01.03.24 7pm | Hollis ME

Meeting date:

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

MINUTES FOR SELECT BOARD MEETING

Held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 - 7:00PM at the Hollis Community Building

Attendees: Select Board Members - Mary Hoffman, Roger Hicks, Jack Rogala (Via Zoom), Town Clerk Martha Huff (Via Zoom), Select Board Office Asst. Bennet Flinner, Camera Operator Ken Knudsen, Becky Bowley (via Zoom)

1. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 7PM by Hoffman

2. Old Business:

a. Minutes for 11/1/2023 meeting – Hoffman & Rogala in attendance. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, Minutes approved 2-0-1 (Hicks abstained - not yet in office) ; Minutes for 11/15/23 – All in attendance. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, Minutes approved 3-0-0.

b. Mowing Bids: Reminder that the 2024-25 Mowing Bids are due on January 17, 2024 by 4PM – The bid announcement and packet are posted on our website. Bids cannot be e-mailed or faxed, and must be sent by US mail or hand delivered to the Select Board at Hollis Town Hall, 34 Town Farm Road.

c. Solid Waste/Trash Contract Update for 2024-25 - Hicks explained there is a contractual issue with the current contract with McCormick and Sons Trucking for 2020-2025. There is no stipulation for new houses built over the contract period beyond 50 homes, and it has extended to 108 new homes, so contract must be renegotiated. On the motion of Hicks and Rogala, the board were all in favor of expending $18,559 out of the general fund and carry forward $9,641 to satisfy the updated Solid Waste/Trash contract. No discussion. Passed 3-0-0.

3. New Business

a. Bean Street Extension Snow removal/Turn around for plowing contract. Hicks reports he cannot find any documentation or proof that extension is a public way. On the motion of Hicks and Hoffman, the board were all in favor in not plowing the private way. Passed 3-0-0.

b. Cannabis license renewal applications were submitted for an Adult Use Cannabis Cultivation Facility and Adult Use Cannabis Products Manufacturing Facility by Joy Cutrone of Moment’s Peace Farm LLC, located at 44 Hanson Lane. SB - Motion and vote to set the public hearing on Wednesday, January 17th 2024 at 7PM.

c. Snow & Ice Removal Contract Extension – 1 year, 2024-25 with R.M.D.L. On the motion of Hicks and Rogala, the board voted all in favor to approve the Snow Contract extension for 1 year. Passed 3-0-0.

d. Appointments – 5-Member Select Board & Town Manager Form of Government Ordinance Committee – Members were appointed last week in lieu of the meeting cancellation: Nancy Ponzetti, Joseph Ponzetti, Maynard Charron, Paul Mattor, Greg McPherson, Becky Bowley, Jim Boutin, Donald Marean.

e. Policy Update – Policy #5 Closure of Municipal Buildings. On the motion of Hoffman and Hicks the board were all in favor of the update to Policy #5, Passed 3-0-0.

f. Payroll and Warrant Totals: Warrant this week -$55,412 Warrant last week - $19,377 ; Payroll this week - $11,937; Payroll last week: $38,057

g. Purchase Orders:

#4331 HSE for short hose extensions replacements not to exceed $1,090.54 under FD acct;
#4332 to Dearborn Construction for Debris disposal from 12/18/23 storm 200 yards @ $15/yard not to exceed $3,000 under highway acct.
#4333 to RMDL for clean up of debris from 12/18/23 storm 2 days excavator, truck, labor, traffic controls, 2 days chipping small debris not to exceed $16,000 under highway acct.
#4334 to DM Plumbing and Heating for installation of 3 bay sink in the Comm Bldg, labor and materials not to exceed $2,000 under Parks and Rec acct.
#4336 to RMDL for miscellaneous and emergency work as needed not to exceed $5,000 under highway acct.
#4337 to RMDL for clean up on Deerwander Road, trees were removed, pull stumps, rake seed, hay lawn areas not to exceed $4,500 under highway acct.

h. Correspondence:

Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services announced that SNAP recipients who lost food during the December 18th storm due to flooding and power outages have until January 18, 2024 to apply for benefits to replace lost food. Paper forms are available at local DHHS offices and online at their website maine.gov/dhhs. A news announcement is also on the Town’s website with the appropriate links to this information.
The Maine Department of Transportation is conducting an on-demand public presentation to discuss the bridge replacement of Salmon Falls Bridge carrying Route 202/Route 4 over the Saco River, located on the Hollis/Buxton town line. Their notice is posted on our website and contains information on how you can view the presentation and submit public comments. MaineDOT encourages all residents to review the meeting and share your thoughts on this project. The formal comment period that ends January 10, 2024.
If anyone is interested in joining the Broadcasting Team for the Town of Hollis, please e-mail Bennet Flinner at adminsecretary@hollismaine.org or call 929-8552 ext. 26.
Don’t forget to enroll for our Emergency Medical Subscription Plan for 2024. This service provides ambulance transport coverage for residents within the Town of Hollis at no cost. For more information, contact Bennet Flinner at 929-8552 ext. 26.

4. Other Business:

The Select Board will be meeting on January 10, 2023 at 4PM with the Select Board of Buxton to discuss issues of mutual concern. This meeting will be held at the Buxton Town Office.
The Select Board will be holding a meeting in Executive Session pursuant to M.R.S.A. Title 1 §405 (6)(E) in consultation for legal counsel pending tax abatement requests on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 1:00PM in the Hollis Select Board Office.

5. Upcoming Town Committee and Board Meetings:

Select Board meeting on Wednesday, January 17 at 7PM.

6. Executive Session - none

7. Public Comment - none

8. Adjournment - On the motion of Hicks and Hoffman, the board adjourned at 7:17PM, Passed 3-0-0.

Minutes submitted by Bennet Flinner, Select Board Office Asst.

Minutes approved at 02/07/2024 Board meeting, Passed 2-0-1 (Rogala absent).