TOWN OF SABATTUS

SELECTMAN’S MEETING MINUTES

August 8, 2006

 

Roll Call of Board of Selectmen: Present              

Present   Guy P. Desjardins, Chairman

Absent    Stephen J. Wood, Selectman

Present   Gino R. Camardese, Selectman

Absent    Mark R. Duquette, Selectman

Present   Bill Henshaw, Selectman

 

 

In Attendance:

Tracy Fabrizio, Administrator                                                    Patrick Madden, Budget Committee Chair

Suzanne Adams, Town Clerk                                                   Scott Lansley, State Representative

Tom Fales, Chief of Police                                                        Paul Loesberg, Budget Committee                                                                                                                                

James Wood, Road Commissioner                                           Nick Angelides, LSJ Reporter

Jerry Sabins, Transfer Station Manager                                   Bertrand Larochelle, Transfer Station

Donald Therrien, Fire Chief                                                      Mike Yohe                                          

Denis Castonguay, Planning Board Chair                                Mara-Beth Duncan

Paul Loesberg, Planning Committee  

 

Motion to accept the Selectmen’s Minutes of August 1, 2006 as written made by Selectman Gino Camardese and seconded by Selectman Bill Henshaw.

Three in Favor.  Selectmen Mark Duquette and Steve Wood were not present at the last meeting.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair- We have representatives here tonight from United Ambulance to do a brief presentation.

 

Scott Latulippe, Paramedic for United Ambulance- Recently the Maine CDC and Heart Health Institute started a program for Heart-Safe Communities.  We look at all the communities around that we respond to including, Lewiston, Auburn, Sabattus, Greene, Minot, New Gloucester and Mechanic Falls are primary transport towns all other towns surrounding we do back ups for. We included in this application process these towns because we do outreach training and we do mutual aid with these towns. We received the highest designation in the State for Heart-Safe communities and we would like to present a plaque and a letter from Maine Emergency Medical Service to the Town of Sabattus.

This is Dave White our Operations Manager and Brad Gilbert our Project Co-Coordinator.

 

Brad Gilbert, United Ambulance-shows an example of the Heart-Safe Community Street sign that is given to the Town of Sabattus, it is a smaller version of the original, Chief Therrien can decide were he would like to place it either at the Fire Station or the Town Office. A larger sign will also be placed somewhere in the Community. There are only 5 or 6 communities that have received these signs.

 

Mark Duquette, Selectman- Would like to know if we can receive more than one sign.  Would like one placed at each Welcome to Sabattus location.  He is told that there is a possibility of this and Chief Don Therrien will be told once more information is received.

 

A picture is taken of United Ambulance giving the plaque and letter to Chief Don Therrien of the Fire Department and Chief Tom Fales of the Police Department because both departments have ADs.

 

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

 

Thomas Fales, Police Chief   

  1. Tells the Board that there is a mattress on Crowley Road and that there has been a near accident where someone went off the road.  It has been there for two weeks and asked if it can be removed.
  2. Letter of resignation from Officer Eric Testerman.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-I would like this to be part of the record, he is in my opinion a very good officer. The letter is dated today. It states, I regretfully inform you that I intend to resign from the Sabattus Police Department due to personal family demands and financial issues to include inflation of gas prices that makes it difficult to continue to work without creating a financial void from which I could not recover from. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the professional staff of the Police Department. His last day will be September 8th, 2006.  We are sad to see him leave, he is a very good officer.

 

Thomas Fales, Police Chief- He lives in the Augusta area, he is a single parent and is trying to find something closer to home. 

 

Motion to accept Eric Testerman’s resignation with regret made by Selectman Gino Camardese and seconded by Selectman Bill Henshaw.

All in Favor.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair- Chief Fales, do you want us to advertise the position, what do you have planned.

 

Thomas Fales, Chief of Police-I do have a reserve officer who is interested in the position. He is also Academy trained.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-Shows interest in interviewing the reserve officer because he is already Academy trained.

 

Tracy Fabrizio, Town Administrator & Treasurer

Treasurer’s Report:

  1. Tax Years 2004 thru 2006, Delinquent Taxes outstanding as of 08/04/06 is

$162,319.17. Delinquent Taxes collected from 07/31/06 to 08/04/06 is $8,583.94.Within the next two weeks will put a bid out on the property on Marsh Rd that we foreclosed on.

Guy Desjardins, Chair- Would like to set up a workshop with Rani Allard, Tax Collector to review over abatements when she gets them in. This could be held every other Tuesday at 5:30 depending on how many she gets.

 

  1. Department expenditures and revenues, final budgets-complete/verified for fiscal

year end 6/30/06. Also included is Tax Year 05/06. Under expenditures for all departments there is an unexpended balance of $19,602.68.  Revenues for all departments were $194,263.90 from receipts only.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-would like to get the auditor on board as soon as possible for next year.  The next budget year is only a few months away. If we can get him to start looking at our books in September, we will be ahead of the game. Asked Tracy if she was planning on calling him and she responded that they talk at least every two weeks.

