream trail and making a bridge across the stream. On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve Stephen’s plan for his Eagle Scout Project. The Board signed Stephan’s proposal form that he will submit to the Scout officials.
4. Ken Fletcher, a Board Member of the Municipal Review Committee (MRC), was introduced by Chairman Phil Haines. Ken explained that the MRC is comprised of municipal officials who are elected by the MRC membership to make decisions about the solid waste PERC plant operations. The MRC’s current contract with PERC will expire March 31, 2018, and the MRC municipal membership will need another option for solid waste disposal. The MRC Board of Directors have worked for several years to put together their current proposal of a contract with a company called Fiberight who will focus on transforming municipal solid waste (MSW) into next generation biofuels, with 60% of the processed MSW resulting in energy, 20% recyclables, and 20% residuals that must be landfilled. Towns interested in joining the new contract agreement with Fiberight will need to accept a 15-year agreement. Vassalboro voters may be asked to accept such an agreement at their June 2016 town meeting. A question and answer session ensued with participation of the audience present at the meeting that lasted almost an hour.
5. Fire attack hose bid (taken out of agenda order) – Firefighter Mike Vashon explained to the Board that the town sent out a request for bids to seven companies, of which he received five responses. Of the five bids received, the low bid of $9,399 was received from Firequip of Burlington, NC. Mike stated that the Fire Department Officers recommended award of the bid be given to this company, and that the Fire Department Officers may choose to purchase colored hose from this company for an additional price. On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Department’s recommendation to award the bid to Firequip of Burlington NC for $9,399.00.
6. Shoreland Zone Ordinance amendments – Planning Board (PB) Chairman Virginia Brackett stated that new Shoreland Zone Ordinance guidelines have been provided by the State containing proposals for substantial ordinance changes, and the entire Vassalboro Shoreland Zone Ordinance needs to be rewritten, not just the section on expansions. The State is proposing a new way of calculating the percentage of expansion of a building. She stated it is not a simple project. She said the rewrite could not possibly be ready for adoption at the June 2016 town meeting, as the PB would need a planner’s help to type the changes, and there is no money in the budget this year for a planner. Mike Vashon inquired if ordinance changes could be implemented in stages, to which PB Member Betsy Poulin stated the amendments could not be approved piecemeal as the DEP will mandate additional changes. V. Brackett stated the PB knows they need to work on the ordinance revisions, but it is not a quick and easy process. PB Member Doug Phillips stated that he thinks the current ordinance restrictions have contributed to water quality improvements. He stated the PB learned about the needed changes in June, but they hadn’t taken the time to look at the changes needed. The PB members agreed they need to ask for money to hire a consultant at the June 2016 meeting, and maybe present a revised version of the ordinance for adoption at the 2017 town meeting. After discussion on this subject was finished, the Select Board recognized the written resignation of Marianne Hubert from the Planning Board, resulting from her move out of town. The Board asked Alternate Member Don Robbins if he was willing to be appointed to a regular position on the Planning Board, to which he agreed. Then, on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Don Robbins to a full position on the Planning Board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Marianne Hubert. There now being a vacancy in the alternate position, the Selectmen briefly discussed undertaking a statement of interest process to fill the position. Current PB member Doug Phillips, in anticipation of the vacancy, had emailed the Selectmen and the town manager earlier in the week to express his son John Phillip’s interest in serving on the PB. Chairman Haines suggested having John submit a statement of interest in serving on the PB. Selectman Browne stated that he knows John Phillips well and was in favor of his appointment to the PB without receiving a statement of interest. A motion was then made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, to appoint John Phillips to the alternate position on the Planning Board, and the motion passed unanimously.
7. Capital Expenses Committee appointment – Based on the recommendation of the Capital Expenses Committee Chairman Rick Denico, Jr., and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Ed Cullivan to the Capital Expenses Committee to fill the vacancy of Kevin Reed who was unable to accept this year’s appointment to the committee.
8. Reports – a. Road Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. Resident Tom Richards stated that while completing his trash collection rounds in town, he has received complaints about the recent road reconstruction project the town completed at the Priest Hill and Reynolds Road intersection. b. Financial Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. c. First Responders Report – No report received.
9. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #24 and #25.
10. Other – 1. A thank you note from the Sexual Assault and Crisis Center was received for our annual contribution to that agency. 2. The Board confirmed that they would like to have Sabins arrange for Town Attorney Alton Stevens to attend the November 5th meeting. 3. The Board supported the idea of having the town school buses use the fuel pump at the town garage before spending the estimated $25K-$30K to repair the fuel pump/tank at the school. 4. L. Titus asked Sabins to check with DEP to verify that the Shoreland Zone Ordinance cannot be revised and adopted piecemeal.
11. 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 11/5/15 with the following amendments: None.