The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the Holden Elementary School. (The parking lot at the side of the school was full and cars had started parking in front which indicated a better than usual attendance.)
Board members in attendance - and seated from left to right - were: Sylvia Ellis, rep from Holden; Ray Hart, Interim Superintendent; Don Varnum, Rep from Holden and Chair; Therese Anderson, rep from Eddington and Vice Chair; Karen Clark, rep from Eddington; Chris Fickett; and Mario Tiesl, rep from Holden.
Kevin Mills, rep from Holden, was absent, as was Pam Dorr, rep from Eddington who was out due to illness.
Chairman Varnum read letters of Recognition for Keith Kennedy, Elizabeth DeMerchant, and Theresa Richardson.
Although the Agenda had an Executive Session scheduled to be held next, Chairman Varnum entertained a motion to take up the land transfer issue (identified as the Holden Town Deed on the agenda) out of order since it was quite a ways down on the agenda and because a number of people from the public in attendance were there for that specific item on the agenda.
Three of the five members of Clifton Board of Selectmen were in attendance (one became ill at the last minute and was unable to attend) along with a resident of Clifton who was also at the September 23 meeting in Eddington. A fourth member from the Board, expecting the Executive Session to be conducted first, arrived just as the issue was concluded but he did come to the meeting and his efforts are applauded by this writer.
Eddington was represented by its Town Manager. One Selectman had planned to attend but he advised the Town Manager at the last minute that something had come up and he wouldn't be able to attend. (Perhaps readers saw him in the television news clip of the LURC public hearings on Monday.)
Holden was represented by the Town Manager, the Chairman of its Board of Selectmen and Selectman Harvey.
Chairman Varnum turned the microphone over to Vice Chair Therese Anderson who provided a brief synopsis of the "situation." She explained the history of the RSU discussions as they impacted the "excess land" in question. She also explained that the voters in all three towns had voted down the RSU several months ago (that proposed consolidation with Brewer). However, while Eddington and Clifton voters had believed that vote had cancelled the question of transferring the "excess land" to Holden, the people of Holden had not seen the issue in the same light. That "difference of perspective" had created a problem in that actions had subsequently taken place without the involvement of Eddington and Clifton. This culminated in special discussions at the Clifton Board of Selectmen on September 16 and the Clifton School Board rep, and the Special Meeting at the Eddington Town Office on September 23 with the Eddington Board of Selectmen and members of the Clifton Board of Selectmen with Eddington's School Board representatives.
Therese then went on to describe the discussions that ensued September 23 and the resulting resolutions: (1) that the portion of land where the Veterans Memorial and Gazebo are located [roughly from the area just past the far edge of the backfield of the ball field to 1A] should be transferred to the Town of Holden so that a committee could be formed to raise funds for the perpetual care of the Veteran Memorial; (2) that additional surveying work is needed to determine where the Nature Trails actually are, as well as identifying an access/easement for the Town through School land to the Nature Trails for trail maintenance and care; and (3) that the ball field should stay within SAD63 land (and not be transferred).
Therese further stated that the Town of Holden should pay for the surveying and legal work done to date, but that SAD63 should pay for the additional surveying and legal work needed for item #2 above. It was recommended that the same firms be retained for #2 that did the original work since those firms will be familiar with the project and land sites. It was also stated that it be clear in the final documents that the land in question will (1) continue to be public land, and (2) be returned to the school district without cost should it ever be needed by the school district.
The Chair from the Holden Board expressed appreciation for the work that was done by Eddington and Clifton and by the SAD63 Board and that the proposed resolution of this issue appeared to meet the good will and mutual objectives of all concerned.
The motion was put forth, seconded, and passed unanimously.
One thing that was not done was to identify who (from each of the three towns plus the School Board) was going to meet and when to direct the attorney as to the drafting of the subsequent legal Release Deed and Recitals. It should be noted that the original Release Deed and Recitals presented to the Board cannot be signed because they do not conform to the actions of the Board last night.
At that point the SAD63 Board went into Executive Session and all of the towns representatives, with the exception of Eddington's Town Manager, left. This writer stayed. I believe the Eddington Town Manager left when the Board returned from its Executive Session.
When the members of the Board resumed from its Executive Session, things went fairly quickly. There were a few "high lights" that I will report on.
Rep. Clark pointed out that Board members did not receive the 2007-2008 Audit in their packets. Mr. Teisl stated this was an error. Since the document could not be emailed to Board members, copies of the report will be sent to them. It was also noted by Rep. Clark that Board members only received a July Financial Statement in their packets for the meeting - no August Statement. Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) Chair, Mario Tiesl, stated the Business Manager (BM) was requesting a two month lag for producing Financial Statements. The explanation was that not all receipts and statements were available to the BM in time for her to get the statements done in time for the BFC meetings.
Waiting until the end of the agenda when there was an opportunity for the public to ask questions, this writer asked if the same receipts or statements are late every month and/or if they don't come in until the same "late" date. At that point the BM stated that she doesn't receive the Bank Statements until the end of the first week of the next month (after month end) and she needs a week to balance the accounts. Also the BFC committee meets the first week of the month. This writer then asked Mr. Teisl if the BFC couldn't meet later in the month - since the SAD63 Board meets at the end of the month.
There was also the purported "problem" that a draft Financial Statement is given to the members of the BFC for their review and questions before it goes into the Board members packet (in preparation of the Board meeting at the end of the month). This process requires time. This writer suggested the "draft" report could be emailed to the BFC members to expedite review. Ms. Ellis, a BFC member (other members are Ms. Anderson and Chair Teisl), stated she can only download 5mg of email because she uses her cell phone for emails.
Mr. Teisl seemed willing to consider changing BFC meetings to later in the month in order to have Financial Statements that are no later than the month preceding the month in which the Board is meeting. He concurred the Board does not want to get into the same situation as it found itself last year.
This writers suggests that Ms. Ellis can access her emails via any public library, at any one of the three schools, or even at the District's central office. This writer also wonders why the BM hasn't set up online account review. Such online access would allow her to balance the District's accounts daily or weekly - certainly long before she receives the bank's (banks) paper statement(s). Since the District now has an additional part-time person to assist the BM with the workload, there should be no reason why the books aren't balanced well before the paper statement is received. At that point, the paper statement is just a simple process requiring little time.
