03.20.24 7pm draft

Meeting date:

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

MINUTES FOR SELECT BOARD MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING

Wednesday March 20, 2024 - 7:00PM at the Hollis Community Building

Attendees: Select Board members - Mary Hoffman, Jack Rogala (via Zoom); Bennet Flinner - Select Board Office Asst; Broadcasting - Ken Knudsen and Tiffany Dean; Public: Kathy Harriman, Ruth Leavitt, Rita Perron, Alain Carrier, Nancy Ponzetti, Joseph Ponzetti, James Boutin, Nic Hebert, Rita Bradbury, Adam Roy, Heather Porter, David Morton, Mike Cassidy, Josh Garland, Chris Mains, Sarah Lambert, Cody Lambert, Paul Gillis, Greg McPherson, Renee Lewis, Paul Mattor, Joanne Toone.

Absent: Roger Hicks, Select Board member

1. Meeting called to order by Hoffman at 7PM.

2. On the motion of Rogala and Hoffman, the board suspended the meeting and opened the Public Hearing for the renewal of licenses for a Medical Cannabis Caregiver Retail Store and Medical Cannabis Cultivation for Alain Carrier – Green Roots Company at 64 Hollis Road. Passed 2-0-1 (Hicks absent). No public questions or comments.

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

4. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board voted in favor to approve the renewal of licenses for a Medical Cannabis Caregiver Retail Store and Medical Cannabis Cultivation for Alain Carrier – Green Roots Company at 64 Hollis Road. Passed 2-0-1 (Hicks absent).

5. Old Business

a. Minutes for 02.21.2024 - On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board voted in favor to approve the minutes for 2.21.24. Passed 2-0-1.

6. New Business

a. Appointments: Election Warden – Lila Wilkins for the Maine Primary 6/11/24; Ballot Clerks and Election Clerks for May 2024 – May 2026, Nicolas Hebert – Planning Board; Teresa Nadeau – Clothing Closet Committee. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board voted in favor to appoint all the above to their respective committees and positions. Passed 2-0-1 (Hicks absent).

b. Payroll and Warrant Totals: Warrant last week - $490,730, Warrant this week $101,531; Payroll last week $17,417, Payroll this week - $42,402.

c. Purchase Orders:

#4345 to Pennell Printing for FD t-shirts not to exceed $850 under FD acct;
#4346 to Firematic Supply Co for low pressure fog nozzles for hand lines not to exceed $5,635 under FD acct;
#4364 to ESTS for rental of ballot machines for June and November 2024 not to exceed $3,030 under elections.

d. Correspondence: The Town of Hollis is seeking to fill a part-time position of Deputy Town Clerk and Deputy Registrar of Voters, working up to 15 hours per week. Deadline to apply is extended to end of this week. Please visit our website for additional information on how to apply.

7. Other Business - none

8. Upcoming Town Committee and Board Meetings:

Conservation Commission Meeting on Thursday, March 21st at 5:30PM
Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 26th at 6:00PM
Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, March 27th at 7:00PM
Select Board Meeting and Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 3, 2024

9. On the motion of Rogala and Hoffman the board suspended the Select Board meeting and opened the Public Hearing for warrant draft, proposed ordinance and proposed ordinance changes for the June 11, 2024 Annual Town Meeting. Passed 2-0-1.

LINK TO VIDEO OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE WARRANT BEGINS AT 12 MINUTES

All warrant articles were read by Hoffman. Questions and public concerns include: Drop in funding for operations and maintenance; Why increases in budgets: Animal Control, Parks and Rec, Fire-Rescue; Town Manager/5 Member Select Board Ordinance proposed - public concerned it will cost more than anticipated but has strong backing from the forming committee.

10. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board closed the Public Hearing and reconvened Select Board meeting. Passed 2-0-1.

11. Public Comment - none

12. Adjournment - On the motion of Rogala and Hoffman, the board adjourned the meeting at 9:26pm. Passed 2-0-1.

Minutes submitted by Bennet Flinner, Select Board Office Asst.