Board of Selectmen Meeting

MINUTES

SEBAGO BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING

6:00 PM

TOWN OFFICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2019       

ALL REGULAR BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETINGS

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

The Board of Selectmen held a brief workshop at 5:45 pm with the meeting immediately following.

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: Jim Libby, Claudia Lowe, Jock MacGregor, Ann Burns, Tina Vanasse, Murdock MacGregor, Code Enforcement Officer Brandon Woolley, Steve Girardin and Isaiah, Ted Greene, Phil Strike, Public Works Director Wayne Allen, Ryan Maloney, Mike Kelly, Animal Control Officer Carl Hoskins

II.     ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

        There were none.

III.    CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of the January 15, 2019 Selectmen’s Executive Session Minutes

Tim Mayberry made a motion to approve the January 15, 2019 Executive Session minutes as presented.  It was seconded by Chris Harrington.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Approval of the January 15, 2019 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

Tim Mayberry made a motion to approve the January 15, 2019 meeting minutes as presented.  It was seconded by Chris Parker.  Motion carried with all in favor.

IV.     OLD BUSINESS

Rescue Bunk Room Specifications Discussion/Update

Code Enforcement Officer, Brandon Woolley, distributed specifications sheets that he developed at the Board’s request.  He explained the concerns that he addressed which had been previously brought up and reviewed the overall design plan.  There was quite a bit of discussion on this proposed design with input from firefighters Phil Strike and Ted Greene regarding the Fire Department’s current and future needs.  

It was suggested that when this project goes out to bid that the Contractor should be required to be bonded and provide proof of it to the town.   

The Board asked Brandon to do more “fine tuning” on the specifications with input from the Fire Department and bring it back for further discussion at next month’s meeting.

B.      Docks on Town Right of Ways Discussion  

Brandon Woolley reviewed the background on the situation of docks on the waterfront.  He explained that every situation is different, so to try and develop an ordinance that addresses all of the different scenarios is not likely to happen in any short period of time.  However, there are currently a number of requests that are valid and need to be addressed.  He referred to the town’s Comprehensive Plan which reflects a desire to preserve access and protect the recreational rights for all to the waterfront area.  

He was recently asked by the Board to develop a policy to address the dock situation on Spider View Road, therefore he submitted a document entitled “Town of Sebago Authorization for Spider View Dock and Dock Management Area Rules” to the Board for their consideration.  Basically, this involves town owned property that is submerged.  It was noted that this is a policy and not an ordinance, so it does not require public hearings and approval by the town’s legislative body.  It is a policy that is only dealing with one specific situation in town.  It can be rescinded if it doesn’t work out or is abused, or it just turns out to not be a good idea.

Tim Mayberry made a motion to accept the policy entitled “Town of Sebago Authorization for Spider View Dock and Dock Management Area Rules” as written.  It was seconded by Phil Lowe.  Motion carried with four in favor and 1 opposed.

V.      NEW BUSINESS

Plow Truck Discussion

Michele Bukoveckas explained that she and Public Works Director, Wayne Allen, were looking into funding options for the purchase of a new plow truck.  They were able to locate one for a reasonable price but it was quickly sold to another town.  Last week the truck that was going to be traded-in towards the new purchase was involved in a storm weather related accident and is expected to be deemed “totaled” by the insurance company.  She expects the town to be reimbursed approximately $30,000 to $40,000 for the damaged truck.  

A quote on a 2020 Freightliner truck has been received in the amount of $198,600.  Additional quotes will be obtained.  Another truck will be purchased when funding is available, until then, the Public Works department will have a total of three trucks instead of four.      

B.      Winter Sand for Residents Discussion

Michele Bukoveckas and Wayne Allen explained that there have been some issues with the winter sand that is made available to residents.  Several trucks have been seen at the location filling the hopper for their sanding units.  This sand is only meant for residents to fill 5-gallon buckets in order to sand their walkways.  It is not meant for sanding their whole driveway and it is definitely not meant for contractors to use.  

There was some discussion on this matter with several suggestions being made.  It was determined that this benefit to the residents is important so the Board does not want to discontinue it at this time.  However, the Board asked Michele to look into acquiring security cameras and developing a policy to address the problem.    

C.      Acceptance of a Solar Powered Radar Speed Sign from Maine Department of Transportation

Michele Bukoveckas stated that Bruce Hart had recently addressed the Board of Selectmen regarding a free Solar Powered Radar Speed sign.  She explained how it works and that the information will be uploaded to the Cumberland County Sherriff’s Office for their review of noted problem areas.  This sign will be put on the town’s trailer so that it can be moved throughout town.  

Phil Lowe made a motion to accept the sign.  It was seconded by Tim Mayberry.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Michele thanked the Long Beach Community Association for their efforts in obtaining this free sign for the town.      

                D.      Animal Control Regionalization Discussion

Michele Bukoveckas recently met with the Town Managers from Harrison and Bridgton to discuss the possibility of regionalization in order to have a full time Animal Control Officer that would cover the three towns.  She presented a proposed budget for this position to the Board.  This includes wages, benefits, vehicle, phone, dues and training expenses.  She explained how the three towns would share the overall expenses.  There was discussion on the financing options for this regionalized position.

Carl Hoskins explained his duties and the procedures he follows as our current Animal Control Officer.  It was noted that he also covers the towns of Bridgton and Harrison.  

