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02.07.24 7pm

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

MINUTES FOR SELECT BOARD MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 7:00PM at the Hollis Community Building

Attendees: Select Board members - Mary Hoffman, Roger Hicks; Town Clerk - Martha Huff; Select Board Office Asst- Bennet Flinner; Guest- Maynard Charron of the 5 Member Select Board / Town Manager Form of Gov't Ordinance Committee; Broadcasting Team - Ken Knudsen, Tiffany Dean; Public - Harlan Huff, Joy Cutrone, Jim Boutin, Nancy Ponzetti, Joe Ponzetti

Absent: Select Board member - John Rogala

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

2.   On the motion by Hicks and Hoffman to suspend Select Board meeting and open Public Hearing for the renewal of an Adult Use Cannabis Cultivation Facility and Adult Use Cannabis Products Manufacturing Facility for Joy Cutrone at Moment’s Peace Farm, LLC, motion passed 2-0-1 (Rogala absent).

Discussion: There have been no complaints received by the Board or Code Enforcement offices regarding this business. Inspections were completed by CEO and Fire Chief and compliance with all recommendations made. No public comments.

3. On the motion of Hicks and Hoffman the Board closed the Public hearing and reconvened the Select Board meeting. Passed 2-0-1 (Rogala absent)

4.   Vote for renewals of Cannabis licenses for Moment’s Peace Farm, LLC. - On the motion of Hoffman and Hicks the Board approved the renewals of an Adult Use Cannabis cultivation facility and products manufacturing facility for Moment's Peace Farm, LLC. Passed 2-0-1 (Rogala absent).

5.   Old Business: 

              a.  Mowing Bids awarded - On the motion of Hicks and Hoffman, the Board awarded the mowing contract bid to Taylor and Sons. Passed 2-0-1. (Rogala absent).

              b.  5-Member Select Board & Town Manager Ordinance Committee – Speaker Maynard Charron. Charron stated the committee has met three times since January, open to the public and drafted an ordinance which was give to the Board on January 24th. Town attorney has made suggestions based on state law which will be completed and provided back for an additional review. Charron thanked the Board to allow this work to move forward in updating the town's government.  Their next meeting will be on February 13, 2024.

              c.  Approval of Minutes 12/06/2023, 01/03/2024 - On the motion of Hicks and Hoffman, the Board approved minutes for December 6 2023 and January 3, 2024. Passed 2-0-1 (Rogala absent).

6.   New Business          

               a. Approval of Proposed Settlement Agreement with Brookfield White Pine Hydro LLC to resolve pending proceedings before State Board of Property Tax Review.   On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala the Board approved the settlement agreement with Brookfield White Pine Hydro to resolve proceeding before the state's property tax reviewed. Passed 2-0-1. (Rogala absent).

               b. Public Hearing for Cannabis store license renewal for Pine Tree Maine 2 – Schedule for Feb. 21, 2024.  On the motion of Hicks and Hoffman, the Board scheduled the Public Hearing for the renewal of Pine Tree Maine 2 LLC Adult Use Cannabis Store license. Passed 2-0-1. (Rogala absent).

               c. Appointments -  Martha Huff - Registrar of Voters; Lila Wilkins – Election Warden for Presidential Primary 03.05.24; Election Clerks for Presidential Primary 03.05.24. On the motion of Hoffman and Hicks, the Board appointed Martha Huff as Registrar of Voters for the Town of Hollis, and  Lila Wilkins as Election Warder and the listed Election Clerks list for the Primary Presidential election to be held 3.5.24. Passed 2-0-1 (Rogala absent).

               d. Policy Amendment to #21 – Purchase Orders, Carry Forwards & Disbursement of Funds, New Policy #63 - Carry Forwards.  Hoffman explained that the Carry Forward policy was made separate and indicates that expenditures need to be provided to the Board for approval by May 31st of each year. It is no longer mentioned in Policy #21. Copies of both policies will be provided to town employees and posted on the website. On the motion of Hoffman and Hicks the Board amended policy #21 and adopted policy #63 as written. Passed 2-0-1. (Rogala absent).

               e. Payroll and Warrant Totals: Payroll last week $14,496, Payroll this week $36,211; Warrant last week $34,346, Warrant this week $134,959.

               f. Purchase Orders:

  • #4320 to Davey Tree for tick treatments at Community Building grounds not to exceed $928 under Parks and Rec acct.
  • #4321 to Davey Tree to tick treatments at the Sports Complex grounds not to exceed $4,250 under Sports complex acct.
  • #4322 to VISA for Greenhouse for Garden Club not to exceed $950 under Parks and Rec acct.
  • #4350 to Unique Fence Company LLC for Fence repair at Lindon Farm hydrant not to exceed $1,000 under FD acct.

               g. Correspondence:

  • ELECTION UPDATE BY TOWN CLERK: February 13th is the last day to MAIL IN a voter registration(only).  Last day to change your party is February 16th. Absentee ballots are available online at Maine.gov search for "elections" or come into Town Hall and see the Registrar of Voters during regular Town Hall business hours. You can also register at the polls. NOMINATION PAPERS AVAILABLE FOR (1) SELECT BOARD MEMBER (For a 3 YEAR TERM);  (1) TREASURER (for a 3 YEAR TERM); AND (1) ROAD COMMISSIONER (for a 2 YEAR TERM). These elected positions will be voted in at the June 11 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
  • There will be a public presentation by Poland Spring - Blue Triton Brands regarding a traffic study on Wednesday, Feb. 21st at 7PM here at the Hollis Community Building. This will be held during the regular Hollis Select Board meeting. We encourage you to join us.
  • MSAD 6 Kindergarten and Pre-K registration for all elementary schools for the 2025 school year will begin on February 1st. To register, please visit their website www.bonnyeagle.org and click on the registration link posted on their home page. For questions please call the school’s Registrar’s office at 929-2326. Please note you cannot register your child at the Hollis School or Hollis Town Hall, it must be done through the Registrar’s office for MSAD 6.
  • The Hollis Planning Board will be holding 3 public hearings on Wednesday, February 14th at 7PM regarding the proposed amendments to the Hollis Floodplain Management Ordinance, proposed amendments to the Hollis Zoning Ordinance regarding LD 2003, the Affordable Housing Act, and the Repeal of the Hollis Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance pursuant to the requirements of LD 2003, the Affordable Housing Act. More information is available on our website.

7.   Other Business - none

8.   Upcoming Town Committee and Board Meetings:

  • Sports Complex Committee meeting on Thursday, February 8th at 7PM
  • Finance Committee Meeting on Tuesday, February 12th at 6PM.
  • Planning Board Meeting & Public Hearings on Wednesday, February 14th at 7PM
  • Conservation Commission Meeting on Thursday, February 15th at 5:30PM
  • Select Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 21st at 7PM

9.     Public Comment - none

10.    Adjournment - On the motion of Hicks and Hoffman the Board adjourned meeting at 7:26PM. Passed 2-0-1.

Minutes submitted by Bennet Flinner

Minutes approved unanimously at Select Board meeting on 02.21.24. Passed 3-0.