TOWN OF FRYEBURG BOARD OF SELECTMEN
APRIL 28, 2005 

Mr. Wilkey called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The additional members of the Board, Mr. Dutton and Mr. Knapp were in attendance, as was Town Manager Phil Covelli.

MINUTES:

The minutes of April 14, 2005 were reviewed. Mr. Dutton moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Knapp seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM:

GROWTH CAPS - Buzz Pratt spoke to the issue of growth caps. He presented a handout of statistical information related to population trends, housing density, growth rates, student population, employment, etc. It is Mr. Pratt’s opinion that the statistics cited did not meet the statutory tests of demonstrated “overburdening of public facilities”; or “serious public harm by development.” Mr. Pratt reviewed the various statistical information offered with members of the Board and audience.

The Board members thanked Mr. Pratt for his presentation.

Mr. Knapp also distributed some notes to the Board members concerning growth caps. They are hereby incorporated and made part of these minutes by attachment.

ROAD CONDITIONS - Ken Brown commented on the condition of the roads in North Fryeburg. He is of the opinion that they are not being maintained to their usual standards. Mr. Wilkey responded that a road survey was going to be conducted this spring/summer, and that a road management plan would be developed to identify the most pressing road maintenance needs.

MOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEY ECONOMIC COUNCIL PRESENTATION :

Conrad Eastman introduced Jac Cuddy, who gave a presentation of the Economic Council’s current operations. Mr. Cuddy distributed a folder of information concerning the Council’s current mission and programs. Mr. Cuddy briefly reviewed several of the council’s major programs and recent business collarborations:

· Revolving loan fund for business start up or expansion.

· Work with Oxford Aviation to researching the availability of Community Development Block Grant funds to expand their operations at Fryeburg airport.

· Continuing work with the Technology Village (estimated completion date 2006) and Business Resource Center.

· Continuing work with SCORE staff assisting in small business start-up and counseling to entrepreneurs.

· Support of the study of the New Hampshire aquifer.

Mr. Knapp expressed some concern that the focus of a New Hampshire based economic council would be primarily on NH based opportunities and businesses, and not necessarily geared towards Fryeburg. Mr. Cuddy responded that the Council’s work was regional in nature and not limited or restricted by the state boundary.

The Board members thanked Mr. Cuddy and Mr. Eastman for their presentation.

TAX ABATEMENTS:

The following abatements were presented by Mr. Dennis Berube, contracted assessing agent of O’Donnell & Associates:

TRA 20P – Personal Property (construction trailer) – abatement of $57.14.

Mr. Knapp moved to approve the abatement. Mr. Dutton seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

CHA 20P – Personal Property (beautician equipment) - abatement of $7.41.

Mr. Dutton moved to approve the abatement. Mr. Wilkey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ADV10P – Leasehold Personal Property (cash register) –abatement of $123.24. Mr. Dutton moves to approve the abatement. Mr. Knapp seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

MAP 48, LOT 34 – Real property (pre-school) – abatement of $4,547.21. Mr. Berube stated that the property was entitled to tax exempt status as a registered non profit corporation. Mr. Knapp noted that the site is leased from the SAD. Mr. Berube responded that they would still be entitled to tax exempt status as a scientific/literary institution. Mr. Knapp moved to approve the abatement. Mr. Dutton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

LAN 10P- Personal Property (industrial equipment)-abatement of $12,673.09. Mr. Berube stated that he verified that the equipment was sold at auction and removed prior to April 1, 2004. Mr. Dutton moved to approve the abatement. Mr. Knapp seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

MAP 6, LOT 21 – Real Property (industrial complex)-abatement of $16,433.82. Mr. Berube reviewed the assessment file. The owner of the property commissioned an appraisal of the property which excluded the value of the open frame buildings on the property and in Mr. Berube’s opinion, did not list the total square footage of the property. Based on these differences, Mr. Berube’s opinion of the value of the property and that of the owner’s appraiser differs by approximately $69,125.00. After discussion, Mr. Knapp moved to approve the abatement of $16, 433, 82. based on Mr. Berube’s assessed value. Mr. Dutton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

