ATTENDANCE: Dale Chadbourne, David King, Todd McPhee, Phillip
Skillin and Rita Sturtevant
PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale, to accept the minutes of the meetings of November 7 & 17, 2005 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.
SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Dale reported that he is continuing his inspection of the equipment of the snow plowing contractors.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Road Commissioner Jack Shaw reported that his company has purchased and installed eight fluorescent orange snow/ice advisory signs at no cost to the town. Two of them are lighted and have been installed on the Middle Road. The remaining six have been installed on other routes of Jack A. Shaw & Sons, Inc. Jack spoke about a water problem caused by the Town of Woolwich on the Carlton Point property of Julie Mesplay. Jack advised that the initial culvert installation was not done properly. This repair will be funded by a donation of $1,500.00 by the owner of a neighboring property, S. J. Wood Construction Co., Inc. Jack further advised that he would have to go onto the Mesplay property to complete the repair and re-emphasized it was the town's responsibility. The Selectmen concurred with this action by consensus.
CEO/FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: CEO/Fire Chief Ken Desmond was asked about a rumor that S. J. Wood Construction Co., Inc. was building a cottage on the Carlton Point lot. Ken advised that no building permit had been issued for such construction. Ken advised that 100 building permits have been issued this year. He also advised that the fire protection problem on Norway Drive has been corrected by the Association's repair of the dry hydrant.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. 2005 Tree Growth Tax Roster: The Assessors reviewed the 2005 Tree Growth Tax Roster for the Town of Woolwich and on a motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, unanimously voted to approve it. The Assessors asked Lloyd to contact the Assessing Agent to find out whether the incompletes were being corrected.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Approval of Accounts Payable Warrant: Motion by David, seconded by Phillip, to approve the accounts payable warrant of November 21, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.b. Approval of Payroll Warrant: Motion by David, seconded by Phillip, to approve the payroll warrants of November 18 and 25, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.
c. Consideration of Administrative Abatement for Charles Redding (Map R-09, Lot 31): Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to grant an administrative abatement for the property located at Map R-09, Lot 31. The motion passed unanimously.
d. Consideration of Abatement Application of Anthony Keefe (Map U-05, Lot 004-15): The Assessors noted that the application of Anthony Keefe for an abatement of the taxes on the property located at Map U-05, Lot 004-15 was untimely as it was dated outside the 185 day window for tax year 2004-2005. Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale, to grant the requested abatement. The motion failed on a 1-4 vote.
e. Registrar of Voters Appointment: Lloyd recommended that the agenda item for the appointment of the Registrar of Voters be dismissed as his current appointment did not expire until December 31, 2006. The agenda item was dismissed by consensus.
f. Cable Television Franchise Discussion: The Selectmen reviewed the letter from the Harpswell Selectmen concerning an area meeting to discuss the ramifications of the sale of SUSCOM. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to notify the Harpswell Selectmen that the Town of Woolwich would participate in the area meeting. Woolwich will be represented by the Chairman of the Cable TV Committee and, possibly, one or more Selectmen.
g. Central Maine Power Company Assessment: The Selectmen discussed the recently discovered $3,000,000.00 revaluation error in the assessment of Central Maine Power Company and its $30,000.00 impact on the municipal budget. They noted that it far surpassed the $20,000.00 approved for abatements at the May 2005 Budget Town Meeting. The consensus was to schedule a Special Town Meeting in the spring of 2006 to obtain authorization to utilize additional unappropriated surplus to offset the shortfall.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:47 p.m.
Lloyd Coombs
Approved: /s/David A. King, Sr.
cc:
Selectmen/Staff