Minutes Board of Selectpersons of Sweden, ME

August 11, 2009

Present were John Smith, John Clifford, Bill Parmelee, Heather Hoover, Warren Noble, Eric Gulbrandsen, Jane Gibbons, James Willey, William Jones, Alberta Ridlon. The meeting was opened at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The arrant was signed.

It was moved that the bid for the 1132 Knights Hill Road Property be awarded to the highest bidder. Approved (3-0). A statement from MMA staff attorney Rebecca Seel declared that the sale should go to the person whose bid is higher than the others provided that person's bid satisfies any bid requirements established by the board and advertised to the bidders and further provided that the bidder does not have a demonstrated track record of being irresponsible. If the board didn't want to base its decision on price, then they would have needed to use another process, such as a request for proposals. There were additional issues surrounding the codes for in-home business. There is nothing in the comprehensive plan allowing for charitable or education organizations to establish public distributions centers.

Roads: It was proposed that paving be added to the crack down the middle of Plummer School Road. The Board was to look into hot top crack sealing. Mr. Noble mentioned the pot holes on Hardscrabble Road. Some had been filled, but many remained. Mr. Clifford would contact Mr. Drew to address the issue.

Mr. Noble said that for the town to have a municipal Fire Department, the town would have to adopt a fire ordinance. It was mentioned that Thomaston had a well written ordinance. The question of minimum wage payments was raised. Currently the volunteers are compensated $15 per call. If the call lasts more than 4 hours, the compensation is doubled.

There is a problem with Town Hall door keys. Many keys do not work in the front door and some only work with difficulty in the back door. Ms Gibbons had lost one of the keys and had new ones made in Bridgton, but they did not work. Mr. Willey stated that he would have new keys made. Mr. Noble suggested having new ones made by a locksmith in Fryeburg Harbor.

Issues concerning partial payment on the property owned by the Alvin Flint family were reported by Mrs. Ridlon. A Credit Union check for 2005 taxes was never cashed. Some payments for back taxes need to be applied to the taxes most in arrears. The family was advised that non- payment by one family member is their problem and that outstanding back taxes are paid first. Mrs. Ridlon expressed concern that the Tax Collector was not taking care of the matter is a timely manor. She also said that Gerald Gareri was embarrassed to see his name in the town report as owing $27 back taxes when he had believed the tax situation was dealt with at the time of sale of the property. Mrs. Ridlon further stated that even though it was a busy time of year for the tax collector, the tax collector should have been working on releasing of liens. Mrs. Ridlon has offered to help, but Mrs. Flint has no time to show her what to do to complete the process.

An issue surrounding food pantry traffic was discussed. Ms. Gibbons volunteered to talk to Crystal Libby and suggest that those working at the pantry park in the Brick School house lot and near the north end of the town office lot. Patrons could use the few spaces near the driveway. Patrons should be discouraged from street parking and parking near private property below the church.

Mr. Jones offered corrections to the August 4th minutes. The minutes were approved with corrections. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55.

Jane Gibbons, Clerk