Selectmen’s Meeting March 11, 2021

TOWN OF SEDGWICK
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
March 11, 2021

Opened the meeting and declared a quorum present. Selectmen present: Ben Astbury (by phone Bob Publicover, Michael Sheahan). Also present: Assistant Barbara Grindle (by phone CEO Duane Ford, Jeffrey Roth, Jerry Wetterskog, Donna Beninati, Danny Weed).
There being two typos in the minutes of the last meeting, moved, seconded and roll call voted 3-0 to approve them as corrected.
Reviewed and signed the treasurer’s warrant for $6,395.76: fees $151, m/v clearing $1,981.25, administration ballot clerks $519.63, misc. $300.50; fire protection $969.47, 3- town transfer station research $1,772.20; general assistance $701.71.
CEO REPORT: Planning Board meeting Tuesday was very fruitful; they worked in-person at the fire station which has room for social distancing. Talked with the state representative for junkyards re the auto recycling business on the Ridge Rd.– the town is responsible for holding the business to its permit restrictions, if town pulls the permit, the state will automatically pull theirs. The Robert Gray Company property is needing inspection, he needs fencing and monitoring of the tanks and vehicles. Following up with DEP and dealing with paperwork.
DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1) Elect chairman of the Select Board – Ben Astbury nominated as chairman for the ensuing year. Roll call voted 2-0-1 (Astbury abstained).
2) Election Results – All candidates reelected – Total of votes 59. Astbury for 3rd selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the poor with 57 votes, Gray for Tax Collector with 56 votes, Elizabeth True for school board with 54 votes, and Kristin Cashman for school board with 55 votes. All have been sworn into their offices. Registrar wishes to thank all who helped at the election, including the school staff for advertising on the school sign.
3) Workshop with Budget Committee/Superintendent – School has changes to consider with change in finances from the state, will discuss and vote Tuesday. Postponed the meeting until next week.
4) Any Unresolved Business – a) MMA has posted possible stimulus money for municipalities, will discuss when figures are solidified. The money may have some restrictions that need to be met, but hope to be able to use at least part of it to help reduce the burden on the taxpayers.
b) The roof on the vault section of the Town Office has in desperate need of new shingles. Astbury will check with Jon Woodward in connection with several other projects.
c) Sheahan met with the MAC heat pump person for an estimate: 3 heat pumps (2 in public office, 1 in selectmen’s office) for a total of $9,750. Efficiency Maine and The Nature Conservancy promotions will combine to leave a purchase price of $2,475 installed, electric hook up would be extra. Will check with Paul Gallo to have estimate on a previous request and add this to it.
d) A Brooklin resident noticed a fire ring on her shore. Access possibly from the public access at Salt Pond. Astbury will talk with the forest service warden.
ACTION ITEMS: none
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Wetterskog asked that the tax commitment book be put on a digital drive for the Broadband Communication Committee’s use in reaching out to the townspeople.
Beninati would like to communicate with adjacent towns, public utilities, looking for state and federal grants. Also looking for technical people to help on the committee. Will put information on the town webpage and mailchimp to keep the public informed.
Chairman of the Planning Board Weed will post the meeting agenda, and have the site plan review on the website for review by a subcommittee of the Planning Board.
ADJOURN: There being no further business, moved, seconded and roll call voted 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Grindle, Assistant