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The dedicated team of Town
Manager and Selectmen guide the daily operations and future of Guilford.
Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month. They are open to the
public and they encourage interested citizens to come and get involved.
William Thompson, Kent Burdin, Michael Dexter, Rick Lander and Peter
Martell
Town Manager ~Thomas Goulette
Town Manager Notes and Selectmen Meeting Minutes
December 8, 2009
1.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bill
Thompson at 7:00 PM. Present were selectmen Michael Dexter, and Peter
Martell, and guests Shawn Bridgman.
2.
Motion made by Dexter, seconded by Martell
to approve minutes of the prior meeting. Unanimous.
3.
Balance sheets distributed.
4.
Letter from Superintendent Stearns read,
regarding current and future cuts and slashes to the education budget by
the State. Coupled with a district-wide increase in the property
valuations, Guilford will face a double hit in the next school budget,
and maybe a triple threat when a penalty is added for not consolidating
as were ordered by the 38% Solution and his commissioner.
5.
A letter from Maine Municipal Review, Inc.
was read regarding their proposed resolution to plan ahead for the 2018
contract renewal and possible changes to the per-ton target rate for
trash disposal.
6.
Manager reported on tax acquired
properties stating that an arrangement had been worked out for one of the
owners due to medical issues, and a second case was in bankruptcy.
Another owner who had forfeited property was in attendance and requested
that the board consider reinstating the property to him as he had
overcome past financial problems and could now catch up on past balances.
On a motion from Martell, seconded by Dexter, it was agreed to delay the
decision until the January meeting when a full board would be present.
7.
Manager presented a signed agreement
between the town and Maine Community Foundation under the terms of which
they would manage the trust funds in various investments on behalf of the
town. There will be a Linnell Trust and a General Trust added to the
existing Guilford Memorial Library Trust, making three separate funds to
be administered by MCF.
8.
Snowplowing contracts between the town and
Haley Construction were presented for signatures. The contracts are
identical to last years’ but manager warned an increase would be coming
at the next renewal. It was mentioned that a fine job had always been
done by this contractor in the past.
9.
Due to a grant the town is to receive an
AED, (automatic external defibrillator,) at a presentation at Mayo
Hospital on December 21st at 11 o’clock.
10. Manager
gave a report on the Chamber Partners Christmas programming for the area,
stating that is was considered a success by all involved. From the
decorating of the bridge by Lisa King of Heart’s Desire, assisted by
Michelle and Chelsea Nichols, to the Story Reading at the library, the
Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa at the gazebo, and even the
slow-burning bonfire, capped off by hot chocolate, cider and cookies at
the Historical Society, it was a well-attended day locally.
11. The
date was set for the annual budget committee meeting; it will be held
February 8th, 2010 at P.C.H.S. at 7:00 pm.
12. Manager
gave board First Notice for warrant articles. None presented at this
time.
13. Under assessor’s issues, a letter was
read from the County Commissioners wherein they reversed their prior
position and granted William and Eileen Ebbeling an abatement on their
Field Road property.
14. Under Other Business, Martell inquired
as to the disposition of the property at 24 Oak Street, formerly declared
dangerous. Manager stated the prior owners had just received the title
back to their names and were planning to sell it. It was decided to sit
tight and see what happened in the next few months before taking further
action.
15. Martell
moved that the meeting be adjourned.
After a second by Dexter, the meeting was adjourned unanimously at
8:09 PM.
January 5, 2010
1.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bill
Thompson at 7:00 PM. Present were selectmen Kent Burdin, Michael Dexter, Rick
Lander and Peter Martell, and guests, Bill Pearson from the Piscataquis
Observer and Carrie Fellows.
2.
Motion made by Lander, seconded by Burdin
to approve minutes of the prior meeting. Unanimous.
3.
Balance sheets distributed.
4.
Letter from Maine Municipal Association was
read detailing the outcome of the state’s latest proposed budget cuts
which will reduce revenue sharing funds paid to the town by over
$26,000.00. The good news just keeps on coming.
5.
A letter from Sandra Beauregard was read regarding
the good work of the Guilford Partnership Food Pantry and requesting that
the town consider the purchase of a building in which to house their
operation. Lander moved to table the discussion, seconded by Dexter and
it was tabled with no action taken.
