TOWN OF WESTPORT ISLAND

BOARD OF SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS AND OVERSEERS MEETING

APRIL 25, 2007

 

Present:

 

Board members:   George D. Richardson, Jr., Brenda J. Bonyun and John B. Swanton

Citizens:  Ben Crehore, Norma Dreyfus, Dennis Dunbar, Ron Harrison and Bill Hopkins

Guest:  Charlotte Boynton of the Wiscasset Newspaper

 

Meeting Commenced:

 

  1. George called the meeting called to order at 7:10 p.m.

 

Business Conducted:

 

  1. Warrant No. 43 for $20,274.31 was reviewed.  George questioned Ron Harrison’s bill for road improvements done in April on Post Office Road.  Ron had not gotten permission to fix the road from the Road Commissioner or the Selectmen prior to completing the work.  The state statute does not allow work on town roads prior to approval.  George suggested we could add Ron’s bill to the FEMA form and reimburse him out of those funds.  George moved to approve the warrant with exception of Mr. Harrison’s bill for work on the road until FEMA funds arrive.  Jack seconded the motion; vote 3-0.

 

3.   The minutes from April 1, 2007 were reviewed.  George moved to accept them

as written; Brenda, 2nd; vote 3-0.

 

  1. George asked Jack to post on the website a note for anyone with loss of food in their freezer or refrigerator, or private structure damage to report that value to the American Red Cross at 874-1192.  Also, there are 50 clean up kits available at the WVFD.

 

Citizens Issues:

 

  1. Dennis Dunbar presented four project agreements for the B.O.S. to sign

regarding the Clough Point project.

 

  1. Bill Hopkins discussed plans for the Town Hall improvements to make it handicapped accessible.  The parking spot must be paved the size of three parking spaces. He had one quote from Gene Reynolds for 1,000 square feet of pavement for $3,200.  Jack moved the Town Hall committee obtain a second bid and present it to the B.O.S. next week.  George seconded the motion; vote: 3-0.

 

  1. Ron Harrison agreed he will pick up the town owned sand pile located at G&D Cromwell’s facility free of charge.  G&D has agreed to load it for him at no charge.

 

8.   Norma Dreyfus and the B.O.S. have agreed on a date of May 21st before their request is deemed denied on their property assessment request for abatement.

 

9.   The B.O.S. reviewed a letter to Mr. Powell reference the Back River Boat

Access and agreed to sign it.  George moved to approve; Jack, 2nd ; vote 3-0.

 

10.  George motioned the Westport Community Association wine tasting event scheduled for May 19, 2007 at the Town Hall be called a town function.  Jack  seconded the motion; vote 3-0.

 

11.  George presented the Maine Emergency Management Agency Damage and

Injury Assessment estimate.

 

12.  George reported that if we anticipate a large turnout at the Town Meeting, we

have been offered the Woolwich/Wiscasset Baptist Church for a fee.

 

13.  George motioned to have interested parties submit bids by May 9th to the Town of Westport Island for mowing the Town Office, the Town Hall and the sides of the roads (yearly). Each bid is to include a certificate of liability insurance and a list of equipment.  Jack seconded the motion; vote 3-0.

 

14.  George read an email from Sally Sacchetti asking if we had received her check.

 

15.  Mario DiPietro wants to put his land under farmland.  George dropped off the

information and application at the Inn.

 

16.  Michelle Chartier has requested to attend three workshops for Town Clerk.  Vital Statistics is $50, Records Management is $30, and Licensing is $50.  Jack motioned to approve her attendance and reimburse her mileage.  George seconded the motion; vote 3-0.

 

17.  The selectmen reviewed three bids for replacement of shingles on the Town Hall.  Gary Richardson bid $7,020; Eben Greenleaf bid $11,250; and D&D Builders bid $9,000.  Jack motioned to approve Gary Richardson’s bid of $7,020. Brenda seconded the motion; vote 3-0.

 

18.  The selectmen set a date for public hearings on town referendum items for May 12th at 9 a.m. George motioned to get a legal opinion from MMA on whether we have an option of which petitions we can put on the referendum. Brenda seconded the motion; vote: 3-0.

 

19.  The selectmen approved the Town Report dedication as written.

 

20.  George motioned to have X-Press Copy prepare the town report again this year;

Jack, 2nd; vote: 3-0.

 

21.  The B.O.S. signed an assessment letter for Gale/Pierce on M1/L 79.1.

 

22.  George moved to cancel the abatement on Map1/Lot 79.2 because it doesn’t

qualify under statute; Jack, 2nd; vote: 3-0.

 

23.  The B.O.S. rescheduled the Selectmen’s meeting of May 16th to Tuesday, May 15th so they can attend the Front Porch Meeting in Edgecomb that Wednesday.

 

24.  Jack motioned to accept the change in Dianne Roberts’ tax bill following CMA Gene Huskins’ recommendation based on a survey.  Brenda seconded the motion; vote: 2-0-1. George abstained as Diane is his sister.

 

25.  Jack motioned we abate Diane Roberts $30.04 for being overcharged 99 feet of shore front;  Brenda, 2nd; vote: 2-0-1. George abstained as she is his sister.

 

Meeting Adjourned

 

26.  Jack motioned to adjourn at 10:20 pm.; Brenda, 2nd; vote: 3-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

George D. Richardson, Jr.

 

 

 

Brenda J. Bonyun

 

 

 

John B. Swanton