TOWN OF EAST MILLINOCKET
SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY OCTOBER 20, 2008
4:00 P.M. 

PRESENT.  Selectmen-Chairman Mark Scally, James Federico, Mark Marston, Gary MacLeod, Lawrence MacKenzie , Administrative Assistant Shirley Tapley,  Public Works Director Danny Violette, Kathy King–arrived at 4:45 p.m., The Lincoln News Shelley Farrington-recorded meeting. 

1.  PUBLIC WORKS.  Public Works Director Danny Violette stated the Mitigation Grant that he applied for is requesting commitment of 25% matching funds which amounts to $15,773.  This grant in the amount of $63,090, if approved will fund the replacement of catch basins and lines on the lower end of Western Ave which has had flooding/water problems. Violette said he would like to commit the fund from the Public Works Equipment replacement reserve account so the grant process can move forward.  Motion made and seconded to approve up to $15,773 for matching funds for the Mitigation Grant to be paid from the Public Works Equipment replacement repair reserve account with the replacement of these funds to be an article for town warrant next budget year. Carried 5-0.

2.   WARRANTS. Motion made and seconded to approve and sign the warrants for payment through October 20, 2008. Carried 5-0.

3.   SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES.  Motion made and seconded to approve the Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes and the Public Hearing Minutes of  October 06, 2008 as written. Carried 5-0. 

4.   AMBULANCE ADJUSTMENTS and AMBULANCE UNCOLLECTIBLE. Motion made and seconded to approve and sign the ambulance adjustments in the amount of $5,221.10 and Uncollectible ambulance adjustments in the amount of $67,405.71.  Carried 5-0.  Note-uncollectible amount has surpassed the $150,000 limit as set for uncollectible amount on books so the $67,405.71 adjustment is needed. 

5.   2008 PENOBSCOT COUNTY ASSESSORS RETURN.  Motion made and seconded to approve and sign the 2008 Penobscot County Assessors Return in the amount of $215,408.80.  Carried 5-0. 

6.  CEMETERY PERMIT.  Motion made and seconded to approve and sign the Cemetery Permit for Denis J. and Claudette G. LeClerc for Section F, Block 15, Grave 25 and 26 in consideration of $100.00.  Carried 5-0. 

7.   TRAVEL REQUEST.  Motion made and seconded to approve the travel request for Frank Stratton, Blaine McLaughlin the Electrical Safety Workshop in Newport on October 30, 2008 at a cost of $106.00.  Carried 5-0. 

8.   COMMITTEE REPORTS.   Mark Marston said he attended the Millinocket Trail Committee meeting this past week and that they are just about ready to pour cement and to get the steel up.  Marston said Pete McPheters is doing a GPS on the trail route and that this is almost completed. Marston said there is a bridge committee and that they will be doing a solicitation for the purchases of wood planks for the bridge at a cost of $10.00 per plank.

            Marston said the AOS-Alternative School Structure meetings are going well. They are currently working on cost sharing plans and the interlocal agreements. 

9.   CITIZEN’S COMMENTS.  Jim Federico said a safety hazard was brought to his attention. There is a blind spot due to a large fur tree on the island on Main Street. Federico said he spoke with Danny Violette and that some large limbs on the bottom of the tree have been trimmed, thus solving the problem.  Larry MacKenzie pointed out that another tree should be cut down since it is dead. The tree is near the Veteran’s Memorial, near Lounsbury’s. Federico said he also noticed this tree and has asked Danny Violette to take it down. 

      S. Tapley said Betty Lufkin called this office and asked about the Swap Shop and why items need to be left on a table outside now. She would like the process to go back to the way it was, which was being able to leave items inside the building.  This keeps the items out of the weather since she said she does not like to leave good items outside. Betty would like to see the space portioned off so items could  be left inside and not disturb any town property. Tapley said she has brought the request to the attention of Public Works Director Danny Violette. The Selectmen suggested a separate shed for items of partitioning a portion of the building and referred this matter to Public Works Director Danny Violette.

10. OTHER.   Mark Marston explained that A&D Electric has quoted the cost to install the traffic light controller and cabinet. The cost is $1,860.00 and can be paid from the East Millinocket Police Equipment Replacement reserve account. Marston said this used controller is being supplied by the State and that they use AD Electric for installation of the controller.  Marston said the State will be supplying the Town with a new traffic light next year.  Motion made and seconded to approve to spend up to $1,860.00 from the East Millinocket Police Equipment Replacement Reserve account for the installation of the traffic light controller and cabinet by A&D Electric.  Carried 5-0.

