Kingfield Selectmen Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023; 6:00 PM Webster Hall 38 School Street

Attendance

Municipal Officers: Wade Browne, Polly MacMichael, and Hunter Lander

Municipal Staff:  Leanna Targett (Administrative Assistant).

Public: Henry Williams, Jeff Maget, Annie Twitchell and Adrianna Morse

Via Zoom:  Walter Kilbreth

Absent: Morgan Dunham

Vice-Chairman Browne calls the meeting to order.

Meeting minutes from April 3rd, 2023, are reviewed by the board. Motion to accept meeting minutes as written by Selectman Lander. Seconded by Selectman MacMichael. All in Favor

Old Business:

Follow-up discussion from budget meeting. Board reviews questions submitted by Shannon Garwich at the first budget meeting along with AA, Targett’s hand-written answers.  Vice-Chairman Browne says he feels we have answered them the best we can.  Selectman MacMichael says she agrees and suggests that we do not purchase any additional items at this time.  She suggests that we s ask for feedback during upcoming meetings.  Selectman MacMichael asks what the additional cost is for added pages in the town report for the audit.  AA, Targett says she is uncertain on a per page cost, but she does know that the budget amount allocated is spent each year.  The board agrees that this is not necessary for the town report and could be set up as a side bar on the town website instead.  Selectman MacMichael asks if anyone else had any thoughts on the request that TIF funds be spent on outside requests prior to it being allocated to the VEC funds.  She says she might be okay with that idea for now but if a big project comes up then the VEC would need to be first.  Selectman MacMichael says she would still like the board to consider paying off the fire department loan.  The interest is 4%.

The next item of business is to make recommendations on outside requests. Recommendations are made as follows:

Vice Chairman Browne says that the board has two road surveys plans before them. The board agrees to take home, study, and plan to move forward at the next meeting with a decision.

  New Business: 

 Board reviews the sewer commitment for April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023.  Selectman Hunter makes a motion to approve as presented.  Seconded by Selectman MacMichael. All in Favor.

Board reviews the Franklin County mutual aid agreement for fire protection in Salem Twp. Selectman Hunter makes a motion to approve as presented.  Seconded by Selectman MacMichael. All in Favor.

 Administrative Assistant Updates/Discussion:

AA, Targett asks the board for their intentions with the one-ton truck.  The trade-in value is $4,000.00 .  Following board discussion it is agreed that it will be placed for sealed bid with the minimum amount being $4,000.00 and bids will be opened at the first meeting in May.

AA, Targett says she was made aware this past weekend by Selectman Browne that he had received a post card in the mail about the upcoming Sugarloaf Marathon however no one has come before the board to check in.  She has reached out to Sugarloaf and the two individuals that would have come before the board are no longer employed.  She did find someone else in sales that will be at the next meeting.

AA, Targett says she is in receipt of a bid for the compaction testing for the Tufts Pond Project from SW Cole.  This is the company recommended by Wright/Pierce and she would just like to get the board’s approval to move forward.  Vice-Chairman Browne makes a motion to move forward and have Leanna sign documents.  Seconded by Selectman MacMichael. All in Favor.

 Selectmen Discussion: 

Selectman Lander notes that the caution tape on the broken fence has disappeared. He also asks if the wood chips were ordered. AA, Targett says yes, they should be here the first week in May.

Selectman MacMichael notes that she did not see any mention of a town sign on the VEC agenda.  AA, Targett explains that she was informed that it will be on the next agenda.

Selectman MacMichael asks if there has been any movement on time-clocks for the town employees.  AA, Targett says none to report, it is still on her to-do list.

Selectman MacMichael says she would be interested in revamping a discussion on ARPA funds and wonders if they could be spent on redoing the comprehensive plan.  AA, Targett says she is not certain if this an allowable expense but would like to suggest the board consider the “comp plan funds” that were established sometime ago by David Guernsey for grant matching.  AA, Targett will reach out to AVCOG on this.

Selectman MacMichael suggests that the town look into an energy audit, and possibly place solar panels on town owned buildings.  Selectman Kilbreth explains to the board his experience with solar panels and suggests we look at all factors.

Selectman MacMichael asks for clarification on voting. She was expecting to see the warrant articles for changing the zoning ordinance on the ballot and has not.  AA, Targett says no, the articles are still be discussed with MMA Legal.  AA, Targett says that the way everything has played out we did not meet the deadline for these to be placed on a ballot.  The ballots have already gone to print as they must be available May 1^st for absentee requests.  The articles are still being reviewed by MMA Legal.

Public Comment/Other:   

Annie Twitchell addresses the board with her concerns with the marathon and explains that the issue she sees is that spectators blocking the entire road so that it would be difficult for someone like her (and a few others) that are fire department personnel to get through the roadway in a timely manner.  Following discussion Vice-Chairman Browne says he is not sure there is a solution to this problem and notes that someone will attend the next meeting.

Selectman Lander makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Selectman MacMichael. All in Favor.

*The minutes provided above are a summary.  A voice recording is on record at the Kingfield Town Office and is available upon request.   Minutes by Leanna Targett.