Meeting Minutes

Board of Selectpersons, Sweden, ME
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Present were: John P Smith, C. Wayne Miller, JD Curtis, John Clifford, Wyatt Ridlon, Rob Drew, Jane Gibbons  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6 p.m.

Roads:  Mr. Clifford reported on extensive work on culverts on all roads in Sweden. Still to be completed are Haskell Hill Road, Marr Road and Wint Road.  More culverts were needed.  There had been a meeting with Alberta Ridlon, John P. Smith, John Clifford, Wyatt Ridlon and Phil Curtis discussion in depth the Hardscrabble Road and Plummer School Road.  There was discussion of returning Plummer School Road to a gravel road because the hard surface road had never been built properly and because it is too costly to keep it up.  Calcium Cloride would be sprayed on the road to keep the dust down and would need to be sprayed on the surface whenever it is graded.  The complete report has not been received.  Mr. Ridlon said that it would take a lot of preparation time to prepare a plan for Hardscrabble road and submit the applications for funding.  Concerning grading, Wyatt Ridlon stated that Trull Brook Road and Lee Gray road needed grading and that he was working with Mr. Drew to show him the possibilities of what is involved in a good grading job. We might have to hire professional graders from outside the area possibly costing $100 per hour and pay hourly wages.   If and when the Hardscrabble Road project is undertaken, it might be necessary to use Trull Brook Road as a by-pass. More gravel would be needed there.  Due to the extensive amount of work being done on the roads, the Road Commissioner and his deputy were asked to submit mileage claims. 

Warrant was signed.

Handy Man:  Mike Duval is not able to supply insurance for the amount of work envisioned.  John Smith recommended Jason Wentworth of Lovell.  He charges $25 per hour.  John Smith moved that he negotiate with Mr. Wentworth and secure a copy of his insurance being sure the town is named as additionally insured.  Voted (2-0)

The Conservation Commission has installed two flower barrels in front of the town office. 

The contract to install Blow Brother’s toilets at the town beach was discussed.  The time approved was to start July 1 and be for 2 months.  There was some question about whether or not we were overcharged last year.  DJ to follow up.

The contract for purchase of the town owned property by Mr. and Mrs. Don Andrews was approved with their down payment of $199.  They are to pay $300 a month until the back taxes and legal fees are paid in full.  The signatures of the Selectmen were notarized by Jane Gibbons. 

            There were no new developments in the Flint/Nason contract.  The minutes were corrected to state that their payments would be $800 per month.  It was moved and seconded that the contract drawn up by Peter Malia for the Flint/Nason purchase of the town owned property be approved.  Voted (2-0)

            Mr. Smith has the voting place requirements for the wheel chair accessibility to the town hall for elections.  The list of work on the Town Meeting House per the inspection report include the painting of corner boards on the town hall, repair of clapboards, painting of rear door interior and exterior.  At the salt shed 4 x 8 sheets of plywood need to be installed and the metal cover on the sliding door needs repair. Repair support for pole barn. Wash exterior of Town Office where furnace exhaust vent is located and tend to extra satellite wire outside. 
            
            The Selectmen need a locked drawer in the Vault room.  DJ said that a couple of the drawers could be combined.  There are padlocks available.

             Flag Situation:  Patrick Cowen complained about flags and had called Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller referred the matter to Mrs. Ridlon.  She left a message on Mr. Cowen’s machine.  He was told that the Board had voted to accept the flags.  Mr. Cowen stated that he had given the town an easement when they needed it.  Mr. Smith went to see Mr. Cowen and agreed to have some of the flags removed from near his home. Mr. Noble removed some, but there was still one which Mr. Cowen wanted removed. Mr. Noble will move that flag to another pole. 

             Elections:  Mrs. Gibbons said that the school board election will be Tuesday, May 25th in the town office and asked that the voting booths be brought over from the Town Meeting Hall.  They will need to be moved back to the Town Meeting Hall for the State Primary Election on June 6th.  Mr. Miller and Mr. Smith volunteered to move them.

:            Dan Harris’ Electricity:  Mrs. Gibbons had received emails from Dan Harris concerning his desire to run underground electrical wires under Perry Hill Road.  He had contacted McIvers Electric and they had called Eric Gulbrandsen.  Mr. Harris stated that he’d been given the run around.  The Selectmen stated that the contractor needs to contact CMP. 

            John Smith moved that a flower arrangement be sent to Mrs. Ridlon who underwent surgery today.  An amount of $40 was approved.  Mr. Miller will order the arrangements from Warren florets
            
            The minutes of the April 13th meeting were approved with the correction concerning the payments due from the Flint/Nason contract   being $800 per month.

            The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

            Jane Gibbons, clerk