Selectmen’s Meeting, December 16, 2021

TOWN OF SEDGWICK
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
December 16, 2021

Opened the meeting and established a quorum present/ Selectmen present: Ben Astbury, Bob Publicover, Michael Sheahan. Also present: Clerk/treasurer Cindy Reilly, Assistant Barbara Grindle, Christine diPretoro, Donna Benninati (by phone Jerry Wetterskog, Jeffrey Roth).

Changed some wording on CEO report. Moved, seconded and voted to accept the minutes as amended.

Reviewed and signed the treasurer’s warrant for $26,688.79: snow $4,149.16; legal $91; Snow’s Cove project $18,248.99; administration $7.96; fees $104; clearing/MV $856.50; fire protection $3,171.18; sludge $60.

CEO REPORT: CEO absent

DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1) Tax Collector interview: Discussion: Conducted two interviews. Successful candidate was Maxine Friend, who will work with tax collector until she leaves on Jauary 6. She will fill out the rest of Gray’s term of office.
2) Review Proposed Remote Meeting Policy: Discussed draft policy which was easy to read and well written, it accomplished the need for remote select board meetings as required by Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (Title 1, M.R.S.§ 400-414). Policy only affects the board’s use of remote meetings, not the public as long as the town offers the opportunity.
3) Any Unresolved Business: None

ACTION ITEMS: Will act on the Remote Meeting Policy after the Public Hearing.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: DiPretoro asked about the length of tax collectors term remaining. (Little over two years) Policies regarding finances will remain the same. Also asked about GSA; they would not expect tuition increase from all sending towns if only one town refused to accept it (one town did not accept the increase). Answer was that it was not a written policy. They are still working on being transparent to the public.

ADJOURN: Recessed at 6:31 p.m. until 7 p.m. public hearing.

Opened the Public Hearing at 7 p.m. Asked if there was any more discussion on the Remote Meeting Policy. There being none, closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m.

Returned to the regular meeting, and signed the Remote Meeting Policy.

There being no further business, adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Grindle, Assistant