The Town Manager and the Town Clerk both stated that it is getting harder to fill this position with dedicated individuals and Carl has proven to be a valuable asset to the town.  Part of the problem is that a person in this part time position usually has to work another job to make ends meet.  This means that they are not always available when the need arises.  This regionalized position would mean that this person would be solely dedicated to the animal control needs of the three towns.  

Chris Parker made a motion not to approve the proposed budget and shared Animal Control Officer position with the towns of Bridgton and Harrison.  It was seconded by Tim Mayberry.  Motion carried with all in favor.

It was noted that the Town Manager will look into increasing the wages for this existing part time position and that she may also need to find another individual that is able to accept the position on a part time basis.  The Board of Selectmen referred this matter to be re-addressed by the Budget Committee.      

                E.      Town Report Dedication

The Town Manager presented her proposed design for the 2017 – 2018 Annual Report.  She asked who the Board would like it dedicated to this year.  After some discussion, it was suggested to dedicate it to the new Sebago School.  All of the Selectmen agreed to this idea.  Sebago School Board Chair, Tina Vanasse, agreed to draft the wording for the Dedication.       

                F.      Town Meeting Scheduling Discussion

The Town Manager proposed having the Annual Town Meeting, the School Budget Meeting, and the Municipal Election in the month of May this year.  It has been suggested in the past to change the Town Meeting date from the first Saturday in June to an evening during the week.  After some discussion it was decided to hold the Annual Town Meeting this year on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 pm with the School Budget Meeting immediately following.  The Municipal and School Referendum Election would then be held on May 28th.  Nomination papers for the Municipal Election will be available on February 15th.  It was noted that the change in dates can be done by the Board of Selectmen and does not have to go before the town’s legislative body for approval.  

Tim Mayberry made a motion to have the Annual Town Meeting and School Budget Meeting on May 14th and the Municipal and School Referendum Election on May 28th.  It was seconded by Phil Lowe.  Motion carried with all in favor.      

G.      Abatements and Supplementals as Recommended by Assessor’s Agent

The Town Manager presented the Abatements and Supplementals for property tax bills as prepared by the Assessors Agent.  She explained the discovered circumstances that required the processing of these abatements and supplemental tax bills.

Tim Mayberry made a motion to approve the Abatements and Supplementals as presented.  It was seconded by Chris Parker.  Motion carried with all in favor.  The Selectmen proceeded the sign off on the approval documentation.

                H.      Appointment to Appeals Board

The Town Manager stated that due to Edd Fitzgerald’s resignation, there is now a vacant position for the Zoning Board of Appeal and she does not have a candidate at this time to be appointed.  She will bring it back before the Board when she does and asked if the Board knew of anyone that may be interested in this position.  There were no suggestions from the Board.  The Town Clerk mentioned an individual that has expressed an interest in joining this Board.   

VI.     REPORTS FROM TOWN OFFICALS

A       Town Manager

As you may or may not know, F.R. Carroll has been sold to All State Asphalt in Massachusetts.  I spoke with Frank and he stated that he and his brother would be managing the plant here in Maine at least for a year, maybe longer.  He also stated that all contracts are still in force and that we would not see any reduction in the quality of work.  He did mention the cost of asphalt has decreased so we will probably see a reduction in cost when Hogfat Hill Road is done this Spring.

Recently, a group using the gym hit a light and it fell.  It apparently was hanging and they told the players to avoid the light, well, apparently, a ball struck the light and it came down.  Luckily, no one was hurt, nor was there any damage to the floor.  I have scheduled the light to be fixed and re-installed.  We have a group from Windham that uses the gym, sometimes twice a day, several times a week.  Although they do include Sebago residents at times, I feel a small fee should be imposed for the use of the gym (heat, lights).  What are your thoughts?

The Town Manager was asked to provide the Board with more information on the cost of expenses and the frequency of usage of this building.  

Later this week, I will be meeting with Peter Coughlan from MDOT to go over our road inventory since it has been 14 years since the last one.  This could result in additional LRAP (Local Roads Assistance Program) funds.

                B.      Selectmen

Tim Mayberry had nothing to report.

Chris Parker had nothing to report.    

Chris Harrington had nothing to report.

Edie Harnden made note of the fact that in the past couple of weeks one employee has not been submitting the correct weekly time sheet and this same individual has still not been submitting a mileage voucher in a timely manner.  The Town Manager will address this matter.

Phil Lowe stated that he was disappointed in the Board’s recent procedure in addressing the matter of Public Easement roads.  He believes this matter needs to be further addressed by the Board.

C.      Committees

                        Nothing reported.

VII.    COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Jim Libby asked why the “Comments from the Public” agenda item was moved to the end of the meeting.  The Town Manager explained that at times in the past when “Comments from the Public” was at the beginning of the meeting a very lengthy conversation could develop.  A person that was on the agenda was made to wait longer than they anticipated because they were on the actual agenda.  It is out of respect to that person or group that has been placed on the agenda, so they don’t have sit through a lengthy discussion before their topic is addressed.  This is something that is done routinely throughout the State in other towns.  Another point mentioned is that a lot of times the comments from the public are related to agenda items.  This allows them to speak on a topic that was discussed.  The Board agreed to keep this agenda item at the end of the meeting.   

VIII.   ADJOURNMENT

Phil Lowe made a motion to adjourn at 8:18 pm.  It was seconded by Edie Harnden.  Motion carried with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen F. Scanlon

Town Clerk