TOWN OF GUILFORD SELECTMEN’S MEETING

February 1, 2011

1. Meeting called to order by Chairman Bill Thompson at 7:00 PM. Present were selectmen Michael Dexter, Kent Burdin, Rick Lander and Peter Martell, and guest Bill Pearson from the Piscataquis Observer.

2. Motion made by Lander, seconded by Burdin to approve minutes of the prior meeting. Unanimous.

3. Balance sheets distributed and accepted.

4. Letter from MSAD#4 Superintendent Paul Stearns read regarding decrease of $280,000.00 further in school subsidy, and another letter advising that they had hired a new librarian at P.C.S.S. and would therefore not be renewing the library services contract with the town.

5. A Thank You note was read from Guilford Historical Society for the recent donation.

6. Letter of resignation from the Economic Development Board received from Robert McReavy was read. Burdin moved to accept with regret, Martell seconded the motion and it carried by unanimous vote.

7. Manager advised that the water district had sent notice of a rate increase to be effective April 1, 2011, stating that hydrant rental costs would be affected by several thousands.

8. Various e-mail messages were read and discussed regarding the Police coverage agreement with the County. The costs for after shift hours compelled by the Sheriff’s Office will be picked up by the County. Following much discussion regarding a two-party versus three party contract, manager pointed out that the Sheriff’s Office is a department of the County and as long as the Sheriff signed the document, it stated what had been verbally agreed upon. Dexter moved, Burdin seconded, and the agreement was accepted as presented by unanimous vote. 

9. Manager reported that the tax acquired property at 9 Morse Avenue had generated a call from the prior owners wanting to redeem it. As the place was not currently being used as a residence and appeared to be in a serious state of neglect, the board voted to retain the property and go to bid this spring, with conditions.

10. Reminder was given that the Town Budget Committee would meet on February 14th at the high school.

11. The board reviewed the contents of their recent workshop with Susan Smith of the Maine Employees’ Health Trust and discussed options to be considered within the new budget.

12. A liquor license renewal application for G&D Golf n Grill was approved following a Lander motion and a Dexter second. Unanimous.

13.  On a motion from Burdin, seconded by Lander, the 2011 delinquent tax rate was set at 7% and the return rate at 3%. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

14.  The County Tax Warrant was accepted and signed following a Burdin motion and a Lander second.

15.  As there was an opening created on the school board by recent resignation, and since the school budget process is at a critical point due to proposed reductions in subsidy, it was decided to appoint a replacement immediately. Rachael Davis was appointed following a Lander motion, seconded by Martell.

16.  Manager announced that a CDBG public hearing is scheduled for February 16th at 6:00 PM at the municipal building as the economic development board attempts to obtain a housing assistance grant on behalf of the town.

17. It was announced that a public hearing to discuss revisions to our Floodplain Ordinance would be held on February 16th at 7:00 PM at the municipal building. Acceptance of the revision will be voted on at the annual March meeting.

18.  It was announced that a public hearing to discuss a proposed moratorium on adult-only businesses would be held on February 16th at 7:30 PM at the municipal building. The moratorium would be voted on at the annual meeting in March and if passed would be implemented to allow the Planning Board to carefully craft a proper ordinance to bring to the town for a vote at a future meeting.

19. The manager’s first draft budget was presented to the selectmen for their review, oversight, and approval preparatory to its presentation at the budget committee meeting at which time the committee shall vote on recommendations for the warrant articles for Guilford’s Annual Town Meeting, March 21st.

20. Under assessors’ issues, a veteran’s exemption and an abatement for a qualified homestead exemption were granted.

21. Under Other Business, no topics were presented.

22. Following a motion from Burdin and a Lander second, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23 PM.