MINUTES December 18, 2008

SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
December 18, 2008
7:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairman J. Arthur Boivin, Vice-Chairman Frank DiConzo, Mark Belanger, Bradford Adley, Robert Cameron, Leonard Greaney, Kevin Saisi, Daniel Theriault, Peter Robichaud, Daryl Simard, Eric Giroux, Ernest Robichaud, Justin Thacker, Terry Karkos, Mark Tripp, Keith Bickford, Matt Peterson, Robert Chase, Ron Theriault, Henry Zinck, Jim Barnett, Bruce Farrin, Andy Russell, John Hamer, Phil Blampied, Tom Carey, Terri Palmer, Mary Greaney, Gary Wentzell

1. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman J. Arthur Boivin

2. All present pledged allegiance to the American Flag

3. Approval of Minutes from the Selectmen’s Meeting of December 4, 2008

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the minutes from the Selectmen’s Meeting of December 4, 2008. Vote: 4-0

4. REPORTS
A. SELECTMEN’S REPORT

Mr. Adley reported his attendance at the Rumford Hospital’s Open House. It was pretty impressive, he stated. Mr. Adley recently learned that there is a program for infrastructure improvement being proposed from the new Presidential administration that may help us with plans for Hancock Street. The Town Manager will look into this further. Mr. Adley asked for an update with the apartment building tenants in town tax acquired properties. The Town Manager gave an update on the buildings and the evictions of the tenants.

Mr. Belanger suggested that the Board not make motions unless it is an emergency during the Selectmen Reports, as the topic may not be on the Agenda. Mr. Belanger asked for the Department Manager Report to be more specific as to which Department Head will be speaking. Mr. Belanger stated that he believes an article in the Rumford Falls Times was misleading regarding EMS calls.

Mr. DiConzo reported that he and the Town Manager attended the Rock Maple SnoCross event at Black Mountain of Maine. The volunteers did a great job with parking, he stated. He found it very exciting and enjoyed watching the event. Mr. DiConzo addressed a letter to the editor in the Rumford Falls Times this week regarding fire trucks parked in the crosswalk and read a letter from a concerned citizen. The letter indicated difficulty for wheelchair bound residents to use motorized wheelchairs in certain areas of town.

Mr. Boivin stated that he accessed the rumfordfire.org site and discovered that Local 1601 has the copyright on the website. Mr. Boivin asked the Town Manager how this happened. The Town Manager did not know and suggested that the Fire Chief or Union President could explain. Mr. Boivin also wanted his email address removed that that site. Mr. Boivin also commented that he liked seeing the new faces in town here for the Rock Maple Sno- Cross Racing at Black Mountain.

Mr. Cameron arrived at 7:10 p.m.


B. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

The Town Manager reported attending the Rock Maple Sno-Cross event at Black Mountain and was quite amazed at the jumps of some of the riders. Regarding the fire trucks being parked in the front of the Fire Station, the Fire Chief has a policy in place that will address the issue. The Town Manager mentioned a concern from a citizen that our Selectmen Agenda’s do not have enough “meat in them.” The Town Manager plans to make a power point presentation on his view of Regionalization. He would also like to have Dean Milligan come to a meeting to give his a presentation on Med-Care.

C. DEPARTMENT MANAGER REPORTS (as necessary):

Mr. DiConzo made a motion to allow Gary Wentzell, a non-resident, to speak. Vote: 5-0

Fire Chief Gary Wentzell stated that for the record there is one on-duty full-time Fire Fighter here. The Chief gave an update on the apartment building inspection progress. For the time being we will go with the 2003 building code although the 2009 code would more beneficial to
the landlords. The Town Manager clarified the difference with the two different codes.

The final inspection of the new addition at Rumford Hospital has been completed with the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Deputy Chief Richard Coulombe wrote a homeland security grant for radios and communications equipment that was successful in securing important pieces of equipment. These items are to be for the use of our local communities.

Some of our Fire Department personnel assisted the Wells Fire Department in manning their station recently. We will be reimbursed for this effort.

Chief Wentzell reported on the mutual aid provided to South Paris in a recent warehouse fire. There were over 50 towns assisting and the town will be reimbursed through the insurance process.

Chief Wentzell explained his position regarding the manning of the Fire Station and EMS calls. Mr. DiConzo also stated his position on these issues. Chairman Boivin suggested a meeting with the Fire Chief and some Fire Fighters and the Board to go over these issues. The Town Manager and Chief Wentzell will prepare cost information for the next meeting.

5. REQUESTS OF CITIZENS PRESENT

Jim Barnett, a landlord in the area, brought in a copy of the code book that has been enacted by the town for the Board to see and commented on the contents thereof. Chairman Boivin asked Mr. Barnett to submit his concerns in writing to the Town Manager.

Ronald Theriault requested that the minutes of this meeting be adjusted to offset the inaccurate statements made by the Fire Chief. The Town Manager stated that information will be provided at the next meeting to add clarity to the two viewpoints expressed by Mr. Theriault and Chief Wentzell.

John Giambattista, an area landlord, requested having common sense inspections on the apartment buildings in town.

Mr. Cameron stated that the Board cannot make any changes in the codes that are being followed because the voters’ need to make that change. The Town Manager asked to have any suggested changes put in writing by those who are interested.

