Members Present: Rob Browne, Lauchlin Titus, and Phil Haines
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, and Jim Hart
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 R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the 10/9/14 meeting as written.
3. Public Hearing on GA Ordinance Appendices B & C – Chairman Haines opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. There being no public comment, the hearing was immediately closed and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Appendices as provided by the State and prepared by the Town Clerk. The Board then signed the cover page.
4. Public Hearing on Automobile Junkyard and Hobbyists Permits – Chairman Haines opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. There being no public comment, the hearing was immediately closed and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve the permits as prepared and provided by the Code Officer. The list of permits is as follows:
Graveyard Permits:
Ron’s Parts Inc. at 510 Main St; Tax Map 12, Lot 3
Garnett Motors at 1616 N Belfast Ave; Tax Map 9, Lot 90
Bondo’s at 471 Taber Hill Rd; Tax Map 8, Lot 13
Freddie’s at 163 S Stanley Hill Rd; Tax Map 12, Lot 22
Autowerkes at Ritch Rd; Tax Map 9, Lot 105
Weeks Mills Garage at 1499 Riverside Dr; Tax Map 2, Lot 86
Automobile Hobbyist Permits:
Keith Lemieux at 79 Priest Hill Rd; Tax Map 008, Lot 151
Bob Dore at 919 Church Hill Road; Tax Map 001, Lot 174
James Jurdak at 7 Baker Road; Tax Map19, lot(s) 17&18
5. Spending Standards for the TIF Revenues – L. Titus suggested the first use of TIF Revenue that should be considered is the town reimbursing itself for legal fees already spent in the amount of just over $15,500 to create the TIF District. Discussion was then given as to whether we should take applications from businesses at this time, or wait until the TIF Revenue Fund is larger and more money is available to work with to support larger projects. L. Titus suggested letting the fund build for two or three years, and the other Selectmen agreed. L. Titus agreed that appointing an Economic Development Committee is a good idea to help plan for future projects. Flexibility in the funding rules is needed to allow private business projects, as well as funding the larger alewife and sewer projects that are identified in the TIF Development Plan. Jim Hart gave an update on the China Lake alewife restoration project now in the planning stages by the China Region Lakes Alliance, of which Jim is president. Jim stated that grants have been applied for to help fund the project, and assistance from the town through the TIF Revenues will also be needed. After discussion, and by consensus, the Board agreed to wait until this year’s taxes are paid by Summit, and then appoint an Economic Development Committee. All agreed the Alewife and Sewer projects should have priority for early funding before private business projects are funded during the 30 year life of the TIF. Once those priority projects are complete and in place, the Town will be better prepared to assist with business development.
6. Accounting options for TIF Revenues - Sabins indicated that separate accounts could be established at a bank just for the TIF Revenues, or the accounting could be handled in the current TRIO municipal software system. The Board agreed by consensus that accounting within the current TRIO system was satisfactory.
7. Discussion on appointment of an Economic Development Committee – This agenda item was discussed in conjunction with agenda item #5 above.
8. Town Office holiday hours – After discussion and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to close the Town Office at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24th; all day on Christmas Day (12/25), and all day on Friday, December 26th. There will also be no Selectmen’s meeting on January 1, 2015.
9. Cross Hill Cemetery lot sale – Sabins explained that resident Sylvia Peaslee wants to purchase a cemetery lot in Cross Hill, but doesn’t want to pay the current price of $250.00. When the Cemetery ownership was in transition from the Cross Hill Cemetery Trustee Association to the town, Mrs. Peaslee was prepared to pay the Trustee’s lot price of $150.00, but was refused the sale by the Trustees because of timing. After discussion, and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously the selling price of the lot will be $250.00.
10. 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. Grader training given to staff was noted in the report. b. Financial Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented.
11. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #27 and #29. It was noted that warrant #28 had to be voided due to a check printing and processing error.
12. Other – 1. Sabins explained that the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event will be moved this year to the woolen mill property owned by Ray Breton, because the tree we usually light at the North Fire Station is too tall now to safely put lights on. Ray has indicated a willingness to allow us to use his property and stated he would plant a tree there for our use, rather than erect a temporary one as he did last year. Prices for a suitable tree at Fieldstone Gardens runs from $200 to $400, depending on the height, either eight or ten feet. Sabins asked the Board if they were willing to contribute toward the purchase price, if Ray would agree to allow the town to have our tree lighting event there for the next five years. The Board agreed by consensus to pay for half the cost of the tree if Ray will agree to allow us to have the tree lighting there for the next five years, or more if he is willing. 2. L. Titus stated that he had talked with staff at the Transfer Station recently and they had great ideas about introducing a pay-per-bag program for garbage disposal that included an incentive program to promote recycling. Lauchlin asked to have the Transfer Station staff attend a Board meeting in the near future to share their ideas with the Board.
13. 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 11/6/14 with the following amendments: None.