TOWN OF FRYEBURG, MAINE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 8, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 6pm. Chairman Ed Wilkey was not in attendance, Mr. Dutton served as Acting Chairman. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and was followed by the review of the minutes from November 10, 2005.Mr. Knapp made a motion to strike the portion of the minutes that referred to the library expansion and review of the Historical Society’s lease; as well as modify the line that said that Mr. Knapp spoke with a representative from the Greater Portland Council of Governments regarding commuter statistics. The motion seconded by Mr. Dutton and passed unanimously. Mr. Knapp then made a motion to accept the minutes from 11/10/2005, as amended, which was seconded by Mr. Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.PUBLIC FORUMMr. Ted Raymond dropped off the letter to the Board of Selectmen in regards to the appeal of the Planning Board approval of the Nestle application (Water filling station).

As there were no other matters of public comment, public forum was closed.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Knapp made a motion to go into executive session to discuss Real Estate Matters (Pursuant to 1 MRSA Section 405 (6) (c ). The motion passed unanimously and the board went into executive session.

After returning from executive session, Mr. Knapp made a motion to void the real estate contract with Hugh Hastings per recommendation of legal counsel, which was seconded by Mr. Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Further Discussion the Town’s Involvement with the Lakes Region Development Council :

John Shattuck and Bret Doney, representatives from the Lakes Region Development Council were present to further discuss the town’s involvement with the Council. The Council is requesting a $10, 000 contribution to support its economic development efforts. Other participating towns have annually contributed this amount, except for Harrison which is a member of two economic councils, and supports both proportionately. After becoming a member, the town would appoint a representative to the Council. The Fryeburg representative would be involved in the further development of the Council’s main strategic plan, which includes such initiatives as: improving the Route 302 Corridor; providing general community development assistance; and putting its resources behind a handful of other projects. Ongoing projects include: putting a “downtown” group together in Naples, and bringing more jobs into the Bridgton downtown center. Currently the Council is looking to designate one or two additional downtown priorities region wide.

Mr. Dutton stated that the Board will need to bring this to the town vote before committing the funds. When he questioned as to when the representative could be appointed, Mr. Doney said that he/she could be appointed as soon as possible as it could help the town determine the benefit of the investment.

Mr. Covelli commented that it would beneficial for a Council representative to make a presentation to the Town voters at the annual Town Meeting, which Mr. Shattuck said he would gladly do.

Discussion Regarding the Water District Voting Process :

Mr. Covelli said that he had spoken to Mr. Hastings and requested that the Water Company Board of Directors entertain the idea of including an informational flyer in the January water bill mailing. The flyer would give information on the water district informational meetings and vote in January. Selectboard members reviewed a copy of the flyer, and found it acceptable. According to Mr. Hastings, it would be possible to include the flyer in the mailing if the Fryeburg Water Company Board of Directors approved doing so. Mr. Krasker said that has also spoken to individuals within the town who said that they would also distribute copies of the flyer by hand, door to door. Mr. Knapp made a motion to approve the letter, which was seconded by Mr. Jim Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Review of Contract for Revaluation Services

Mr. Covelli, presented the contract with the changes made by Mr. John O’Donnell; the significant change being that Mr. O’Donnell’s office will be handling the scheduling of appointments with the assessing agents. In regards to the timeline for the completion of services, the contract stated that schedules will be reviewed in January and facts and exact figures to be calculated in June.

Town Office Holidays

The board and Town Manager had a discussion regarding the closure of town facilities on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Normally, town offices would close at noon on such days, but since these holidays fall on Sunday this year, the Town Offices have in the past closed on Saturday. After considerable discussion, the Board decided that Saturday would be a normal working day for all town employees.

Mandatory Training January 12 th and 13 th

Mr. Covelli, advised the Board the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife was offering computer training for registered licensing agents on January 12 th and 13 th. If agents do not attend this training session, the town office will not be able to participate in the MOSES system for the registration of hunting and fishing permits. (MOSES is the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's online hunting & fishing licensing system.) The board directed the Town Manager to contact the state to see whether the town will still be able to participate in issuing hunting and fishing permits, but not a part of the MOSES system, if employees do not attend the workshop; and/or whether or not one employee could attend the training session and subsequently train other employees in the office.

OLD BUSINESS

Identification of Board Priorities and Workshops

Phil Covelli suggested that the next workshop for the board concentrate on reviewing the draft of the updated Town Personnel Policy. Future lists of priorities/workshops include: drafting an administrative ordinance, budget guidance, creation of capital improvement accounts, continuing work on the proposed aquifer protection ordinance, review of cable television franchise fees, and Valley Vision coverage concerns. The board agreed to meet on December 15 th, at 4pm to start working on the personnel policy.

Visit from the Department of Labor

Mr. Phil Covelli reminded the board of the voluntary inspection visit to be conducted by the Maine Department of Labor on December 20 th, 2005.

Grant Solicitation Policy:

The board discussed a concern that had been raised that departments may be soliciting grants for normal maintenance related projects or equipment replacement. The general concern was such is not an effective way to manage budgetary responsibilities for the town. In addition, there was another concern raised regarding the use of the Town’s Tax ID number with grant applications. An MMA manual recommends that departments that receive funds from the town should use the town’s tax ID number, while any 501(c )(3) organizations should not use the town’s ID number and instead use their own. After considerable discussion on the Town’s ability to regulate both Town department’s application for grants, and 501(c )(3) organizations, Mr. Knapp moved to table the discussion, which was seconded by Mr. Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.

113 Corridor Committee Update

Mr. Covelli updated the board on the progress of the 113 Corridor Committee. He has submitted his and Mr. Knapp’s names as initial committee members. The committee is currently strategizing on how best to utilize a $10,000 Community Development Planning Grant; and exploring the possibility of creating an economic development plan for the Route 113 corridor. The Town of Standish was the “actual applicant”, who applied on behalf of all of the participating towns.

Other Business

The Town Manager presented a letter from Ted Raymond from 11/3/2005 which requested approval for the direction of the comprehensive plan next Wednesday at the Rescue Barn. The board authorized the Town Manager to send a memo for the record that the Board concurs with the timeline proposed.

In regards to the Budget and Capital Planning Process, Mr. Knapp made a motion to defer this matter until the workshop next Thursday, which was seconded by Mr. J Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.

As there was no other business, Mr. Knapp made a motion to go adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lindsay Straw Recording Secretary