Board of Selectmen Meeting

MINUTES

SEBAGO BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING

6:00 PM

TOWN OFFICE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019       

ALL REGULAR BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETINGS

ARE HELD THE 1ST AND 3RD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Tim Mayberry, at 6:00 pm.

I.      ROLL CALL

Present: Selectmen; Edythe Harnden, Chris Harrington, Phil Lowe, Tim Mayberry and Chris Parker, Town Manager, Michele Bukoveckas, Town Clerk and Recorder, Maureen Scanlon

Guests present: Claudia Lowe, Jim Libby, Tina Vanasse, Philip Strike, Michael Kelly, Ryan Maloney, Deputy Rescue Chief Jason Schoolcraft, Tammy Robinson, Roger Robinson, Edward Callinan, Patricia Boston, Robert Boston, John “Jock” MacGregor, Norma Sicotte, Murdock MacGregor, Deborah Howard, Code Enforcement Officer Brandon Woolley, Charles Frechette, Ted Greene, Marcia Christensen, Zoe Greene, Fire Chief Ken Littlefield, Tom & Deborah Dobrowski,  

II.     ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

Phil Lowe stated that there are people in the audience that attended the workshop portion of the December 4, 2018 Selectmen’s’ meeting.  The workshop subject was “Winter Maintenance on Public Easements”.  Phil mentioned that he expected this to be on the agenda for tonight’s meeting since there were some unanswered questions that resulted from the workshop.  Tim Mayberry stated that a brief discussion would be added to the agenda under “Old Business – Item C.” to address this matter.      

III.    CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of the December 4, 2018 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

Phil Lowe made a motion to approve the December 4, 2018 meeting minutes as presented.  It was seconded by Edie Harnden.  Motion carried with four in favor and Tim Mayberry abstaining from the vote.

IV.     OLD BUSINESS

Public Safety Building Discussion/Update

Town Manager, Michele Bukoveckas, explained that a quote for this project from Turn Key Homes of Maine was included in the Board’s meeting information packet for their review.  She stated that this item was added to the agenda so the Fire (& Rescue) Department could speak to the Board about additional changes that have been made on the plans for the proposed project.  Michele stated that she would like to move forward on this project since the funds would have to be used before June 30th.  Hopefully we can break ground in April.  

Fire Chief Ken Littlefield distributed copies of the revised plan to the Board.  Deputy Rescue Chief Jason Schoolcraft reviewed the reasons for the increase in size from the originally submitted plan.  There was discussion on the newer design with input from Code Enforcement Officer, Brandon Woolley, being sought after by the Board.  It was noted that specifications need to be developed prior to putting this project out to bid so that all contractors are bidding on the same project design.

Tim Mayberry made a motion to have Brandon Woolley develop a specification sheet as soon as he can, and when that has been taken care of, whether it’s one or two weeks down the road, that the Town Manager take care of getting some bids by the next meeting which will be held on February 5th.  It was seconded by Edie Harnden.  Motion carried with all in favor.             

Town Property Encroachment Agreements Discussion 

Michele Bukoveckas reviewed the Encroachment Agreements that have been reviewed by the town’s attorney.  

Tim Mayberry made a motion that the Town Manager send the documents to the individuals listed (in the Encroachment Agreements) and then include copies of them in the town’s files.  It was seconded by Chris Harrington.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Public Easement Roads Discussion

Tim Mayberry stated that over the past several years the town has taken on some very expensive endeavors such as the new School Department and the recently installed Solar Array system that will hopefully save money in the long run.  The Fire Department project is another project that is sure to be more expensive than anyone wants it to be.  When the town takes over the maintenance of a road it is very expensive.  Therefore, he does not want to add any further burden on the tax payers at this time, but he asked for the Board’s comments on the subject.

Phil Lowe addressed Tim Mayberry’s concerns and explained that if a committee were developed it may be able to address the many different situations and concerns that have arisen regarding the town’s public easement roads.  He asked for a show of hands of how many people in the audience would be interested in seeing a committee developed to address the matter of public easement roads.  Several hands were raised. He then asked how many people lived on public easement roads, the same individuals again raised their hands.  He stated that this showed that there is interest.  Concern was noted by some of the Board members that people that do not live on a public easement road would probably not be interested in serving on this type of committee which would cause it to be biased in its recommendations.  

Phil stated that as far as cost is concerned, nobody is asking for road improvements, just road maintenance.  Tim Mayberry addressed Phil’s comments regarding the matter of road maintenance cost.  He then stated that he would like the Board to have another brief workshop meeting to further discuss this matter and gather the thoughts of the other Board members.  Brandon Woolley explained how extensive research has been being done at the Town Office to compile the complete and final answers to problems that have been discovered.  This information will then be organized and recorded properly for posterity.

Phil Lowe made a motion to establish a committee to review easement road issues.  It was seconded by Tim Mayberry.  Motion failed with two in favor and three opposed.       

Tim Mayberry requested that the Board plan on meeting at 5:45 pm on February 5th to discuss this matter in a workshop forum amongst the Board members.  This will not be open to comments from the public.   

Additional Road Conversation

Phil Lowe stated that he feels that the Board needs to discuss the issue of the maintenance of Webster Way.  Brandon Woolley reminded Phil that there are two other roads in that same vicinity, a section of Marina Road that abuts the town beach area, and Clair Road, that are town owned property.  All three of these roads are town owned property with a right-of-way allowing the residents to access their property and they have the right to maintain their access.      

