Town of Fryeburg
Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 6pm.

Review and approval of the minutes of 10/12/06.

David Knapp moved to approve the minutes of 10/12/06 as printed.

Ed Wilkey seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Public Forum – no discussion

Public Hearing on liquor license for Fryeburg Area Rotary Club – Bountiful Harvest Autumn on 11/25/06.

The Rotary is raising money for community project and scholarships via a silent auction to be held at the Fryeburg Academy. David Knapp moved to approve a liquor license for the event to be held on 11/25/06. Ed Wilkey seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Appointments

There is one spot open and one alternate spot open for the Saco River Corridor Commission. Ed Wilkey made a motion to appoint Eric Root as the Town Representative to Saco River Corridor Commission and Dan Roy as the Alternate Representative. David Knapp seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Old Business

Discussion with representatives from Stow and Chatham, NH regarding interlocal agreement for the use of the Fryeburg Transfer Station.

The town of Fryeburg proposed a contract that contained a provision that the towns of Stow and Chatham, NH would pay one third of the capital improvements undertaken in 2006 (1/3 of $148,000).

Roger Kiesman representative from Stow, had a concern that this was too much for the people of Stow and would raise their taxes dramatically. He also felt that Stow did not supply the transfer station with that much trash as it is a very small town compared to Fryeburg.

Chatham, NH representative felt the same regarding Chatham, especially when they had no businesses in their town that produced trash disposed of at the transfer station.

Both representatives also expressed concern that Fryeburg was asking for a portion of the capital costs incurred this year, without either of the other two towns having any equity in the permanent equipment.

Both towns would like a new contract proposed before their respective town meetings that would include a contract origination fee in lieu of a capital contribution and an annual flat fee for use. The town of Stow will present Fryeburg with a contract as to what the town can pay. The representatives from Chatham asked for another proposal before November 29’th.

Further Discussion re- water use monitoring.

David Knapp mentioned that continued monitoring of the aquifer was necessary, as well as professional review of the monitoring records that would explain in layman’s terms what the data means. He proposed a committee be formed for the purpose of creating policy for all issues related to water withdrawal monitoring, economic development as related to water, and negotiation with current users to support monitoring efforts.

He also noted that in the proposed ordinance the Planning Board will issue permits for water withdrawal. Mr. Knapp questioned the legality of the Planning Board issuing permits.

Mr. Krasker expressed the opinion that an additional committee was unnecessary. He suggested further exploring the required engineering to monitor the aquifer, and stated that the water district wants to work with the Selectmen and the Planning Board. He believes the community wants to put into effect a plan to manage, regulate, and control water resources in Fryeburg for the following reasons:

• To ensure that there is always have an adequate water supply;
• to ensure that if water is commercially extracted that it will not affect anyone’s well;
• to ensure that any commercial extraction of water benefit the town of Fryeburg in some way if possible.

Mr. Knapp suggested that the following issues be addressed:

• Ascertain whether or not the Planning Board has the legal authority to issue permits.
• Ensure that the new proposed ordinance be reviewed by land use attorney familiar with water extraction issues. 

Oxford County Tax Assessors Return

David Knapp made a motion to sign the document but not to send in the money in the amount of $212,967.00 until 11/27/06 Ed Wilkey seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Oxford County Budget Update

Mr. Dutton reported that the town of Fryeburg had received no support from Oxford County during their budgeting process for funding assistance with either the airport or with help on the Saco River.

Mountain Division Rail Engineering Analysis Support Letter

David Knapp made a motion to sign a letter of support for an engineering analysis of the existing rail bed. The letter will be sent to Commissioner Cole of the Maine Department of Transportation. Ed Wilkey seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

New Business

Oxford County Emergency Management Agency

The Town Manager distributed a letter from the Oxford County Emergency Management Agency regarding possible involvement in an Incident Management Assistance Team. The matter will be addressed at a later time if anyone expresses interest.

PUC investigation into Fryeburg Water Company Rates

The town manager suggested that the town petition the PUC to be classified as an intervening party so that it could participate in the proceedings should it wish to do so. The town has an inherent interest in water rates since it pays the Fryeburg Water Company some $77,000 annually for fire hydrant coverage. David Knapp made a motion to file a petition to intervene by 11/30/06, specifically mentioning the town’s interest in hydrant rates. Jim Dutton seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Scheduling and Content of future meetings

Budget meetings are scheduled as follows:

Starting at 6pm on 11/21, 11/28, 12/5, and 12/12 and 12/19. Further meetings will be held if necessary This schedule will be posted on the web site and at the town office.

Southern Maine Pine Tree Zone Steering Committee Resolution

David Knapp wants to speak with Chuck Morgan of the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission to find out more about this. David Knapp made a motion to table this matter to a future meeting. Ed Wilkey seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Assessor’s Fryeburg Fair Letter

The Board approved a letter to Fair officials as prepared by the contracted assessing agent. The letter lists the valuation of Fair property and includes a calculation of what property tax would be owed if the Fair was not tax exempt. The Fair makes an annual donation to the town in lieu of paying property taxes.

Plans for the American Legion Field

Fryeburg Recreation and the Fryeburg Academy are discussing sharing the cost of upgrades to the field and surrounding areas. The Recreation Department wishes to take over the scheduling for the field. The American Legion representatives would also have to be involved in what is done on the property. The Fryeburg Academy has agreed to maintain the field. The Recreation Director, Rick Buzzell needs to get permission from the Legion in writing and from the Fryeburg Academy for any changes made and agreements made. Mr. Buzzell would then need to present any written agreements to the selectmen for consideration.

Rural Telephone Exclusion Limiting Access to Cable Telephone Services

The Town of Fryeburg will not be able to have cable telephone service due to a state or federal law originally designed to protect small telephone companies. The town manager was instructed to research the issue.

Other Business

The Referendum Votes

Question 1 regarding changing the fiscal year was 813 yes, 342 no

Question 2 regarding purchasing the PikeBuilding on Main Street for the use of town offices was 8ll yes and 317 no.

There was a request from Joe Kiesman to have a key to hemlock bridge gate to work on a house during the winter. The selectmen decided that when it gets to that time of access needed it will then be discussed.

Road Commissioner

Regarding the Farnsworth Road, repairs have been done so the end of the road can be used. Selectmen have a deadline set for the road commissioner of 11/30/06 to find out about the plowing for some of the seasonally closed roads.

On 11/30/06 at 5:00 pm the selectmen will meet to consider tax abatement requests.

David Knapp made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ed Wilkey seconded it and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully Submitted