BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 27, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7pm, and began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Dutton was not present this evening. Mr. Knapp made a motion to approve the minutes as printed, which was seconded by Mr. Wilkey. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM:

A citizen asked whether it would be possible to put meeting agendas in either of the local papers. The town manager and board said that they would make an effort to forward the information to the local papers, but it is up to them to decide whether it goes in or not.

Mr. Greg Huemmler requested the status of the removal of the old utility poles in North Fryeburg, which are still in place after the new ones have been installed. Mr. Wilkey said that the company is waiting for the completion of the transfer of the other utilities (telephone/cable) to the new poles.

A petition signed by approximately 200 citizens was presented to the board requesting a special town meeting to work on some new ordinances, and also requesting the assistance of the planning board and the selectmen. Mr. Wilkey said that they have to verify the names on the petition and approve the legal wording of the proposed articles.

There was a complaint raised regarding the lack of paving on Elm Street, which was yet to be paved though it was promised last year. A letter from Hillary Jones from the Admiral Perry House was presented expressing her displeasure with the condition of the road and stating that she has lost business due to its condition. According to Mr. Wilkey, work is scheduled to start within the next few days. The board and town manager then discussed the need to incorporate a performance bond in the future, which will penalize the subcontractor for not complying with an agreed-upon starting date. Mr. Knapp will follow up on this.

There was also a concern raised regarding the crosswalk near the post office, which is not being acknowledged. The board discussed potential solutions, including increased police enforcements and the installation of in-ground strobe lights.

Mr. Arizona Zipper raised questions regarding the 35 mile per hour speed zone near Hastings Law Offices. According to the board, this has been changed at the board’s request.

There was also concern raised over the enforcement of the quiet zone. According to the board, there are very few towns with noise ordinances and it is difficult to enforce. The Quiet Zone sign that has been put into place will hopefully help with this.

A complaint was raised that the Hemlock Ridge’s Road grading has yet to be finished. Mr. Wilkey said he would follow up on this.

Mr. Greg Huemmler made a request that that the fish and shark sculptures be returned to Fish street. Apparently the shark has been stolen and the fish possibly taken by CMP with the removal of the utility poles. Mr. Wilkey said he would do what it could to follow up on this.

As there were no additional matters, public forum was closed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Appointment: Recreation Director: Mr. Covelli distributed information on the top three candidates, explaining that the top candidate turned down the position and the second has tentatively accepted the position if offered. The next process is for the Chief of Police to do a background check. After a discussion over the length of time required to complete the background check, it was agreed to proceed with the check on this candidate as well as the number three choice. The board also discussed the salary range of the position and agreed that a letter will be sent to the applicant stating that the salary will be decided at the completion of the background check.

Bruce Fitzgerald: Maine Emergency Management Agency

Mr. Fitzgerald spoke regarding the Maine-specific Homeland Security mission of the agency, which began in 2002 with a three day meeting between 72 people who created the nine objectives for homeland security priorities. In 2003, the feds asked the states to re-visit homeland security strategies, which turned out to be very similar to those created in 2002. Maine has received 62 million dollars in homeland security funds, which are administered by the state’s Emergency Management Agency. Fryeburg received funds in 2004, but has not received funds for 2005 as of yet. Mr. Fitzgerald explained the decision-making process and timetable for grant applications. As this is a competitive process, the committee uses a scoring method to determine the awardees, and plans to meet on 11/21/2005 to decide awardees.

Municipal Valuation Return Computation

The town assessor, Mr. Dennis Berube, discussed the current valuation for the town of Fryeburg. He and the board discussed the following and how they affect the town valuation: Certified Ratio (how and why it was determined), Total Taxable Land Valuation, Building, Personal Property, Mil Rate, Homestead Exemptions (partial and full), Total Distribution Lines, Dams, Statistical Information Regarding Tree Growth, Penalties, Exempt Properties, Fryeburg Water Company, Parsonages, Legally Blind issues, Veterans, Summary of Total Amount of Exempt values, Last Valuation, Fiscal Year, and the date of the Property Taxes.

