Minutes Board of Selectpersons, Sweden, Maine May 12. 2009

Present were Selectpersons James Willey, William Jones, Alberta Ridlon, Tax Advisory Committee members Ron Sislane, Jean Bouchard and Ken Forde, Road Commissioner John Clifford, Clerk Jane Gibbons, briefly Lenny Lavoie, and at the end of the meeting Carroll Murphy representing the Budget Committee. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6 p.m.

Mr. Willey reported on the conversation with the Lovell Selectmen relative to rubbish and recycling. They are receptive to Sweden using their facility. A capital outlay of $10,000 would be needed for a 5 year contract. The annual charge would be $17,500 for collection of all kinds of waste including bulky waste, white goods, metal, household rubbish and recycling. They require those who bring rubbish to separate recycling. They are open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Sweden residents would have to transport their own items to Lovell and there would be no roadside pickup. Mr. Jones will ask MMWAC how they will handle the amount attributed to Sweden for rebate purposes. The Town of Lovell will have a special Town Meeting June 6th and this will need to be approved by the town voters at that time. A mailing will need to go out to Sweden residents and property owners with specific instructions about recycling.

Mr. Willey has been working on the winter road bid. Mr. Clifford reported that the culvert on the dirt portion of Black Mtn. Road had been lowered. He will have the one on the tarred section repaired. A culvert on Lee Gray Road has been repaired.

Mrs. Ridlon reported that discharges had been completed on 35 liens.It is not known how many more are left to be processed. Mr. Bouchard expressed concern about the sending out of 30 day notices. Mr. Jones said that an opinion from MMA indicated that the Selectmen had no jurisdiction over the Elected Tax Collector unless they suspected malfeasance. Mr. Bouchard requested that Mrs. Flint be at the next Selectperson's meeting, May 26, to answer questions. DJ reported to Mr. Willey that she does not have a copy of the letter to the Selectmen that Mr. Forde requested. Mrs. Ridlon will call to get a copy from the Auditor (Chandell Associates). Mr. Forde gave Mr. Willey a letter asking for to see the letter.

Mr. Willey reported that the process for putting properties out to bid includes putting notices in newspapers. The new owners would be responsible for costs and clearing back taxes. In the meantime, Mr. Forde pointed out that structures need to be protected until the property is sold.

Ms. Gibbons gave more up-to-date figures concerning the school taxes and State Valuation. Sweden's valuation has gone from $68,500,000 to $77,250,000, an increase of $8,750,000.Our school tax assessment will be $651,229, an increase of $42,566 or 6.99% over 2008. The State valuation is set by the Dept. of Revenue. Mr. Jones will attempt to find out why our valuation increased so significantly during a recession. Mr. Murphy had talked to the Assistant Superintendent of SAD 72.He reported that he had a conversation with Representative Sykes who said he would look into it.

Ms. Gibbons also reported on a conversation with Mr. Berabe of O'Donnell Associates (Assessor's agent). He suggested that current Tree Growth Tax Law applications be filed by year and then by map and lot number within that year. Applications over 10 years old should be filed by map and lot number and kept permanently until the property is no longer in Tree Growth. He said there was no problem in filing deeds in the Assessor files. Ms. Gibbons pointed out that we need more space for the files as they are already full and tables blocking the file cabinets need to be removed.

The minutes of the May 5 where approved with the following corrections: Blain Chapman not Wayne Chapman, 8.65% increase in State Valuation, and minutes approved by 2-0. The vote to approve the May 5 minutes with corrections was 2-0. Mr. Willey had left to attend the Lovell Selectmen's meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

Jane Gibbons Clerk