Alexandria Board of Selectmen

October 25, 2007

Members Present:     Cindy Williams and Don Gangemi

The meeting came to order at 4:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the choice of a third selectman.  Don Gangemi felt that there was not enough time allowed previously for a discussion with the candidates.  He would like to reschedule them for a longer interview.  He had also thought that the board could continue without a third person until election due to the fact that he was a bit uncomfortable making a choice that the voters should have the opportunity to do.  Christie explained the necessity of having the third person in case someone is out in an emergency situation.  It takes two of the three selectmen to be able to conduct business.  Christie will set up meetings with two of the candidates for next Wednesday.

Highway Budget:

            Jeff Cantara presented his 2008 budget request to the selectmen.  There was some discussion regarding Jeff’s salary setup, but no decisions were made.  The highway budget is up by 3.5% without counting the personnel benefits which are being included in the department budgets for the first time this year.

Mike Corliss: Mike had a 6:15 appointment with the selectmen.  He said that he felt as though he was being discriminating against by Selectman Williams because she held up an intent to cut over a year ago.  Selectman Williams explained that there was no discrimination; the selectmen follow normal procedures for all intents.  There is a checklist that is used to determine if all information is in place.  There was also some discussion of the right of one logger to use Bog Road Bridge when another logger was denied the use of Washburn Bridge.  Leon Sharp stated that the Washburn Bridge was put in somewhere around 1928; the Bog Road Bridge around 1960.  There is a substantial difference in the materials used for the bridges.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of October 4 were approved by a vote of 2-0.

Distribution of Minutes:        The draft minutes of October 11 and 18 were distributed.  More complete minutes will be available at another time.

Items Requiring Signature:

            A purchase order was signed for Future Supply for winter sand treatment in the amount
            of $2,127.05.
            The Waste Management contract was signed

            A purchase order was signed for Cabot O’Brien for upgrades to the backup system-$1710

New Business:

            The selectmen accepted the resignation of Lynn Kenney as Animal Control Office and
            appointed Larry Stickney as the new ACO.

            Christie will be working on a volunteer policy in light of the gazebo project.

Public Input:

            The planning board is waiting to hear from Chris Boldt with regard to the Bedard pit.

            The police department put in a memo regarding the hiring of some new officers.  Don
            Gangemi pointed out that the selectmen acknowledge what the chief would like to do,
            but do not approve it at this time.

            Chief Hinkle is looking into a grant for a message board; this will appear on the 2008
            town meeting agenda as a warrant article.

            The Indeck plant owners have filed for an Air Resources Permit.  The selectmen would
            like a representative of the company to come to a meeting to discuss the plans for the
            power plant.

            Christie will work with Dubois & King to address the attorney’s concerns with the
            Washburn Road Bridge contract.

            The Town Administrator position will be further discussed next week.

            Merry Ruggirello said that logs are being dragged down Gale Road.  Terry Willette
            said if the road is being messed up, he will fix it.

Sue Cheney announced that the Friends of Alexandria Village School will be holding a
Children’s Harvest Day on Sunday, November 4 from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the town hall.
There will be crafts, a petting zoo, button making and music as well as food.  It was suggested that perhaps the police department would do a fingerprinting exercise that day.
Chief Hinkle agreed to do this. 

Skip Reilly encouraged people to attend the school district meetings, budget and regular
and the local budget meetings.  They are all open to the public.

It is noted that next week there will be a public hearing held regarding the acceptance of FEMA funds and gazebo funds.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m. by a vote of 2-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps,

Admin. Assistant