Rumford Selectmen's Meeting Minutes for 12/4/08 (APPROVED)

SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
December 4, 2008 - 7:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairman J. Arthur Boivin, Vice-Chairman Frank DiConzo, Mark Belanger, Bradford Adley, Robert Cameron, Leonard Greaney, Henry Zinck, Terry Karkos, Douten Thomas, Reggie Arsenault, Cherri Crockett, Ron Theriault, Robert Bradley Jr., Daniel Theriault, Stephanie Wilson, Bruce Farrin, Matthew Peterson, Phil Blampied, Jennifer Norris, James Viger

6:30 PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES
The Public Hearing was canceled

as requirements of the Charter that had not been met.

1. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman J. Arthur Boivin

2. All present pledged allegiance to the American Flag

3. Approval of Minutes from the Selectmen’s Meeting of November 20, 2008

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the minutes from the Selectmen’s Meeting of November 20, 2008. Vote: 5-0

4. REPORTS

A. SELECTMEN’S REPORT

Mr. Adley asked if the fuel line had been repaired at the Public Works garage. The Town Manager replied that Precision Tanks repaired the problem.

Mr. Adley reported that Professional Vehicle Corporation had a ground breaking recently at the Industrial Park for their new building and asked if there were any representatives from the Town in attendance. The Town Manager indicated that he was not aware of the ground breaking. The Town Manager stated that he will contact the River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Planning Board to be sure that this type of information is provided to the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen on a timely basis.

Mr. Belanger made a plea for the local merchants and asked citizens to shop locally to help our businesses.

Mr. Cameron asked for an update on the apartment buildings.

Mr. DiConzo had nothing to report.

Mr. Boivin was concerned about news articles that reported continued interest in new buildings for the Public Library and Med-Care. The Public Works crew was thanked for cutting down the bushes near the Information Center. Mr. Boivin reported that two buildings had been removed which the Board had authorized to have torn down. Mr. Boivin also reported that he attended the Letter to Santa project and that it was a very positive event that involved many in the community. He would like a photo of the letter placed on the cover of the Town Report.

Mr. Cameron made a motion to approve placing the photo on the Annual Town Report. Vote: 5-0

B. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

The Town Manager complimented the work of Scott Grassette and the Mountain Valley High School majorettes on their work completing the Letter to Santa.Mr. Greaney read a letter he had written to Mountain Valley High School leaders and coaches regarding the successful season of this year’s football team. The Town Manager gave an update on apartment buildings in the town in answer to Mr. Cameron’s request.

Mr. Belanger asked if the Town could take on removing some of the buildings with our own equipment and town personnel. The Town Manager will look into this.

C. DEPARTMENT MANAGER REPORTS (as necessary):

5. REQUESTS OF CITIZENS PRESENT

Dan Theriault made a request to have 2 trash cans placed on Congress Street to help keep the town clean during the winter months.

Mr. Belanger made a motion to allow Cherri Crockett, a non-resident, to speak. Vote: 5-0

Ms. Crockett, of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce, made a request to purchase vests for the volunteers to wear at the Information Center for a price of $340. She would like to use the “Gem at the Foot of the Falls” logo approved by the Board to place on each vest. Ms. Crockett also asked permission to spend $250 for a Christmas Party for the volunteers. These requests would be paid from the funds that have already been allocated by the Town to the Chamber.

Mr. Cameron made a motion to approve her 2 requests. Vote: 5-0

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Request for Donation to GRAMPA Food Pantry

Mr. Belanger made a motion to allow Reggie Arsenault, a non-resident, to speak. Vote: 5-0

Reggie Arsenault requested funding to help the GRAMPA Food Pantry. A food and bottle drive was held by local scouting organizations that resulted in raising $565 and 447 food items. Due to the difficult economy there have been more requests for help, Mr. Arsenault stated. The Town Manager reported that funds could be taken from the contingency fund.

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve giving a $50 donation to each food pantry in Rumford and Mexico. No vote was taken.

Mr. DiConzo made a motion to approve giving a $100 donation to each food pantry in Rumford and Mexico. Vote: 5-0

B. Approval of Revised Policy for Municipal Purchases

The Town Manager recently revised the appendices of the Policy and asked for the Board to ratify the Policy (that had been approved previously) with their signatures.

C. Recycling at NORSWB

Mr. DiConzo made a motion to allow Patricia Duguay, a non-resident, to speak. Vote: 5-0

Ms. Duguay, River Valley Healthy Communities Director, gave an presentation on the process of recycling and the value of recycling in saving the Town money by eliminating materials from the waste stream.

7. NEW BUSINESS

A. Approval of Town Warrant dated December 5, 2008

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the Town Warrant dated December 5, 2008. Vote: 5-0

B. Approval of Ordinances to place on Warrant of January 15, 2009

Chairman Boivin reported that the ordinances will be introduced in April 2009.

C. Approval of Warrant for Secret Ballot for Initial Regional School Unit Board

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the Warrant for Secret Ballot for Initial Regional School Unit Board. Vote: 5-0

D. Approval of Bid for CDBG Certified Administrator and Certified Rehabilitation Technician

The Town Manager reported that we received only one bid from Community Concepts. Their bid was for 15% of the grant award to administer the project.

Mr. Adley made a motion to approve the bid from Community Concepts for 15% of the grant award. Vote: 5-0

E. Approval of Board Meeting dates for January 2009

Chairman Boivin reported that the first scheduled meeting of January falls on a holiday.

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the dates of January 8, 2009 and January 22, 2009 for Board of Selectmen meetings in January. Vote: 5-0

F. Approval of Christmas Santa Parade Permit for Fire Department Relief Organization

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the Christmas Santa Parade Permit for the Fire Department Relief Organization. Vote: 5-0

G. Appointments to Boards and Committees

Mr. Adley made a motion to appoint Richard White to a 2 year unexpired term on the Park and Recreation Commission. Vote: 3-1-1, Mr. Boivin opposed, Mr. Belanger abstained as he was not present for the interview.

Mr. Belanger made a motion to appoint Stephanie Wilson to a 3 year unexpired term on the Board of Appeals. Vote: 5-0

Mr. Cameron made a motion to appoint Jennifer Norris to a 3 year unexpired Alternate term on the Planning Board. Vote: 5-0

Mr. Adley made a motion to appoint Jennifer Norris to a 3 year unexpired Alternate term on the Med-Care Board. Vote: 5-0

H. Recognition of Ethnic Groups in Rumford’s History

Mr. Adley made a motion to allow Hazel Hodgkins, a non-resident, to speak. Vote: 5-0

Hazel Hodgkins made a request for the placement a plaque for the local Acadian Group. Mrs. Hodgkins provided her request in writing along with a sketch of the bronze plaque that would hold 24-30 names and also the Canadian Flag. The place desired to mount the plaque is along Route 2 on a rock that is part of the newly built wall over-looking the River Walk, near the Public Library. The Acadian Group would fund the plaque and the installation.Mr. Belanger made a motion to allow the Acadian Group to mount a plaque on the rock. Vote: 5-0

8. Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRS §405 (6)(A) regarding a personnel matter with the Town Manager and Public Works SuperintendentThis matter was tabled until the December 18, 2008 meeting.

9. Adjournment

Mr. Belanger made a motion to adjourn at 8:04 p.m. Vote: 5-0

Leonard P. Greaney
Town Manager