Karen Clark was elected to be the Delegate to the Maine School Board Association Annual Assembly on October 22nd & 23 representing SAD63. Kevin Mills was elected Alternate.
There was a request that the School Nurse for Holden Elementary, Shirley LaVoie, be hired for three days a week instead of two. This will increase the budget by $7,895. Discussion followed and Interim Superintendent Hart pointed out that there are two School Nurses who split time between Eddington and Holbrook resulting in (I believe he said) 1.5 days at each school per nurse. Mr. Hart proposed the Board consider hiring one nurse for five days next year which would allow full coverage at all three schools as well as having a nurse "on call" at all times for all three schools. The Board voted 6-0 for Ms. LaVoie's days to be extended to three days a week.
Mr. Hart reported that the State Commissioner of Schools is currently requesting the State Legislature's permission to allow Districts to file for consolidation with as few as 1,000 and below (in contrast to the original 2,500 student requirement) to constitute an "approved consolidated district." Mr. Hart further stated the State is projecting a state-level shortfall of $40 million in the current year and next for schools and a cut in state funding for the district can be expected in the area of $95-100 thousand.**
** This writer's thoughts: One wonders if the Commissioner is not all that certain that the voters will endorse consolidation come the November vote. After all, how many voters will remember the "promise" that consolidation was supposed to save money, prevent a rise in property taxes. How many times in the last two years have we been sold that bill of goods? - consolidating state corrections with county jails was supposed to "guarantee" no rise in property taxes. Read what the sheriff in Washington County is saying or what the sheriff of Penobscot County said LAST year.
We were already told LAST year the state was going to cut $60 million from public education in 2011. Seems to me $40 million is a better estimate. Bottom line: No one can believe ANYTHING coming out of Maine State Government. Everything is just one threat after another to make the PEOPLE act like herd animals and go along with whatever government wants them to do - with as little thought and analysis as the current administration and legislature has been exhibiting in its "tax and spend approach to government. It's fast approaching when local school districts better plan on running and paying for public education with nothing from the state. We'd probably produce a better product - IF we had better leadership at the local level than we do currently.
And speaking about that November vote re: consolidation.... It appears that School Board Chair Varnum doesn't plan to even appoint an RSU committee to START talking until after that vote. I guess he thinks there's no sense in even beginning to develop a plan if the voters repeal consolidation (which doesn't say much for Mr. Hart's confidence all these months that we will go forward with consolidation). On the other hand, if the voters DO endorse consolidation, SAD63 voters have only until January 2010 (two months!) to develop a plan, calculate the costs of such a plan, present the plan to the voters, and have the voters vote and approve the plan, and then submit the plan to the Commissioner for approval... It takes longer than that to get most teenagers to clean their rooms!
This $163,000 penalty assessment (which the Governor is so anxious to grab hold of - remember that shortfall... He needs the money, people!) will go into effect next July IF consolidation is required and IF we don't have a plan.
So, say Orrington, Dedham and Otis are interested (Otis voted against going in with Ellsworth so they'll still be interested in SAD63 if they have to consolidate). SAD63 still has to sit down with them, figure out how we'll consolidate our central office services and then how much each community will need to pay for those services. And we'll need to figure out how the School Board will be configured. And then there is that little matter of school teachers' contracts - because SAD63 hasn't started those negotiations either.
Am I the only one wondering who is leading this group at SAD63? Or if there is any leadership at all? With what I'm seeing, I expect 2010-2011 to be a very expensive year. Our role? Just keep on paying the bill, I guess. (as a side note, I learned at the Eddington Selectmen's meeting last night - Eddington was assessed $140,000 MORE this year for the School Budget than last year! And I can't figure out why? More in a posting later this week.
Just one more reason to vote for TABOR II as far as I'm concerned.
Tomorrow - information on the lawsuit.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
BRING YOUR CARDS AND PITCH A TENT - BE DETERMINED
If you've been following the saga of the Land Transfer issue and the SAD63 School Board, you realize that this coming night's School Board meeting at the Holden School - 6:30pm - should be interesting. Obviously it's an important issue to the Boards of Selectmen from the towns of Eddington and Clifton who represent the taxpayers of those towns (see my last posting which will fill you in on their joint meeting which was attended by the Holden Town Manager - John Butts. Apologies extended to omitting the "s" at the end of his name in the previous posting.)
Following that meeting (Wednesday, the 23rd) School Board Vice Chair, Therese Anderson - rep from Eddington asked Karen Clark, rep from Eddington and former Vice Chair, to contact School Board Chair Don Varnum, rep from Holden, and Interim Superintendent Ray Hart (not a resident of any of the towns in SAD63) of the decisions of the Selectmen from both Eddington and Clifton. Anderson told Clark to convey to Varnum and Hart they could call her (Anderson) if they (Varnum and Hart) had any questions with the information Clark was providing.
Thoughts on the part of this writer: Why didn't Anderson do her own communicating? Even if it needed to be by telephone. She's the new Vice Chair and she was at the joint meeting. And she was much more vocal in the meeting than Clark. And Anderson was more than willing to take Clark's position as Vice Chair - at Varnum's instigation. So why should Clark be Anderson's messenger?
Needless to say, Varnum and Hart were not all that pleased with the message/information delivered by Clark. It would be interesting to know if they followed up with any calls to Anderson. It will also be interesting to watch the voting on Monday night.
It will also be interesting to see WHEN the land transfer issue comes up on the agenda.
It seems some terribly important business needs to be discussed in Executive Session BEFORE the regular agenda - with the Board's attorney regarding the ongoing lawsuit involving the former superintendent, Louise Reagan. One wouldn't want to think this Executive Session will be used to try to delay the regular session to such a point as to (hopefully?) get those of the public waiting for the regular agenda to give up and go home would it? I've been at School Board meetings in the past when such Executive Sessions have lasted up to an hour. And I've been told there have been other such sessions that have lasted longer (where Board members have been rumored to simply sit in the room doing nothing but check to see if members of the public have left).