V.      NEW BUSINESS

A.      Roll-Off Truck Discussion

Michele Bukoveckas explained that the Roll-Off truck at the Transfer Station is in need of repairs in order to pass inspection.  It was noted that this truck does not leave the Transfer Station very often but is still used to deliver brush debris to the landfill in Bridgton.  The estimated repairs would cost approximately $20,000.00.  This will allow us to get several more years of use from it.  The frame is in good shape, and these repairs would mainly be done on the brakes and engine.  Other options were discussed and not found to be feasible.  

Tim Mayberry made a motion to take the funds out of CIP (Capital Investment Program) and move forward with the necessary repairs on the Roll-Off truck.  It was seconded by Phil Lowe.  Motion carried with all in favor.   

                B.      Appointment of Registrar of Voters

Michele Bukoveckas explained that the town is required to re-appoint the Registrar of Voters every other year in the odd numbered year.  She recommended appointing Town Clerk, Maureen Scanlon, as the Registrar of Voters.

Edie Harnden made a motion to nominate/appoint Maureen Scanlon as the Registrar of Voters.  It was seconded by Tim Mayberry.  Motion carried with all in favor.   

                C.      Appointment of Ballot Clerks

Michele Bukoveckas explained that the town is also required to re-appoint the Ballot Clerks every other year in the odd numbered year.  She recommended appointing the following residents as Ballot Clerks:

Amy Barden, Jean Grant, Isabelle Koceika, Monika Norberg, Dorothy O’Donnell and Norma Sicotte.  

Chris Parker made a motion to nominate/appoint the residents listed above to the position of Ballot Clerk.  It was seconded by Chris Harrington.  Motion carried with all in favor.   

                D.      Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance Discussion

Michele Bukoveckas and Brandon Woolley explained why this ordinance is needed.  Basically, it allows municipalities to allow their residents to sell their local products.  A Public Hearing will be held on this matter.  It will then be added to the Warrant for the next annual Town Meeting so that it can be voted on by the town’s legislative body.    

Fireworks Ordinance Discussion

Michele Bukoveckas stated that neither she nor Brandon Woolley have heard back any comments from the Board regarding the draft Fireworks Ordinance that Brandon was asked to develop.  She asked if the Board intended to proceed with it.  A Public Hearing will be held on this matter.  

It will then be added to the Warrant for the next annual Town Meeting so that it can be voted on by the town’s legislative body.    

VI.     REPORTS FROM TOWN OFFICALS

A       Town Manager

The meter on the solar array was installed on December 12th.  In speaking with Brooks from ReVision it will take 2-3 billing cycles before we start seeing the credits.  I was assured that CMP will make the credits retro-active to December 12th when the meter was installed.

The conversion to LEDs in the street lights is complete, we have already seen a $100 reduction this month.

I have had the lights at the Transfer Station fixed and converted to LEDs.  I also had them convert the sand/salt shed lights.  

Had a meeting with Public Works Director Wayne Allen, Brent Berube and Marc Gendron from the Sebago School Department and Jeff Hartford from Hartford Communications to discuss options for DPW and School Department Radios.  Jeff reviewed the different options that were available to us.  A repeater would be required and could be placed on the Douglas Mountain tower.  This would allow DPW and the School to converse.  Currently, we are looking at splitting the cost of the repeater between the school and the town ($3,500/each) and then the school would purchase their own radios.  Jeff stated there is still an additional cost of $600 for the new license which would also be split between the two of us. 

On Thursday I will be meeting with Harrison, Ottisfield and Bridgton to discuss the prospect of working together on a full-time Animal Control Officer.  There are many details to work out and hopefully it will be a win-win situation for all.

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                B.      Selectmen

Chris Parker had nothing to report.    

Tim Mayberry had nothing to report.

Phil Lowe had nothing to report.

Edie Harnden had nothing to report.

Chris Harrington had nothing to report.

C.      Committees

Jim Libby mentioned that Budget Committee meetings start tomorrow night at 6:30 pm.  All are welcome to attend.

VII.    COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Ted Greene mentioned that in the past there was a Cemetery Committee that was chaired by Ann Farley.  He asked if this committee will continue with the work that was started, especially this coming spring.  Tim Mayberry agreed that it should continue.  

RECORDER’S NOTE: This committee is for the “small cemeteries”, not the Hancock Pond Road Cemetery.   

Charlie Frechette made the comment that he sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen about a month ago regarding Webster Way.  As of today, he has still not received anything officially stating that they are not going to maintain that road.  He is not the only one that uses this road to access property on the road.  He has been doing some of the repairs to the road and is concerned about the fact that if he isn’t there to continue doing the repairs the other property owners will not realize it is not being maintained.  He stated that the town should notify the property owners as to whether or not they will be maintaining it.  Chris Parker asked the Town Manager to send out notification letters to the property owners (that the Town will not be maintaining the road).

Claudia Lowe submitted a document with her written comments to the Board.  A copy of her submittal is attached to and does hereby become a part of the original set of these minutes.        

VIII.   ADJOURNMENT

Tim Mayberry made a motion to adjourn at 7:23 pm.  It was seconded by Edie Harnden.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen F. Scanlon

Town Clerk