May 14, 2025

 

                     Selectmen's Meeting Minutes    

 

Approved

@ The Levi Stewart Library’s

Jones Nutter Auditorium

May 14, 2025– 6 P.M.

 

Item 1.  CALL MEETING TO ORDER - FLAG SALUTE.  Called to order by Chairman Dennis Carr.

           

  1. Board Members Present: James Emerson, Chairman Dennis Carr, Kenneth Kealiher Jr., Ralph McNaughton
  2. Absent: Tony Bennett
  3. Employees Present: Emillie Lemire, Pam Parlee, Justin Gudroe
  4. Residents Present: Chris Tilton, Joel Burrill
  5. Attorney: Timothy Pease

 

Item 2: AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS: Land Use Violation review to go under #9-A

 

Item 3. APPRVOVE MINUTES:

 

  1. April 23, 2025. Selectman Kealiher made a motion and Selectmen Emerson to approve the minutes as written. 4 in favor

 

Item 4. WARRANT AND PAYROLL DISCUSSIONS AND SIGNING.

 

  1. Payroll Warrant #17: Selectman Emerson made a motion and Selectman McNaughton 2nd to approve warrant # 17.  4 in favor.
  2. A/P Warrant #18: Selectman Emerson made a motion and Selectman McNaughton 2nd to approve warrant # 18. 4 in favor.

 

Item 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chris Tilton asked if the speed limit sign and slow children sign on Winchester Ave could be moved a little way down the road as it sits right at the corner and as people turn on the road they really don’t see it. Justin will look into it to see just where it can be moved while keeping plowing/snow removal in mind.

 

Item 6. Executive Session.

  1. Attorney-client consultation- 1 M.R.S.A. 405(6)(E) Selectmen Emerson made a motion to go into executive Session seconded by Selectmen Kealiher. 4 in favor. 6:05 PM.
  2. Motion to come out of executive session: Selectmen Emerson made a motion to come out of executive session seconded by Selectmen McNaughton, 4 in favor. 6:23 PM.

 

Item 7.  OLD BUSINESS.

 

  1. Public Works-review options to purchase spare truck. The selectmen were given pictures of the truck Justin was interested in purchasing. Ken said he went to see the truck and was told the Town of Corinna was purchasing it in 2 weeks. Justin said the truck was being held for 2 weeks because he had to get approval (or not) at the next Selectmen’s meeting which was in two weeks. Miscommunication between the employees at Lawson’s. Much discussion as to old trucks versus new trucks.

Selectmen Emerson made a motion to purchase the truck seconded by Selectmen McNaughton. 3 In favor, 1 opposed.

 

  1. Community Resilience Grant acceptance: Emillie explained this grant is for 5 heat pumps and installation at Stewart Library Building. The grant came through with 100% of cost. She talked with contractors as the amount was given in December. The contractors said they would honor the original quote without increases to cost. Selectmen Kealiher made a motion to accept grant funds seconded by Selectmen Emerson. 4 in favor.

 

  1. Update Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) outdoor rec space. Emillie was concerned with the time line for completion, as this project was started a couple of years ago. She met with Doug Beck, State of Maine, he said since we are diligently pursuing this project there will be no action taken against the town at this time. He feels that the walking path is not substantial with the requirements suggested. Emillie inquired about 2 pickle ball courts, which Doug said would work perfectly with outdoor rec space. Doug said there would also have to be available parking spaces for players. Emillie will draft a survey to put in the quarterly newsletter to get an idea of what residents are interested in having in the outdoor rec area.

 

  1. Community Center Committee-Playground ground work/spring inspection/outdoor rec space. The company that put in the playground equipment will be coming to inspect it and tighten all screws, make sure all is working correctly. The committee stated there is a problem with drainage when it rains hard. The committee will be looking into correcting this issue.

 

Item 8. NEW BUSINESS.

 

  1. Maine DOT Limited Use License Agreement: Emillie explained that certain downtown areas are in fact owned by DOT, not the Town. The agreement does not change anything that we are doing now on those properties. Selectmen Emerson made a motion to sign said agreement seconded by Selectmen Kealiher. 4 in favor

 

  1. Maine DOT Libby Bridge Inspection Review: DOT inspects every 2 years. This bridge is limited to 22 tons. In the fall the bridge will be revisited for inspection. If there is a substantial amount of settling and separation of the culvert than the weight limit will go to 3 tons. Meaning there will be no buses, Fire trucks, plows, etc., allowed on bridge, only passenger vehicles. Emillie is meeting with Jim Foster, (DOT) tomorrow. Might be able to point her in the right direction for available grants and possible options. She will also contact Trampus, manager for Dexter, as they own part of the road. She will also check to see if the Town’s Public Works Dept. could replace the culvert, rather than contracting it out.

 

  1. USDA Inspection Review of Fire Station: The Construction contract warranty for the Fire Station is up in July. Because the building was funded by a USDA grant it has to have an inspection. It could be done by the Fire Chief with or without USDA there. The inspection results have to go back to USDA. Allen will do a walk through with the contractors.

 

  1. RSU 19 Budget Warrant signature for posting. Selectmen Emerson made a motion to sign warrant seconded by Selectmen Kealiher. 4 in favor

 

Item 9.  ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS. 

             

  1. Land Use Violation Review: Discussion of property not being in compliance with attorney’s consent decree. Selectmen Emerson made a motion to draft up an RFP to get someone to clean up this property seconded by Selectmen Kealiher. 4 in favor

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9:  SELECTMEN CONCERNS.

  1. Dennis –N/A
  2. Jim – Donna Davis has a concern about the cemetery roads, ruts are getting quite deep.
  3. Ken-N/A
  4. Tony-absent
  5. Ralph –N/A

 

 

Joel Burrill was approved to speak as he arrived after public comment. Asking the town to dig out ditch so the water will flow freely through the culvert. Also would like to have his father’s name spelled correctly on the WWII honor roll in the center of town.

 

10: ADJOURN MEETING: Selectmen Emerson made a motion to adjourn seconded by Selectmen Kealiher. All in favor 7:20 PM All in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Parlee, Town Clerk

Town Clerk