SUMNER SELECTPERSONS JULY 12, 2005

The meeting began at 3:30 PM.

Attending: Selectpersons Mark Silber, Clifford McNeil, Thomas Standard, Clerk/Treasurer Susan Runes, Road Commissioner James Keach, CEO Sidney Abbott, Secretary Cynthia Norton, George Twine of the Advertiser Democrat, and Jen Otterson of the Lewiston SunJournal.

The Minutes of June 28, 2005 and Warrant #1 were received and approved. Warrant #25 was signed on June 30, 2005.

CEO Sidney Abbott has the keys to inspect the Wayne and Virginia Campbell house.

Forms and Reports: The Annual Town Meeting Warrant was signed. The articles asking for approval to purchase a backhoe were removed; the Board wants more information before approaching the voters.

McNeil signed the agreement with the Secretary of State governing the use of computers and equipment for the new registration process.

McNeil submitted paperwork approved by FEMA that authorizes payment of $1,152.77 to Sumner for the storms of February 10-11, 2005, Claim #3206.

Road Report: Keach has ditched Arthur Allen, Tuell Hill and Decoster Roads. He has changed the damaged culverts on Decoster and Damon Roads and is grading public easement roads. Standard said he got a call about a washout on Rosenberg Road; Keach will take care of it when he can get there. Norton will send the letter to the Bartletts asking them to remove the hay bales from the road limits on Labrador Pond Road; the matter was brought up at the May 24 meeting.

Old Business:

Norton contacted DEP concerning the illegal dumping on Dunn property and spoke with Aaron Dumont, Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management. He has inspected the site; there is good progress in cleaning up the items; he will continue to check and will send a letter to the Dunns. He will contact Buckfield to be sure the items have been taken to the Transfer Station; he has contacted the Fire Wardens to be sure no illegal burning has occurred. He recommends the CEO inspect the site periodically.

The Personnel Policy was reviewed with several changes made and suggested.

New Business:

Approval was given to the Comprehensive Plan Committee to continue appointments to September 1, 2006.

A request was received from Buckfield Town Manager Glen Holmes for $1000 for the Buckfield Recreation Program. Silber suggested the two Recreation Committees meet to discuss policies and make recommendations back to the selectmen. A letter will be sent to Holmes advising him of the decision.

The Preliminary 2006 State valuation for Sumner is $50,450,000—this is based on April 1, 2004 assessments.

Correspondence:

The Oxford County Commissioners are requesting the property growth factor for Sumner; Norton will call them to let them know that the Town has just received the new assessment figures.

McNeil will look at the membership survey from the Oxford County Officers Association and the MMA report on the Rural Community Working Group.

Other:

Runes had the Account Activity Report through 6/30/05 available for review.

SUMNER SELECTPERSONS JULY 26, 2005

The meeting began at 3:30 PM and ended at 4:05 PM.

Attending: Selectpersons Mark Silber, Clifford McNeil, Thomas Standard, Secretary Cynthia Norton, and George Twine of the Advertiser Democrat.

The Minutes of July 12, 2005 and Warrant #2 were received and approved.

Forms and Reports signed:

Certification for URIP funds of $54,936.

General Assistance Quarterly Report.

Letter of engagement for the 2005 audit with Gaisford, Hoisington, Akerberg and Bean.

801 Notification Form for Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

Mc Neil took the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application.

Road Report: McNeil will talk to Road Commissioner James Keach about the logging trucks damaging Black Mountain Road and putting up road name signs. Silber noted that a new Hedgehog Hill Road sign is needed to replace the one stolen. He also said that the Bradeen Road sign was damaged.

McNeil said he and Keach met with John Jensen on the 25^th to go over FEMA paperwork for the spring flooding.

Standard wants a response from Norm Haggan of DOT concerning plans for the repairs to the corner by Pleasant Pond.

Old Business:

The Personnel Policy was tabled until Clerk Susan Runes returns.

A written update was received from Aaron Dumont concerning the Dunn land. The photos show that progress is being made.

