05.17.23 7pm | Hollis ME

Meeting date:

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

MINUTES FOR SELECT BOARD MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - 7:00PM at the Hollis Community Building

Attendees: Select Board members - David McCubrey, John Rogala, Mary Hoffman; Town Clerk - Martha Huff; Fire EMS Chief Chris Young; SBO Asst. Bennet Flinner; Broadcast team - Ken Knudsen, Tiffany Dean; Public: Rita Anderson, Rita Perron, Paul Mattor, Joanne Toone, Barbara Hase, Harlan Huff, Zoom - Butch Gannett, Virginia Hughes, Doris Luther, Heather Sullivan, Ruth Leavitt, "HPMIMI"

VIDEO MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING: https://livestream.com/accounts/23355313/hollistownmeetings/videos/23624...

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

2. Recent Zoom update & subsequent difficulties – our apologies. Our meetings are also broadcast live on Channel 5 Spectrum Cable and on-line at Livestream.com under the profile “Saco River Community Media.”

3. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board suspended the Select Board Meeting and opened the Public Hearing regarding secret ballot warrant articles for the 06/13/2023 Annual Town Meeting. Passed 3-0.

Warrant articles 1-3 read by McCubrey, no public comment (PC).

Warrant article 4 read by McCubrey. PC: Rita Perron asked why there was an increase for the Planning Board budget. McCubrey indicated that it was increased due to increased number of meetings and additional hours for their secretary.

Warrant article 5 read by McCubrey. PC: Rita Anderson asked why recreation budget had increased. McCubrey indicated wages increased, bus expenses for summer rec as well, but revenues are also increasing with increase of program fees.

Warrant articles 6 through 12 read by McCubrey, no PC.

Warrant article 13 read by Hoffman - regarding to the citizen petition for $35K funding of Hollis Public Library. PC: Barbara Hase indicated that the Finance Committee had recommended their budget request and the Select Board had not. Also that the HPL submitted over 245 signatures of residents for their petition supporting the question, but received a total of almost 400. $35K is less than 1% of the overall budget and hopes the public votes in favor. McCubrey shared local library budget information in neighboring communities. Heather Sullivan voiced agreement with Hase and feels the public library adds value to the town and hopes to have town support.

Warrant articles 14 and 15 ready by Hoffman, no PC.

Warrant article 16 read by Hoffman - PC: Rita Anderson asked what improvements are included in the article. Hoffman indicated municipal building improvements or maintenance. Rogala indicated that 2 town properties are currently for sale. Rita Perron asked if this included the property across from the Hollis FD on Plains Road and Rogala confirmed the property was under contract.

Warrant article 17 was read by Hoffman. PC: Harlan Huff asked if the town is going by the original TIF agreement or what the state mandates? McCubrey answered both, its under economic development. Largest percentage of the TIF has been spent on public safety, the Hollis FD EMS dept. Martha Huff gave a brief history of the initial approval of the TIF as a prior Selectman. Virginia Hughes suggested that bullet points be provided for those who don't understand what the TIF is.

Warrant article 18 was read by Hoffman. PC: Martha Huff asked if the town has already received these funds, Hoffman answered yes they are in receipt it is not in offset. McCubrey indicated that these funds can be spent on a new well, generator, septic system, broadcasting, broadband, public health to deal with future pandemics or viruses. Must be spent before 2024.

Warrant article 19 was read by Hoffman. PC: Martha Huff asked how much was in undesignated funds. McCubrey said he was unsure of the amount but the board reviews monthly bank statements.

Warrant article 20 read by Hoffman. Paul Mattor, spoke on behalf of the Planning Board as the Chair regarding the proposed Zoning map and history thereof. It was discovered that our code office has been utilizing tax maps and other maps which were not always accurate for planning. Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission has helped the town develop a zoning map that matches the last map and supporting documents that were approved by the town in 2006. Cost for this project was $1,500. Some public comments regarding the map included complaints about discrepancies regarding a specific area of the map on Cape Road. Mattor and the Select Board indicated that these discrepancies can be addressed after this updated map is approved.

Warrant article 21 read by Hoffman. Martha Huff "planted a seed" for the future in updating the sick leave policy so employees and officials that have been working for the town for many years to earn and roll over more than 12 days. No other PC.

Warrant article 22, 23 & 24 read by Hoffman. No PC.

