Minutes

Town of Westmore Annual Meeting

March 7, 2006 Approved

The legal voters of the Town of Westmore met at the Fellowship Hall in said town on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 10 o’clock a.m. to transact the following business.

Jim Gosnell called the meeting to order and began with

Article 1. To elect a Moderator for the ensuing year. Vince Dotoli nominated James Gosnell , seconded by Gerald Saindon. Richard Mallary moved to cease nominations and have the Clerk cast one vote for Jim Gosnell, seconded by Paul Moffat. Motion passed and Jim Gosnell was elected Moderator for one year.

The town stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next Bill Johnson, our local legislature, spoke about the bills at the Statehouse.

Followed by Sen. Vincent Illuzzi explaining his committee activities.

Ellie Ingram spoke for the Visiting Nurses and Hospice.

Deputy Urban Flyn reported for the Orleans Sheriffs Dept.

Millie Davis and Mary Lou Cummings explained a financial handout and how it affected Articles 25 and 26.

Article 2. To elect a Clerk for 1 year. Greg Gallagher was nominated by Mary Smith, seconded by Randi Rosenstein. Andy Berley moved, Mike Brannon seconded to cease nominations and have the Moderator cast one ballot for Greg Gallagher. Motion passed..

Article 3. Shall the Town accept the Town Report as printed. Kimball Johnson moved, Gerald Saindon seconded to pass over Article 3. Motion passed.

1. Town Treasurer for 1 year. Greg Gallagher was nominated for a one year term by Mary Smith, seconded by Paul Wasklewicz. Andy Berley moved and Gerald Saindon seconded to cease nominations and have the Moderator cast one ballot for Greg Gallagher. Motion passed.
2. Selectman for 3 years. David Stevens was nominated for a three year term by Vince Dotoli, seconded by many. Andy Berley moved and Kimball Johnson seconded for the Clerk to cast one ballot. Motion passed and Dave was re-elected to the Selectboard for a three year term.
3. Lister. Incumbent, Richard Dabiri was nominated by Arthur French and seconded by Paul Moffat. Melissa Zebrowski nominated Randi Rosenstein, Cindy Poplawski seconded. Richard Dabiri was elected by a hand vote 56-10.
4. Lister. Art French nominated, Vince Dotoli seconded for Gail Brown to be elected lister. Paul Moffat moved to cease nominations and have the Clerk cast one ballot for Gail Brown for lister. Motion passed.
5. Auditor for 3 years. Cindy Poplawski nominated Melissa Zebrowski, Randi Rosenstein seconded. Vince Dotoli moved, Paul Wasklewicz seconded to cease nominations and have the Clerk cast one ballot for Melissa Zebrowski. Motion passed.
6. Delinquent Tax Collector for 1 year. John Alexander nominated and Vince Dotoli seconded Bob Decker. Paul Moffat moved and Gerry Saindon seconded for the Clerk to cast one ballot. Motion passed Bob was re-elected. Bob announced that all pre-2005 Property Taxes have been paid.
7. Cemetery Commissioner for 3 years. Vince Dotoli nominated and Mike Brannon seconded William Perkins. Randi Rosenstein moved and Pennyl Johnson seconded for the Clerk to cast one ballot. Motion passed and Bill Perkins was re-elected.
8. Town Grand Juror for 1 year. Jim Gosnell was nominated by Vince Dotoli, seconded by GerrySaindon. Paul Moffat moved and seconded by Richard Dabiri to have the Clerk cast one ballot. Motion passed.
9. Town Agent for 1 year. Greg Gallagher was nominated by Vince Dotoli and seconded by Gerald Saindon. Mike Brannon moved and Gerry Saindon seconded for the Moderator to cast one ballot. Motion passed and Greg was elected.

Article 5. In what manner shall taxes be collected and dates payable. The motion to do as has been in the past was made by Rick Mallary and seconded by Andy Berley. Discussion followed on how to give taxpayers more notice and the possibility of partial payments.

Randi Rosenstein moved to amend the motion to collect taxes by November 15, 2006, seconded by Ann Dugan. Motion for the amendment failed. The original motion then passed.

Article 6. Shall the Town have the Selectmen set the Tax Rate after the 2006 Grand List has been completed. Rick Mallary so moved and Ruth Gjessing seconded it and it passed on a voice vote.

Article 7. Shall the Town appropriate (amended) $73,903 for Town Office Salaries and Expenses. The original amount of $78,403 was moved by Andy Berley and seconded by Tim Hastings. The requested amount was reduced $4500 by Greg Gallagher. Tim Hastings moved and Mike Brannon seconded to amend the amount to $73,903 for Town Office salaries/expenses and Selectboard salaries. The amended motion passed.

Article 8. Shall the Town pay the Town Treasurer $5,500.00 in lieu of fees. Paul Moffat so moved and Gerald Saindon seconded it and it passed unanimously.

At this time the Moderator brought Article 50 forward for discussion.

Article 50. To do and transact any other business that may legally come before said meeting. The new operation plans for Fox Hall were discussed.

Glen Harter asked if the Selectboard had looked into the Act 250 requirements. John Alexander said he has written to Act 250 for a review. Charlie Carter stated that it should require a full new application because of change of status. Melissa Zebrowski read a letter of concerns. John Alexander reassured all that there would be a warned meeting to discuss these issues when there was more solid information.

Mrs. Ross wanted to highly commend Kimball Johnson and the Westmore Fire and Rescue.

At that time the Moderator recessed for lunch.