Runes received $1,152.77 from FEMA, Claim #3206, for the 2/10/05 storm; McNeil is expecting two more checks.

Copies of the Draft Adult Only Business Ordinance will be available at the August 8 Town Meeting.

New Business:

Copies of the Meeting Procedures Policy will be forwarded to the Board for discussion and possible adoption at a later meeting.

Correspondence:

McNeil will give Keach the information on a workshop on maintaining unpaved roads.

Norton sent a letter to the Bartletts concerning hay bales in the road limits and a letter to Buckfield Town Manager Glen Holmes concerning the Recreation Program.

Cindy Dunn sent the Board Solid Waste and Recycling reports.

Silber took the information on the Maine PowerOptions website.

SUMNER SELECTPERSONS AUGUST 8, 2005

Attending: Selectpersons Mark Silber and Clifford McNeil, Clerk/Treasurer Susan Runes, Road Commissioner James Keach, Secretary Cynthia Norton, and George Twine of the Advertiser Democrat.

Warrant #3 was approved. The Minutes of July 26, 2005 will be read at the next meeting.

Forms and Reports:

Tree Growth certification was approved for Ronald and Marcia Turcotte, R9-14, and Mark and Shelley Jamison, R5-13.

A Request for a Background Check for a Concealed Firearm Permit was approved for William J Navarro.

Road Report: Road Commissioner James Keach received a revised bid for paving of $41.95 per ton from Pike Industries. This is for Gammon Road; Fields Hill will not be done. Keach has done FEMA work on Bonney Road, hauling in and leveling gravel. He also had gravel hauled in on Damon Road, graded River Road and ditched and installed culverts on Sumner Hill Road.

Old Business: Bid notices for mowing town cemeteries and properties and plowing at the Office will be sent out with a due date of September 13. It was decided to include mowing around the “Welcome to Sumner” sign on McNeil’s land.

Correspondence: McNeil took the information on the August 31 Oxford County Budget Committee Caucus.

Other: It was agreed to change the date of the meeting with the Buckfield Board to September 8 at their request.

McNeil and Keach were re-elected for another term at the Annual Town Meeting. Standard will assume the chair at the next regular meeting. Kelly Affleck was elected as School Board Director for three years.

SUMNER SELECTPERSONS AUGUST 23, 2005

The meeting began at 7:00 PM and ended at 8:00 PM.

Attending: Selectpersons Mark Silber and Clifford McNeil, Clerk/Treasurer Susan Runes, Road Commissioner James Keach, Secretary Cynthia Norton, and George Twine of the Advertiser Democrat.

The Minutes of July 26, 2005 and August 9, 2005 and Warrant #4 were received and approved.

Open Session: Resident Stephen Peters asked when the “No Engine Brake” signs would be put up in East Sumner village. Keach will see to it.

Katrina MacDonald came in with a list of signatures from residents of Arthur Allen Road who are bothered by the barking dogs owned by Maurice Hart. Mrs. MacDonald said the problem has not been solved even though the dogs were moved; their barking now is heard by others. She has called State Rep. Bruce Hanley with the problem. She asked why she can’t call ACO Dannie Paine. McNeil told her to call him and not Paine.

The Board looked at the Dog Ordinance and decided it is vague and the fee of $10.00 is too low. Silber will draft a new ordinance and a hearing will be held on September 8 at 6:00 PM. A Special Town Meeting will be held on September 27 at 7:00 PM.

Forms and Reports:

The Winter Road Maintenance Contract with Clifford Lowe was signed by the Board. Lowe will sign at a later date. The contract is for July 2005 to June 2008 in the amount of $2,050.00 per mile or $98,281.10 per year.

Signatures for Federal Surplus Property were updated.

Road Report: The Front Street sign was reported as missing. Keach is aware of it. He will move the sign from the bottom of the hill to the top of the hill to assist emergency vehicles trying to locate the road. Keach will also order signs for Front Street, McNeil, Black Mountain, Hedgehog Hill, Bradeen, Angie Libby and River Roads.

