Minutes, Board of Selectmen, Sweden, ME

December 23, 2008

Present: Jean and Annette Bouchard, Ken Forde, John Clifford, Rob Drew, Warren Noble, Ron Kiesman, Selectmen Willey, Jones and Ridlon, DJ Curtis, Jane Gibbons. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:04 p.m. The warrant was read and signed.

Ken Forde of the Tax Committee asked if the Selectmen were satisfied with the Tax Collector discharging 10 liens a week. Mr. Forde doubted that our records were accurate with respect to liens and discharges. Mr. Noble pointed out that the tax collector is paid for a certain number of hours work and doing discharges adds hours for which she is not paid. The Selectmen will meet with the Tax Collector on Monday, Dec. 29th at 6 p.m. in a workshop session. Voted 3-0.

DJ Curtis distributed packets on projected articles for the annual town meeting with respect to expenditures and the fire department financial report.. One projection assumes that the town votes to go over the LD 1 limit. A second projection assumes that cuts of $35,000 will need to be made to keep within the limit. We are already another $1,200 in the hole this year for winter roads and Mr. Drew has indicated that more salt is needed before the end of 2008. Mr. Bouchard asked if we have a job description for the Road Commissioner. He was concerned that the Road Commissioner ought to be monitoring the loads as they are delivered. Discussion followed concerning town people and independent contractors taking sand and salt from the salt shed. The doors on the salt shed should be locked. Town residents can take limited amounts of salt from the shed where the trucks are housed. Mr. Willey will put up a sign.

The Budget Committee will be invited to attend the first January Selectmen's meeting (the 5th).

Planning Board member Ron Kiesman is resigning as chair. Dave Johnson will become a member of the Board. Voted (3-0) The Clerk was asked to phone Mr. Johnson to have him sworn in.

Fire Department: Voted to have the Fire Department rake the roof of the Fire Station garage. (3-0)

Ms. Gibbons pointed out the need to have a non-electric telephone available for when the office loses electricity. Mr. Noble went to hook up the extra phone.

Mr. Jones reported that higher speed internet service would cost $1,200 in the first year, which would include installation and monthly charges. He will bring in more precise figures for the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35, Jane Gibbons, Clerk