Warrant article 25 read by Hoffman. Rogala indicated that he has received many concerns from residents regarding the recent double density legislation and how it affects cluster housing. The city of Saco has dropped cluster housing until the legislation is more defined. This is not an ordinance change, it is a non-binding article. PC: Virginia Hughes indicated that she didn't understand the question and didn't know enough to make a decision. Joanne Toone spoke on behalf of the Conservation Commission and voiced the concern of lack of education around the question and not many residents will know what they are voting for. Paul Mattor encouraged people to visit the Town's website under the Planning Board page to read the board's postion on Article 25 to educate themselves, includes problems with the Select Board, and the article seems binding to him. Hoffman indicated many of those statements are not true. Rita Perron indicated that it is a question to pursue something, an opinion and not a vote. Heather Sullivan spoke as a member of the Planning Board and encouraged residents to vote no. Rita Anderson stated that if you vote no, you approve of it, if you vote yes, you don't approve it - people won't know what they are voting for.

Warrant article 26 read by Hoffman. PC: Paul Mattor asked if the road was complete? Hoffman indicated yes to town standard.

4. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board closed the Public Hearing and reconvened Select Board Meeting. Passed 3-0.

5. Old Business

a. Minutes for April 5, 2023 (Rogala absent) - On the motion of Hoffman and McCubrey the board approved minutes for April 5, 2023. Passed 2-0-1 (Rogala absent).

6. New Business

a. Cannabis Business License Renewal for Maine Only, LLC – Board to set Public Hearing for June 7, 2023 7PM.

b. Use application of community building for Riverside Cemetery Association -On the motion of Hoffman and McCubrey the board approved the use application for Riverside Cemetary Association meetings. Passed 3-0.

c. Payroll and Warrant Totals: Warrant last week $530,193; Warrant this week $208,036; Payroll last week $12,559; Payroll this week $35,555

d. Purchase Orders:

#4191 to VISA for purchase of new office chairs with full reimbursement from Ed MacDonald Safety enhancement grant for Hollis FD not to exceed $2,040.28
#4192 to VISA for new PFDs to replace out of date water rescue vests for Hollis FD not to exceed $2,000.
#4193 to Take the Door Training for Heavy lifting operations class extrication training for DC Joslin for Hollis FD not to exceed $901.
#4195 to Take the Door Training for Man Vs. Machine rescue course for 3 students for Hollis FD not to exceed $1,113.
#4196 to Stryker for annual service contract for both Lucas CPR devices for Hollis FD not to exceed $2,386.
#4197 to Life Saving Resources for swift water rescue train the trainer course for 2 FD members for Hollis FD not to exceed $5,000.
#4214 to Central Maine Pyrotechnics for fireworks at Community Day for Community Day acct not to exceed $3,800.
#4215 to Ocean AVL for sound system, lighting, stage, generator and fuel spider boxes for Community Day under their acct not to exceed $5,500.
#4229 to Adventure Climbing for climbing wall balance at Community Day under their acct not to exceed $1,000.
#4230 to Sharper Events & Tents for balance of tent rental at Community Day under their acct not to exceed $4,056.90.

e. Correspondence: Rabies reported in Buxton – Reminders on our website www.hollismaine.org

7. Other Business

Just a reminder that we are currently accepting PAVING BIDS for 6 roads within Hollis. Bid information can be found on our website or the MMA website. For any questions, please contact Road Commission Rob Hanson.
We are currently in the process of hiring a Code Enforcement Officer. If you are interested in applying, please e-mail your resume to adminsecretary@hollismaine.org.
We are also still looking for a Part-Time Secretary for our Planning Board, Appeals Board and Finance Committee. If you are interested in applying, please e-mail your resume to adminsecretary@hollismaine.org.
Election Update - Absentee ballots are available, please request by phone 929-8552 x18 or at Town Hall clerk's office. Vision impaired ballots are also available by absentee voting. Ballot box is open to received absentee ballots - outside of the Town Hall's entrance. If you haven't received an absentee ballot yet and you have requested one, please contact the clerk's office - you can vote at the polls, if needed.
We are looking for volunteers for Community Day, Aug. 5 at the Sports Complex. Please contact Debbie Tefft at 929-5142.

8. Upcoming Committee and Board Meetings

Conservation Commission Meeting – Thursday, May 18th at 5:30PM
Sports Complex Committee Meeting – Thursday, May 18th at 7:00PM
Planning Board Site Visit on Moderation Street at Kleinschmidt West Buxton Hydroelectric regarding their Boat Launch Project will be held on Wednesday, May 31st at 5:30PM off Moderation Street
Planning Board Meeting & Public Hearing regarding the Kleinschmidt West Buxton Hydroelectric Boat Launch Project will be held on Wednesday, May 31th 7:00PM
Select Board Meeting – Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00PM

9. Public Comment - none

10. Adjournment - On the motion of Rogala and Hoffman, the Select Board adjourned the meeting at 9:10pm. Passed 3-0.

Minutes submitted by Bennet Flinner

Minutes approved by Select Board at 6/21/2023 meeting