PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Prior to the beginning of the regular Selectmen's Meeting, the Town Administrator Lloyd Coombs led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country.
PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to accept the minutes of the meeting of November 8, 2004 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.
SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: There were not any Selectmen's comments.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were not any public comments.
ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Lloyd advised that he had been contacted regarding signage improvement at the intersection of the Old Stage Road and the Mountain Road. Jack Shaw, Road Commissioner, will investigate the matter. Lloyd also advised that Jason Shaw had been in contact with the Maine Department of Transportation relative to improving the signage at the River Road curve near Randy & Sabrina Doak's home.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Ken Desmond, Fire Chief, said that Jack Shaw had done a fine job regarding the recent installation of the dry hydrants. Ken also advised that he had recently attended training concerning water supply protection.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Woolwich Community Playground: Tom Soule, Principal of Woolwich Central School, briefed the Selectmen on the fundraising status of the Woolwich Community Playground. Tom inquired about the responsibility of the School vs. the Town relative to maintenance of the athletic facilities at the school. Todd advised him that the town was responsible for the ball fields but not the old playground or the new one if it is constructed in the same location.b. Abadagasset Point Range Lights Footpath Offer: In general, the Selectmen were very receptive to CPM's footpath offer. They decided to table the matter until a CMP representative met with Dale to walk the property and clarify any details. Lloyd will contact CMP to set up the appointment.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Woolwich Neighborhood Concerns: Several residents of the Milt Carlton Road Neighborhood spoke about unacceptable incidents that have occurred at the Robert Allen, Jr. property on that road. They said that part of problem was due to an absentee owner. The Codes Enforcement Officer, Bill Longley, reported that the Town had won judgments against Mr. Allen but had never collected. Bill also noted that, several years ago, the Health Officer had condemned the property for a period of time. As a result, the Selectmen asked the Health Officer, along with a deputy sheriff, to inspect the property for habitability. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to have the file on the property sent to attorney Durward Parkinson with a request for recommended action. The motion passed unanimously. The file on Mr. Allen, Sr. will also be sent to provide a complete picture.b. Patten Free Library Board of Trustee Appointment: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to table the PFL Trustee appointment until the Selectmen's Meeting on December 6, 2004. The motion passed unanimously.
c. Excise Tax Refund: Lloyd advised that a Woolwich resident has untimely asked for a refund of a portion of his excise tax. Lloyd also advised that the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles has declined to refund their portion of the excise tax. The Selectmen thought it would be a bad precedent to make such a refund. Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to approve the refund. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.
d. Registrar of Voters Appointment: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to reappoint Lloyd Coombs to a two year term as Registrar of Voters, effective January 1, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.
e. Approval of Compensatory Pay: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Dale, to pay Diane Belanger $807.60 for sixty hours of compensatory time. The motion passed unanimously. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to send a memorandum to the Staff reminding them of the approval methodology for compensatory time.
f. Bath Water District Fencing: The Selectmen discussed the possible safety hazard of the newly constructed lagoons at the Bath Water District property off of the Nequasset Road and the Pumping Station Road. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to contact BWD Trustee Buzz Sawhill to see if fencing could be installed at the lagoons.
g. Assessing Agent Meeting: Lloyd reported that the Assessing Agent wanted to meet with the Selectmen. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to schedule the meeting for Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 4:00 p.m.
h. Selectmen/School Committee Meetings: Newly elected School Committee member Forest York recommended that the Selectmen appoint a representative to the School Committee. David advised that he had been in contact with School Committee member Randy Howell and they had agreed on quarterly meetings between the boards.
CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley, CEO, said that Stephen and Jenny Spaulding had agreed to a judgment of $10,000 with $3,000 in court costs. In addition, they have agreed to clean up the property by December 15, 2004. They will commence payment on December 1, 2004 at the rate of $500 per month. Bill reported that Morgan Leask was delinquent in her judgment payments. Motion by Rita, seconded by Phillip, to turn the matter over to attorney Durward Parkinson. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:15 p.m.
Lloyd Coombs
Approved: /s/ David A. King, Sr.
cc: Selectmen/Staff