If such shenanigans are planned for this coming night, IT WOULD NOT BE WISE. There is an opportunity before the School Board to address some distrust that has been created because of the handling of this land transfer matter. It was described in the previous posting so I will not go into it here. But ANY actions Monday night that are perceived as a "delay and stall" tactic in order to make an end run move in order to push that entire land transfer through at this time will create such distrust and anger in the towns of Eddington and Clifton that those who are responsible may reap more than they will want to have to explain to their constituents in the future.
It is bad enough - and one would have to think it was done intentionally (because how could anyone be so stupid) - to put this issue near the very end of the regular agenda as it is. Reality being what it is, and feelings running the way they are, the more irritated the Selectmen and women become, the more entrenched they may be regarding future issues as they relate to SAD63.
The Selectmen/Town Managers are already aware that they are not receiving monthly Financial Reports from the School Board. They are already aware they have had to request copies of the 2007-2008 Audit (and this blog will be addressing that issue next week). NOTE: It will be interesting to see if there is an August Financial Statement presented at Monday night's meeting. Chances are there won't be. Even though the Business Office now has an additional part-time position in the budget to help the Business Manager get caught up with her work.
When Clifton, with a population of only 752 (and that includes every man, woman and child) is having to pay nearly $50,000 a month to meet its School Budget assessment - and when Eddington's overall property taxes are 51 percent consumed by the SAD63 assessment, these town representatives should be treated with more respect that the current School Board Chair is according them.
So, I won't be leaving before the entire agenda is completed, Mr. Chairman. And I won't be leaving until the meeting is CLOSED so that I can be sure there won't be a "reconsideration of a vote" once interested parties have left. I'm prepared to set up a card party in the back of the room for as long as any Executive Session IS in session and to wait out the results of the entire Board Meeting just to see what IS (and isn't) going on.
As just another example of the fiscal responsibility of this elected body, this school consolidation penalty waiver is only for ONE year - not two as some people think. (The original version of the bill written in the Legislature was for two years but the Governor wouldn't sign that version. The version he did sign was for one year only.) So if the people of this state do not vote in November to repeal school consolidation, SAD63 better have a state-approved plan for the people to vote on before January 2010 that can go into effect by July 2010. And there has still been no RSU committee appointed by Mr. Varnum to even get started on such a plan. He's just sent out letters to Orrington and Dedham asking if THEY think SAD63 should have a meeting (with them?). Depending on how this land issue matter is handled Monday night, Mr. Varnum may have a bigger problem on his hand with Eddington and Clifton than just Orrington and Dedham when it comes to any school consolidation.
I hope the members of the public will be joining us Monday night - for as long as it lasts. It should be interesting.
Following that meeting (Wednesday, the 23rd) School Board Vice Chair, Therese Anderson - rep from Eddington asked Karen Clark, rep from Eddington and former Vice Chair, to contact School Board Chair Don Varnum, rep from Holden, and Interim Superintendent Ray Hart (not a resident of any of the towns in SAD63) of the decisions of the Selectmen from both Eddington and Clifton. Anderson told Clark to convey to Varnum and Hart they could call her (Anderson) if they (Varnum and Hart) had any questions with the information Clark was providing.
Thoughts on the part of this writer: Why didn't Anderson do her own communicating? Even if it needed to be by telephone. She's the new Vice Chair and she was at the joint meeting. And she was much more vocal in the meeting than Clark. And Anderson was more than willing to take Clark's position as Vice Chair - at Varnum's instigation. So why should Clark be Anderson's messenger?
Needless to say, Varnum and Hart were not all that pleased with the message/information delivered by Clark. It would be interesting to know if they followed up with any calls to Anderson. It will also be interesting to watch the voting on Monday night.
It will also be interesting to see WHEN the land transfer issue comes up on the agenda.
It seems some terribly important business needs to be discussed in Executive Session BEFORE the regular agenda - with the Board's attorney regarding the ongoing lawsuit involving the former superintendent, Louise Reagan. One wouldn't want to think this Executive Session will be used to try to delay the regular session to such a point as to (hopefully?) get those of the public waiting for the regular agenda to give up and go home would it? I've been at School Board meetings in the past when such Executive Sessions have lasted up to an hour. And I've been told there have been other such sessions that have lasted longer (where Board members have been rumored to simply sit in the room doing nothing but check to see if members of the public have left).
If such shenanigans are planned for this coming night, IT WOULD NOT BE WISE. There is an opportunity before the School Board to address some distrust that has been created because of the handling of this land transfer matter. It was described in the previous posting so I will not go into it here. But ANY actions Monday night that are perceived as a "delay and stall" tactic in order to make an end run move in order to push that entire land transfer through at this time will create such distrust and anger in the towns of Eddington and Clifton that those who are responsible may reap more than they will want to have to explain to their constituents in the future.
It is bad enough - and one would have to think it was done intentionally (because how could anyone be so stupid) - to put this issue near the very end of the regular agenda as it is. Reality being what it is, and feelings running the way they are, the more irritated the Selectmen and women become, the more entrenched they may be regarding future issues as they relate to SAD63.
The Selectmen/Town Managers are already aware that they are not receiving monthly Financial Reports from the School Board. They are already aware they have had to request copies of the 2007-2008 Audit (and this blog will be addressing that issue next week). NOTE: It will be interesting to see if there is an August Financial Statement presented at Monday night's meeting. Chances are there won't be. Even though the Business Office now has an additional part-time position in the budget to help the Business Manager get caught up with her work.
When Clifton, with a population of only 752 (and that includes every man, woman and child) is having to pay nearly $50,000 a month to meet its School Budget assessment - and when Eddington's overall property taxes are 51 percent consumed by the SAD63 assessment, these town representatives should be treated with more respect that the current School Board Chair is according them.
So, I won't be leaving before the entire agenda is completed, Mr. Chairman. And I won't be leaving until the meeting is CLOSED so that I can be sure there won't be a "reconsideration of a vote" once interested parties have left. I'm prepared to set up a card party in the back of the room for as long as any Executive Session IS in session and to wait out the results of the entire Board Meeting just to see what IS (and isn't) going on.
