TOWN OF STETSON
SELECTMEN’S MINUTES
Date: JUNE 09, 2021
I. OPEN MEETING
Millard Butler opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Millard Butler, Leslie Merrill, Brenda Clark, Tammy Buswell, and Danielle Withee were present.
B. MINUTES OF THE MEETING
1. Approve May 26,2021
Upon motion by Leslie Merrill, seconded by Danielle Withee, it was unanimously voted to approve the May 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes.
2. Approve April 28, 2021
Tabled for clarification.
C. QUIT CLAIM DEEDS
None.
D. WARRANT
1. Advantage Payroll Warrant #23
Upon motion by Brenda Clark, seconded by Leslie Merrill, it was unanimously voted to approve Payroll Warrant #23.
Expenditures #28
Upon motion by Millard Butler, seconded by Danielle Withee, it was unanimously voted to approve AP Warrant #28.
Expenditures # 29
Upon motion by Brenda Clark, seconded by Tammy Buswell, it was voted 3 to 0 to approve AP Warrant #29. (Leslie Merrill and Danielle Withee abstained)
E. BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Diane reported the estimated mill rate will be between 19 and 19 ½.
II. OLD BUSINESS
Discussion on Potential Buy Back on Foreclosed Properties
Personnel Policy.
Both items were tabled.
Tammy Buswell provided the breakdown of the electrical estimate from Barry Witham (see attached)
III. NEW BUSINESS
Election Results
Millard Butler read the Election results (see attached)
III. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. ANIMAL CONTROL Nothing.
B. APPEALS BOARD Nothing.
C. CEMETERY Julie Brownie was present and reported all is good. Tammy and Danielle stated they were the ones that reported the hole dug under the stone at the previous meeting.
D. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Nothing.
E. E911 Nothing.
F. EDUCATION Nothing.
G. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE Nothing.
H. EMT/RESCUE Nothing.
I. FIRE DEPARTMENT Millard Butler requested Diane to contact Levant and request a monthly report.
J. MEETINGHOUSE Nothing.
K. PARKS & RECREATION Corey Leighton was present and reported Bethany has received a letter from Linwood Lufkin,
and they have 3 options for concrete that they are looking at.
L. PLANNING BOARD Nothing.
M. PLUMBING INSPECTOR Nothing.
N. RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE COLLECTION Nothing.
O. ROAD COMMISSIONER Present, but nothing to report.
P. STATE LEGISLATIVE CORRESPONDENCE Nothing.
Q. TREASURER Nothing.
R. WELFARE DIRECTOR Nothing.
S. OTHER Nothing.
IV. TRAINING
In the process of training Crystal Waiculonis for the position of Tax
Collector, Deputy Treasurer and Deputy Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rita Albee requested something be done about people throwing old flowers etc. over the fence of the Coboro Road Cemetery.
Her brother owns the surrounding property and it has become an issue. Diane will put something in the newsletter pertaining to discarding flowers etc.
Julie Brownie will come up with the wording for signs, and both Leslie Merrill and Millard Butler have property to dump things like branches, leaves, etc.
Tom and Nicole Dejewski questioned how wide the Coboro Road was going to be when the ditching and work was completed.
His mailbox has always been in the same place and quite a distance from the road, and is now only 2 feet from the road.
Joe Gray will take a look and see what can be done. Tom also had questions on the budget process and the overdrafts to be ratified. The items addressed were:
Roads Overdraft and why……explained the winter budget could be items such as additional sand or salt being purchased,
the Road Maintenance could be items such as storm clean up or unexpected road work needing to done,
salaries could be accrued payroll and in previous years fire department on call hours that cannot be planned for.
Both Tom and Nicole questioned why only 3 of the 5 elected officials voted on the Expenditure Warrants.
Millard explained that recently there was a discussion about conflict of interest due to both Leslie and Danielle working for Joe Gray
so they should not be signing the Warrants because of monetary gain. Tom questioned only 3 being able to sign and that the town has elected
5 members to watch over town affairs. Millard explained that 3 members meets the rules of a quorum and that it is perfectly legal.
Leslie Merrill stated that he does not receive pay in the winter months, but does in the summer.
He also stated that if the compensation is not over 10% there is no conflict of interest when receiving pay.
Brenda Clark stated that the conflict of those receiving compensation has been going on for quite some time and the only way to fix the
issue is by both Danielle Withee and Leslie Merrill abstaining. Both Tom and Nicole questioned where town events or meetings were advertised,
they do not approve of the comments on the Stetson Rant and Rave Facebook page and do not want to be in the middle of what they feel to be ignorant comments.
Tom questioned who are the Administrators of the page and why are the comments allowed. He was informed that both Danielle Withee and Rita Albee are the administrators.
It was explained that the Agenda and information is also put on the Website. Both felt the website was not up to date. Diane will look into that.
Brent Dorman also questioned the $40,000 overdraft in roads and stated the board needs to get a handle on these overdrafts and go what is voted by the residents.
Millard Butler informed the public that they are going to keep a closer eye on the budget that is voted on and will be receiving monthly reports as to where the budget stands.
Jody Lyford questioned why article #18 was on the Warrant. Jody stated that it was voted to remove the article and now it is back and questioned why.
Diane will research. Jody also questioned why from what she can figure on the balance of the capital improvement account should be, why $4,000 was spent.
Diane will research. Jody also feels article #15 that changes the State Rating is too vague.
SELECTMEN COMMENTS
Brenda Clark stated she has been a board member for 14 years and is not the smartest member on the board but she has loved this town
and has never seen the bullying going on as she does in the present and others seem to be OK with it. Brenda stated that she will not be requested for
Executive session again and request that the issues with her be addressed publicly in an open meeting.
Brenda agrees with keeping a closer eye on the budget and also stated that the roads are in good shape and winter travel has been good.
She feels that a lot of sand may be wasted by the amount of it that is in the ditches in the spring. Brenda stated 50 years ago we had the same
type winters and the roads were maintained with $30,000 for maintenance and $30,000 for sand and salt.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion by Millard Butler, seconded by Danielle Withee, it was unanimously voted to enter into Executive Session per 405(6)(A)at 7:35 p.m.
Upon motion by Millard Butler, seconded by Danielle Withee, it was unanimously voted to come out of executive session at 8:40 p.m.
The decision was the written write-up.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Millard Butler, seconded by Danielle Withee, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
__________________________________Millard Butler
__________________________________Leslie Merrill
__________________________________Brenda Clark
__________________________________Tammy Buswell
__________________________________Danielle Withee
Minutes are recorded by;
Diane Lacadie