BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 13, 2005  

The Chairman of the Board Ed Wilkey called the meeting to order at 7pm, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The board then reviewed the minutes from September 15 & 29. Mr. Knapp made a motion to accept the minutes from both dates, which was seconded by Mr. Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM

Mr. Gamwell was present and gave copies of a letter to the board that he has submitted to the Planning Board for their review.

Mr. Krasker and the board discussed the need to coordinate future water studies with the Planning Board. The board then discussed the need to slow down the issuing of future water extraction permits and the power of the planning board to more strongly regulate activity by those receiving permits.

NEW BUSINESS

Appointments:

Public Safety/Disaster Mitigation Committee: Mr. David Kinsman has expressed interest in joining this committee. Mr. Dutton made a motion to appoint Mr. Kinsman, which was seconded by Mr. Knapp. The motion passed unanimously. The board and the Chief of Police also discussed potential projects such as a Neighborhood Watch Program and the identification of Safe Routes to School projects for the committee. The board agreed to contact Committee Chairman Web Fox and get his input on these projects.

Deputy Animal Control Officer: Ms. Jean Manley was present to express her interest in the position. She already knows the current ACO and will be compensated for mileage and on an on-call basis. Mr. Knapp made a motion to appoint Ms. Manley, which was seconded by Mr. Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.

Presentation regarding Homeland Security and other grant funding—Maine Emergency Management Agency : This presentation was tabled until the 10/27 meeting.

Contract for architectural services— Public Safety Building : This was tabled until the 10/27 meeting.

Fryeburg Police Department Standard Operating Procedures Amendment: The board and the Chief of Police discussed the changes made to the current procedures, those being changes to section 15: Required Conduct, and part A: Physical Fitness Requirements. The PD will be required to provide the means for the officers to meet these standards, which are based on the current Police Academy standards. Mr. Dutton made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Mr. Knapp. The motion passed unanimously.

Adoption of General Assistance Maximums : The board had a general discussion regarding the administration of these maximums and expressed a desire to see the new model ordinance from MMA. Mr. Dutton made a motion to sign and adopt the maximums, and to get a copy of the model ordinance. The motion was seconded by Mr. Knapp; and it passed unanimously.

Quitclaim Deed: Release of Tax Lien : Before signing, Mr. Knapp expressed a desire for there to be an explanatory memo—to which the board agreed. Mr. Covelli agreed to come up with a standard format for one. The board agreed to wait to sign the Deed until the next meeting.

Municipal Valuation Return : The board reviewed the materials and agreed that it would have been beneficial to understand the calculations before agreeing on the tax rate. After discussing a series of affecting factors, the board tabled the issue until the next meeting so that the Assessor could be present to explain the details of the calculations.

OLD BUSINESS

Cable TV Franchise : Mr. Knapp informed the board that the town has received two letters, from Time Warner and Adelphia, advising not sign the Transfer Agreement prepared by Mr. Scully. Mr. Knapp recommended signing the Agreement, since there would be no disadvantages for the town in doing so. Mr. Knapp moved to adopt the resolution dated 10/13 and to approve the transfer with conditions. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dutton. The motion passed unanimously and the board signed the Agreement as prepared.

Pole Location Permits—CMP : This permit request was to install a replacement pole and the board reviewed the document. Mr. Dutton made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Mr. Knapp. The motion passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS

The board agreed to begin future meetings at 6:00pm and to end the meetings by 9:30. Any agenda items not discussed will be moved to the next meeting.

The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting will be October 27 th.

The new Fire Chief vehicle has been purchased, it is a Chevrolet Tahoe.

Mr. David Knapp and Mr. Covelli will be attending the MMA Conference.

The Transfer Station Committee will be meeting at 5:30 on 10/27. The regular meeting that day will be at 7:00.

The DOT informed the town that it will be lowering the speed limit on Route 302 by moving the lower speed area back a quarter of a mile west of the village.

Mr. Knapp expressed concern over the amount of trash generated by the fair. According to Mr. Covelli, this has not been determined at this point.

Mr. Dutton gave an update on the Oxford Country Budget Committee. Any request to be included in next year’s budget must be submitted by August. He also informed the board that Oxford County contributes to the operation of the Oxford airport because it is technically owned by the county.

Personnel Policy : New to the policy is a change in the health care policy. Before 12/2001, the town paid 65% for family’s healthcare. However, this was changed, and currently, employees hired after 2001 now must pay 100% for family coverage. Those hired before the 12/2001 date are considered “grandfathered” and are covered under the previous coverage.

Mr. Knapp made a motion to rescind the Personnel Policy Article II: Health Insurance - adopted in 2001. This was seconded by Mr. Dutton and the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Knapp made a motion to adopt section 6, paragraph 3 of the draft personnel policy and insert it into Article II of the current personnel policy. This was seconded by Mr. Dutton and the motion passed unanimously.

As there were no additional items before the board, a motion was made adjourn, which was seconded and passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lindsay Straw

Recording Secretary