As just another example of the fiscal responsibility of this elected body, this school consolidation penalty waiver is only for ONE year - not two as some people think. (The original version of the bill written in the Legislature was for two years but the Governor wouldn't sign that version. The version he did sign was for one year only.) So if the people of this state do not vote in November to repeal school consolidation, SAD63 better have a state-approved plan for the people to vote on before January 2010 that can go into effect by July 2010. And there has still been no RSU committee appointed by Mr. Varnum to even get started on such a plan. He's just sent out letters to Orrington and Dedham asking if THEY think SAD63 should have a meeting (with them?). Depending on how this land issue matter is handled Monday night, Mr. Varnum may have a bigger problem on his hand with Eddington and Clifton than just Orrington and Dedham when it comes to any school consolidation.
I hope the members of the public will be joining us Monday night - for as long as it lasts. It should be interesting.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
EDDINGTON-CLIFTON SELECTMEN MEET WITH SCHOOL BOARD REPS
Last night, Wednesday the 23rd, a very productive meeting was held at the Eddington Town Office. Brian Glass, Chip Grover and Joan Brooks from the Eddington Board of Selectmen, with Eddington Town Manager, Russell Smith, had arranged to meet with the Eddington School Board representatives. Karen Clark and Therese Anderson were in attendance. Pam Dorr was absent due to illness. Selectmen Charles Baker and Don Goodwin were absent. Baker was in S. Carolina and Goodwin had an appointment at the credit union.
Members from the Clifton Board of Selectmen had also been invited to attend. Two were able to do so - Two were ill and a third, Carol Jordan, a flight nurse, had planned to be there but wasn't. Present were Penny Peasley and Ed Beauchamp. Fred Rosenberg, a Clifton citizen who regularly attends Clifton Selectmen's meeting and PVCOG meetings was also in attendance. The Clifton Selectmen had their regular monthly meeting last Wednesday and the Clifton School Board representative, Chris Fickett, attended where Clifton's issues and concerns regarding the SAD63 land transference issue was discussed.
Additionally, citizens from Eddington in attendance last night were: Ralph Russell (former principal of Holbrook Middle School), John Butt (Town Manager of Holden and Eddington resident), Mr. and Mrs. Grover, parents of Selectman Grover, and this writer.
In truth, there were more people in the room than there ever are for monthly Eddington Selectmen meetings. And it was a good meeting!
After opening with the Flag Salute, Eddington Chair, Joan Brooks, read a letter from the Eddington legal counsel which, in effect, recommended that the town continue to oppose any transfer of land. As the Selectmen stated, the taxpayers of Eddington (and Clifton) have paid for the maintenance and improvements of the land in question for many years and the proposal at hand (as written) is to give the land to the Town of Holden with no compensation in return to the Eddington (or Clifton) taxpayers. Further, the Selectmen (and legal counsel's opinion) felt the wording of the proposal (which the Selectmen had only recently received) was not sufficient to address numerous concerns.
As a result, the position of the Eddington Board of Selectmen was to oppose the transfer as proposed and they strongly encouraged the Eddington School Board reps to vote in opposition.
Representatives from Clifton concurred, stating that had been their Board's position at their meeting last Wednesday. The Clifton Selectmen stated their position was based on similar reasoning as voiced by the Eddington Selectmen.
At that point, Therese Anderson brought up two points:
1. In order for the Veterans Memorial to be properly maintained, some sort of foundation or funding base needs to be established. This could not be done via the SAD63 budget or while the Memorial was on SAD63 land. If the land on which the Memorial stands were to be transferred to the Town of Holden, a special organization could be formed and funding established to maintain and pay for various costs associated with the Memorial. The Cole Foundation had been originally involved somehow with the establishment of the Memorial and is agreeable with this plan and, while they do not appear to be willing to take over the entire project, they understand the objective. It was also pointed out that the Town of Holden is currently paying the electrical bill associated with the lighting of the Memorial - not SAD63.
These facts, as they related to the transfer of that portion of land on which the Memorial (and the gazebo) is located - approximately one-half to one acre - seemed reasonable and well justified to the representatives of both Boards of Selectmen.
2. Therese stated she had solicited some legal advice (at her own expense) who stated there could be some liability to SAD63 should someone be injured while being on or using the facilities on other areas of the land being proposed for transfer to the Town of Holden - namely the Nature Trails or the Ball Field.
Chip Grover, from the Eddington Board of Selectmen, stated her information was incorrect. He has worked with ATV trails and organizations all over the state. He provided information indicating that whatever Therese has been told would not be applicable to the situation or locations under discussion.
It should be noted at this point that even before the meeting could begin, both Therese and John Butt stated that the secondary parking lot, originally drawn within the map of the area to be transferred, was not included in the area to be transferred. The lines on the map were redrawn during the course of the meeting to reflect the areas under consideration. Therefore one does not know if the surveyor lines in the "Recitals" of the original documents provided are correct or not or what, if any effect this has on the "Release Deed" that was originally provided. One does not know when this change took place or if the parking lot was never intended to be a part of the transfer BECAUSE the documents presented do not identify any of the specific locations other than the ball field which was one of the issues raised during the meeting.
Some of the subsequent issues that were raised are as follows (and I can only summarize here because of the nature of the discussion, which was cordial, informative, and in the nature of trying to find a workable solution to the issue):
1. First and foremost - it was felt by the Selectmen bodies of both Eddington and Clifton that this entire issue was brought about the wrong way - a back-door method, if you will. As a result, an atmosphere of distrust has evolved and this needs to be dealt with.
The correct way would have been for the Town of Holden (Selectmen) to have initiated the matter with the Boards of Selectmen in Eddington and Clifton first so that the towns could have worked out their issues, perhaps via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU could have then been presented to the School Board for review and approval. If and when the School Board had approved it, the MOU could have then been sent to a legal entity for development of a Release Deed etc.
