BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
NOVEMBER 22, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 6 pm and began with the Pledge of Allegiance. The review and approval of the minutes of November 10, 2005 was passed over until such time as the minutes are available.

Public Forum:

Proposed Water District issues: Mr. Krasker updated the Board members on the work done to date in preparation for the Water District vote. A map of the district delineating the boundaries was displayed. The timing of the vote was discussed.

After discussion, Mr. Dutton moved that the vote be held on January 17’th, with an informational meeting to be held one week prior, on January 10 th. Mr. Knapp seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Krasker also presented a draft flyer that could be included in the December mailing of the Fryeburg Water Company bills, if the Water Company Trustees approved the insert.

Sale of Old Town Garage: Bill Reilly addressed the Board members regarding the listing of the property with a realtor. It was Mr. Reilly’s opinion that the Board should have used a competitive bidding process to award the listing contract. He stated that in his opinion the listing contract should have gone to a realtor located in Fryeburg.

Mr. Dutton replied that the listing contract was signed with an out-of-town firm so as to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. The Board members agreed to revisit the possibility of competitive bidding should future property be listed for sale.

New Business:

PUBLIC HEARING-GENERAL ASSISTANCE ORDINANCE:

There was some discussion regarding the provisions of the new ordinance. The ordinance model was developed by the legal division of Maine Municipal Association. There was some discussion among the Board members as to certain provisions of the ordinance such as recipient reimbursement and referrals to local service organizations such as the Food Pantry. There was no public comment on the ordinance.

Mr. Dutton moved to approve the Ordinance as presented with the provision that a future addendums may be added to address such specific concerns. Mr Knapp seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business:

SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM:

Mr. Al Dauray, Job Developer for the program presented an overview of the program requirements and features. The program is a cooperative program of the USDA Forest Service and US Department of Labor and provides qualified seniors with meaningful part-time employment and job training. If the Town agrees to participate, the Town would serve as the host agency and provide eligible seniors with duties that best utilize the participant’s skills and abilities and helps prepare them for unsubsidized employment, outside of the host agency. There would be no payroll or insurance costs to the Town.

After the presentation and discussion the Board members voted to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a host agency agreement with the Department of Labor and USDA Forest Service. Eligible seniors will be referred to the Town at a later date for appropriate placement.

ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK POSITION:

Town Clerk, Theresa Shaw outlined the proposed duties of the Assistant Clerk position. This position is not a new one, but has been left vacant due to attrition, thus filling the position would not result in any budget increase. Mr. Dutton felt strongly that there should be a definitive job description developed before the position was filled. Mr. Covelli agreed to do so within the next two days before the position was advertised.

TRANSFER STATION UPDATE:

Mr. Knapp reported on the attempt to recruit participants for a Transfer Station Advisory Committee. Mr. Wilkey also expressed an interest in addressing some of the operational issues at the Transfer Station. It was decided that future meeting or workshop time would be devoted to discussing in depth the Transfer Station operations and potential improvements to the facility.

OTHER BUSINESS AS APPROPRIATE:

Mr. Dutton reported on the recent meeting of the Oxford County Budget Committee.

Mr. Knapp reported that he was researching the ownership and mandated improvements to the Fryeburg Dam.

There was some discussion regarding the solicitation of funds from Poland Springs for Town projects. Mr. Knapp agreed to draft a funding request letter.

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted:

P. Covelli, Town Manager