BOARD OF SELECTMEN, TOWN OF GEORGETOWN
Minutes for the Selectmen’s meeting Thursday, October 15, 2015
Bill Plummer called the meeting to order at 7 pm with Geoffrey Birdsall and Kate MacKay present.
Others in attendance: Bob Trabona and Rick Cliffe.
Public Hearing to adopt General Assistance Appendices A-D. Action: Mr. Birdsall made a motion to open the
hearing at 7:01pm which Mr. Plummer seconded and a vote of 3-0. After asking for public input and receiving none, Mr.
Birdsall made a motion to close the hearing at 7:02 which Mr. Plummer seconded and a vote of 3-0. Mr. Birdsall then made
a motion to adopt the General Assistance Appendices A-D which was seconded by Mr. Plummer and a vote of 3-0. The
paperwork was signed by all three Select members.
Public comment: none.
Items to be added to agenda (if approved by chair and board): none.
Scheduled appointments: none.
Minutes: On motion, Selectmen approved minutes of the meeting of September 22, 2015 as amended.
Review any bills, building permits, deeds and/or declarations. Action: Selectmen reviewed items.
Assessing Items Pending:
Abatement Applications: Covino, Janet (11U-011) recommendation from Bill VanTuinen. Action: The Convino’s would
like a reduction in valuation of their dwelling as it has no heat and is on a pier foundation. They are also concerned about
the percentages being used and that they have no hearth but are being assessed for one. Mr. VanTuinen was able to visit
the site and enter the premises for his review. His recommendation to the board is that the abatement be denied for the
following reasons: the software used already takes into consideration that the building is on a pier foundation; there is a
hearth in the house which has a woodstove with a pipe to the masonry chimney; the physical condition of this structure is
superior to the older structures and the software already takes into account the combination of age and condition. After
the review, Mr. Birdsall made a motion to deny the abatement request and was seconded by Mr. Plummer and a vote of 30. The Select board signed the paperwork and Mary will draft the letter.
Correction of acreage on Wilhelm, Charles (05R-032) – survey received. Action: Mrs. Wilhelm brought up to Mary earlier
this year that there is a discrepancy between the acreage that the town has and what they believe they own. Mary
explained that a survey would be required to change the record. The survey was completed and shows acreage of .37.
Mary asked the Select board if they wanted to correct the record now or have them request abatement. Mr. Birdsall
made a motion to correct the record prior to commitment of taxes which was seconded by Ms. MacKay and a vote of 3-0.
Stage Island: request from appraiser for penalties of withdrawal from open space and Mr. VanTuinen’s response. Action:
Owen Appraisal is inquiring as to the penalty to take Stage Island, or a portion thereof, out of Open Space. Mr.
VanTuinen has determined the penalty for both the entire and a partial. The Select board reviewed and authorized Mary
to forward on to the appraiser.
Discussion of work updates. Action: Mr. VanTuinen has completed all field work and all new inputs have been entered.
He has run initial reports to set the mill rate. He is concerned about the inland lot valuation and requested the Select board
consider reducing the land schedule. The Select board discussed and Mr. Birdsall made a motion to leave the schedule as
is which was seconded by Mr. Plummer and a vote of 3-0.
Setting mill rate: Action: The Select board discussed various rates and Mr. Birdsall made a motion to leave the mill rate
the same as 2014-15 at 7.38 which was seconded by Mr. Plummer and a vote of 3-0. The Select board requested bills go
out as soon as possible. Will try for the 23 rd of October which will make the bills due just before Christmas.
Correspondence:
ME DEP: transfer station operators training program in November. (already forwarded to Jim Coombs)
ME Revenue Service: proposed 2016 State valuation (same as preliminary).
ME Revenue Service: Sales ratio analysis to complete. Tabled until setting of mill rate for 2015-16.
MMA: directory for 2015-16.
MMA Risk Management: Workers Compensation renewal.
Sagadahoc County Sheriff: September incident report.
Bath Housing: announcing a new community aging in place (CAP) program.
Kennebec Estuary Land Trust: grand opening of Morse Pond Preserve on Saturday at 12:30.
Robinhood Marine Center: Mr. Vavalotis announcing his intention of selling Robinhood Marine Center.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: announcing Gardens A Glow on Thursday – Sunday nights Nov 21 – Dec 31.
Funding request from Spectrum Generations ($920.)
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October 15, 2015
Action: unless otherwise noted, items filed, recycled, posted or forwarded as appropriate.
Other Correspondence: Certificate of Insurance for Mainemoss, Inc.
Minutes: Conservation Commission, Aug 10 & Sept 14; Harbor Committee, June 18; Planning Board, Aug 19 & Sept 16.
Old Business:
First Church: work continues. Action: Mr. Plummer noted that there will be a work party this weekend. Ms. MacKay is
inquiring about a plan, which Mr. Plummer says we will have.
Board and committee vacancies -- members still needed for various committees. Action: noted -- not addressed.
Transfer Station openings: Barry will be out so may need more coverage. Fence for bottles is completed and being used.
Action: Select board requested Mary place ad in the Times on Fridays (3).