The fact that (1) the towns of Eddington and Clifton were not included up front, (2) the resulting legal documents were held back by the School Board Chair for a month once he received them, and (3) the School Board Chair did not invite discussion or review with the Eddington or Clifton Selectmen in conjunction with the School Board before expecting a School Board vote has not only bred distrust, but has fed the flames by inferring there is some urgency (or hidden agenda) which neither Eddington nor Clifton find justified.
In all honesty, John Butt did not appear to be pressing for a quick decision for any of the areas other than the Veterans Memorial and that was for the reasons explained above. He would just like to get the matter off his desk as would any chief executive with too much work and not enough time. And he felt the Town of Holden had incurred legal costs that, as of this date, had not been justified. This writer does not believe his feelings are totally unwarranted.
HOWEVER, if this matter had been done correctly - with a constructive member of the Town of Holden, knowledgeable of the areas in question and the rationale for the transfers for each, requesting a series of meetings with comparable individuals from both Eddington and Clifton to work out the issues - none of these legal costs would have happened out of order.
When the towns of Eddington and Clifton sent their original letters of objection (to the transfer) to the School Board several months ago, the School Board Chair took it upon himself to direct the current course of action. When the Town of Holden chose not to call upon the towns of Eddington and Clifton to initiate open communication it only added to the illusion of "back-door politics." That may not have been how it was intended but that is how it has been perceived.
Until last night's meeting - and it was a good meeting - and I say that with genuine respect for all who attended, spoke and worked to find a resolution - there has not appeared to be much Openness to all three towns who do represent the taxpayers who pay for the School District's expenses. As Joan Brooks pointed out last night, 51 percent of Eddington's tax bills are for the town's assessment from SAD63. Even John Butt stated that one of the reasons he was at the meeting last night was because, as an Eddington resident, he was concerned about taxes going to the school district's budget. Welcome to the club, John!
Bottom line of the official meeting, Eddington's Selectmen took a position that they support the transference of that portion of the land that contains the Veteran's Memorial and gazebo to the Town of Holden. They do not support the transference of any of the rest of the land at this time. The Clifton Selectmen representatives agreed to this change in their previous position and stated they would communicate this new position to the Clifton School Board rep before this coming Monday night's School Board meeting. (More on this further down in this posting).
There was an agreement that members from Eddington and Clifton would work together, hopefully with John Butt or his designee, to specify the terminology needed for various issues, i.e. the absolute gifting (not lease or purchase) back of the land in question to whatever school district may exist (should consolidation cause the name of the district to change) at any time the land may be needed for whatever reason, issues of easement or right of way, issues pertaining to the land never being sold or built on by the Town of Holden, issues involving the sharing of proceeds should the land ever be sold, and other issues that may need to be addressed.
It was agreed that there is no need for a rush to judgement on the remaining parcels of land other than to work out a better understanding of maintenance responsibility of the Ball Field during various times of the year. It was entered into the record that SAD63 custodial staff DO provide services to the Nature Trails when needed.
This is how the meeting in the Town Office concluded. And my compliments to Joan Brooks for the openness, friendliness and productivity of the meeting.
And then there was the aftermath.....
Yes - the members of the School Board are elected to their positions.
Yes - the School Board is an independent governing body.
BUT... the members are elected by their communities, not one generic community confined within only one geographic jurisdiction. The eight members of the Board do not even have equal votes. Each vote represents a certain number of people based on the population of the town they represent. And so each vote is "valued" or "weighted" differently, unlike the Board of Selectmen.
For instance, the 1 vote for Clifton is valued at approximately 752 (the latest population count I received for that town).
There are 3 reps from Eddington. Each one carries a value of 1/3 the current population of Eddington. (I don't have that number at hand.) If Pam Dorr is not at the meeting on Monday, and she won't be because of her medical condition, Therese will carry a value of 1/3 and Karen will carry a value of 1/3 of Eddington's population.
There are 4 reps on the Board from Holden. Each one of those reps carries a value of 1/4 the population of Holden. I have heard that Kevin Mills will be absent from Monday night's meeting. That means that Don Varnum's vote will carry 1/4 the value of Holden's population, Sylvia Ellis will carry 1/4, and Mario Teisl will carry 1/4.
Depending on whether Mr. Varnum is willing to accept the new idea of just voting Monday night on that parcel of land that contains the Veteran's Memorial and gazebo - or whether he wants to force through a vote on the entire kit and kaboodle, and whether or not the three votes that will be there representing Eddington and Clifton actually vote in accordance with how their town selectmen have urged them to vote, based on the feelings and reasonings that the whole package can be worked out in time if done correctly, is another matter.
I'm just remembering a remark Mario Teisl made at the August 24th meeting - that it does not benefit SAD63 if the towns are divided against each other -if they do not trust each other. No, it doesn't. But trust is built on respect for the feelings and opinions of others. It's also built on performance. For reasons identified in recent months, our communities have decided they need to be more closely monitoring the performance of the School Board because it is the taxpayers in the ALL THREE communities who are paying the bills. Somehow, certain members of the School Board have forgotten that fact.
More on this tomorrow.
Members from the Clifton Board of Selectmen had also been invited to attend. Two were able to do so - Two were ill and a third, Carol Jordan, a flight nurse, had planned to be there but wasn't. Present were Penny Peasley and Ed Beauchamp. Fred Rosenberg, a Clifton citizen who regularly attends Clifton Selectmen's meeting and PVCOG meetings was also in attendance. The Clifton Selectmen had their regular monthly meeting last Wednesday and the Clifton School Board representative, Chris Fickett, attended where Clifton's issues and concerns regarding the SAD63 land transference issue was discussed.
Additionally, citizens from Eddington in attendance last night were: Ralph Russell (former principal of Holbrook Middle School), John Butt (Town Manager of Holden and Eddington resident), Mr. and Mrs. Grover, parents of Selectman Grover, and this writer.
In truth, there were more people in the room than there ever are for monthly Eddington Selectmen meetings. And it was a good meeting!
