JANUARY 31, 2007

Present:

Board members: GeorgeRichardson, Jr., Brenda J. Bonyun and John B. Swanton

Citizens: Michelle Chartier, Bill Cooney, Rhonda Cromwell, Ben Crehore, Norma Dreyfus

Dennis Dunbar, Ruth and John Nelson

Guest: Charlotte Boynton of Wiscasset Newsaper

Meeting Commenced:

1. George called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Business Conducted:

1. Warrant No. 31 for $13,031.90 was reviewed. George moved to approve it; Jack, 2^nd; Vote: 3-0.

2. Minutes of January 24, 2007 B.O.S. meeting were reviewed. George moved to approve; Brenda, 2^nd; Vote: 3-0.

3. Citizens issues:

A. Bill Cooney reported the town hall was cleaned out, dishes and silver had been cleaned and stored in sealed containers. The B.O.S. will place a thank you to the volunteers in the Westport Island Column.

Bill is concerned about the safety of the balcony. It would cost $2,000 to $3,000 for an inspection. The B.O.S. decided it is not safe for public use due to lack of assurance of the safety of the structure and the design of the stairs. It will be closed off for public use and used for storage only. The Town Hall committee will continue with the re-decking of the balcony floor to make that safe for storage.

B. John Nelson expressed a concern about the amount of sand and salt used on Town roads.

He also expressed a concern that appeals made to the Board of Appeals should come through the town office and be stamped with a date. He asked the Board of Selectmen to consider making a regulation as to how an appeal is to be filed, where it is to be filed, and see if there is a state statute on this. It was also asked if the Board of Appeals has a right to waive the time frame. The B.O.S. will check into it.

4. Other Business:

A. The B.O.S. signed appointments they had made last week.

B. The B.O.S. read two letters from Harrison General Contractors. One letter was in reference to a trench on Baker Road which the Board has directed the Road Commissioner to fill in once again. The other was a request for more salt. Morton Salt has agreed to sell salt at the same price as last year up to 125 tons. It will be delivered on February 1, 2007.

C. John Nelson shared a letter from G&D Cromwell regarding the savings a sand and salt facility would provide for our town.

D. George Richardson made a motion to reappoint Dedee Greenleaf Hodgdon as deputy Registrar of Voters and Town Clerk under Michelle Chartier. Brenda seconded the motion; Vote 3-0.

E. George read a letter from G&D Cromwell referencing the small sand and salt pile Ron Harrison had questions about last week. George will send a copy of the letter to Ron.

F. George presented a submerged lands lease for the public landing on Ferry Road that is good until December 31, 2035.

G. George attended a meeting in Edgecomb regarding the school consolidation plan. He shared his notes and has a packet of information available in the B.O.S. office.

H. George presented materials received from Mike Stern and Paul Nergaard. They have submitted an application for an appeal to the Board of Appeals in reference to the former Wright Property.

The Board of Appeals has requested an attorney to represent them in regards to this appeal request.

George made a motion to look into hiring James Katsiaficas of Perkins, Thompson, Hinkley and Keddy. Jack seconded the motion; Vote 3-0.

Brenda made a motion that the Board of Selectmen ask the attorney advice on hiring a court stenographer versus using a voice recorder. George seconded the motion; Vote 3-0.

I. George read a letter from the Two Bridges Jail about their industries program.

J. The B.O.S. signed a lease for the rental of the Wright House on the Ferry Road.

Meeting Adjourned:

5. George motioned to adjourn at 9:15 pm; Jack, 2^nd; Vote 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

George D. Richardson, Jr. Brenda J. Bonyun John B. Swanton