Source: http://www.bowdoinham.com/select-board-2008-08-12
Timestamp: 2018-01-18 17:54:50
Document Index: 161429588

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 841', '§ 405', '§ 841', '§ 405', '§ 841']

2008-08-12 Select Board Meeting Minutes | Town of Bowdoinham
Residents in attendance: George Christopher, Representative Seth Berry, and Town Manager Kathy Durgin-Leighton
Non resident: Nicole Briand, Town Planner/CEO
Item 1: Call the meeting to order – The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. All members were present: Chair Ciembroniewicz, Selectperson Dorr, and Selectperson Whittlesey
Item 2: Consideration of the minutes from July 29, 2008 meeting. The Board reviewed the minutes. Selectperson Whittlesey moved to accept the minutes as amended, seconded by Selectperson Dorr. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
A. Consideration to a name private road Brickyard Way – Formerly a driveway to one home, another home will be built thereby making the driveway a private road to two homes. The Town Manager stated that the name has been approved by both the Fire Chief and the Road Commissioner. Seeing no objections, Selectperson Dorr moved to accept the road name of Brickyard Way, seconded by Selectperson Whittlesey. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
B. Resolution of Officers to bank with Androscoggin Savings Bank – The Town Manager briefed the Board on the advantages of moving the Town’s banking from Maine Bank & Trust to Androscoggin Savings Bank. Savings include: higher percentage rate on the Town’s investments, lower interest rate on borrowing, and zero fees. The current fees charged by Maine Bank & Trust total approximately $1,800 per year. Androscoggin Savings Bank references have been checked. The Board agreed that the move to Androscoggin Savings would save the Town money and was a positive move for the Town. The Board signed the document.
C. Certificate of Treasurer for bank loan – The Board reviewed the Certificate as provided by the Town’s attorney, Paul Frinsko of Bernstein & Shur authorizing the loan for the road improvements and Batchelder Bridge as approved at the June annual town meeting. The Board signed the document.
A. Maine Power Reliability Program update – Town Planner/CEO Nicole Briand & Representative Seth Berry were present to discuss Central Maine Power Company’s Maine Power Reliability Program and how it will impact the Town of Bowdoinham. Chair Ciembroniewicz began the discussion by giving a brief synopsis of the Board’s understanding of the program. A discussion commenced in regard to the timeline, the influence of interveners, and the rights of the affected landowners. Central Maine Power contends that the enhancement in the transmission lines and infrastructure is needed in order to keep pace with the increasing demand of electricity. CMP maintains that if the lines are not enhanced, the demand for power will be greater than the supply by the year 2012. Some believe that the real reason for the update is to send cheaper power produced in northern Maine and Canada to southern New England. Representative Berry discussed LD2255, now PL656 that he cosponsored. This new law, among other things, will allow the PUC to designate energy corridors to be given to the State of Maine. It is also intended to give the State more leverage when dealing with the Federal Energy Commission. Representative Berry agreed to keep the Board informed of the Maine Power Reliability Program as well as other energy related issues.
B. Dangerous Buildings update – Nicole Briand, CEO/Planner. Ms. Briand briefed the Board on the status of the three buildings that she identified at the July 29, 2008 meeting. Two of the buildings are scheduled for demolition. The owners of the chicken barn at 791 White Road are residing out of state however still own the property. The Board agreed to conduct an onsite hearing at 791 White Road at 6 pm on August 25, 2008. Ms. Briand also called attention to another vacant building located at 695 Ridge Road. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to conduct an onsite hearing at this residence at 7 pm on August 25, 2008. Notification will be sent to owners of the properties regarding the hearings.
Item 6: Town Manager’s Report – Kathy Durgin-Leighton
A. Solid Waste Study Committee Report – The Manager presented the Solid Waste Study Committee’s Final Report to the Board. The Board table discussion of the Study until they could have an opportunity to read the report.
