TOWN OF GUILFORD SELECTMEN’S MEETING

August 2, 2011

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

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

3. Balance sheets distributed and accepted.

4. Manager read letter from MMA describing process for electing Vice President and directors for the coming year.

5. Manager updated board on tax acquired properties’ status. Two sales have been completed, one is awaiting mortgage preparations, and the last one is under negotiation with a potential buyer.

6. Two bids were obtained on the Guilford Center Road paving project and the low bid from Pike Industries was accepted. Manager to determine which components to be completed this season.

7. Report was given on another successful River Festival. Great weather prevailed, no major problems throughout the two days, good crowds on hand and many favorable comments received.

8. Burdin moved and Martell seconded that the town manager cast his vote as the agent of the board in the Maine Municipal officers and directors’ election.

9. Manager announced that he would be attending the MTCMA Institute in August as a member of the executive board of that group.

10. Dexter moved to appoint former planning board alternate Lou Sidell to fill the vacancy on the planning board. The motion was seconded by Martell carried unanimously.

11. Manager reported that Gary Grant had resigned from the fire department after 18 years of service. Resignation was accepted following a motion from Lander with a Martell second and manager agreed to write a letter of appreciation to Mr. Grant on behalf of the board for his many years of service and for his part in the many grants secured over recent years.

12. Burdin moved that the town appropriate $1500.00 to Eastern Area Agency on Aging; $1513.00 to the American Red Cross; $1000.00 to Community Counseling Center; and $600.00 to Pine Tree Hospice, leaving a balance in the charities account for other requests that may be received.

13. Dexter moved that the board go into executive session as per 1 MRSA § 405 (6)(A) to discuss a personnel matter. After Lander’s second and a unanimous vote, the board went into executive session at 8:37 pm. The same parties moved to come out of said session and the board did so at 9:04 pm. Lander moved that the personnel policy remain unchanged; Burdin seconded his motion and the vote was unanimous to approve the motion.

14. Under assessor’s issues, two abatement requests were granted, two were tabled for further review, and one was denied. A Homestead Exemption was also denied as being in conflict with current rules. Two supplements were also tabled for further information. Two requests to combine contiguous lots were approved.

15. Under Other Business, no issues were brought to the table.
 
16. Following a motion from Burdin and a Dexter second, the meeting was adjourned at 9:06 PM.