Keach will have Gammon Road paved in mid-September. Lowe has been having trouble plowing Jack Road because of the ruts; Keach will try to shim it.

Old Business:

Bob Barrett of Country Press will print 100 new Town Reports at the original price of $2.52 each for 550 copies.

Runes and Norton talked to Bob Penley about using Trio software for tax billing and collecting. The program seems to be capable of performing all necessary tasks and producing all necessary reports. Runes was given approval to order the software, which was part of this year’s budget.

New Business:

Norton will put out bid notices for the 1969 Caterpillar grader. Bids will be due October 11.

A joint purchasing survey from AVCOG was filled out.

Correspondence:

Norton received a report from Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants on plants taken from Pleasant Pond by a concerned resident. The plants are not milfoil, but protected native plants. A copy of the report was sent to the resident.

McNeil took the information on the Community Development Block Grant Statement for 2006.

Other:

The Board will meet at 7:00 PM on September 8 with the Buckfield Board to discuss the Transfer Station.

Bid notices for mowing and plowing are due September 13

McNeil has submitted paperwork in the amount of $76,186.96 for FEMA reimbursement for the spring flooding, Claim #1591DRME. He expects to receive about $57,000.

SUMNER SELECTPERSONS SEPTEMBER 8, 2005

The Board met at 7:00 PM with Buckfield Town Manager Glen Holmes and Buckfield Selectmen Oscar Gammon, Christopher Hayward and Lawrence Stanley.

Also attending were Clerk Susan Runes, Harvey Gallin of the Swap Shop Committee, Hartford Selectman Lee Holman and Secretary Cynthia Norton.

Holmes presented a Master Plan for the Transfer Station. He explained that the OBW dumpster is being filled with other types of trash due to the volume being brought in to the Station. He recommends purchasing another compactor in 2006 to pull one out and put one in to handle the volume.

He would like to change the hours for one commercial trash collector who takes up to a half hour on Saturday mornings.

Holmes said a Swap Shop could be set up using an 8’x20’x8’ SeaLand container with end doors. The container can be bought for about $2,500.00.

DEP is okay with the burn pad and brush pile. They will probably not allow a staging area on the old dump site.

Holmes recommends setting up an account for future growth, but said there is no need to expand for another 20 years. There is a need for a universal waste building.

MMWAC’s life expectancy is about 40-50 years; the original estimate was 20 years.

Silber brought up concerns about the cost of putting in a well and septic system at the Station and whether or not the water would be safe to drink. He suggested a composting toilet and bottled water. Holmes said he is looking at 3-4 people working at least 5 days a week in the near future.

Gammon suggested a 12’x12’ bathroom with 6” walls and 12” ceiling, using electric heat would be quite efficient. He stressed that OSHA requirements must be met.

Hayward moved to build a bathroom, put in a septic system and drill a well, build a Universal Waste Building and a Swap Shop using a SeaLand container on a trial basis. Gammon seconded. Unanimous vote in favor.

Holman asked that Hartford be allowed to cooperate with Buckfield and Sumner in the Universal Waste Building. Hartford alone does have enough volume to set up a building.

Standard said that the cost of building will be the same with or without Hartford; he would charge Hartford for disposal costs.

Holmes suggested monitoring disposal to track waste and charging a fee at the end of the year. He thought a meeting should be set up in 6 months to see how the partnership is working.

Holman said that Hartford residents could be required to go on certain Saturdays and sign in.

Holmes said he will draw up a contract; send it to the Buckfield and Sumner Boards for approval and then to Hartford. Holman will send him a copy of Hartford’s recycling figures.

He suggested, for future consideration, charging for stickers annually to generate funds.

McNeil moved to adjourn at 8:07 PM. Silber seconded. So voted.

SUMNER SELECTPERSONS SEPTEMBER 13, 2005

The meeting began at 7:00 PM.

The Minutes of August 23 and September 8 and Warrant #5 were received and approved.