After opening with the Flag Salute, Eddington Chair, Joan Brooks, read a letter from the Eddington legal counsel which, in effect, recommended that the town continue to oppose any transfer of land. As the Selectmen stated, the taxpayers of Eddington (and Clifton) have paid for the maintenance and improvements of the land in question for many years and the proposal at hand (as written) is to give the land to the Town of Holden with no compensation in return to the Eddington (or Clifton) taxpayers. Further, the Selectmen (and legal counsel's opinion) felt the wording of the proposal (which the Selectmen had only recently received) was not sufficient to address numerous concerns.
As a result, the position of the Eddington Board of Selectmen was to oppose the transfer as proposed and they strongly encouraged the Eddington School Board reps to vote in opposition.
Representatives from Clifton concurred, stating that had been their Board's position at their meeting last Wednesday. The Clifton Selectmen stated their position was based on similar reasoning as voiced by the Eddington Selectmen.
At that point, Therese Anderson brought up two points:
1. In order for the Veterans Memorial to be properly maintained, some sort of foundation or funding base needs to be established. This could not be done via the SAD63 budget or while the Memorial was on SAD63 land. If the land on which the Memorial stands were to be transferred to the Town of Holden, a special organization could be formed and funding established to maintain and pay for various costs associated with the Memorial. The Cole Foundation had been originally involved somehow with the establishment of the Memorial and is agreeable with this plan and, while they do not appear to be willing to take over the entire project, they understand the objective. It was also pointed out that the Town of Holden is currently paying the electrical bill associated with the lighting of the Memorial - not SAD63.
These facts, as they related to the transfer of that portion of land on which the Memorial (and the gazebo) is located - approximately one-half to one acre - seemed reasonable and well justified to the representatives of both Boards of Selectmen.
2. Therese stated she had solicited some legal advice (at her own expense) who stated there could be some liability to SAD63 should someone be injured while being on or using the facilities on other areas of the land being proposed for transfer to the Town of Holden - namely the Nature Trails or the Ball Field.
Chip Grover, from the Eddington Board of Selectmen, stated her information was incorrect. He has worked with ATV trails and organizations all over the state. He provided information indicating that whatever Therese has been told would not be applicable to the situation or locations under discussion.
It should be noted at this point that even before the meeting could begin, both Therese and John Butt stated that the secondary parking lot, originally drawn within the map of the area to be transferred, was not included in the area to be transferred. The lines on the map were redrawn during the course of the meeting to reflect the areas under consideration. Therefore one does not know if the surveyor lines in the "Recitals" of the original documents provided are correct or not or what, if any effect this has on the "Release Deed" that was originally provided. One does not know when this change took place or if the parking lot was never intended to be a part of the transfer BECAUSE the documents presented do not identify any of the specific locations other than the ball field which was one of the issues raised during the meeting.
Some of the subsequent issues that were raised are as follows (and I can only summarize here because of the nature of the discussion, which was cordial, informative, and in the nature of trying to find a workable solution to the issue):
1. First and foremost - it was felt by the Selectmen bodies of both Eddington and Clifton that this entire issue was brought about the wrong way - a back-door method, if you will. As a result, an atmosphere of distrust has evolved and this needs to be dealt with.
The correct way would have been for the Town of Holden (Selectmen) to have initiated the matter with the Boards of Selectmen in Eddington and Clifton first so that the towns could have worked out their issues, perhaps via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU could have then been presented to the School Board for review and approval. If and when the School Board had approved it, the MOU could have then been sent to a legal entity for development of a Release Deed etc.
The fact that (1) the towns of Eddington and Clifton were not included up front, (2) the resulting legal documents were held back by the School Board Chair for a month once he received them, and (3) the School Board Chair did not invite discussion or review with the Eddington or Clifton Selectmen in conjunction with the School Board before expecting a School Board vote has not only bred distrust, but has fed the flames by inferring there is some urgency (or hidden agenda) which neither Eddington nor Clifton find justified.
In all honesty, John Butt did not appear to be pressing for a quick decision for any of the areas other than the Veterans Memorial and that was for the reasons explained above. He would just like to get the matter off his desk as would any chief executive with too much work and not enough time. And he felt the Town of Holden had incurred legal costs that, as of this date, had not been justified. This writer does not believe his feelings are totally unwarranted.
HOWEVER, if this matter had been done correctly - with a constructive member of the Town of Holden, knowledgeable of the areas in question and the rationale for the transfers for each, requesting a series of meetings with comparable individuals from both Eddington and Clifton to work out the issues - none of these legal costs would have happened out of order.
When the towns of Eddington and Clifton sent their original letters of objection (to the transfer) to the School Board several months ago, the School Board Chair took it upon himself to direct the current course of action. When the Town of Holden chose not to call upon the towns of Eddington and Clifton to initiate open communication it only added to the illusion of "back-door politics." That may not have been how it was intended but that is how it has been perceived.
Until last night's meeting - and it was a good meeting - and I say that with genuine respect for all who attended, spoke and worked to find a resolution - there has not appeared to be much Openness to all three towns who do represent the taxpayers who pay for the School District's expenses. As Joan Brooks pointed out last night, 51 percent of Eddington's tax bills are for the town's assessment from SAD63. Even John Butt stated that one of the reasons he was at the meeting last night was because, as an Eddington resident, he was concerned about taxes going to the school district's budget. Welcome to the club, John!
Bottom line of the official meeting, Eddington's Selectmen took a position that they support the transference of that portion of the land that contains the Veteran's Memorial and gazebo to the Town of Holden. They do not support the transference of any of the rest of the land at this time. The Clifton Selectmen representatives agreed to this change in their previous position and stated they would communicate this new position to the Clifton School Board rep before this coming Monday night's School Board meeting. (More on this further down in this posting).
There was an agreement that members from Eddington and Clifton would work together, hopefully with John Butt or his designee, to specify the terminology needed for various issues, i.e. the absolute gifting (not lease or purchase) back of the land in question to whatever school district may exist (should consolidation cause the name of the district to change) at any time the land may be needed for whatever reason, issues of easement or right of way, issues pertaining to the land never being sold or built on by the Town of Holden, issues involving the sharing of proceeds should the land ever be sold, and other issues that may need to be addressed.