      Mark Scally said the Town had a surprise OSHA inspection last week.  Jim Federico said he was present for some of the inspections. Federico said the Maine Department of Labor Inspector toured each town department and that overall the inspection went very well and that the Inspector was quite impressed with the departments and the professionalism of the Department Heads.  Federico said the Inspector was also impressed with the Public Safety building and the Transfer Station. Federico said the Inspector said the record keeping was excellent Federico praised the departments for a job well done and said that it could be another five years before another inspection would take place. Once the report is issued Administrative Assistant S. Tapley will respond in writing to any citations and ask that any fines be used toward the repair or completion of repairs to the citations.

      S. Tapley reminded the Selectmen of the Joint Board Meeting which will be held  Wednesday October 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building Auditorium. 

      Tapley stated Laura Ferguson has requested to sell a second week of vacation time. Motion made and seconded to approve the sell back of a second week of  vacation for this year as requested by Laura Ferguson.  Carried 5-0. 

      Tapley said a quote has been received from David Cyr to repair the mortar on the east side wall of the Municipal Building at a cost of $300.00; that is if no more damage is found to the mortar upon closer inspection.  The repair to the mortar on the granite front steps of the Municipal Building is quoted at $2,068.00.  Tapley asked if the projects are approved for a motion for this to be paid from the Municipal Building Renovation account. The Selectmen were in agreement that both projects should be done soon due to cold weather coming and saw no reason to bid the jobs out which would add more time to getting the jobs completed.    Motion made and seconded to approve $2,368.00 from the East Millinocket Municipal Building Renovation account for mortar repairs to the east side wall of the Municipal Building and to the Municipal Building front steps.   Carried 5-0. 

      Gary MacLeod asked that discussion take place at the Joint Board meeting next week about the $75,000 that was recently paid to the Town of Millinocket for Economic Development by Brookfield Power. MacLeod said he is concerned that many East Millinocket residents have lost their jobs in the East Millinocket mill due to the union bumping process and stated the impacts of the Millinocket mill closure is affecting many in East Millinocket.  The Selectmen asked to review the charter agreement regarding the $75,000 payment by Brookfield in the event there are mill closures to the area. Tapley will get copies the Board and place this item for discussion on the Joint Board Meeting agenda of October 29, 2008.

    Mark Marston stated he felt the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Town Celebration committee should receive something for a job well done. Marston said he would like to propose payment of $1,000 each for all the work they do. Marston said he would like to see them paid for this past July celebration and to budget going forward an amount for the Chairman and Co-Chairman.  Larry MacKenzie agreed that they do deserve something and that due to the limited budget he suggested $1000 for the Chairman and $500 for the Co-Chairman. Jim Federico said he would like to see a cost breakdown for the past celebrations and suggested $500 to each for this year.  A motion was made for the amount of $500 to each but failed due to it was not seconded.  Motion made and seconded to allow payment to Town Celebration Committee Chairman Kelly Willigar in the amount of $1,000.00 and to allow payment to Co-Chairman Debbie Grass in the amount of $500.00 for their work on the July 2008 Town Celebration  to be paid at the next accounts payable warrant.  It was also agreed to budget during the next budget process an amount for future celebration stipends for the Chairman and Co-Chairman positions.  Carried 5-0. 

      Reporter Shelley Farrington asked if the recent EMT complaint had been resolved. Jim Federico said he has seen the letter from Bangor EMT and that it has been resolved. Tapley said Brown did state to her by phone that it was resolved with no charges filed but will get a copy of the letter from Ambulance Supervisor Les Brown for the Selectmen. 

      Tapley said the partial valuation for residential homes have been entered and completed in the MUNIS computer system. All residential homes have been assessed at 7% higher by Assessor Bill VanTuinen. Tapley said the commitment will be later this year due to the new format for the tax bills and that Tyler forms is working on creating the bills with the new State mandated information. Due to this issue the East Millinocket tax bills will be mailed possibly 2 to 3 weeks later this year than last year.  Tapley said some residents have been in and are pre-paying on their 2008 tax bills.  The Selectmen stated the interest rate set by the State of Maine for late payments is at 11% and cannot be changed this year due to this is approved by an article at the annual town meeting. 

      Kathy King asked when the Warming Centers will be discussed.  The Selectmen  said this topic is on the Joint Board Meeting agenda set for October 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. King said she would like to donate some movie videos that she has.  King will be contacted by Recreation Director Frank Clukey for the donation.     

11.  ADJOURNMENT.  4:55 P.M.