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09.07.22 7pm

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, September 7, 2022

MINUTES FOR SELECT BOARD PUBLIC AND ZOOM MEETING
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022 - 7:00PM at the Hollis Community Building

Attendees:  Select Board members David McCubrey, John Rogala and Mary Hoffman; Town Clerk Martha Huff; Fire Chief Chris Young; Director of Parks and Rec Debbie Tefft; Select Board Office Assistant Bennet Flinner; Camera Operator Ken Knudsen; Broadcasting Technician Tiffany Dean; Residents - Faith Plummer, David Douglas, Jessica Brackett, Marie Harmon, Matthew Harmon, Meredith Charlton, Eric Payne, Jane Waterman.


1.    Meeting called to order at 7:00pm by McCubrey.

2.    Old Business

a.  On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the Select Board approved meeting minutes from Aug. 03, 2022. Passed 3-0.

b.  Snow Contract Increase - On the motion of McCubrey and Hoffman, the Select Board agreed to move $94,876.54 from the general fund to the Snow/Ice 0500 account for the 7/22-7/23 FY. Passed 3-0. Final decision to be determined by Finance Committee. 

c. Parks and Rec salary increases: Director of Parks and Rec, Assistant Director of Parks and Rec, Administrative Assistant for Parks and Rec, Senior Before/Aftercare Counselors.

  • On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the Select Board agreed to increase the salary of the Director of Parks and Rec from $24.62 to $30.30 per hour. Discussion link listed below. Passed 2-1. Hoffman and Rogala for, McCubrey against. 
  • On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the Select Board agreed to increase the hourly wage of the Assistant Director of Parks and Rec to $25.00 per hour. Discussion link listed below. Passed 2-1. Hoffman and Rogala for, McCubrey against.
  • On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the Select Board agreed to increase the hourly wage of the Administration Assistant of Parks and Rec to $17.00 per hour. No discussion. Passed 3-0.
  • On the motion of Hoffman and McCubrey, the Select Board agree to increase the hourly wage of the Senior Counselors from $16.00 to $17.00 per hour and taken from the general fund upon approval from Finance Committee. Passed 3-0. 
  • Chris Young, Fire Chief pointed out that the Select Board should vote on the entire amount to be moved from the general fund to the Parks and Rec account for the Finance Committee to review and decide. 
  • On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the Select Board agree to move $47,000 from the general fund to the Parks and Rec budget for the 7/22-7/23 FY to cover proposed salary increases. Passed 2-1 Hoffman and Rogala for, McCubrey against. Final decision to be determined by Finance Committee. 

Debbie Tefft asked the Select Board what the next steps are so she can fill the Assistant Director position. McCubrey indicated that she can use what is currently available in the budget. Hoffman indicated that she would send the Finance Committee a notice and request a meeting in 2 weeks to review the changes. 

There were many discussion points made for and against motions from the public and Select Board. These can be viewed beginning at 6 minutes in at http://livestream.com/accounts/23355313/hollistownmeetings/videos/232838489

3.   New Business

a.  Payroll and Warrant Totals:  Warrant last week $46,045; Warrant this week $153,565; Payroll last week $14,967; Payroll this week $33,644.

b.  Purchase Orders:

  • #4084 to Container One for 40 foot metal container for hay and pallet and training supplies storage for Fire & Rescue, not to exceed $5,544.
  • #4175 to Parker Appraisal for assessment work to complete 2022 Tax Commitment, not to exceed $5,000.
  • #4091 to Pleasant Hill Excavators for Crushed stone, labor and equipment to level area for new shipping container for Fire&Rescue training facility, not to exceed $1,000.
  • #4250 to RMDL for one day ditching at Clair Dunn Drive and Mansion Road, two day ditching at Shy Beaver Road under Highway not to exceed $11,600.

c.  Correspondence: 

  • Maine DOT announcement – Seeking information regarding historic properties at the intersection of R35 and 202. Plan to install Traffic light. 
  • Pre-registration is open for Maine’s Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program. Next collection is scheduled for October 2022 in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland. Drop-offs are not permitted, so please pre-register by visiting www.THINKFIRSTSPRAYLAST.ORG or call the Board of Pesticides Control at 207-287-2731. 


