Town of Milo MINUTES



Town of Milo Minutes

Municipal Office Selectmen’s Meeting

6 Pleasant Street February 4, 2020

Milo, Me 04463

MEMBERS PRESENT: Paula Copeland, Eric Foss, Tony Hamlin and Tony Heal.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Peter Hamlin.

6:30 PM Call to Order– by Paula Copeland, Chairman Pro Tem

MINUTES:

Next meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Damien read a letter from Valley Grange #144 in Guilford. They wanted Milo aware that their building is available if Milo needs to use it for any reason.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS:

Dan Branch, Blue Sun Tea & Herb Co, wanted to speak to the Board regarding his business. Dan and Emily Cassidy are managers for Blue Sun Tea & Herb Company. Their plan is to have a Medical Marijuana Dispensary at 106 Park Street. Dan handed out paperwork highlighting what their plans are. They have already completed all the requirements at the State level. The Board stated their part of the process is to only opt in. A Public Hearing needs to be scheduled.

AGENDA:

DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

Treasurer – Ellen informed the Board regarding the Auditors. They were at the office for 2 days and they will be sending the final reports soon. Everything went well.

Library – Annette informed the Board the computer wires she was concerned about at the Safety Meeting has been taken care of.

Public Health Officer – Ben stated he had no report.

Public Works – Mike stated that during the last few years, two plow trucks have been sold with only 1 truck being replaced. This makes the department down 1 truck. Same with employees. Mike would also like to hire soon. He would like to request a Warrant Article added to the Town Meeting Warrant for March. A decent used plow truck will be about $20,000 - $30,000.

Tony Hamlin made the Motion to add a Warrant Article for the plow truck not to exceed $30,000. Second – Eric. Passed – unanimously.

Mike wanted to inform the Board about a business in town which is pushing snow into the road to have the town crew remove it. This really is not fair to the crew and to other businesses. Elaine’s Café has the town removing snow only because it is town property. Damien will send a letter to all businesses stating they can not plow snow into the road.

Mike informed the Board about the #1 and #2 trucks currently being repaired.

The trash truck is good at the moment.

Police Department – Damien informed the Board there has been 140 calls for service since the last meeting with 4 arrests.

Damien is requesting a Warrant Article for the purchase of a new cruiser.

The reflective vests and snap bracelets program have been very successful so far. The Police Department purchased 30 vests, and Kiwanis has purchased 20. He has also received 200 snap bracelets from MDOT.

CAMDEN BANK DISCUSSION:

Brenda Kelly wanted to let the Board know the Camden Bank in town will be closing as of April 24th. Brenda and Paula are transferring to Dover. She will continue to be involved with Kiwanis and other town activities. The decision was made due to the volume of people using the Milo Branch. The town’s accounts will still be handled through Camden.

2020 BUDGET DISCUSSION:

Tony Hamlin made the Motion to approve the 2020 Budget as prepared. Second Eric. Passed – unanimously.

2020 WARRANT ARTICLES DISCUSSION:

Betty asked the Board about any Warrant Articles they would like to have discussed at Town Meeting.

1. The Board would like to use the Auditor’s recommendation from Fund Balance to offset the 2020 Tax Commitment.

2. The Public Works Department is requesting a used plow truck.

3. The Police Department is requesting a new police cruiser.

Tony Hamlin made the Motion to approve the 3 Warrant Articles as previously discussed. Second – Eric. Passed – unanimously.

NEW/UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Town Manger’s Report:

Damien updated the Board on the following:

1. Dirigo has sent the full reimbursement for the TIF legal bills.

2. Dirigo has sent their last quarterly lease payment for 2019.

3. The chimney at the Town Garage should be fixed soon.

Abatements:

Betty informed the Board she had two abatement requests.

Laurie Valente previously had personal property for equipment used for the rental of the trailers at Valente’s Trailer Park. This property has been sold before April 1, 2019. The new owners do not have this personal property.

Tony Hamlin made the Motion to approve the Abatement as presented. Second – Tony Heal. Passed – unanimously.

The second abatement request is from the Auditor’s. A supplemental bill was issued back in 2015 when the town was using the Northern Data software. Due to a computer malfunction, the account went away. The auditors need to have an approval to remove this amount from the older tax amounts.

Tony Hamlin made the Motion to approve the Abatement as presented. Second – Tony Heal. Passed – unanimously.

Tax Acquired Property Discussion:

Betty informed the Board she has three properties ready for sale.

Tony Hamlin made the Motion to put the three properties out for sale with minimum bids as discussed. Second – Tony Heal. Passed – unanimously.

The bids will be due on February 28th.

Betty asked the Board how they would like her to handle a tax acquired property owner. This owner has promised to come into the office multiple times without actually coming in. Betty is not recommending a payment arrangement in this circumstance. The Board agrees.

Betty informed the Board regarding another tax acquired property owner on a payment arrangement. This person has stopped making payments and has moved out of town. This property will go up for sale for the next property sale if the owner does not pay in full by April 17, 2020.

Other:

The Board decided to have the regular March Board Meeting on March 9th after the Annual Town Meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS:

Brenda asked about process of selling tax acquired property with people still living in the property. The Board informed her it is possible to sell property with people living there. The property bidders are made aware of the tenants.

ADJOURNMENT:

Tony Hamlin made the Motion to adjourn at 7:25 PM. Second – Eric. Passed – unanimously.

Respectfully submitted:

___________________________ __________________________

Paula Copeland, Chairman Pro Tem Betty Gormley, Secretary

Date: ____________________

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