Kingfield Selectmen Meeting Minutes
Monday May 15th, 2023; 6:00 PM Webster Hall 38 School Street
Attendance:
Municipal Officers: Wade Browne, Polly MacMichael, Hunter Lander, Morgan Dunham, Walter Kilbreth
Municipal Staff: Leanna Targett (Administrative Assistant).
Public: Terry Gunzinger, Todd Sanders, Jennifer Pooler, Kim Robinson, Terry Coffin, Sue Davis, Sue Pratt, Jessie Stinchfield, Barbara Barnes, Henry Williams, Jeff Maget, Annie Twitchell, Gary and Valarie Cheimis Via Zoom: Danielle Mathieu, Heidi Murphy, Richard Hawkes
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 MacMichael. Seconded by Selectman Lander. All in Favor
New Business:
Vice-Chairman Browne decides that he will move the schedule around to accommodate those in attendance that will be presenting to the board.
The floor is opened to Terry Gunzinger from Kyes Insurance to present the board with insurance options.
Terry discusses that the town staff currently has Anthem with a 200 deductible and a coinsurance after the deductible at 80% and a maximum out of pocket cost of $1,700.00 per single. Which costs the town $95,347.56 for seven employees. He would like to offer a Harvard Pilgrim plan where one of the staff can go on Medicare and the other six employees will cost $540.93 monthly or an annual cost of $39,573.24 with an annual savings of $55,774.32. The health reimbursement will pay 85% of claims after the deductible. The employee will pay 15% of the cost for services up to $1,050.00 annually. Preventive care is covered at 100%. Claim payments are only paid if a claim happens – otherwise the town could save $35,000.00 that would be set in an account for future usage. On the Anthem plan you pay the premium with no savings if there are no claims. The question is asked if there were options for life insurance, dental and vision. Terry indicates that he could offer similar products.
Chairman Dunham moves into the bid opening for One-ton truck. Bids are as follows: Alex Dunham $9,500.00; Emery Bubier $13,800.00; Paul Wilcox $7,711.00; David Distefano $6,820.00 and Jordan Excavation $8,750.00. Selectmen Kilbreth makes a motion to accept the bid from Mr. Bubier. Seconded by Selectman Browne. Motion passes 4 to 1 abstain (Dunham abstains).
Next item of business is to hear from Superintendent Todd Sanders to discuss the MSAD #58 proposed FY’2023-24 Budget. Superintendent Sanders provides information to the board and introduces those in attendance from the school board and the new financial director Jennifer. He says that we are on the cliff that he mentioned last year and have lost most of the revenues and grants received from Covid funds. He says we have placed eight teachers and one nurse back into tax costs which brings the cost up 7.46% for locals. The overall budget is $11,584,908.00 which is an increase of $1,418,788.00 or 13.95%. The Town of Kingfield gone from $1,709,765.45 to $1,891,056.86 or an increase of $15,108.15 per month. The question is raised as to why Kingfield must pay so much more than other towns and has the least number of kids. Superintendent Sanders explains that it is based on state valuations. Following further discussion, the board thanks Superintendent Sanders for the information.
Chairman Dunham states that Bobby Brown is unable to be in attendance tonight from the Utility Advisory Committee to provide an update.
Board reviews the Town Meeting Warrant for 2023. Selectman Browne makes a motion to approve. Seconded by Selectman Lander. All in Favor.
Chairman Dunham moves the discussion onto banning drive-throughs in Kingfield. Selectman MacMichael states that this is something she wanted to discuss more and asked that it be on the agenda. She states that there are provisions through the contract zoning and comp plan that will potentially cover that concern. The Contract Zoning will provide a safety net.
Old Business:
Board reviews the road survey plans submitted. There is board confusion as to what the scope of the work will be so the board requests that Bob Lightbody be at the next meeting.
The next item is the appointment of a Town Manager. AA, Targett explains that it is the boards responsibility to determine a term. She has suggested 1,3 or 5 years. The board discusses the term of 3 years. Chairman Dunham makes a motion to appoint Leanna Targett as Town Manager for a three-year term beginning June 3, 2023. Seconded by Selectman Lander. The vote passes 3 to 2 abstain.
Board discusses job description for new Town Manager. Chairman Dunham says she really like the state one as it is very straight forward, she appreciates the one AA, Targett put together, but it may be too much. Selectman MacMichael says the process has been completed backwards. She would like to see things such as grant writing, probation period, town investing, working with family, marketing tied to the TIF, upholding the comp plan and performance reviews streamlined. Chairman Dunham says she will write one up and plan to bring to the board in June. Selectman MacMichael offers to help.
Administrative Assistant Updates/Discussion:
AA, Targett says that she and the treasurer have been working on Time clocks to see what is offered and would be presenting to the board soon. She has spoken with AVCOG about our need to update our comp plan, however they will not be able to assist with much at this time. She also reached out to the company that Carrabassett Valley has chosen. A follow-up discussion is scheduled for after town meeting with a possible plan to begin work late fall. The fence has been repaired by Jim Boyce as we had one spare section. When she inquired about the fence panels, she was told that although they might be able to get a few panels they are becoming obsolete. In her opinion maybe the board should think about perhaps contacting someone like Justin Jordan to make a nice ornate metal fence. And lastly, On April 20th I was invited to attend an earth day celebration hosted by Carrabassett Coffee. This was a great collaboration with Maine USDA representatives and a commercial specialist from Revision Energy. This meeting was to highlight the 92 solar panels installed on Carrabassett Coffee’s roof which was funded by USDA’s REAP program. They indicated that the panels would cover 90% of the companies’ electrical needs and the carbon offset was certainly a reason to celebrate. I have discussed a potential meeting that I would be willing to host, where I would invite all nearby towns to participate in a gathering to understand what they have to offer for services and grants for businesses.
Selectmen Discussion:
Selectman Kilbreth asks how the insurance plan gets initiated. AA, Targett says she had discussed with Terry the need for a cost on dental insurance, vision insurance and life insurance. We would also need to provide the current company with at least 30 days’ notice, maybe more.
Selectman Browne wants everyone to consider attending the school budget voting next Tuesday. The Marathon has been completed for another year however he would really like someone to talk to us in advance next year.
Selectman MacMichael asks for an update on the conditions of roads. AA, Targett says the roads with severe damage have been fixed and she has submitted claims to MEMA for possible funding. Chairman Dunham notes that Island Road is always a problem area with storms and wonders if the people should consider discontinuing it.
Selectman Lander wishes to thank Travis Targett for wading in waist deep water down in the field to get the wastewater truck and trailer. Selectman Browne notes that Travis also purchased a nice used truck for wastewater.
Chairman Dunham asks those on zoom how the voice quality is. The response is good. She also asks about the mixer in wastewater if it is for sale. She is also concerned about the churches in town that are closed and not paying taxes. AA, Targett says this has been on a list for a few years and should be delt with.
Public Comment/Other:
Sue Davis suggests the board consider a cement pad that could be anchored firmly to the height of the road down on Island Road. AA, Targett mentions that the board has discussed a sluiceway which is like what she is mentioning. Sue says there are issues next to her house with Stanley Brook where the ground has started to cave about 2 feet and the rock wall has moved out. AA, Targett says she talked with Dan Davis earlier about this and has called DOT.
Selectman Browne makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Selectman Hunter. 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.