TOWN OF EAST MILLINOCKET
SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2011
4:05 P.M. 

PRESENT:   Selectmen:  Chairman Clint Linscott, James Jamo, Gary MacLeod, Mark Marston, and Mark Scally, Secretary Cherri Deveau, The Lincoln News reporter Shelley Farrington, and Citizen Susan Brown. 

1.  WARRANTS.  Motion made and seconded to approve and sign the warrants through December 19, 2011 for payment.  Carried 5-0.

2.  SELECTMEN'S MEETING MINUTES.  Motion made and seconded to approve the Selectmen's Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2011 as written.  Carried 5-0.

3.  AMBULANCE ADJUSTMENTS.   None.

4.  TRANSFER SITE HOURS.  Clint Linscott informed other Board members that he has received several complaints about the new transfer station hours.  Linscott would like to have the site open five days a week.  The present transfer hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 4, and Saturday from 8 to 4.

Citizen Susan Brown expressed her discontent with the current hours and would like to see the station open five days a week, or possible half days.  

Mark Scally explained the rationale behind the solid waste budget cut last spring.  The former Board tried to save jobs during this budget crisis.  In order to do this, it was decided to move a public works employee from that department and use him as a utility person shared by all departments with ambulance funds paying his salary.  By creating a hole in the public works department, the Board decided to cut the hours at the transfer station and utilize its employee at public works and mowing parks and islands.  This change in employee duties was approved by the public works department head.  Scally suggested keeping the department hour's status quo. 

Linscott stated he had spoken to Public Works Director Danny Violette about this five-day a week proposal.  Violette agreed this proposal was doable.  Scally recollection of Violette's proposal at last years hearings was quite different.  It was agreed that the department head may need direction on the use of this employee.  

Mark Marston recommended to keep the transfer hours the same and if the transfer site attendant was not being utilized within his department that administration could make use of him. 

Selectmen agreed to keep the transfer site hours status quo and readdress this issue during the budget process.  Linscott wished to be on record as wanting the site open five days a week. 

5 .  REPORT OF COMMITTEES.  Mark Marston updated Selectmen that the Scenic Byway Committee was close to presenting the public with its proposal.  Marston explained the committee is looking for a fiscal agent to handle funds for the group.  Selectmen agreed to have Administrative Assistant Shirley Tapley discuss this at the next KARE meeting. 

6.  EXECUTIVE SESSION.   Motion made and seconded to go into executive session to discuss ongoing negotiations regarding the Dolby Landfill maintenance proposal to the State of Maine.  Carried 5-0.    IN:  4:30 P.M.  OUT:  4:45 P.M.

DECISION:  Selectmen agreed to make a second offer to the State of Maine.  Again, this offer would be made to Commissioner George Gervais by Chairman Clint Linscott on December 20, 2011.

7.  CITIZENS COMMENTS.  Citizen Susan Brown questioned why the skating rink building would have propane delivered if not in use.  Selectmen explained a fire hydrant is housed inside the building.  She also asked if something more could be done about parties in the water tower area and basketball courts.  Selectmen will remind the police department to patrol this area.

8.  OTHER.  Selectmen were informed that one of the two telephone lines at Public Works Department has been disconnected as requested by Danny Violette.  Violette had asked if it would be possible to have internet service reconnected.  Board members were in agreement not to have this service reconnected as it was a budget cut made and that Violette could use administration or recreation internet if the need arrives.

Budget Guidance.  All agreed to flat line budgets, preventive maintenance, and no capital improvements.  They agreed to look for monies for pavement of roadways.  

Scally stated the employees have not had raises in four years with additional duties being bestowed upon them.  He felt it was time to make it right with employees and to find monies for raises.   Scally reiterated the $700,000 from Great Northern Paper was still a big gift and many Towns are not so fortunate.  If raises are not given to employees Scally hopes the school department will adopt the same philosophy. 

Linscott does not see raises for employees this year.  He would like to find the funding to reinstate a police officer.  

All agreed the $50,000 legal line would not be needed the upcoming fiscal year; therefore, raises and paving may be funded from this amount.  

Town Meeting Date.  Tentative Town Meeting date will be May 22, 2012.   

ASCAP.  Motion made and seconded to approve and sign the ASCAP Local Government Agreement.  Carried 5-0.  This agreement will cover both municipal and school functions for $309 and should be anticipated as a yearly expense.  

Library Christmas Party.  Volunteer Lelah Villapando wanted to share the success of the Library Christmas Party.  The volunteers celebrated with 32 children and 23 adults.   

ADJOURMENT:  5:20 P.M.