TOWN OF FRYEBURG, MAINE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 5, 2006  

The meeting was called to order at 6pm and began with the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by the approval of the minutes from 12/22/05. Mr. Knapp made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Mr. Dutton. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM:

Mr. Dick Krasker spoke to the board and requested that the Town Manager be authorized to begin the bid process for the tennis court reconstruction project; as lower bids may be received during the winter season. The Board and Town Manager then discussed the warrant article created to take the funds from the Canal Bridge account for the construction of the tennis courts.

Chet Charette gave the board an update on the CERT training offered in Sweden that will be beginning on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting January 11 th, and continuing on the 18 th, and the 28 th, Wednesdays 6:30-9:00 and Saturdays 8-1. The purpose of CERT is train the civilian population to assist in cases of crises and emergencies. The training curriculum will include medical, organizational, disaster protocol, and disaster practice. There is still an intention to hold a class in Fryeburg in March after the Sweden class ends.

NEW BUSINESS:

Presentation by MSAD 72 Personnel

SAD 72 Superintendent Gary MacDonald was present to give the selectmen an update on the MSAD 72 budget. Mr. MacDonald distributed a copy of recently computed school enrollment projections. The board and Mr. MacDonald discussed the projections, which indicate an increase in enrollment in some grades in future years. As for the recent fire in the Snow School facility, the total cost of damages has been determined to be approximately a half a million dollars. Currently, the school is deciding whether to renovate the current facilities, or to build new. This will affect upcoming budgets, as will costs associated with the Fryeburg Academy Gym fire.

The district has started the budget process for coming year and will have to comply with the Essential Programs and Services (ESP) requirements. It is attempting to schedule Jim Ryer from the State Department of Education for a meeting with representatives from towns in the district on Monday, February 6 th at 7pm, at the Molly Ockett Middle School. This would be an opportunity to answer any questions, as well as generate any concerns that should be submitted to the Department of Education and the legislature.

Mr. MacDonald reported that the School District and the Fryeburg Police Department are exploring the possibility of creating the position of School Resource Officer. The board and MSAD representatives discussed the different options available for this program.

The board and Mr. MacDonald further discussed the benefits of the EPS program. Though the formula does at times needs some modification, it does make the allotment of funds more understandable. The meeting on February 6 th will be an opportunity for attendees to make their concerns known.

The Board, Town Manager, and Mr. MacDonald also discussed compliance with the SAD residency requirements, as well as their enforcement.

Fryeburg Police Department Proposed Standard Operating Procedure Amendment

The Chief of Police, Wayne Brooking, presented a change that he would like to make to Section 26 regarding tobacco usage. The proposed change would state that no officer is allowed to use tobacco products while on duty. The board had an extensive discussion regarding the enforcement of this policy, as well as the proper procedure for creating departmental policies. After considerable discussion, the board expressed the desire to see examples of other tobacco policies in other municipalities; as well as to get the opinion of the Town Attorney and the Maine Municipal Association. At the close of the discussion, the Chief of Police suggested that he could modify the policy to state that the use of tobacco products would be prohibited on town property, in town vehicles, and within site of the public.

OLD BUSINESS:

Preparation for Water District Vote

Mr. Dick Krasker asked the board when absentee ballots will be prepared, as individuals have expressed interest in receiving them. The board then had a discussion regarding the required steps for holding the referendum election; the Registrar’s responsibility to prepare the list of voters; and the need to put a notice in the newspapers to remind the voters of the impending election. Mr. Covelli recommended sending a request to the Registrar suggesting a meeting to ensure that everything will be ready for the vote on January 17 th. In regards to the public meeting scheduled for January 10’Th; Mr. Levy and Mr. Black will be present to answer any questions.

OTHER BUSINESS AS APPROPRIATE:

Chet Charette notified the board that the Town received a Department of Homeland Security grant for the purchase and installation of an emergency generator at Molly Ockett Middle School (a designated disaster shelter). This is a reimbursement grant, and the town will need to submit copies of paid invoices to receive reimbursement for expenditures.

NEW BUSINESS (continued):

Fish Street Noise Complaints

The Code Enforcement Officer has already investigated the situation, and has taken decibel measurements of the activity, and found that the noise levels were acceptable as per the town’s Land Use Ordinance. Mr. Knapp prepared a letter saying that the matter has been investigated and that the noise is technically within the allowable noise level parameters as defined in the Land Use Ordinance.

Transfer Station Fees to Outlying Communities/Transfer Station Complaint

The Board and Town Manager had a discussion regarding waste disposal contracts with the Town of Stow and Chatham. The Chatham contract appears to have expired. The Stow contract is due to expire in 2006 and is up for renegotiation. The board discussed the specifics of both contracts, the possible inclusion of administrative fees to any new contract, and possibly modifying the fee payment schedule.

Valley Vision Coverage Update

Mr. Covelli and Mr. Knapp met with Jeff Flint to ensure that the town would receive its allotted air time pursuant to the existing franchise agreement. A proposed contract for services between the Town and Valley Vision is currently being reviewed by the VV Board of Directors.

OTHER BUSINESS

The board had a discussion regarding the reimbursement of Police Academy costs associated with former Fryeburg Police Officer Michael Cheney. Chief Brooking reported that Bridgton Town Manager Ronny Belanger has stated that he did not receive an invoice for payment that was itemized to his satisfaction. The board requested that the Town Manager instruct the Town Attorney to send a letter demanding reimbursement.

The board addressed a request from the Planning Board to carryover funds ($2,000) in the Comprehensive Plan account from fiscal year 2005 to fiscal year 2006. Mr. Knapp made a motion to authorize the Planning Board to carryover the 2005 Comprehensive Plan funds to fiscal year 2006. This motion was seconded by Mr. Dutton, which passed unanimously.

Mr. Wilkey read into the record a letter from Ms. Virginia Jackson that expressed her family’s intent to donate a plot of land on the corner of Elm and Smith Streets to the Town as long as the property will be used as park, and named Mansfield Park in the memory of one of their deceased relatives. The board discussed the potential uses for this plot of land. The board agreed that Mr. Knapp will draft up a letter to send to Ms. Jackson.

Mr. Knapp discussed the letter to be sent to Poland Springs regarding the donation. The board discussed the specifics of the letter and donation request and agreed to send copies of the letter to the appropriate individuals.

The yearly town meeting will be March 25 th, with the elections on March 24 th. The board then discussed the option of sending all citizens a notice to come pick up their copy of the town report at the town offices instead of mailing them. The matter will be revisited at a future Selectboard meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Lindsay Straw

Recording Secretary