Board of Selectmen
REGULAR MEETING
February 28, 2007

Present: Scott Adamsons, John Anderson, Susan Bransfield, Mark Finkelstein.
Brian Flood, Sharon Gibala and Kathleen Richards

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield.

Motion was made by Kathleen Richards and seconded by Scott Adamsons to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2007 financial meeting.

AYES: Scott Adamsons, Susan Bransfield, Mark Finkelstein, Brian Flood, Sharon Gibala and Kathleen Richards
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: John Anderson

Motion carried.

Motion was made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Scott Adamsons to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2007 regular meeting.

AYES: Scott Adamsons, John Anderson, Susan Bransfield, Brian Flood, Sharon Gibala and Kathleen Richards
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: Mark Finkelstein

Motion carried.

Motion was made by John Anderson and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS / CORRESPONDENCE

Mr. Lincoln White, Building Official and Wetlands Enforcement Officer, introduced himself to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. White discussed some of the goals he will be addressing and stated that he is feeling very comfortable in his new position.

Dr. Howard Rosenbaum presented an update regarding the brownstone arch. The Brownstone Quorum has been working on obtaining designs and funding for the past two years. Dr. Rosenbaum displayed a site plan that has been developed by Geoffrey Jacobson & Associates at no cost to the town. The architectural plan was done by Rick Staub, a Portland resident. The arch will be located in the area between the Portland Police Department and the Bank of America and will be open to the public. The cost of the project is estimated at $52,000-a $25,000 grant has already been obtained from the State. A special plaque will be made for Eddie Chiabrero who stored the arch on his property for four years. The cost of the plaque will be donated by the Portland Exchange Club. Some donations have been received from Portland businesses. The Brownstone Quorum will be selling paving stones to residents to raise money. Dr. Rosenbaum stated that approximately $34,000 has been raised at the present time and he asked the Board of Selectmen to consider adding $6,000 for this project. The Brownstone Quorum hopes to have the arch set up by the summer.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Carl Fitzgibbons asked the Board of Selectmen to improve the intersection at Fairview Street and High Street by moving the telephone pole that obstructs the line of vision. He stated that it is very difficult for school buses to make the turn.

Mr. Fitzgibbons asked that the Police Department be supported with additional funding or man power in the control of speeding on Route 66 and Route 17.

Mrs. Bransfield stated that she called CL & P about moving the pole. She was told that CL & P would consider the request if a letter was written by the town explaining the reason for moving the pole. It was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen that a letter be written to CL & P.

OLD BUSINESS

A) Charter Revision Commission Budget and Other Matters

Mr. Richard Murphy, Chairman of the Charter Revision Commission, stated that Attorney Mednick will be working with the commission throughout the entire process and the commission will do its best to stay within the budgeted amount of $7,500.

Mr. Finkelstein felt that it would be appropriate for the Board of Selectmen to endorse the hiring of a consultant and stated that the attorney should be working for town and not the Board of Selectmen or the Charter Revision Commission.

Motion was made by Mark Finkelstein and seconded by Scott Adamsons that the Town of Portland hire Attorney Mednick within the framework specified. Motion passed unanimously.

B) Appointments to Boards and Commissions

None

NEW BUSINESS

A) Resolution: Additional Property Tax Exemption for Select Veterans or Their Surviving Spouses

Mrs. Bransfield commented that the exemption would take effect the following fiscal year.

Motion was made by Mark Finkelstein and seconded by Sharon Gibala to approve the resolution "Additional Property Tax Exemption for Select Veterans or Their Surviving Spouses". (Att. A) Motion passed unanimously.

B) Proposed Ordinance: Abandoned & Inoperable Motor Vehicle Ordinance (a.k.a. Parking on Main Street/Route 17 - new)

Mr. Finkelstein commented that this ordinance was brought about by the parking on Main Street and he recused himself from this discussion because he owns property on Main Street.

Mrs. Bransfield stated that this ordinance will now go to public hearing. Mr. Flood commented on the definition of a motor vehicle and that items such as motor scooters, tractors and go-carts are not usually registered and will always be in violation of the ordinance. Mrs. Bransfield asked that the ordinance be sent to public hearing and then any necessary changes can be made as a result of the public hearing.

Motion was made by Kathleen Richards and seconded by Sharon Gibala to schedule a public hearing on March 14, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.

C) Bartlett Street Sewer Assessment

Rick Kelsey, Director of Public Works, requested that a public hearing be scheduled for the final phase of sewer assessments for Bartlett Street.

Motion was made by Kathleen Richards and seconded by John Anderson to schedule a public hearing on March 14, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.

D) 2007-08 Budget

Budget books were distributed to the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Bransfield commented that some numbers in the budget will not be accurate because it is not known what will happen in the State Legislature. She noted that the amount for health insurance for employees will change due to an anticipated 20% increase.

Mr. Finkelstein asked if a column could be added to reflect the anticipated expenditures for the current year. Mrs. Bransfield stated that she will talk to the Director of Finance about this.

E) Refunds

Motion was made by Mark Finkelstein and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve the refund of property taxes to Sam DelRusso for $9.73. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion was made by Mark Finkelstein and seconded by Brian Flood to approve the refund of property taxes to Andrea L. Kelsey for $14.74. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion was made by Mark Finkelstein and seconded by Sharon Gibala to approve the refund of property taxes to Volvo Finance for $105.41. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion was made by Mark Finkelstein and seconded by Brian Flood to approve the refund of property taxes to Lease Corporation of America for $499.60. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion was made by Mark Finkelstein and seconded by Kathleen to approve the refund of property taxes to Vicki L. Vancamp or William K. Lesse for $46.96. Motion passed unanimously.

STATUS & COMMITTEE REPORTS

No report

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

BOARD OF SELECTMEN GENERAL INFORMAL DISCUSSION

None

FOLLOW UP ITEMS

No report

Motion was made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Mark Finkelstein to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia Darna
Recording Clerk