Enter selection criteria and press "apply"

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. The selectboard met with several residents and discussed concerns over their recent property assessments.
4. Meeting adjourned.

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. Reviewed and signed Warrant #12 ($25,409.47).
4. The selectboard met with the Broadband Committee to discuss hiring a manager for the broadband project.
5. Meeting adjourned.

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. Mr. Manly and Stan Webster both inquired about property tax.
4. Robert Weingarten reviewed his property taxes with the selectboard.
5. Meeting adjourned.

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. Reviewed and signed Warrant #11 ($18,683.40).
4. The selectboard set the 2024 Mill Rate at 0.0084 this is a drastic decrease from the 0.02005 Mill Rate of 2023 (the increase in the Town wide evaluation decreased the Mill Rate). The slectboard, treasurer, and tax collector had a lengthy and difficult conversation discussing different Mill Rate options. A few points of the conversation are the Kennebec County Tax was increased by approximately 40% more than had been anticipated during the budgeting process. The projected budget for SAD 9 has increased more than projected (larger increase than in previous years). Two budget items were increased off the floor during the March Town Meeting. The 2024 budget had a projected 0% increase and the above three items have increased the 2024 budget. A lot of thought and hard work went into this conversation trying to keep taxes flat from last year as the new Town wide evaluations will go into effect this fiscal year. Unfortunately, the townspeople will see a small increase in taxes. Had the Town not done a reevaluation, the residents would still have seen an increase based on the above mentioned increases.
5. The selectboard had a teams.microsoft meeting with an engineering firm and a grant writer to go over damages to the road and culverts during the two large storms that occurred over the last 12 months. The town is working on grants to help replace culverts and improve water crossing with hopes to prevent future storm issues.
6. The Animal Control Officer (ACO) let the selectboard know of an issue between two residents on Kimball Pond Road. One Resident keeps making complaints about the other residents animals. The ACO informed the residents that there was not an animal issue.
7. Meeting adjourned.

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. The selectboard worked on setting the 2024 Mill Rate and was unable to set the Mill Rate as the State of Maine has not provided the Tree Growth information which is needed to do so.
4. The selectboard signed Broadband Warrant #1 ($491,368.55).
5. Whitney Baker presented two new grants she feels the Town should apply for. #1) The Maine Stream Crossing application for up to $200,000.00 per application in which a Town can submit up to 3 applications. #2) The Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund. A town can apply for up to $4 million per application. A town can only have one application. The Infrastructure Adaptation could be more challenging as it has stricter regulations to meet and the Town may not meet those. Whitney will look into this Grant further and will get back to the selectboard. The selectboard agreed and will apply for the Stream Crossing Application for three stream crossings which are for the Jesse Ladd Road, the Trask Road, and the Kimball Pond Road.
6. Beth Trehu updated the selectboard on The 30 Mile Watershed Association and the Stream Crossing Grants the Town has applied for.
7. The Vienna Fire Chief, Chief Church, provided an update on the Fire Department’s expenditures on the 2024 budget.
8. Meeting adjourned.

At 6:10 PM Regular members Waine Whittier, Creston Gaither, Ed Lawless, and Tim Bickford met with Josh Chase on his Flying Pond Road site depicted on Tax Map 11 as Lot V-24 to discuss his proposal to construct a stairway to the pond.

At 7:00 PM said members met with Jon Fitch on his Town House Road property shown on tax map 2 as lot 13E to discuss his proposal to construct a bridge or culvert where a stream crosses the parcel.
 

These members arrived at the Town House for the Board’s regular meeting at 7:30 PM, and were joined by Jon Fitch and regular member Alan Williams, and also by Steve Trehu. Minutes of the April 24 meeting were read and accepted. 

The Jon Fitch site was discussed. He does not have a formal drawing of what he’d like to do; he was advised that the proposed crossing spot lies within the Stream Protection zone. He was advised that he will need a formal, engineered plan, and that he should discuss the project with D.E.P. The Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, Section 15C was briefly reviewed. It was agreed that Jon should present a design that shows that the proposed construction will be adequate to handle the stream’s flow during a severe storm. It should be prepared by a qualified professional. Creston will send Jon an email outlining all this.

Josh Chase arrived at 7:35 PM. He submitted an informal sketch of the stairway he would like to build. He would also like to put a 4’ x 8’ gravel-filled platform adjacent to the stairs going toward his fire pit. It was generally agreed that the proposal would minimize erosion. No trees are to be removed. 

Based on its observations on site and on Mr. Chase’s site sketch and verbal representations, the Board made Findings of Fact Pursuant to Section 16.D. of the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, and voted 5 – 0 to authorize Creston to issue a permit for the project.

Waine received an email inquiry about a spite fence; it was agreed that the Board has never issued a permit for a fence and that such a permit does not appear to be required. 

Alan presented a copy of a letter Creston wrote on September 9, 2022 regarding the division of a lot on an old subdivision. The Board agreed to put a dated note on the letter stating that the current Board agrees that the letter is still valid.

Steve Trehu may become an alternate member. The Board’s responsibilities were briefly outlined for him. Waine will ask the selectmen to appoint him.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
 

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. Reviewed and signed Warrant #11 ($45,851.54).
4. The selectboard continued to discuss the need to have the Town House painted. The paint is starting to chip off.
5. The selectboard along with the Broadband Committee did a site visit at the Community Center in order to review the placement of the broadband hub. They discussed what a project manager would be able to do and how to help with the broadband project. They agreed a project manager is not yet needed, however the Town will contact a couple of managers and discuss the project to attain someone for the future.
6. The Road Commissioner, Dan Goucher, discussed the current road conditions.
7. The selectboard worked on property cards so the mill rate can be set next week.
8. Meeting adjourned.

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. The selectboard discussed having the Town House and ramp painted. This was tabled until the next meeting.
4. The selectboard discussed participating in the 2024 Household Hazardous Waste Collection. The selectboard has been contacted by a resident asking if they would coordinate the waste collection.
5. The selectboard discussed hiring a broadband project manager.
6. The selectmen worked on cleaning up property cards from the reassessment.
7. The selectmen talked with John Rodrigue about culvert engineering and will be discussing this with the company he works for.
8. Meeting adjourned.

1. Reviewed and dispersed the mail.
2. The selectmen read and accepted the minutes from the previous meeting.
3. Reviewed and signed Warrant #10 ($10,649.68).
4. The Broadband Committee brought forth a request for a project manager to be hired for the broadband project. The money was included in the grant. The selectboard agreed to discuss this and get back to them with a decision. The selectboard was provided with a list of possible choices.
5. The selectboard will meet with the Broadband Committee, the Fire Chief and Mark Ouellette,
   from Axiom, to review the placement of the hub at the fire station.
6. Meeting adjourned.