B. Home Heating Assistance Budget – The Manager presented a draft budget of the Program. There has been approximately $500 raised to date. The Manager reported that the Firemen’s Association has agreed to contribute the profits from its Celebrate Bowdoinham Bean Supper to the fund and the Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary has agreed to contribute the profits from its January 2009 Bean Supper to the fund. The Manager reported that she hopes to raise $7,500 this year.
C. Paving Update – The Manager reported that the cost of liquid asphalt has increased dramatically in the last two months from approximately $350 per ton to over $700 per ton. Also, there is a severe shortage of liquid asphalt. Consequently, the Town will not be able to pave either section of the Ridge Road approved at town meeting before winter. The Public Works Department has been reconstructing South Pleasant Street therefore it is likely that this road will be paved by September. The northern most end of the Ridge Road is in poor shape and the Manager realizes that this is not good news for the residents that live or travel on that portion of the Ridge Road. The Manager hopes that the Ridge Road paving will be completed in the spring of 2009. On another note, the Board discussed the success of the I295 southbound work and requested that the Manager send a congratulatory letter to the Department of Transportation.
D. FY07 & FY08 Report on unpaid property taxes – The Manager presented the Board a printout of the unpaid property taxes for both FY07 and FY08. She reported that the amount of tax liens placed on properties this year for unpaid property taxes was significantly greater than for the same period last year.
E. Excise Tax report – The Manager submitted to the Board an update on the Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes. Excises taxes are staying within last year’s levels.
Item 7: Selectperson’s Request for Agenda Items for next meeting (August 26, 2008) – There were no requests.
Item 9: Consideration of Treasurer’s Warrants #10, 11, Payroll 7/17/08, Payroll 7/31/08 – The Board reviewed the Treasurer’s Warrants.
Selectperson Dorr moved to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #10, seconded by Selectperson Whittlesey.The vote was 3-0 in favor.
Selectperson Dorr moved to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #11, seconded by Selectperson Whittlesey. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
Selectperson Dorr moved to approve Treasurer’s Payroll Warrant 7/17/2008, seconded by Selectperson Whittlesey. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
Selectperson Dorr moved to approve Treasurer’s Payroll Warrant 7/31/2008, seconded by Selectperson Whittlesey. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
Item 10: Executive Session – Poverty Abatement request pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6)(F) Discussion of Confidential Records as defined in Title 36, Subchapter 8 § 841 Abatement Procedures.
Selectperson Whittlesey moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6)(F) Discussion of Confidential Records as defined in Title 36, Subchapter 8 § 841 Abatement Procedures, seconded by Selectperson Dorr. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
Selectperson Dorr moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6)(F) Discussion of Confidential Records as defined in Title 36, Subchapter 8 § 841 Abatement Procedures, seconded by Selectperson Whittlesey. The vote was 3-0 in favor. There were no decisions or actions taken during the Executive Session. Selectperson Whittlesey moved to deny the application for Poverty Abatement at this time and recommended that the applicant make the following cost saving measures in order to apply those savings toward the unpaid property taxes, seconded by Selectperson Dorr. The vote was 3-0 in favor.
The recommended savings are:
1. Disconnect Cable Television
2. Disconnect one of the telephone plans – either T Mobile or Vonage.
3. Apply for the Property Tax and Rent Refund Program (Circuit Breaker)
4. Aggressively look for employment
The Board agreed that upon a request by the applicant, it would review the application again in February 2009.
• August 22 @ 4:30 pm – Town staff family summer picnic at Brooke & Steve Cox’s home –
• August 25 @ 5:00 pm – Onsite Visits regarding Dangerous Buildings
• August 26 @ 6:30 pm – Regular Select Board Meeting
• September 9 @ 630 pm – Regular Select Board Meeting
Item 12: Adjournment – The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:40 pm.
‹ 2008-07-29 Select Board Meeting Minutes up 2008-08-26 Select Board Meeting Minutes ›