MINUTES
MEETING OF THE RICHMOND BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
6:30p.m.-THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2009
0.0 BUDGET WORKSHOP 6:30P.M.-7:00P.M. (SEE ATTACHED)
1.0 CALL TO ORDER 7:00P.M.
Selectmen Present: Seth Goodall, David Thompson, Burt Batty, Tracy Tuttle, and Rose Beckwith. Others present: Sean Pierce, Greg Rose, Doug Remmington, Steve Bennet, Rick Cody, Jim Goodall, Clarence Cummins, Judy Savage, Glenn Dewitt, Harold Averell, Paul Adams, John Ottum, Andrew Pierce, Gary Emmons, Steve Musica, and Laurisa Loon.
Selectman Beckwith made a motion to table the budget workshop to follow the scheduled selectmen’s meeting, Selectman Tuttle seconded, motion passed (5-0).
2.0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.0 REQUEST TO APPROVE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF APRIL 9, 2009
Selectman Batty made a motion to approve the minutes, Selectman Tuttle seconded, motion passed (5-0).
4.0 APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS
4.1 Seth Goodall Resignation
Selectman action to accept Selectman Goodalls resignation effective June 2009.
Selectman Thompson made a motion to accept the resignation with regret and thanks for his service, Selectman Tuttle seconded motion passed (4-0-1) Seth Goodall abstained from vote.
5.0 PUBLIC HEARINGS, PRESENTATION
5.1 Ambulance Service Presentation-Steve Musica
Discussion of possible ambulance services proposed by Northeast Ambulance Service.
Ambulance Service Presentation- Emergency response for Richmond and Dresden, along with Woolwich and Bowdoinham, (there are approximately 250 calls between Richmond and Dresden on the average). Northeast will provide education for first responders, a basic EMT class for up to 12 people for each community at no cost to the town except the cost of text books and testing fees. A basic EMT class can cost $6,200 on average. The classes total 125 hours offered 2 nights a week. Northeast also has a mutual aid agreement with Gardiner. The surrounding area would never be left uncovered if an ambulance was called out. Northeast has their own billing department, uncollectible bills are not billed back to the town. The billing department can also set up billing plans for residents in need. They also offer special event coverage at no cost i.e., “Richmond Days” and “fire scene” coverage for the fire department 24 hours a day. Northeast Ambulance does not handle extrication.
Resident/Fire Fighter stated that he has worked with Gardiner Ambulance for 20 years and they are excellent first responders. Gardiner services nine (9) other towns including Gardiner.
The Town of Dresden would house the unit at their fire station. The Dresden residents have deliberated and would like to negotiate a contract with Northeast. Northeast Ambulance cannot serve Dresden if Richmond is not on board.
6.0 ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS-UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1 Selectman’s Ordinance on Town Roads
Selectman action requested to adopt an ordinance allowing the Town to Impose restrictions upon the gross weight of vehicles on Town Roads during periods of the year as determined by the Selectman.
Selectman Thompson made a motion to approve the ordinance as drafted adding the verbiage “municipal officer or the designee.” The posters state the designee is the Town Road Commissioner. Selectman Beckwith seconded, motion passed (5-0).
Selectman Batty made a motion to add 7.2 Consideration of the Jaws of Life for the Richmond Fire Department to be purchased with existing funds, Selectman Thompson seconded, motion passed (5-0).
7.0 ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS- NEW BUSINESS
7.1 Construction of I-295
Concerns about the on/off ramps for traffic driving North in the Southbound Lane.
There are no plans to have an on ramp in Bowdoinham and Richmond. The public hearing will be held Wednesday the 29th at 6:30p.m. at the Bowdoinham Town Office. The Northbound traffic will be pushed onto Southbound, with a June 15th closure date. Southbound traffic will be on Route 201 (the same as last year) and the Topsham ramp will be used again. Lighting will be in place by the off ramps. Further discussion to follow at the May 7th Selectmen’s meeting.
7.2 Fire Department Purchase-Jaws of Life
Chief Pierce negotiated a sale of $15,000 and would like to purchase this equipment in May. The actual savings consists of $3,609.
Selectman Tuttle is concerned with which ambulance service contract the board is going to decide on. If we go with Northeast the board should consider the purchase. Approximately 12 out of 20 fire fighters are trained to use the equipment.
Selectman Batty made a motion to allow the fire department to purchase at a special sale the “jaws of life” out of the current operating budget not to exceed $15,000 for the current year, Selectman Beckwith seconded, discussion: There is a warranty and training with the purchase of the equipment. (Motion Pending)
Selectman Thompson made a motion to table, Selectman Tuttle seconded, motion passed (4-1) Selectman Batty opposed.
Selectman Thompson made a motion to add 7.3 Ambulance Contract, Selectman Tuttle seconded, motion passed (5-0).
7.3 Ambulance Contract Decision
Selectman Thompson made a motion to accept Northeast Ambulance, Selectman Beckwith seconded, motion passed (5-0).
Selectman Thompson made a motion to take 7.2 off the table, Selectman Beckwith seconded, motion passed (5-0).
Selectman Goodall called for a vote on the pending motion under 7.2 to allow the purchase of the “jaws of life” at a special rate out of the current operating budget no to exceed $15,000., motion passed (5-0).
8.0 MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS-ORAL & WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
8.1 Public-Is concerned with the recycling and the bins always being full. Selectman responded that for May and June a second bin will be delivered for a $175. (Hauling cost, the bin is currently located in Scarborough). The Town Meeting in June will request $15,000 to install a compactor.
8.2 Selectman
Selectman Batty- Would like the board to revisit the parking ordinances there is a need for a number of handicapped parking spaces in the village, near the Library, down Main Street, Weymouth & Front Street by the park. The waterfront committee has a meeting Monday, April 27th at 6:00p.m.
Selectman Tuttle-Thanked Steve Musica for the memorandum. There is an abandoned home on Water St. that animals are living in, could the CEO further investigate. Questioned if Micro Technologies is going before the planning board?
Selectman Beckwith-Questioned if the path behind the public works garaged could have some gravel added to the path.
Selectman Thompson-The REA contract will be on the agenda for the next Selectmen’s meeting.
Selectman Goodall-Would like the town to look into a Public Garden Land location. There needs to be new seeding along the waterfront park along the sidewalk. Selectmen’s park needs to be cleaned along with the welcome boxes. Town personnel stated the will begin planting the first of May.
8.3 Town Manager-Brad Foley is working on getting the sign up for “jake brakes.” There is no money left over from the Stormwater contingency, Clifford Goodall is scheduled to be the moderator for Town Meeting.
8.4 Boards & Committees-Glenn Dewitt stated the Emergency Plan is being updated to incorporate the RSU. All towns will need a Certified Manager.
9.0 Warrants
9.1 Request for action regarding all disbursement warrants.
Selectman Thompson made a motion to sign the warrant, Selectman Tuttle seconded, motion passed (5-0).
10.0 ADJOURNMENT
Selectman Tuttle made a motion to adjourn, Selectman Beckwith seconded, motion passed (5-0).
The Board reconvened the Budget Meeting at 9:45p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:______
Laurisa Loon, Administrative Asst.
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