TOWN OF GUILFORD SELECTMEN’S MEETING

October 4, 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 Paul Zimmerman from the Red Maple Inn and 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.    Manager read a courtesy letter from Representative Doug Thomas advising how to contact him with any concerns.

5.    Manager read letter of request from Pirate Rec seeking a financial donation and thanking us for use of the premises for their meetings. Burdin moved to give them two hundred dollars from the recreation account, said motion seconded by Dexter and carried unanimously.

6.    Read letter from Pat Kablitz, director of MMA Risk Management Services announcing dividend program from our insurance policy. Guilford received a check for $1007.00.

7.    E-mail from Piscataquis County Emergency Management Office read stating that they had received grant funding to upgrade all the radios and pagers for the county, of particular interest to us, those of Guilford Fire Department.

8.    Discussed proposed State valuations for 2012. It was noted that while Guilford’s overall value dropped about two percent, other area towns dropped as much or more and some increased. This should indicate that our proportionate share of County and School taxes will not take a comparable decrease in the year these values apply, nor should it increase. The County as a whole dropped about two percent, discounting the unorganized territories’ values which were not included in last years’ comparison.

9.    Mention was made of the upcoming Guilford Historical Society Annual Harvest Fair to be held Saturday, October 8^th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the former Braeburn site, featuring vendors, hayrides, a scarecrow contest, and a bake sale. The traditional cemetery tour will begin shortly after at 6:00 pm at Elmwood Cemetery.

10. Manager noted that, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the town office was once again collecting Yoplait Yogurt lids in order to receive their donation for breast cancer research. Washed lids may be brought into the office until December 15th.

11. The Guilford Center Road paving project is well under way. The reclaiming and grading tasks are completed and the pavement should be placed soon; two inch base to be installed this season, and the one inch finish coat applied next year. We are also hoping to get the planned sidewalk improvements completed on North Main and School Streets.

12. A hearing was held as posted and as required, to adopt the new appendices to our General Assistance Ordinance. This sets the thresholds for amounts available for rent, food and other necessities to program applicants. The ordinance is updated each year. Following a motion from Burdin and a Martell second, the revision recommended by DHHS was adopted.

13. A second hearing was held to approve an extension of the entertainment permit for the Red Maple Inn. They intend to have the mechanical bull feature return this Friday evening. It had been a huge draw in the past and Paul Zimmerman explained the details of the event. Lander moved to approve the application, Dexter seconded it and it was so voted.

14. Manager presented snow plowing contracts for town ways for the 2011-2012 season through Haley Construction Company. This was the final year of a three stage increase. Burdin and Martell respectively moved and seconded approval of the contracts; unanimous.

15. The manager reported that notices were sent in for publication regarding the winter nighttime parking ban to begin November 1^st and the removal of articles from cemeteries, to be accomplished on or before October 16^th with the exception of holiday wreaths.

16. Under assessor’s issues, two abatement requests were granted and one was tabled for further review on which denials were issued for two prior years.  One supplement was approved and another was tabled for further review.

17. Under Other Business, Martell noted some issues that needed Code Officer review.

18. Following a motion from Burdin and a Lander second, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.