It was agreed that there is no need for a rush to judgement on the remaining parcels of land other than to work out a better understanding of maintenance responsibility of the Ball Field during various times of the year. It was entered into the record that SAD63 custodial staff DO provide services to the Nature Trails when needed.
This is how the meeting in the Town Office concluded. And my compliments to Joan Brooks for the openness, friendliness and productivity of the meeting.
And then there was the aftermath.....
Yes - the members of the School Board are elected to their positions.
Yes - the School Board is an independent governing body.
BUT... the members are elected by their communities, not one generic community confined within only one geographic jurisdiction. The eight members of the Board do not even have equal votes. Each vote represents a certain number of people based on the population of the town they represent. And so each vote is "valued" or "weighted" differently, unlike the Board of Selectmen.
For instance, the 1 vote for Clifton is valued at approximately 752 (the latest population count I received for that town).
There are 3 reps from Eddington. Each one carries a value of 1/3 the current population of Eddington. (I don't have that number at hand.) If Pam Dorr is not at the meeting on Monday, and she won't be because of her medical condition, Therese will carry a value of 1/3 and Karen will carry a value of 1/3 of Eddington's population.
There are 4 reps on the Board from Holden. Each one of those reps carries a value of 1/4 the population of Holden. I have heard that Kevin Mills will be absent from Monday night's meeting. That means that Don Varnum's vote will carry 1/4 the value of Holden's population, Sylvia Ellis will carry 1/4, and Mario Teisl will carry 1/4.
Depending on whether Mr. Varnum is willing to accept the new idea of just voting Monday night on that parcel of land that contains the Veteran's Memorial and gazebo - or whether he wants to force through a vote on the entire kit and kaboodle, and whether or not the three votes that will be there representing Eddington and Clifton actually vote in accordance with how their town selectmen have urged them to vote, based on the feelings and reasonings that the whole package can be worked out in time if done correctly, is another matter.
I'm just remembering a remark Mario Teisl made at the August 24th meeting - that it does not benefit SAD63 if the towns are divided against each other -if they do not trust each other. No, it doesn't. But trust is built on respect for the feelings and opinions of others. It's also built on performance. For reasons identified in recent months, our communities have decided they need to be more closely monitoring the performance of the School Board because it is the taxpayers in the ALL THREE communities who are paying the bills. Somehow, certain members of the School Board have forgotten that fact.
More on this tomorrow.
THE GIFT SHOP OPENS FRIDAY - GOOD STUFF!
The new gift shop - Five Seasons Gifts - at Clewley Farm Restaurant opens tomorrow, Friday, September 25 at 10am. It will be open until 5pm. (And that's only three months 'til Christmas Day. No, I'm not counting down the number of shopping days left!) BUT, there are some great buys there, such as LARGE pots of colorful mums at only $5.00 for the garden or the front door. And, inside there are both the beautiful and the practical...candles of numerous colors and every length, porcelain vases and platters, garden statuary and toys, stained glass bowls and much too much more for me to describe. But the prices are way lower than you'll find in any of the tourist shops along the various routes to the coast. I can tell you that!
Deb Rouche from Katahdin Lights has done a fantastic job in creating a gem out of what was once the flower shop at the restaurant. Be sure to take a moment to look at the brick, slate and one-of-a-kind tile floor. If I could find some of those tiles I'd make them the centerpiece in someplace special in my home. And the ceiling! That, too, is a work of hours and hours of labor. At night, with the lights on, it glows.
So, if you're going by tomorrow, stop in for lunch (the restaurant closes at 1pm) and check out the gift shop, too. Or swing by when you pick up your mail at the Post Office.
Hopefully the gift shop will be open when Woody Woodson plays Saturday night. Show begins at 7pm. The buffet dinner is from 5pm to 9pm. Price is only $12.95 per person at the door.
Speaking of the Post Office... The Public Notice FINALLY went up Tuesday (this week - September 22) for the Public Hearing - Public Meeting to be held next Tuesday (September 29) at 6pm at the Town Office to explain why the Selectmen want the town voters to approve taking $8,900. from the Firemen's Reserve Fund. The voting will be conducted at a Special Town Meeting on October 6 - at the Town Office - 6pm. If you can't be at the Special Town Meeting, maybe you should see if you can obtain an Absentee Ballot. There is only the one issue on the agenda (other than "electing" a moderator). BTW - Public Notices were also posted at Tradewinds and The Eddington Store on Tuesday, also. The Selectmen voted and signed the authorization for the notices on September 1. Guess it takes a long time to type up and make three copies.
Deb Rouche from Katahdin Lights has done a fantastic job in creating a gem out of what was once the flower shop at the restaurant. Be sure to take a moment to look at the brick, slate and one-of-a-kind tile floor. If I could find some of those tiles I'd make them the centerpiece in someplace special in my home. And the ceiling! That, too, is a work of hours and hours of labor. At night, with the lights on, it glows.
So, if you're going by tomorrow, stop in for lunch (the restaurant closes at 1pm) and check out the gift shop, too. Or swing by when you pick up your mail at the Post Office.
Hopefully the gift shop will be open when Woody Woodson plays Saturday night. Show begins at 7pm. The buffet dinner is from 5pm to 9pm. Price is only $12.95 per person at the door.
Speaking of the Post Office... The Public Notice FINALLY went up Tuesday (this week - September 22) for the Public Hearing - Public Meeting to be held next Tuesday (September 29) at 6pm at the Town Office to explain why the Selectmen want the town voters to approve taking $8,900. from the Firemen's Reserve Fund. The voting will be conducted at a Special Town Meeting on October 6 - at the Town Office - 6pm. If you can't be at the Special Town Meeting, maybe you should see if you can obtain an Absentee Ballot. There is only the one issue on the agenda (other than "electing" a moderator). BTW - Public Notices were also posted at Tradewinds and The Eddington Store on Tuesday, also. The Selectmen voted and signed the authorization for the notices on September 1. Guess it takes a long time to type up and make three copies.
