Members Present: Rob Browne, Lauchlin Titus, and Phil Haines
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Ron Weeks, Wayne Weeks, Wayne Weeks, II; Al Roy, and Tom Richards
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Haines at 6:59 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 9/10/15 meeting as written.
3. Other (taken out of agenda order) – 1. Wayne Weeks spoke on behalf of his elderly father Ron Weeks, who was also in the room. Mr. Weeks explained that his father had received a letter from the code officer that the town was changing the name of the Weeks Road, the road his father built over 30 years ago, and a road that they both now live on, to Eagle Point Lane at the petitioned request of the other three families who are property owners on the road. Mr. Weeks said he and his father had no knowledge that their neighbors were pursuing a road name change until it was completed. Wayne Weeks stated that the changing of the road name will cause a severe hardship to Ron Weeks, as he will need to change his mailing address, which will also affect his business and his life alert response should a medical emergency occur. Ron Weeks and one other family of property owners live on the road year round; the remaining property owners are seasonal visitors and their mail delivery would not be affected by the road name change. Discussion was given as to the petition process used in the past for the rare occasion that a road name was changed. After lengthy discussion, and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to reverse the decision of the Code Enforcement Officer and to put the road name back to Weeks Road. 2. Tom Richards questioned why the transfer station staff is putting furniture in the dumpster, and he wanted to know why the bulky waste is being combined with the regular trash. Sabins explained what she had been told by the transfer station manager that he tops off a load of regular trash with bulky waste just before shipping to make sure he has a full trailer load. We pay the hauler by the load, not weight to haul the canister to PERC. Tom also stated that he is considering purchasing a compactor truck for his trash collection route, but the transfer station manager suggested Tom would need to seek an alternative site for trash disposal if he did purchase one, as large volumes of compacted garbage would be difficult for them to handle at the transfer station. General discussion was given, with no formal action taken by the Board.
4. Public Hearing on the General Assistance Ordinance Appendices – The Public Hearing was called to order by Chairman Haines at 7:38 p.m. and was immediately closed due to no input from the public. On a motion made by L Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the GA Ordinance with amended Appendices A, C, and D. The Board then signed the ordinance cover sheet.
5. Memo to the Planning Board – After having pre-viewed the proposed memo in their agenda packets prior to the meeting, without discussion and on a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign the memo to the Planning Board asking them to consider crafting amendments to the Shoreland Zone Ordinance that will permit an expansion of up to 30% not including foundations.
6. Speed limit survey – Selectman Browne stated that he was okay with leaving the current speed limits alone. Chairman Haines expressed some support for matching the speed zone of abutting towns when the road runs through both towns. After brief discussion, the Board agreed by consensus to take no action on this agenda item.
7. MRC Meeting summary – Chairman Haines gave a brief update on the Municipal Review Committee (MRC) meeting he attended recently at Waterville City Hall. Chairman Haines stated he was impressed by the due diligence done by the MRC Committee members concerning possible trash options for PERC members after 2018 when the current agreement expires. Haines stated that a commitment for participation in the new Fiberight Plant being proposed by the MRC will need to be obtained from towns by the 2016 town meeting season.
8. DAR Constitution Week proclamation – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to declare September 17th through 23rd as Constitution Week 2015 and to sign the annual proclamation for such as requested by the DAR.
9. 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. b. Financial Report - On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented.
10. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by L. Titus, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #18 and #19.
11. Other – 1. Sabins read the thank you note received from the Belgrade Public Library as a result of the $50.00 memorial gift the town sent to the library in memory of the Vassalboro Deputy Town Clerk’s mother who passed away recently. 2. Sabins informed the Board that the Town has received the first place “Supreme” award in the 2015 MMA Annual Town Report Competition. 3. Sabins stated that an Aflac salesman will be making a presentation to the town employees on October 6th to offer insurance to those who want to purchase it. A minimum of three employees must agree to purchase at their own expense before any employee can be enrolled. 4. L. Titus expressed thanks to Sabins and her husband for their effort last weekend during the volunteer and employee recognition event. He deemed the event a success. 5. L. Titus stated that the Vassalboro Business Association President Linda Titus extended her thanks to the Town for its contribution to the success of Vassalboro Days. Chairman Haines expressed appreciation for the work and effort that Mrs. Titus had invested in the event as well. 7. Tom Richards returned to the Selectmen’s meeting at 8:20 p.m. just before adjournment to request an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. When asked if the person he wished to discuss in executive session was present at the meeting tonight, Mr. Richards stated no. The request for an executive session was denied for that reason, but was scheduled for the October 8th Selectmen’s meeting and the personnel involved will be invited to attend.
12. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
/mss
These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 10/8/15 with the following amendments: None.