CEO: Standard has talked informally with Canton Selectman Rick Ray who has suggested sharing a CEO. Ray noted that Peru and Rumford are also considering this option. Silber said he is interested in sharing this position, but that Sumner needs to do some research as to cost and responsibility. Sidney Abbott’s appointment as CEO/LPI was through August 31, 2005. Abbott is willing to be appointed again as CEO/LPI.

Abbott has inspected the Wayne and Virginia Campbell house. He found it in poor condition with a strong odor as evidence of many animals being kept in the house. However, the structure itself seems sound. He said the septic system is not legal; it is a very large tank that cannot be brought to code. He is not sure if there is enough land to install a new system. He does not know where the well is located. These are all problems for potential buyers trying to meet bank requirements. The Board stressed that if the house is sold, it must meet codes. It was agreed that the site improvement should be lowered to Grade 1, but the house would be left the same. Abbott will call the State and Runes will call about a Malfunctioning Waste Disposal System Information Packet.

Reports and Forms:

Tree Growth certification was signed for Richard K Bradley for Map R18, Lot 10.

Clifford Lowe signed the Winter Road Maintenance Contract and noted a changed phone number for a driver.

The Warrant for the Special Town Meeting to adopt a revised Dog Control Ordinance was signed.

A Request for Background Check for a Concealed Firearm Permit for Aaron S Newton was approved.

Appointments to the Planning Board were as follows: Gerald Farrar to 8/31/06, James Durfee to 8/31/08 and David Bragg to 8/31/07.

Road Report: Keach has been putting up the road name signs. Standard brought up again that he would like to use calcium chloride next year. Keach did not agree that it would be cost effective.

Keach has rented a tractor and mower for the week to mow the road sides. He will talk to Steve McGinty about the trees growing up on the corner across from Bonney Road; they are beginning to block visibility. McNeil will talk to Tim Bennoch about the vehicle parked on the corner of Rtes. 219 and 140 that is also blocking visibility.

Keach will be working on a culvert on Front Street in the coming week.

Old Business: The Board will continue work on the Personnel and Meeting Policies at the next meeting.

New Business: Two mowing bids were received. MBM Yard Care bid $8000 and Larry Gronewold bid $4050. Norton will contact the bidders and ask Gronewold to attend a meeting to discuss the contract expectations and to provide a letter of intent to purchase insurance.

No bids were received for plowing the Office Complex and the dry hydrants. The job will be bid out again asking for separate bids on the hydrants. Individuals will be contacted for their interest.

There was some discussion concerning the coming winter heating season and anticipation that there would be requests for assistance. McNeil suggested buying a cord of wood now to be delivered as needed. Runes said that CN Brown will deliver oil to GA recipients at the Town’s cost of $1.894 per gallon.

Correspondence:

The Town received a $358.00 dividend check from MMA for a low insurance claim record.

Norton will fill out the eminent domain survey.

Other:

New Office hours will start the week of October 4. The Office will be open Wednesdays from 8:30 to 4:30 and Friday from 9:00 to 1:00. The other days will remain the same.

Silber will not be at the October 11 meeting and Norton will not be at the October 25 meeting.

The meeting ended at 9:20 PM.

SUMNER SELECTPERSONS SEPTEMBER 27, 2005

The meeting was held following a Special Town Meeting asking for a vote on a Dog Control Ordinance.
The Ordinance was voted down by a vote of 16 to13. The Board will take the comments into consideration as they revise it for a future vote.

Attending: Selectpersons Thomas Standard and Mark Silber, Clerk/Treasurer Susan Runes, Road Commissioner James Keach, CEO Sidney Abbott, Secretary Cynthia Norton, residents Mary Ann Haxton and Martha Elkin and George Twine of the Advertiser Democrat.

The Minutes of September 13, 2005 and Warrant #6 were received and approved.

Open Session: Haxton told the Board that the Comprehensive Plan Committee will be setting up public forums to look at Land Use Regulations on November 16 at 6:00 PM and November 29 at 7:00 PM in the Town Office meeting room.

