Minutes Board of Selectpersons of Sweden, ME

July 28, 2009

Present were: James Willey, William Jones, Alberta Ridlon, DJ Curtis, J. Gibbons, Jean Bouchard, Bobby and Terri Johnson, Rob Drew, Crystal Libby, Vicky Brown, Earl Buker. The meeting was opened at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The warrant was read and signed.

Bids for the Town Property at 1132 Knights Hill Road were opened: Leon Emery 12,599., Rebecca Forbes 10,000, Sowing Seeds for Life Food Pantry 10,650, Norris Bennett 11,612, Collin Stevenson 10,848, Karen Buchella 14,755, Brian Fran 15,000. After considerable discussion and statements from Terri Johnson, Crystal Libby and Vicky Brown representing the Food Pantry, Mr. Willey moved to table the decision until the next meeting August 4. So voted (3-0) Vicky Brown stated that the food pantry was using 2,000 volunteer hours a month and moving 12,000 lbs. of food a month. They have visions of developing agricultural programs for children if they had their own property. They would apply to Good Shepherd and United Way for funds to buy the property.

Bids for the Winter Roads contract were opened. Rob Drew and Mr. Wilson submitted bids. Rob Drew's was significantly less (59,660 vs. 86,350). Mr. Willey moved to accept Rob Drew's bid for 2 years from Oct. 1, 2009 through May 30, 2011. $59,660 per year, 1900 per mile, all sanding done for 55 per hour for 4 yard truck, 70 per hour for 7 yard truck, 80 per hour for 14 yard truck, $2 per yard for loading sand.

DJ Curtis had documents concerning MMA coverage for town buildings. The document showed a total valuation of $594,322 with an $8,773 fee. DJ pointed out that the Fire Department only had $6000 left in its account for the rest of the year. We owe Lovell $8,750 for rubbish which will be paid in September.

Information on Bonding for Roads: a Bond for both Hardscrabble and Plummer School Road for $515,000 for 15 years would be $48,870 per year. A 20 year bond would be $40,785.24 per year. Mrs. Ridlon asked if we could split the bond and do one road now and do the 2nd when our other indebtedness was taken care of in 5 years. Mr. Bouchard emphasized the necessity of putting in shoulders and doing annual crack sealing.

The town has not spent anything from the Urban Rural Initiative program this past year.

Mr. Buker spoke of the very poor condition of Trull Brook Road and asked that it be addressed. Mr. Willey said he would request that Mr. Drew work on it immediately. Mr. Willey stated that signs for Ridlonville Road and Webber Pond Road and a slow sign would be installed soon.

Mr. Jones stated that he had not heard back from the Internet Installer he had contacted.

Minutes of the July 14th meeting were approved.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:36. Jane Gibbons, clerk