Town of Monmouth

Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

Minutes – January 16, 2008

Selectmen present were: Pauline McDougald, Pete Thibodeau, and Douglas Ludewig.

Town officials present were: Town Manager Curtis Lunt, Police Chief Bob Annese, Fire Chief Andre Poulin, EMS Chief Jim Philips and CEO David Shaw. Police Officer Rob Wells was in attendance. Others present include citizens of the Town of Monmouth.

Call to order and flag salute by Chairman McDougald.

Motion to approve the minutes of January 2, 2008, by Pete Thibodeau. Douglas Ludewig seconded the motion. Unanimous vote, 3-0.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

Police Chief Annese: Chief Annese introduced new police officer Rob Wells. Rob will be attending the Academy beginning next week. He is a 2004 Monmouth graduate. Chief Annese reported on his plan to redesign the police patch. The Art Department at Monmouth Academy will work on this project, and the winning design will be selected from a committee. Pete Thibodeau will serve on this committee. The winning person will receive a US savings bond and a plaque.

CEO Dave Shaw had nothing to report at this time. Due to the weather, permit requests have slowed down. He is keeping busy with office work.

EMS Report: Jim Philips handed in his report, which included a roster of employees, the chief and deputy chief phone numbers and the Supervisor of the Day pager number. Response times were also included.

Fire Chief Poulin: Chief Poulin reported the annual supper will be held this Saturday starting at 5 pm at the Cottrell Gym. Chief Poulin also reported during his vacation the department responded to eight calls which were all motor vehicle accidents. One was a railroad accident which took over five hours to clear up. He said the truck chassis is ready and production of the truck will start on Monday, January 21st.

Police/Fire/EMS Dispatch Contract – RCC: Chief Poulin reported the protocols were submitted for dispatch and the department is awaiting a reply. Rescue and the Police Department have also sent them in. Town Manager Curtis Lunt said the contract has not been received yet. RCC is the most affordable of the options available. The cost will be in the area of $45,000 range per year. Winthrop’s cost would be even higher, and Winthrop does not use the same software package as Monmouth does. Chief Annese reported the actual dollar amount to be paid out for this year will be approximately $4,000, which is for service from February 1 to June 1. This is because some monies have already been paid in. This is an unbudgeted expense.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Ed Philips shared his concerns about RCC. He used the 911 system yesterday and it took 1 ½ minutes before they picked up the call. The dispatcher also did not know where to transfer his call. Ed said he is aware the town is trying to save money, but feels Winthrop will provide a better system. He also feels RCC is understaffed.

Fire Chief Poulin said there is no simple answer. Winthrop’s system is over 25 years old. Police Chief Annese said RCC is a new facility and there will be transition time, but they have a new system and new equipment and he feels RCC is the right decision.

Auto Graveyard Permit Renewals – request for public hearing date: CEO Dave Lewis recommended establishing a public hearing date of January 30, 2008 which is the next selectmen’s meeting. The renewals are for Philip Pratt, DBA Pratt’s Garage, 360 South Monmouth Road, and David Barrows, 49 Farm Road.

Pete Thibodeau moved to schedule a public hearing on January 30, 2008. Douglas Ludewig seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, 3-0.

Dangerous Building (1080 Main Street): CEO Dave Shaw reported on problems with the owners of Scenic Valley. Tenants have been without a landlord for several months. There is no water and no heat except portable electric heaters. Chief Annese and Dave Shaw have made inspections and the conditions have deteriorated to the point that it meets state law requirements as a dangerous building. The CEO is requesting a public hearing notice, per Title 17, be sent to the landowner and interested parties to inform them we are officially deeming it a dangerous building and will do what is necessary to make it safe for the general public.

Pete Thibodeau moved to schedule a public hearing on January 30, 2008. Douglas Ludewig seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous, 3-0.

Appointments:

·  Assistant General Assistance Administrator: Carol Ivey. Pete Thibodeau moved to appoint, seconded by Douglas Ludewig. Unanimous vote.

·  Fire Chief Andre Poulin, Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Balfour, Fire Department Clerk Robert Poulin (2 year terms). Douglas Ludewig moved to appoint, seconded by Pete Thibodeau. Unanimous vote.

·  Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee: Harold Smith & Nancy Smith. Douglas Ludewig moved to appoint, seconded by Pete Thibodeau. Unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None.

ABATEMENTS:

Approval: Douglas Ludewig moved to approve abatements for Erlon & Nancy Danforth for $656.65 and Donald & Shirley Frost for $667. Motion was seconded by Pete Thibodeau. Unanimous vote, 3-0.

Denial: Pete Thibodeau moved to approve the denials, seconded by Douglas Ludewig:

Ronald & Rebecca Hinkley Map 50, Lot 25

Richard & Lita Karp Map 46, Lot 3

Lita Karp Map 46, Lot 2

Erlon & Nancy Danforth Map 31, Lot 22

Kimberly Cooney Map 45, Lot 13

Lucien & Lauretta Claret Map 24, Lot 33

Heirs of Ernest and Elizabeth Johnson Map 26, Lot 27

Unanimous vote, 3-0.

Town Manager Curtis Lunt reported the capital improvements budget should be ready on January 30, 2008. Department budgets are presently being worked on and should be finished by the end of the month as well. He also said the Golden Post Cane will be awarded to Amelia Waliski, who is the town’s oldest resident at 97. Her picture will be taken with the cane and will be sent to the newspaper. It will also be posted in the town office.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

Consideration and approval of school and municipal payroll/accounts payable:

Pete Thibodeau moved to accept warrant #15 for school and town payroll and payables:

·  Municipal payroll: $30,491.45

·  Municipal accounts payable: $134,326.00

·  School payroll: $163,955.97

·  School accounts payable: $90,431.20

Seconded by Douglas Ludewig. Voted 3-0.

Pauline McDougald commented she received a letter from the Department of Conservation regarding funding to assist in the development of a community playground. Curtis Lunt said this brings the total amount received by the Building and Grounds Committee to almost $80,000. The property is partly on Cumston Park and partly on school grounds. A discussion ensued regarding the intended use of donated lands.

ADJOURNMENT: Douglas Ludewig moved to adjourn at 7:42 pm. Seconded by Pete Thibodeau.

Recording Secretary: Deborah Nichols