TOWN OF LIBERTY

SELECTBOARD/ASSESSORS

7 Water Street, P. O Box 116

Liberty ME 04949

Ph. 207-589-3014

Fax. 207 589-3160

MINUTES

LIBERTY SELECTBOARD

October 16, 2017 7:00 PM

Selectboard Attendance: Melinda Steeves, 1st Selectman

Carrie Peavey, 2nd Selectman

Henry Hall, 3rd Selectman

Town Officials: Administrator Kenn Ortmann, Deputy Treasurer Hannah Hatfield

Guest(s): Gregory Sprowl and Eleanor Powers

  1. Open Public Meeting:7:05PM
  1. Approve Minutes: Pursuant to review Selectman Steeves moved and Selectman Peavey seconded approval of the October 2, 2017 minutes. Unanimous.
  1. Warrant Review and Approval: Done.
  1. Public Comment
  2. Greg Sprowl to discuss proposed warrant article: Mr. Sprowl shared his plan to submit a warrant article for the next Town Meeting based on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection guidelines allowing municipalities to amend local ordinances to permit solar arrays and wind turbines within the shoreland setback with certain conditions. The Selectboard asked Mr. Sprowl to put together a package explaining his intent and the language he would like to see. The Town will then review that information and obtain feedback from appropriate sources to insure the language does what Mr. Sprowl wants and meets all legal requirements. The Selectboard asked Mr. Sprowl to provide the information as soon as possible. The Selectboard also promised to research whether this kind of a change to a zoning ordinance needs to come from the Planning Board or needs to go through a Planning Board review or vetting process.

The Selectboard emphasized that TA Ortmann is the primary contact person, but that it is Mr. Sprowl’s responsibility to do the work in compiling the package and specific request language.

  1. Hannah Hatfield, Deputy Treasurer ask for the Town to pay for her to attend training for Tax Collectors and Clerks. She noted that Jamie Davis will be attending the same training and that they will travel together. The Board stated its willingness to pay for the cost of the training course, but not for the time.
  1. TA informational items
  2. Media stories: None.
  3. Resident correspondence: TA Ortmann noted the receipt of a number of abatement requests.
  4. Receipt and dissemination of FY17 Audit: TA Ortmann noted hard copies of the audit report have been distributed to the Selectboard and the Treasurer and an office copy is available for public review.
  5. Account 196 estimate of taxes: TA Ortmann explained the circumstances surrounding his unusual letter estimating taxes to facilitate a property sale the next day.
  6. McLaughlin's Crossing Land for Maine's Future application update: TA Ortmann shared information from a letter indicating the application has been received and a decision is anticipated mid-November.
  7. County Tax Property Growth Factor update: TA Ortmann noted that archived copies of Commitments have not been created the past several years and that it is important to create them from now on to assist in the completion of several reports requiring year to year comparisons. He has already created an archived copy of the FY18 Commitment. The Selectboard asked TA Ortmann to add this as a last step to theCommitment process.
  8. Significant number of Montville customers compared to usual: TA Ortmann noted the additional workload caused by a significant increase in Montville customers. We do receive a modest payment for each registration we process but it does not cover the additional costs.
  9. One year anniversary performance evaluation in November: TA Ortmann noted his one-year anniversary is in November and asked the Selectboard to consider completing a performance evaluation.
  10. Other: None.
  1. Old Business
  2. Tree Growth information request update: TA Ortmann reported that he has been communicating with all five property owners whose tree growth properties will be inspected and anticipates having the requested information in the next couple of weeks.
  3. Tax Map issue update: TA Ortmann reported he and Gail have met with the Regional Planning Commission and contractor principals and are waiting for a proposal to review.
  4. Town-wide revaluation issue update: TA Ortmann noted he provided Mr. Robinson additional information and is expecting a proposal to bring to the Selectboard.
  5. Farmland classification request update: TA Ortmann reported he has a “phone meeting” scheduled for Tuesday, October 24 and hopes to have most of our questions addressed at that time.
  6. Other: None
  1. New Business
  2. Vic Ahlefeld resignation from Planning Board: The Selectboard asked TA Ortmann to contact Kerry Black to see if she is interested in moving from Alternate to Regular member status. If not, he should then contact Steve Chapin to determine his interest.
  3. Municipal Valuation Return (MVR) review and approval: TA Ortmann presented the completed document for the Selectboard’s signature.
  4. Other: None.
  1. Other Business: None.
  1. Adjournment: 8:27 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Kenn Ortmann

Town Administrator