Selectmen’s Minutes, June 8, 2017

TOWN OF SEDGWICK
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
June 8, 2017

Opened the meeting and declared a quorum present. Selectmen present: Ben Astbury, Colby Pert, Michael Sheahan. Also present: Robert Jones, Bob Publicover, Jeff and Tina Gray, School Board Chairman Susan Ford, Principal John Dow, Road Commissioner Paul Carter, Treasurer/clerk Cindy Reilly, CEO Duane Ford, Assistant Barbara Grindle.
There were no errors or omissions in the minutes of the last meeting. Moved, seconded and voted 3-0 to dispense with reading the records and accept them as written.
Reviewed and signed the treasurer’s warrant for $85,909.43; school costs $75,988.93, fire department expenses $1,114.32, 30-day notice postage $757.85, tax collector fees for 30-day notices $345, general assistance $1,662.98, administration costs $691.94.
NEW BUSINESS: Opened the bids for the tax-acquired property. There were two bids, and the winning bid was $71,750.
Schoolboard Chairman Ford introduced the new principal of the elementary school John Dow to those present. He wants to work with the selectboard in regard to school matters, especially the budget.
Sheahan will be in Paris next week.
Putting together a list of maintenance jobs that need to be done in and outside of the town office. Continuing discussion.
A request to use the benches at the town house was discussed. They are very old and not in very dependable shape, so the request was refused.
Road Commissioner has decided to change some of the tarring work – part of Old County Road will be done, and some of Polka Valley will be done. There are beaver dams in the entrance to Black’s Pond and there is danger of the water flooding the road. He will take care of having someone clear the dams and relocate the beavers. There is a problem on Carter Point with sand from a driveway floating into the road. He will take care of it this time, but if the problem is not taken care of, he will remove the sand and bill the landowner. It is not the town’s responsibility to take care of driveway maintenance. There also seems to be a problem on Christy Hill with road erosion resulting from a tree removal or saw mill project. CEO will check on this.
OLD BUSINESS: Review of town-owned properties still tabled.
MMA says that recusal is up to the board involved. The issue will be resolved when it is raised by the board and an applicant.
911/PSAT discussion: County Commissioners are having an open hearing on the proposal to have Penobscot County handle the 911 dispatching for Hancock County on June 20. Fire Chief Carter will be attending the meeting. There are many areas of concern about the change.
Jon Woodward & Sons have put a new threshold on the handicap entrance to the Town House. Together with the new door, it should be easier to access the building.
Salt Pond Access: Town attorney is out of town for a week, hopes to be able to have the paperwork done when he returns. No work will be done on the access until the deed is finalized.
CEO REPORT: Handling a lot of calls. There is a bulldozer on Caterpillar Hill by the Gallery. Did plumbing training in Brewer this week. Septic problems in a house on the Ridge Road caused concern to the owner. Very important to make sure that the Town Office has a copy of the latest septic plan and building notifications of any changes made to your property.
ADJOURN: There being no further business, moved, seconded and voted 3-0 to adjourn at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Grindle, Assistant to the Selectmen