The meeting was reconvened at 1:00 PM. Article 9 was delayed until after Article 10.

Article 10. Shall the Town appropriate $25,000.00 for the Listers. Kimball Johnson moved Article 10, seconded by Gerald Saindon.

Questions were raised as to what this would be used for. Rich Daribi explained. Rick Mallary asked if the CLA had been appealed. Rich Daribi said the VLCT was appealing the formula. Motion passed.

Article 9. Shall the Town appropriate $72,314.19 for General Funds. Rick Mallary so moved and Gerald Saindon seconded it. The motion passed.

Article 11. Shall the Town appropriate $8167.00 for Police and Security. Kimball Johnson so moved and Gerald Saindon seconded it. Motion passed.

Article 12. Shall the Town appropriate $20,000.00 for Westmore Fireman’s Association. Randi Pickel so moved and Paul Moffat seconded it.

Rick Mallary asked about the increase and what it would be used for. Kimball Johnson explained that it was the amount needed for basic operating money. Glen Harter asked for a budget report in next year’s report. The motion passed.

Article 13. The Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment respectfully request the Town to consider a budget line item for both boards in the amount of $1,700.00 for the year 2006-2007. The funds are requested to meet anticipated expenses. Ruth Gjessing so moved and Paul Moffat seconded it. Louisa Dotoli said the funds would cover NVDA, postage, supplies and training. Motion passed.

Article 14. The Westmore Cemetery Committee is requesting that the Town of Westmore appropriate $3,500.00 for the cemetery mowing and maintenance. Paul Moffat made the motion and Mary French seconded it. The motion passed.

Article 15. Shall the Town appropriate $10,000.00 for the Milfoil control project. Vince Dotoli so moved and Gerald Saindon seconded it. Cindy Poplawski asked if the milfoil would be done by employees or contracted out. John Alexander replied that in the past it had been employees, but would be contracted out this year. He also said the $10,000 could be used to get matching grant(s). Jeremy Lablanc said the dive team has become much more efficient on milfoil harvesting. Motion passed.

Article 16. Shall the Town appropriate $40,000 for Waste Disposal and Recycling. Vince Dotoli made the motion and Ruth Gjessing seconded it and the motion passed unanimously.

Article 17. Shall the Town appropriate $23,900.00 for Trash and Recycling Pickup. Mike Brannon made the motion and Gerald Saindon seconded it and the motion passed unanimously.

Article 18. Shall the Town appropriate $173,000.00 for Town Highway Systems. David Stevens said he could adjust that amount by State Aid funds to $138, 060. Gerald Saindon moved ($138,060) and Vince Dotoli seconded. Motion passed.

Article 19. Shall the Town appropriate $32,000.00 for paving projects. Gerald Saindon so moved and Ron Holmes seconded it. David Stevens explained this would be for the second layer on what was done last year-Hinton Hill and Cook Road. Motion passed.

Article 20. Shall the Town appropriate $25,000.00 for the Equipment Purchasing Fund. Gerald Saindon so moved and Paul Moffat seconded it. David Stevens said one truck is 17 years old and the backhoe and loader are also getting old. These funds would be used when needed. Mike Brannon asked if this fund was kept in a separate account. David said yes. Cindy Poplawski asked the Selectboard to explain the purchase of $2000 on a used truck for the transfer station which David Stevens did. Motion passed.

Article 21. Shall the Town appropriate $23,198 for reappraisal and Mapping for the year 2006. Total reappraisal is $46,397. $23,198 to be voted on in year 2007. Mike Brannon moved and Gerald Saindon seconded. The listers explained the need and what would be done with these funds. Motion passed.

Andy Berley moved and Gerald Saindon seconded. Greg Gallagher explained that a group of individuals started the site as a way for taxpayers and residents to get information on the town. Nancy Mallary said that if the Town voted "yes", the site would become an official Town entity, under the supervision of the Selectboard. There were several comments on the site. Motion passed.

Article 23. Shall the Town appropriate the sum of $2500 for restoration of Old Town Office. Gerald Saindon moved and Vince Dotoli seconded. Gail Brown said the building needs to be heated because the water for the Municipal Building goes thru it. The building needs to to be cleaned inside and out, painted and repaired. Millie Davis suggested it be called "Bun’s Meeting Place." Motion passed.

Article 24. Shall the Town appropriate the sum of $200 for Ecoli Testing in Willoughby Lake. Charlie Carter moved and Glen Harter seconded. Randi Rosenstein moved to amend the motion to $500, $300 of which would be used by the Health Officer for expenses. Vince Dotoli seconded the motion. The Amendment failed. The original motion for $200 passed.

Article 25. Shall the Town vote to carryover reserved funds. Charlie Carter so moved and Andy Berley seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Article 26. Shall the Town authorize the Selectboard to use unreserved funds to cover 2005 deficit funds. Rick Mallary moved and Andy Berley seconded. Motion passed.

Article 27. Shall the Town authorize the Selectboard to borrow if needed for current expenses. Rick Mallary moved and Andy Berley seconded. Motion passed.

Article 28. Shall the Town accept Articles 29 thru (amended) 47 as printed, if not to vote each separately, totaling $7,101.00. Jeremy LeBlanc so moved and Andy Berley seconded it. Andrea Poe, Barton Librarian, explained that their appropriation was not in last year’s Articles. That is why it is so high. After several comments for and against the motion, the motion passed.

The meeting ended at 4:16 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Greg Gallagher

By Australian Ballot, the Waste Management vote: 41 YES 2 NO