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11.01.23 7pm

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

MINUTES FOR SELECT BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 - 7:00PM at the Hollis Community Building

Attendees:  Select Board members - Mary Hoffman & John Rogala; Chief Chris Young; Select Board Office Asst. Bennet Flinner; Camera Operator Ken Knudsen; Public - Harlan Huff, Charles Currier.

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

2.   10/25/2023 Mass Shooting in Lewiston – Select Board comment & public safety.  The Town of Hollis, Maine would like to express our heartfelt sorrow and condolences for the families and friends who lost loved ones in this tragedy. We wish the victims that are still in the hospital a quick recovery.

3.   Old Business - None

4.   New Business          

                  a.  Chief Young requested the board to approve his proposal to post one (1) full-time position for the Hollis Fire and Rescue Department effective 12/01/2023, bringing the number of full-time employees to 5. Per diem staffing is not a viable model to fill vacant shifts - 24% of the per diem hours are unfilled and overtime has been filled in by the full-time staff to cover these shifts, burn out is a big concern. The cost of insurance and retirement is currently budgeted for 19 full-time staff for the Town and 16 are enrolled in the benefits for this year, and the current appropriation can cover the anticipated payroll for one FT for the remainder of the fiscal year. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board approved the Hollis FD request to post 1 FT position effective 12/1/2023. No discussion or PC. Passed 2-0. 

b. Renewal of Liquor License application – Salmon Falls Country Club/River Tap & Grill.   No complaints have been received by the Board or Code Office since their last renewal. On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the Board voted all in favor of the renewal of Salmon Falls Country Club’s liquor license and waive public hearing due to meeting state statute requirement of having no complaints in the prior 5 years of licensure. No discussion or PC. Passed 2-0.

               c.  Use application for Riverside Cemetery Association - On the motion of Hoffman and Rogala, the board voted all in favor to allow Riverside Cemetery Association to use the community building meeting space for their annual meetings. Passed 2-0.

               d.  Appointments:  None

               e.  Payroll and Warrant Totals: Warrant last week $22,567, Warrant this week $105,268; Payroll last week $13,851, Payroll this week $36,330.

               f.  Purchase Orders: #4314 to Easton Salt for 1200 tons of salt at $75,31 per ton under salt acct not to exceed $90,373.

               g.  Correspondence -

  • Memo sent to Finance Committee re approval request of undesignated funds for unanticipated solid waste expenses. Documentation indicates contract with McCormick and Sons Trucking can add 50 houses to the trash pickup route and we have exceeded that number by 52 since it began in 2020; contract is good until 2025. 
  • 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.
  • The Town of Buxton will be hosting a rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs on Saturday, December 2nd from 1 to 3PM at the Buxton Public Works Garage on Portland Road. $8.00 per vaccination – cash only.  Any questions call Angela Michie, Deputy Clerk at 929-6171.
  • RM Earthworks may be cleaning up the cat tails in town pond within the next few weeks. We hope this will help with using the pond during the winter months and skating as well as fishing in the spring/summer.

5.   Other Business: None

6.    Upcoming Town Committee and Board Meetings:

  • State Referendum election & Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7th from 7AM to 8PM at the Hollis Community Building
  • Planning Board meeting (tentative) on Wednesday November 8th at 7PM.
  • Select Board meeting on Wednesday, November 15th at 7PM             

7.    Executive Session - None

8.    Public Comment - None

9.    Adjournment - On the motion of Rogala and Hoffman the board voted all in favor to adjourn meeting at 7:25pm.

Minutes submitted by Bennet Flinner, Select Board Office Asst.

Approved at 1/3/2024 meeting 2-0-1 (Hicks abstained - was not in office)