The board and Mr. Berube discussed the affects of a higher valuation on a tax rate, as well as how the timing of the last valuation can affect the tax rate. According to Mr. Berube, the document must be signed and postmarked by November 1 st.

Mr. Wilkey and Knapp signed the papers and Mr. Covelli insured the board that it would be postmarked by the appropriate date.

According to Mr. Berube, although next year the tax cards will be computerized, he will keep manual cards as well.

Award of Transfer Station Insulation Bid : The board reviewed bids sent to the board for insulation in the transfer station. A warrant article in March 2005 approved the project. Mr. Knapp made a motion to accept the bid from Urethane Foam Insulations at $3790.40, which was seconded by Mr. Wilkey. The motion passed unanimously.

Award of Canal Bridge Campground Well Drilling Bid : The board was presented with two bids, and one appears to be incomplete. The town already has preliminary approval from Health and Human Services, and there is no firm estimated cost at this point. The funds will come out of the Canal Bridge dedicated account. Mr. Knapp made a motion to award the bid to Hodgson Well Drilling Co, which was seconded by Mr. Wilkey, the motion passed unanimously.

Discussion regarding Personnel Policy Draft

Mr. Covelli presented to the board a proposed amendment which would allow employees to carryover unused vacation time. After discussion of what other towns and school districts did, and potential acceptable reasons for not using vacation time during the time allotted, the board agreed in principle to allow vacation carryovers within specific parameters to be decided on a case by case basis.

Request from Community Concepts

There was a letter from Community Concepts requesting a letter of support for a housing program from the town. The board agreed to ask them to come down and give a presentation to the board, so that it can better address how the program would benefit the town.

OLD BUSINESS

Contract for Architectural Services

The board discussed the contract presented by Fish Street Designs. Mr. Knapp made a motion to have the town manager enter into contract with Fish Street Designs, which was seconded by Mr. Wilkey. The motion passed unanimously.

Quickclaim Tax Lien

The board received a letter from the attorney involved, who said that the lien should have already been recorded into the land records but was not, due to an oversight. According to the board and town manager, though the taxes have already been paid, the fact that the lien has not been recorded does need to be addressed. The board signed the deed with Mr. Wayne Brookings as Notary.

Removal of Trees

A request has been made to get the town’s approval to remove diseased trees that lie right on the line of town property at the Fryeburg Town House on Route 5. The board agreed to authorize the action.

Other Business

Mr. Wilkey and Mr. Knapp will go to the MWVCC Dinner. Mr. Knapp will also attend the Access Management Meeting.

Mr. Knapp noted in the bi-monthly library report of 10/27/05 a notation from Emily Fletcher regarding requesting a review of the lease of the former town office on Main Street to the Historical Society. She would like to expand the library and needs the board to review the lease. The board agreed to talk to the Historical Society before taking action.

Mr. Knapp also discussed Fast Taxi, and the potential benefits of having stops in the town area. The board agreed to give this duty to the new Recreation Director, but in the interim Mr. Knapp will coordinate.

The elections are November 8 th, the only concerns raised now is the set-up of the voting location. The absentee ballots are already out and the town ballots are needed as soon as possible. The board discussed the authorization of the question, and whether it should give an opinion and support a specific answer. The board agreed to meet and decide what the best course of action would be; this meeting will be next Wednesday, November 2 nd, at 6pm.

Mr. Knapp made a motion to approve language to be put on the ballot, which was seconded by Mr. Wilkey. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made to go into executive session, which was seconded, and passed unanimously.

The Board resumed its meeting in open forum. The Town Manager was directed to enter into a Purchase and Sales Agreement for the former Town Garage property on Oxford Street.

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lindsay Straw, Recording Secretary