 

Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report made by Selectman Bill Henshaw and seconded by Selectman Gino Camardese.

All in Favor.

 

James Wood, Road Commissioner-request to meet with the Board for Public Works Personnel Issues after the meeting.  Also when asked about Elm Street, stated that he did not believe the cost would be more than stated.

 

Tracy Fabrizio, Town Administrator- Has a question for James Wood concerning a culvert on the corner of Elm and Hillside.  A resident of Greene keeps calling to complain about the condition of the culvert. Jim has already told me that there is no money to fix it.

 

James Wood, Road Commissioner- This is a private road. The culvert that was put in is too short.  Most of the culvert is located in Greene. Water still runs through it but it is slow.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-Let this resident know to come in and see us, send us a letter, and a copy of the deed showing us the right of way would be nice. I believe that we should allow him his time in front of us and take a look at it.

 

Don Therrien, Fire Chief- Two Issues

  1. Concerning Squad 8 that was given to us from United Ambulance. Have received three bids to get it painted and remove the rust.
    1. $2,600.00 from Jean & Luke
    2. $4,701.00 from Colemans
    3. $1,800 from Rick Laliberty

             Would like to go with the bid from Rick Laliberty. Would like to have this truck

              up and running by September. It will be used as a utility truck. The money to

             paint will come out of the equipment account.

 

Motion to allow $1,800.00 for bid by Rick Laliberty made by Selectman Bill Henshaw and seconded by Selectman Gino Camardese.

All in Favor.

 

  1. Engine 4 is out of service. Public Works could not repair it. It was shipped to Whiting Ford. The repair bill came out to $3,135.23. Needed to get the repair done as soon as possible because if all of our trucks are not working, our ISO rating drops. This causes the Town’s Insurance to go up.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-As a suggestion to Departments Heads, when decisions are made on maintenance issues if would be best to hear the most expensive news first and that would help us to make a decision on the second issue. Would like to see that the budget succeeds for the whole year. Feels that if the budget is spent within the first two months, what will happen the rest of the year. Also feels that an estimate should have been asked for.

 

Bill Henshaw, Selectman- If this would have been placed on the Agenda, we could have looked at this before we got here.

 

Steve Wood, Selectman- Asked when the truck was taken over to Whiting Ford. Chief Don Therrien responded that it was three weeks ago. Then asked why the Board was never notified at the time or even the following Tuesday.

 

Mark Duquette, Selectman- The point is if the Board or Tracy knows that we are a truck short, if something happens we can at least explain why.

 

Don Therrien, Fire Chief- asks if he can go ahead and pay the bill.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair- Place the bill on a warrant and it will be paid.

 

Don Therrien, Fire Chief-Also has a Worker’s Comp Issue- a hose burst during training and one of his Captains had to get four stitches on his knee. Filled out all the paperwork and will see how the system flows.

 

Also has a neighborhood situation. A neighbor is harassing the firefighters telling them where they can and cannot park. Would like to find out where the boundary lines are.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair- When it gets to a point that it is really a problem, politely tell the gentleman that he can come and meet with the Board and we can find a solution.

 

Patrick Madden, Budget Committee Chair- Budget Committee has recessed for the summer. Will start having meetings again in September.

 

Steve Wood, Selectman- (spoke for Jon Mennealy, Charter Committee Chair as he was not present) The Charter has gone to the lawyers.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-The Charter is really interesting reading. A lot of work has been put into it. This is a positive direction.

 

Comments from the Floor:

 

Nick Angelides, LSJ Reporter-Asked the Board for a recap of the previous night’s meeting with the Sabattus Lake Dam Commission.

 

Guy Dejardins, Chair-Asked Nick if he would meet with the Board after the meeting to discuss this as the Agenda was full.

 

 

Unfinished Business:

  1. Parking & Traffic Ordinance, proposed change-to include “excavation” and any person wanting to close a road in Sabattus must notify the Police and Fire Department in advance to road closure-tabled from Selectmen’s meeting 08/01/2006. Copy of Ordinance with proposed change and MMA Legal Correspondence forwarded to Town Attorney, to review. Response time back is Friday, 8/10/06. Once a response is received from Peter Garcia a copy of the ordinance will be given to Denis Castonguay and Chief Tom Fales.
  2. Violation(s) Speeding on Lisbon Road, Additional 2 week Enforcement Study

Chief Fales stated that there have been very few problems on this road. Will give it one more week.