4.   Other Business:   

Thank you Ruel Construction and Ware Butler Lumber:

The Select Board thanks Ruel Construction fixing our vandalized pavilion and reinforcing the other pavilions, and to Ware - Butler Lumber for donating the lumbar required for the job. The town saved over $5,000 due to the generosity of these businesses. Thank you Ruel Construction and Ware-Butler Lumber!

Drop off/Pick up issues at Hollis Elementary School:

McCubrey discussed issues with drop off and pick up of students and parking at Hollis Elementary School - he met and proposed to the Superintendent that a parking area be built on the 70 acres owned by the school. This way parking and staging would be safer for everyone. McCubrey presented this plan to a school subcommittee, which was receptive but nothing has come to fruition to date. The speed sign was placed on Town Farm Road entrance to the Municipal Complex because of speeders, trying to keep our students and residents safe. This is a school problem, not a Town problem. 

Resident Jane Waterhouse spoke and was upset that the parents weren't notified about changes in the parking lot across from the school and barricades placed there put people dropping off students in danger, she almost got hit and witnessed almost 2 accidents.   McCubrey indicated that the school was notified of this and perhaps she didn't get the notice being a grandparent as we cannot control their communications. Waterhouse indicated that she had called the Town and couldn't get through to McCubrey after speaking to Hoffman. Hoffman indicated there had been phone issues with continuous dropped calls. Resident Waterhouse felt that she was treated in a rude manner and an explanation would've been more appropriate. 

McCubrey recognizes that this is a bad situation and there are similar problems to ours throughout the district. McCubrey also mentioned that parents used to be able to park and walk to the school to pick up their children, which worked well; however a parent fell in the parking lot when the driveway was icy and got hurt, sued the school and the Town. He believes this change drove this change in picking up curbside. McCubrey said they are more than willing to work to help change this situation. They all agreed that it is fortunate no one was hurt and it has brought the dire situation to the attention of the school.

Resident Tiffany Dean expressed her frustrations with parents not paying attention when they pull into Town Farm Road to get in line for dropoff and pickup. She was almost hit pulling out on Route 35 leaving Town Hall during dropoff. She indicated that she has dozens of notices from the school providing directions on how to pick up students, this is not a new problem.

5.   Upcoming Committee and Board Meetings

  • • Hollis Select Board Meeting and Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRSA §405(6)(E) consultations with legal counsel on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6PM at the Town Hall.
  • • Hollis Sports Complex Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 7PM
  • • Planning Board Meeting & Public Hearing on Wednesday Sept. 14 at 7PM Re: amendment to Poland Spring’s CUP & projects
  • • Conservation Commission meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15th at 5:30PM
  • • Select Board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21st at 7PM

6.    Town Clerk Updates - Martha Huff

Huff indicated that all town employees and board/committee members are required to review the Freedom of Information Act. All public info is subject to FOAA.

Reminder that residents must use their legal voting name to sign petitions - the name recorded when you registered to vote.

Information on November 8 election can be found on Maine.gov search "elections." Sample Ballots will be available soon. Absentee Ballot can be requested until November 3rd online the state website or call the Clerk's office at 929-2254. Leave a message with your name, address, date of birth and phone number.  You can request one for yourself but not your relatives. Any absentee ballot requests after November 3rd are only under special circumstances. 

Reminder for residents to apply early for the Home Energy Assistance Program through York County Community Action Program. Call 459-2950 FMI. 

Huff thanked the Town employees for their support, she's been able to work on her office. Secure destruction company destroyed 30 boxes of documents, mostly ballots.


7.    Adjournment: On the motion of Rogala and McCubrey the Select Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 9:02pm. Passed 3-0.

Minutes submitted by Bennet Flinner, Select Board Office Asst.