Kevin Saisi asked that citizens that speak during Citizen’s Request make a request under the current rules of order. Mr. Saisi asked what our plans are if Mr. Wentzell is not employed with the town during the budget process.

Mr. DiConzo reported that the Board is not authorized to make any changes in ordinances prior to April 1st of each year. He did not state who gave him the interpretation.

Mr. Cameron would like the inspection process placed on the next agenda to discuss moving forward with the current process or not.

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

7. NEW BUSINESS

A. Approval of Town Warrant dated December 19, 2008

Mr. Adley made a motion to approve the Town Warrant dated December 19, 2008. Vote: 4-0-1, Mr. Belanger abstained as he was not present to review the Warrant payables.

B. Approval of Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament at Fraternal Order of Eagles

Mr. Cameron made a motion to approve the Texas Hold ’Em Tournament at the Eagles. Vote: 5-0

C. Rumford Professional Fire Fighters Local Union 1601 Fund Raiser

Robert Chase, Local 1601 union member, answered questions from the Board regarding the recent fund raising efforts by the Local 1601.

D. Request for Funds for Praise Assembly of God Food Pantry

Justin Thacker, Pastor of Praise Assembly of God church, made a request for similar funding that had been provided to other food pantries at a previous meeting. He reported that a $100.00 donation would purchase approximately 550 pounds of food from Good Shepherd Food Bank to help needy families in the River Valley (75% are Rumford residents). The food pantry distributed 85 food baskets including turkeys to 85 families for Thanksgiving.

Mr. Cameron made a motion to donate $100.00 to the Praise Assembly of God Food Pantry. Vote: 5-0

E. CDBG Application for 2009 Housing Assistance Program: Voter Approval to Provide Matching Funds and Scheduling of Public Hearing

Phil Blampied, Coordinator of the Economic Development Committee, reported on the process of the application for the 2009 Housing Assistance Grant of $250,000. Mr. Cameron asked if there are other ways for the town to provide in-kind service. Mr. Blampied suggested increasing the in-kind from $3,000 to $5,000 to cover administrative services.

Mr. DiConzo asked whether the town could proceed on ordinance changes in this same “exigent circumstance” manner by placing an article on the Warrant. The Town Attorney was asked to look into this.

Mr. Cameron made a motion to approve the request to apply for a 2009 Housing Assistance Program Grant with the Town’s responsibility to be $25,000 for in-kind contribution, $5,000 for labor extended by town employees, and $20,000 from the Economic Development Fund. Vote: 5-0

Two Public Hearings on this matter will take place on January 7, 2009 and January 8, 2009

F. Approval of Liquor License Application and Special Amusement Permit for VFW

Mr. DiConzo made a motion to approve the Liquor License Application and Special Amusement Permit for the VFW. Vote: 5-0

G. Approval of Taxi Cab License for Robert & Mary Jones, dba Road Hog Express

Mr. Cameron made a motion to approve the Taxi Cab License for Robert & Mary Jones, dba Road Hog Express. Vote: 5-0

H. Approval of Taxi Cab License for Clarence Tompkins, dba Courtesy Cab

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the Taxi Cab License for Clarence Tompkins, dba Courtesy Cab. Vote: 5-0

I. Approval of Taxi Cab License for Matthew Bean & Deborah Cayer, dba Mountain Valley Taxi Service

Mr. Cameron made a motion to approve the Taxi Cab License for Matthew Bean & Deborah Cayer, dba Mountain Valley Taxi Service. Vote: 5-0

Mr. DiConzo asked to have the Taxi Cab businesses notified of the No Smoking policy when the licenses are sent.

J. Approval of Tax Collector Report

Mr. Belanger made a motion to approve the Tax Collector Report. Vote: 5-0

K. Financial Reports – Budget vs. Actual and Excise Tax

The Town Manager explained the reports submitted by the Finance Director.

Mr. DiConzo made a motion to accept the Financial Reports. Vote: 5-0

L. Appointment of Voter Registrar and Deputies

The Town Manager explained that the Voter Registrar appoints the deputies per the state law. Mr. Belanger made a motion to appoint Beth Bellegarde as the Voter Registrar. Vote: 5-0

8. Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRS §405 (6)(A) regarding a personnel mater with the Town Manager, Town Attorney, Public Works Superintendent and Public Works Superintendent Attorney

Mr. Belanger made a motion at 9:00 p.m. to go into Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRS §405 (6)(A) regarding a personnel matter with the Town Manager, Town Attorney, Public Works Superintendent and Public Works Superintendent Attorney. Vote: 5-0

Chairman Boivin declared the Board out of Executive Session at 10:20 p.m.

9. Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRS §405(6)(A) regarding a Fire Department personnel matter with the Town Manager and Fire Chief

Mr. DiConzo made a motion at 10:25 p.m. to go into Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRS §405(6)(A) regarding a Fire Department personnel matter with the Town Manager and Fire Chief. Vote: 5-0

Chairman Boivin declared the Board out of Executive Session at 11:25 p.m.

10. Adjournment

Mr. Adley made a motion to adjourn at 11:26 p.m. Vote: 5-0




Leonard P. Greaney
Town Manager
LPG/tp