CEO Sidney Abbott has talked with the State concerning the Campbell property on R14, Lot 32. The property needs a tank and leach field and would need a soil scientist to determine options. If the Town condemns the building, the Town must tear it down. If the Town replaces the system under the guidelines of the Malfunctioning Waste Water Disposal System, the Town can place a lien for costs. A letter will be sent to the owner’s daughter advising her of the failing system and that it would be a violation of State code to have anyone living there. A copy of the letter will be sent to the mortgage holder.

Abbott has also been working on a Shoreland Zoning violation on the Redding Road and has been in contact with John Maloney about several campers which are too close to the river. There are no septic facilities.

Forms and Reports:

Supplements were signed for David Bragg for Tree Growth withdrawal: R16, Lots 18-6 and 18-7.

Taxes were committed with a mill rate of .01370, due November 19, interest starts February 4, 2006.

County Tax Assessor’s Return was signed for a tax of $32,986.

The Board accepted the General Assistance Appendices A-C.

The General Assistance Quarterly Report was signed and certifies no claims.

Appointments signed: Maintenance Supervisor Cynthia Norton to 8/31/06, Planning Board Gerald Farrar to 8/31/06, David Bragg to 8/31/07 and James Durfee to 8/31/08, Comprehensive Plan Committee Mary Ann Haxton, Martha Elkin, Edwin Hinshaw, Henri Arsenault, Joel Babb, Mary Colangelo, Pamela Farrar, Lana Pratt and Arlene Silverman to 9/1/06, Board of Appeals Robert Runes and Dana Stevens 8/31/08..

Road Report: Keach and McNeil have finished the paperwork and road work for the FEMA claim. Keach has been grading roads and changing culverts.

A letter will be sent to Norman Haggan asking for details on planned State work on the icy corner by Pleasant Pond. Keach noted that a small drain hole has been dug, but it will not alleviate the problem.

Standard received a call from Clifford Lowe stating that Jack Road needs work before plowing this winter; Lowe says the frost heaves make plowing impossible. Keach doesn’t think the situation is that bad, but he will look at the road with Lowe and perhaps put down some cold mix.

Keach talked to Steven McGinty about trimming trees on the corner near Bonney Road; McGinty is not willing to trim any trees except maybe some small pines.

Keach has had no word from Pike on when they will pave Gammon Road.

Old Business:

The Board worked on the vacation and sick leave portion of the Personnel Policy.

The Meeting Policy will be looked at on October 11; it needs editing.

New Business:

Phil McAlister has given the Town a copy of his research on the Judah Keen Cemetery and will be speaking at the next Historical Society meeting about his findings.

Correspondence:

Canton Selectmen would like to explore sharing a CEO; Standard will meet with them. Abbott brought up possible scheduling problems and the salary for a full-time CEO. He also reminded the Board that they must have an LPI. He personally inspects systems as soon as he can and tries to work with contractors and owners.

Silber took the information on the Smart Growth Summit seminar on October 20.

The MMWAC August report was filed.

The State sent recommendations for handling animals brought in from Gulf States.

Information on proposed amendments to Shoreland Zoning was taken by Standard and Haxton.

Standard took the questionnaire from Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

The Bureau of Labor Standards Update Meetings notice will be given to Fire Chief Robert Stewart.

Selectman Thomas Standard sent a letter to the Town officials concerning emergency preparedness. He has also talked to Buckfield Town Manager Glen Holmes who has a written plan that needs to be updated.

Other:

New Office Hours starting October 4: Tuesday 10:30-7:00; Wednesday 8:30-4:30; Thursday, 8:30-3:00; Friday 9:00-1:00; Saturday 9:00-12:00

October 11 meeting-Silber will not be there

October 25 meeting-Norton will not be there; Jane Chandler will come in to discuss changes in the Tri-County Rescue Bylaws.

Larry Gronewold will come to Nov. 8 meeting to discuss mowing

Account Activity Report to 8/31/05