Minutes of the Board of Selectmen – Town of Sweden

May 6, 2008

Meeting was opened at 7 p.m. by Selectman Willey.   In attendance were Selectmen Willey, Jones and Noble, Clerk Gibbons, Virginia (Tilla) Durr, Ron and Carol Sislane, Rev. Anita White, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Adamson, Edith Day,   James Day, Jeff Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Davis Kimball.   Pledge of Alliance was offered.

The Sweden Community Church presented a plan to form a fund to help people having trouble with expenses.   The essence of the fund would be the community helping each other.   Ms. Durr gave out a sheet (attached) explaining the fund and a list of questions for setting up the fund.   A primary question is whether the fund should be administered solely by the town, by the church or by a combination of the two.   At this point it is designed to be an emergency fund and confidentiality is of great importance.   Presently Sweden residents are referred to Community Concepts and the Health and Human Services Department.   Sweden’s General Assistance is reimbursed by  ½ of its disbursements by the State.   General Assistance is administered by paying bills such as heating or food directly to the agency to which the residents owes money.   Mr. Noble said he would check with MMA and DHS about legalities of the town being involved in such a fund.   He will contact Rev. White when he has talked to them.   Mr. Willey and Mr. Noble were favorable to exploring the idea.   Mr. Jones was concerned about the responsibility of town government involvement.   The representatives of the church will return next week.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Adamson were here to present a contract for the next three years for Trash Collection.   There was concern that the previous suggested figures did not include the significant rise in fuel charges.   The old contract had left out figures.   The Adamson’s will refigure their original estimate.   In the mean time the Selectmen will update the contract to include corrections in names of roads.   No date has been set for metal and bulky waste pick up although the end of July was suggested.

Mr. and Mrs. Day with their lawyer Jeff Lewis reported that they were negotiating a land exchange with Davis Kimball, wanting to secure a right-of-way on property on Kezar River Road bordering Lovell off of the Lovell Road.   The concern is that Mr. Davis Kimball’s property is in Tree Growth and releasing it from Tree Growth will incur major a financial burden.   The Selectmen suggested that the lawyer contact the Assessor Dennis Barebee of O Donnell and Associates to see how the property would be reevaluated and the restructuring handled.

Joaquin and Kristen Almeida have been appointed officials in the Town.   Joaquin will service as Alternate Appeals Board Member and Kristen will serve as Alternate School District Board Member.   The selectmen approved their appointment and they were sworn into office by Clerk Gibbons.

The May 31^st informational meeting was discussed.   Mr. Noble wants to send out a letter with several attachments concerning the Fire Station Building, the excess expenditure on winter roads, rubbish collection rules, Bulky waste and metal pick-up dates and the Sweden Emergency Fund and the contact information for people seeking General Assistance.   The Selectmen will need to be present at the meeting for the presentation concerning the winter roads and for answering questions about response from other towns about covering Sweden ’ fire protection.   The time for the Special Town meeting was set for June 14^th at 9 a.m. (approved 3-0)

Roads: no report

Knights Hill Road Compliance:   A court date has been set for the eviction hearing: Wednesday, May 28 at 9 a.m. in Bridgton.

Cemeteries:   Blaine Chapman is to submit a bid for Cemetery mowing.   Mr. Willey thanked the people who helped rake cemeteries on May 2.  A letter was received from First Impressions Cleaning concerning insurance liability etc. The Selectmen asked Ms. Gibbons to call Sandra Weygrandt and ask her to clean the town office every other month as only $600 had been voted by the town for cleaning. (3-0)

A School District Budget meeting will be held May 22 at 7 p.m. at Molly Ockett School Gym.   Two clerks are needed. An election will be held at our Town Meeting House from 4 to 8 p.m. on May 28^th. (Approved 3-0).

Ms. Gibbons was asked to investigate window coverings for the office window in the Clerk’s and Treasurer’s area.   It was suggested that she visit Lowes and Home Depot. Ms Gibbons will consult with Mrs. Flint.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50.