Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes September 5th, 2024

Town of Sedgwick

Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

Thursday September 5th, 2024

 

  • Opened the meeting and established a quorum. S. Ford, C. Pert and B. Duffy present. Also in attendance: D. Ford and L. Dow. From the public in person and online: J. Wetterskog, C. Carter, Carter, B. Adams and R. Colburn
  • Reviewed and signed Treasurer’s warrant
  • Read and approve minutes from August 22nd meeting- Motion and 2nd to approve as written. 3-0 approved *minutes from 8/29 tabled until next meeting                         

*CEO REPORT DEFFERED TO FIRST ACTION ITEM

 CEO REPORT:       

Duane checked in on 764 Old County Road to view the septic work being done. They are ready for Paul Carter to cover over. Spoke with Bob Cunningham about coming to do a final inspection of the new septic for Tanya Prime at 232 Byard Point Road. They hit ledge and had soil evaluator Bill LaBelle come back and redesign a slight change in the location of the upper septic bed. Duane checked on work at former Dunton house at 92 Silver Mine Rd and left building notification form. Checked on foundation work at Drew Eaton’s property on Byard Point Road, as he called the town office with questions about changes to the plans. Not issues noted. Duane went to the O’Connor property at Cooper Farm Lane on Walker Pond to verify septic work. May need to find contractor to obtain the paperwork. Chris Walisky of Hewe’s Construction called to see if anyone has taken out paperwork for a new septic design at 112 Windward Lane. No one has, so he told him about the procedure. Spoke with contractor at 27 Harding Lane (Nesbitt residence) and learned that the contractor would not begin a new septic anytime soon, however there were repairs needed to some sills/pots under a shed near the shore.

DISCUSSION and/or ACTION ITEMS:

  1. Carter Fowler Rd Taxes- The Carters approached the board regarding the backlog of taxes owed to the town on 5 Fowler Road and 11 Fowler Road (buildings online, not the land). Carl now own’s the building that used to belong to his brother. He is willing to make arrangements to clear up the taxes and continue to pay going forward. The other building is occupied by the other brother (name). The board discussed the options with the Carter brothers. Motion and 2nd to write off the taxes for 11 Fowler Road from 2011-2023 and Carl pay 2024 and beyond. 3-0 approved. Motion and 2nd to write off interest and fees for 5 Fowler Road and begin accepting a payment arrangement for the taxes owed. 3-0 approved. Lyndsey will work on this with Cindy to get quit claim deed for 11 Fowler Road and will send a new bill for the taxes owed on 5 Fowler Road.
  2. Do we need to contact attorney re: evictions- Barry asked how difficult it would be to evict the occupants of the current tax acquired properties. This is a nearly impossible task- which lead to the next questions, what option if any does the town have for collecting the past due. Barry will contact Maine Municipal legal services.
  3. Update on discussion with Sherrif- Barry spoke with Sherrif Kane about the speeding issue in town. He will put Sedgwick on the list for patrol.
  4. Update on discussion with realtor- Barry reached out to Analeigh Grindle, a realtor in Blue Hill about the potential sale of the two tax acquired land parcels. She is interested in going forward with the discussion. Motion and 2nd to approve an agreement with Annie regarding this matter. 3-0 approved.
  5. Cemetery plot purchases- Susan and Lyndsey have been receiving emails and call regarding the sales and marking out of cemetery plots, primarily at Pine Grove cemetery. Barbara was heavily involved when she was here because of her role with the cemetery associations. The town does NOT deal with the sale of plots, they are independently governed by their own associations. We need to find out who is in charge of each association and get an updated list with contact numbers for people to call. Susan will reach out to Pam Tobey to begin that conversation.

 ASSITANT’S REPORT:

Lyndsey has been in training in Bangor for the last couple of days. Voter Registration training and Title 30A. With the election coming up it was good for her to have a refresher- it is also important to her that she keep all her trainings current for her certification.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

–Brian Adams asked the town if he needed any special permissions to bury his electric/internet lines. He has had his service knocked out a couple of times this winter and wants to run conduit underground to the home. The board agrees that versant/consolidated/fidium know the rules and that there are no special permissions needed from the town.

-Jerry Wetterskog attended and information session regarding the possibility of a mileage tax. He briefed the board on that and encouraged everyone to take the survey. This subject is in the very early conversation stages currently.

ADJOURN:

Motioned and 2nd to adjourn. Approved 3-0 @6:37pm

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Lyndsey Dow

approved 3-0 9/12/2024