Finance Advisory Committee role: items tabled from previous meetings. Action: tabled.
Damage to Mountainside Cemetery fence: parts have been ordered by Pine Tree Fence. Action: noted.
Roof work over gymnasium and town office: School Committee request for utilization of the reserve fund – copies of bids
and 2015 roof inspection report. Action: The School Committee has an RFP out for the roof above the gymnasium / art
room and the Town Office. They will act on those bids at their meeting on October 20 th. The Select board discussed and
Mr. Birdsall made a motion to allow the School Committee to use an amount not to exceed $36,000. from the capital
reserve fund. Mr. Plummer seconded the motion and the vote was 3-0.
Continuing items:
Receipts for pumping: Dewitt, Robert (06R-031).
Maine Waste Discharge License renewal application: Lammert, Warren (01U-067).
Maine Waste Discharge License renewal application returned by DEP to Dunton, Susan (11R-033) as incomplete and a
potential alternate method available.
Maine Waste Discharge License approved renewal applications: none.
NRPA Application: Swift, John and Cheryl for a new permanent pier and seasonal ramp / float at 737 Bay Point Rd.
New business:
Request from Conservation Commission re: a letter of introduction from Select people for four students to collect public
data on wells, septic systems and culverts in town. Action: Ms. MacKay advised the board that as a result of
discussions on the Climate Change Adaptation Report and groups that have started from those discussions, the four
students (from UNH) will be doing an inventory of culverts, wells and septic systems and will not be going to homes.
Mr. Birdsall made a motion to write the letter, which Ms. MacKay seconded and will draft. The vote of support was 3-0.
Request from Conservation Commission: they have had a request to begin a roadside clean up in the spring. They would
like to know if there are liability issues in sponsoring such an event. Action: The Select board discussed with Mr.
Plummer noting that we used to have a clean-up day. Mary reported that she has checked with the insurance company
and this would be covered under our volunteer accident insurance and that she needs a listing of the people to be sure
they are on the list of possible volunteers. Mr. Birdsall made a motion to support which Ms. MacKay seconded and a
vote of 3-0.
Request from Tricentennial Committee for a letter of support for usage of the Tricentennial logo for a pictorial postmark to
celebrate our 300 years that will be available next June through the summer. Action: The Select board discussed and
unanimously voted in support of a 300th year postmark with Mr. Birdsall making the motion and Mr. Plummer seconded.
The vote was 3-0 and Ms. MacKay will draft the letter for the Postmaster.
Request from Town Office staff to rent a shredder for a Saturday – offer to residents ? ~$700. No date set as yet. Action:
The Select board discussed and Mr. Plummer is not in favor. Mr. Birdsall does not feel it should be open to the public.
After further discussion Mr. Birdsall made a motion to authorize which Ms. MacKay seconded and a vote of 2-1.
Appointment of Catherine Collins as Election Warden. Action: Mr. Birdsall made the motion to appoint Mrs. Collins as
the Election Warden which Ms. MacKay seconded and a vote of 3-0. The appointment paperwork was signed.
Update from Tom Sheehan that he is working with the State and various other organizations on Perkins Island and there
will be a bunch of work done next summer to include: rebuilding the barn, painting the bell tower, a new roof and door
on the oil house and a trail around the island for walking. He is also working on a ramp and float for boat access.
Action: noted with thanks to Tom for his hard work and effort.
Request from Treasurer for authorization to borrow money in anticipation of tax revenue (NTE $400,000). Action: Mary
updated the board regarding the needs to pay county tax on October 30. Mr. Plummer noted that last year the TAN cost
us about $90. Mr. Birdsall made the motion to authorize the Treasurer to obtain a tax anticipation note not to exceed
$400,000. Ms. MacKay seconded the motion and the vote was 3-0.
Letter from neighbors of 5 Ballfield Lane regarding its condition and responsibilities of the homeowner. Action: The
Select board discussed and understands the frustration, however there is no ordinance in place and there is not a lot the
town can do. We have quite a few of these buildings around town, this one is just more prominent than others. Mr.
Birdsall will draft the letter to Mr. Bacon.
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October 15, 2015
Other items / updates: Financial Statements for September (if ready – not); hauling numbers for September; update from
Ms. MacKay on MMA Convention. Action: Ms. MacKay updated the board on some speaker events / seminars
attended. One was regarding going Solo in America and the statistical evidence indicating a large increase in single
people homes in America. 48% of American adults are single and 25% of households are single occupancy. Those stats
would indicate that Georgetown may have as many as 250 single people and what does that mean for emergency services
etc. Another was about broadband and that it is often based on needs / size / quantity of the businesses and since we
don’t have that many we need a different model for Georgetown.
Items for signature: appointment paperwork for Election Warden. GA Appendices paperwork. Action: signed.
Public comment: none.
Executive session: Under 1MRSA §405.6f to discuss General Assistance matters (if needed); and 405.6a to discuss
personnel matters (if needed); and under 405.6f to discuss a legal matter (if needed).
Action: none needed.
Adjournment: On motion, the Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:20pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary F. McDonald
Asst. to the Selectmen
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October 15, 2015