SURPLUS EQUIPMENT DISPOSAL:

Mr. Whitten presented a proposal for trading the old dump truck body to the Town of Lovell in exchange for $2,000 worth of gravel. The Board members noted that sale or trade of any equipment having a value of over $500.00 without competitive bidding was at odds with the recently adopted surplus property disposal policy. Mr. Knapp moved to table the issue until such time as the policy could be amended to provide for the trade or sale of goods without mandatory competitive bidding procedures when such a practice was in the best interest of the town. The board voted unanimously to do so.

TENNIS COURT RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT:

There was considerable discussion regarding the need for engaging the services of a consultant to draw up bid documents and oversee the project. Mr. Covelli had obtained a verbal quote of approximately $500.00 to do so from Fred Farrell, a tennis court construction consultant. It was noted that any bid specifications would have to be pre-approved by the State Department of Parks and Lands and meet federal guidelines pursuant to the guidelines of the grant. Mr. Knapp moved to table the matter until such time as it could be determined if Mr. Farrell had any experience in grant-funded projects and their requirements. Mr. Dutton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

VALLEY VISION COVERAGE:

Mr. Knapp distributed a memo regarding this issue. They are hereby incorporated and made part of these minutes by attachment. Several key points regarding Valley Vision were discussed. The station manager, Zach Ambrose was also present to answer any questions.

Board members reviewed a financial spreadsheet as prepared by Mr. Knapp. Valley Vision appears to be solvent for the duration of 2005. There was considerable discussion regarding time slots, franchise fees, and future coverage. Ken Truly expressed interest in replacing Linda Card as the Town representative on the Valley Vision Board. Mr. Dutton moved to appoint Mr. Turley as representative. Mr. Wilkey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

It was decided among those present that a future meeting with the Valley Vision Board of Directors to further examine the issues of coverage would be beneficial. Mr. Ambrose stated that he would arrange it to be on the Board’s agenda.

FRYEBURG EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN:

Mr. Knapp moved to table the matter as the plan was not, in his opinion, particularly useful or instructive. Mr. Covelli explained that the plan as presented had been supplied by the Maine Emergency Management

Agency via the County Office of Emergency Management, and was basically a fill-in-the-blank document. Mr. Dutton seconded the motion to table the matter until a more appropriate and useful plan could be developed. The motion carried unanimously.

VEHICLE OPERATIONS POLICY:

Mr. Knapp proposed several changes to the policy. He moved to table the matter until such time as the changes could be incorporated into a new document. Mr. Wilkey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS AS APPROPRIATE:

Fire Chief Ozzie Sheaff reported that the new fire truck would be delivered late next week, and that he was researching the cost of retrofitting the “retired” police cruiser for use as a “Chief’s Car” for the Fire Department. Use of the vehicle would eliminate the vehicle allowance line in the Fire Department budget. Mr. Knapp moved to direct the Town Manager to authorize the use of the former police vehicle as a Fire Department vehicle. Mr. Dutton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Police Chief Wayne Brooking reported that several other police departments in the county were preparing to implement use of new software that would allow interdepartmental communications via computer. Said software would be the same as used by the Oxford County Regional Communication Center. He asked if the reimbursement from Bridgton for Officer Chainey’s training expenses could be directly allocated to the department’s computer account. There was discussion regarding the legality of doing so. The matter was tabled until such time as Chief Brooking could present a more comprehensive accounting the costs of purchasing the software and future licensing costs.

Mr. Knapp volunteered to coordinate the Comprehensive Plan Committee meetings with Planning Board Chairman Ted Raymond.

Mr. Dutton moved to enter into an executive session discussion regarding a personnel matter pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A §405-6A.

The Board resumed its regular meeting at 10:35. It was decided to draft a letter to the employee in question and submit it for review to the Town Attorney before mailing.

Having no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted:
P. Covelli, Town Manager