Buckfield Board of Selectmen

July 18, 2017

Buckfield Town Office

Marijuana moratorium

What happened: Selectmen unanimously voted to extend the town’s marijuana moratorium for another 180 days at the recommendation of Town Manager Cindy Dunn.

What it means: In January, voters at a special town meeting adopted the Marijuana Moratorium Ordinance on Retail Marijuana Establishments and Retail Marijuana Stores and Retail Marijuana Social Clubs. In November 2016, recreational marijuana became legal in Maine, but a statewide moratorium until February 2018 was issued to allow officials to figure out the rules and regulations.

What’s next: Selectmen will wait until the regulations are issued by the state before considering a town ordinance governing recreational marijuana.

Signs, lights requested

What happened: Dunn reported she contacted the Maine Department of Transportation to seek signage and flashing lights to put in front of the Buckfield-Sumner Transfer Station.

What it means: On Saturday, July 15, a serious accident occurred on Route 140 in front of the Transfer Station involving three vehicles, which sent two people, including a pedestrian, to the hospital. Dunn said signage is needed, but blinking caution lights programmed for Wednesdays and Saturdays — when the Transfer Station is open — would be ideal.

What’s next: Dunn will ask for accident statistics from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department and send them to the MDOT.

Fire Department trailer

What happened: Selectmen bought a refurbished double-axis trailer for the Fire Department’s Utility Task Vehicle.

What it means: Voters approved the purchase of a flatbed trailer at the annual town meeting for up to $3,000, as Fire Chief Tim Brooks has been using his own trailer to transport the UTV. Brooks found a used trailer, replaced the tires and redid the wiring and offered it to the town for $1,500. Selectmen agreed to pay $1,500 and incidentals for further work.

What’s next: The mesh ramp on the trailer will be replaced and it will be painted to protect it from rust.

Quitclaim deed

What happened: Selectmen issued a quitclaim deed to the former owners of 137 Purkis Road.

What it means: The tax-acquired property belonged to the town after it was foreclosed on. Brent and Heidi Remillard bought the property back for the selling price that equated to all back and current taxes, accrued interests and costs. The quitclaim deed transfers ownership back to the Remillards and releases the tax liens that caused the foreclosure.

Personnel policies

What happened: Selectmen amended a section in the town’s Personnel Policies & Procedures Handbook regarding probationary periods for new employees.

What it means: New hires in Buckfield will now have a six-month probationary period instead of a three-month period. Selectmen acted on the recommendation of the Maine Municipal Association.

What’s next: Selectmen tabled further review of the handbook until a future meeting.

Financial reports

What happened: Selectmen accepted the town’s financial reports from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017.

What it means: Dunn reported that the town is in good financial shape, overall.

What’s next: The fund balance won’t be determined until the auditor finishes the analysis and the estimate will be higher than initially thought during the budget season.

Appointments

What happened: Selectmen made appointments to town committees, including Janet Iveson to the Beautification and Economic Development committees for one year; Gloria Hall to the Community Day Committee for one year; Sandra Perkins to the Old Church on the Hill Committee for three years; Jessica Michaud to the Library Committee for two years; and Brian Michaud to the Old Church on the Hill Committee for one year.

Pole location permit

What happened: Selectmen issued a pole location permit for the corner of East Buckfield and Bryant roads for Central Maine Power and Oxford Networks.

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