6.
Manager reported on the visit from the
loss control engineer from our insurance carrier. Only two minor issues
surfaced which were immediately taken care of and it was noted that the
emergency light at the town garage needed repairs. Dexter stated he had
an available replacement and that he would deliver it to the garage.
7.
Manager noted that Guilford Memorial
Library was one of only four libraries in Maine to receive a four star
rating, an accomplishment they achieved last year as well.
8.
The tax acquired property on Sebec Shores
Road was discussed at length before Burdin moved it be returned to the
prior owner upon payment in full of all outstanding taxes, costs, and
other expenses. The motion was seconded by Lander and carried by a vote
of three to one.
9.
An update on the condition and changes
contemplated at the Medical Building was given and Martell described his
efforts to alleviate the ice back-up issues. A meeting will be scheduled
with Mayo Associates in the very near future to clarify any necessary
renovations contemplated as well as upgrades needed to existing systems.
10. The
Board was asked if they wished to set eligibility requirements to
determine the presentation of the Boston Post Gold Headed Cane. Martell
moved that residency should be established in town for one year for a
person to be considered eligible. Dexter seconded the motion which passed
with a unanimous vote.
11. The
Fire Department presented its proposed slate of officers for the upcoming
year and the entire slate was accepted and nominated as presented
following a motion from Lander with a Burdin second.
12. The
Fire Department Budget was presented for review with no action taken as
budget committee meets in February.
13. Dexter
moved that the fire services contracts for Abbot and Parkman be increased
to $14,000.00 annually as wages and costs have increased and the
contracts have not changed in six years. Martell seconded his motion and
it carried by unanimous vote.
14. On
a motion from Lander with a Martell second, it was voted to go into
executive session as per MSRA ss 404 (6)(A)&(D) to discuss employee
compensation. The session began at 8:09 and ended at 8:56 following a
vote to exit said session as moved by Lander and seconded by Burdin. No
action was taken.
15. Manager
gave board Second Notice for warrant articles. None presented at this
time.
16. There were no topics brought up under “Other
Business.”
17. Burdin
moved that the meeting be adjourned.
After a second by Lander, the meeting was adjourned unanimously at
8:57 PM.
February 2, 2010
1.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bill
Thompson at 7:01 PM. Present were selectmen Michael Dexter, Rick Lander and
Peter Martell, and guests, Bill Pearson from the Piscataquis Observer.
2.
Motion made by Lander, seconded by Martell
to approve minutes of the prior meeting. Unanimous.
3.
Balance sheets distributed.
4.
Letter from SAD#4 read advising that the
board had voted to turn Guilford Primary School over to the town. This
will now require a vote to accept it at the annual town meeting.
5.
Selectmen signed deed returning tax
acquired property to former owner.
6.
It was noted that the medical building
committee would be meeting at the town office on February 9th
at 6:30 pm.
7.
Reminder was given that budget committee
would meet February 8th at the high school at 7:00 pm.
8.
On a motion from Lander, seconded by
Dexter, it was agreed to renew Roland Cookson’s junkyard permit.
9.
Manager informed the board that the
Economic Development Board had engaged Harriman Associates to file a
letter of intent with the office of community development as the first
step in applying for a Housing Assistance Grant.
10. Discussion
on acceptance of a septage contract was tabled until such time as the
contract was presented.
11. The
delinquent tax rate was set at seven percent and the return rate at three
percent for the 2010 tax year.
12. Manager
presented the 2010-2011 budget for board review. It was noted that due to
anticipated water increases and a decrease in revenue sharing, the budget
was up about two and one half percent overall.
13. Final
notice given for warrant articles.
14. Under
assessor’s issues, it was voted to waive interest on one late account for
justifiable reasons, an abatement was granted for property that had been
removed prior to assessment date, and the manager was directed to gather
information for review of an individual residential account for a later
meeting.
15. Under
other business, the board agreed that the fire department should sell
truck 728 after delivery of the new pumper in March.
16. Martell moved that the meeting be
adjourned. After a second by
Lander, the meeting was adjourned unanimously at 8:07 PM.
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