  1. East Ridge Road, Status-rain lip installation by public works, portion of the road-resident Tom Lyons has issues of road, rain washes road out and ends up in his driveway, discussed at selectmen’s meeting 8/1/06. James Wood needs to wait until Elm Street is done and will use the left over tar to fix this problem.      
  2. Bid(s) Request;

            Municipal Parking Lot, Sealed, Re-striped and cracks filled in

            Concrete Retaining Wall at the Transfer Station

            Roof over Metal Bins & Roof over Appliance Slab

            Sealed Bids Deadline; 8/21/06, Open during Selectmen’s Meeting on 08/22/06

            Selectman Gino Camardese has drawn all the specifications for the Transfer

            Station projects.  

  1. EMA Training, Disaster/Evacuation Plan/Bird Flu-Bob Scott to plan a 

      date/time for Board members and all department heads to participate in training.

      Tracy will give Bob Scott a call.

New Business:

  1. Elm Street, Storm Drain Work, Public Works Crew-working on, unexpected

expenditures.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-We need to discuss about what account should be used to pay for this. Unofficially the Board of Selectmen is discussing taking it out of the Contingency Account. This was an emergency situation. It was very expensive but it had to be done. We are not sure what the final cost is yet.

 

Motion to table this for one more week until paving is done and we know the final figure made by Selectman Steve Wood and seconded by Selectman Gino Camardese.

All in Favor.

 

  1. Criteria of Tax Exemption, Show-Me Museum (tax assessor in office on

08/09/06) documentation available to selectmen on 8/18/06, selectmen’s meeting.

 

Tracy Fabrizio, Town Administrator-Rani has talked to Donna this afternoon concerning this.  Donna does not have a folder on the Show-Me Museum as this was prior to her working here in 1997. Will check the archives.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair-Have Donna invite them in to revaluate their tax exempt status.

 

Steve Wood, Selectman-(Sabattus Lake Dam Commission Chair) At last night’s meeting the Board of Selectmen had requested that two boards be removed from the spillway and this has been done. Also asks resident Bob Boulette if he is still willing to volunteer as member of the Sabattus Lake Dam Commission.

 

Bob Boullette, Resident-has some reservations about joining because he does have an agenda. I am progressively trying to flush phosphorus from the lake to improve water quality.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair- There is nothing wrong with members of a Board having different views.  Everyone has an agenda.  The hard part is that you will be a minority on the Committee.

 

Gino Camardese, Selectmen-Members of a Board will disagree but need to work together. You need to stick up for what you believe. Water quality is very important to the lake. Now things that are happening because of last night’s meeting, the water level will be dropped one month early and they are going to drop it 5 feet instead of four. Now if noone had showed up at last night’s meeting, this would not have happened.

 

Bob Boulette,Resident- would like to thank the Board for attending last night’s meeting, it was really important that you showed up.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair- somehow your committee needs to get the news out there so that everybody around that lake knows what the issues are.

 

Motion to appoint Bob Boulette to the Sabattus Lake Dam Commission made by Selectman Steve Wood and seconded by Selectman Gino Camardese.

All in Favor.

 

The Board congratulates Nick Angelides from the Sun-Journal on becoming a new father.

 

Mark Duquette, Selectman-Would like to have the permission of the Board to sit with Gino and Tracy to look at putting bids out for gas, oil, propane and diesel. Now that prices are going up, would like to get a contract to see if we can get a good price. Heating oil for General Assistance would also be included. There is no need to put an ad in the paper, letters could be sent to different dealers.

 

Guy Desjardins, Chair- research would need to be done to see total amount of gallons used in the past five years. No need to put this in a motion, but it would need to be done soon.

 

Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a Public Works personnel issue with James Wood pursuant to 1MRSA Sec 405(6) (A) at 7:45 made by Selectman Gino Camardese and seconded by Selectman Mark Duquette.

All in Favor.

 

Motion to go back into regular session at 7:52 made by Selectman Bill Henshaw and seconded by Selectman Mark Duquette.

All in Favor.

 

 

Motion to accept Elmer Allen’s resignation from Public Works last day to be Friday 8/10/06 made by Selectman Bill Henshaw and seconded by Selctman Mark Duquette.

All in Favor.

 

Motion to accept Matthew Gaydos in the full time permanent position made by Selectman Bill Henshaw and seconded by Selectman Mark Duquette.

All in Favor.

 

Motion to adjourn at 7:54 made by Selectman Gino Camardese and seconded by Selectman Mark Duquette.

All in Favor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selectman Meeting Minutes of August 8, 2006, Accepted On ___    , 2006.

 

______________________________                                                  

Guy P. Desjardins, Chair

 

______________________________

Stephen J. Wood, Selectman

 

______________________________

Gino R. Camardese, Selectman

 

______________________________

Mark R. Duquette, Selectman

 

______________________________

 

William E. Henshaw, Selectman

 

 

 

 

MEETING MINUTES COMPILED BY SUZANNE ADAMS, TOWN CLERK

 

 

 

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