Monday, September 21, 2009
LOTS OF HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINTS
I received the following Helpful Household Hints in an email this morning from a Florida friend. Sent it on to a California friend who suggested I put them here on the blog for all of you who read the blog (both of them do). So here you are - from one end of this country to another to right here in Eddington, Maine. Have a good day. I have 120 tulip, iris and daffodil bulbs to plant!
DID YOU KNOW?
Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.
For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt chocolate mint patties in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.
Reheat Pizza: Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.
Reheating refrigerated bread, to warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated: Place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
Newspaper weeds away: Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic. They will not get through wet newspapers.
Broken Glass: Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.
Flexible vacuum: To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
Reducing Static Cling: Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and.. ta da!... static is gone.
Measuring Cups: Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
Reopening envelope: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.
Conditioner: Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...
Get Rid of Ants: Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS: The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something else; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material... I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.. Well ...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box. Well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share! Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it. the water ran right through the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!
DID YOU KNOW?
Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.
For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt chocolate mint patties in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.
Reheat Pizza: Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.
Reheating refrigerated bread, to warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated: Place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
Newspaper weeds away: Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic. They will not get through wet newspapers.
Broken Glass: Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.
Flexible vacuum: To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
Reducing Static Cling: Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and.. ta da!... static is gone.
Measuring Cups: Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
Reopening envelope: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.
Conditioner: Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...
Get Rid of Ants: Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS: The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something else; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material... I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.. Well ...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box. Well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share! Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it. the water ran right through the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
NEW PLACE TO CHECK OUT IN TOWN
The Stoney Ridge Apple Orchard is Open For Business!
What a wonderful new addition to our town. Open from Friday through Sunday, 9am - 5pm, the Apple Orchard is offering Pony Rides and Pumpkins, Veggies and Baked Goods.
Where is Stoney Ridge Road? It's at the east end of Eddington, east of the Town Office, east of the Post Office. Just keep coming down Route 9 until you see the DOT sign on the south side of the road. Stoney Ridge Road is just about across the road. (On trash day there are usually quite a few trash cans there for the collectors.) There is a high hill next to the road. Seems to be some construction going on at the top.
Just drive up Stoney Ridge Road to the Apple Orchard - follow the signs. With Pony Rides and Pumpkins, it should be great fun for the kids. With the fresh veggies and baked goods, the adults should find plenty to enjoy as well. And, of course, there ARE the apples.
What a wonderful new addition to our town. Open from Friday through Sunday, 9am - 5pm, the Apple Orchard is offering Pony Rides and Pumpkins, Veggies and Baked Goods.
Where is Stoney Ridge Road? It's at the east end of Eddington, east of the Town Office, east of the Post Office. Just keep coming down Route 9 until you see the DOT sign on the south side of the road. Stoney Ridge Road is just about across the road. (On trash day there are usually quite a few trash cans there for the collectors.) There is a high hill next to the road. Seems to be some construction going on at the top.
Just drive up Stoney Ridge Road to the Apple Orchard - follow the signs. With Pony Rides and Pumpkins, it should be great fun for the kids. With the fresh veggies and baked goods, the adults should find plenty to enjoy as well. And, of course, there ARE the apples.
THE COW
Finally, after several intentions to stop, I paid a visit to the cow. Cute little thing. Such personality. And so well trained. The timing couldn't have been better either because I got to meet her owner, Paul. His wife of many years, "Precious", he called her, must have been in the house. But Paul and I had a bit of a chat about the cow Paul bought as a gift for Precious one year. And now, Paul knows how highly she values that gift. The cow is never allowed too close to the road for fear someone might take her. Otherwise Paul would really be up to his whazoo in stuff resembling fresh cow paddies. ;-)
If you live in Eddington, or drive through town on Route 9 from west to east during the months from Spring to Fall, you've probably noticed the cow. (She lives in the barn during winter months. She's much too delicate for Maine winters.) She resides just west of Rideout Nursery on the opposite side of the road. But she does wander. Sometimes she's at the side of the barn/garage near the house. Sometimes she's near the little, wooden, red wheelbarrow. I loved the day she was at the front door, like a dog trying to get in.
Paul says he has to paint her black spots and white body every other year. I wonder how long it takes to paint her long, black eyelashes. It's the eyelashes that let you know the cow is definitely a girly cow. And that little cocked attitude of her head. Personality personified.
It's always nice to find something along the drive that freely gives you a smile. That cow does it for me every time. So I needed to stop to say Thank You. In the process I met Paul. He's nice, too.
If you live in Eddington, or drive through town on Route 9 from west to east during the months from Spring to Fall, you've probably noticed the cow. (She lives in the barn during winter months. She's much too delicate for Maine winters.) She resides just west of Rideout Nursery on the opposite side of the road. But she does wander. Sometimes she's at the side of the barn/garage near the house. Sometimes she's near the little, wooden, red wheelbarrow. I loved the day she was at the front door, like a dog trying to get in.
Paul says he has to paint her black spots and white body every other year. I wonder how long it takes to paint her long, black eyelashes. It's the eyelashes that let you know the cow is definitely a girly cow. And that little cocked attitude of her head. Personality personified.
It's always nice to find something along the drive that freely gives you a smile. That cow does it for me every time. So I needed to stop to say Thank You. In the process I met Paul. He's nice, too.
Friday, September 11, 2009
I LOVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY - AND TRASH DAY
First of all, I really do love my Insurance Company - Liberty Mutual. Love their ad campaign re: Responsibility AND their people and the way the team here in Bangor just take care of their clients. Seriously. No sarcasm here, folks. I've had them since moving back and my late sister-in-law said they were who I was going to have. Same agent that she and my brother had. Done deal. (The company I had in California didn't/doesn't do business in Maine. What else is new. We won't go there.) Great agent. Got policies for both the new house and the not-so-new car. Great rates.
Then last Fall - maybe it was this last Spring (can't remember which) a dead tree limb from an oak tree fell on my car. Smashed windshield, dented hood, dented lots of stuff. $4,600.00 worth of stuff. (I think "dead" limbs must weigh more - and dead oak limbs especially). Called my agent's office. I didn't call the Claim's telephone number because I like to talk to human beings - not automatic machines. Funny that way. Great PEOPLE at my agent's office up on Stillwater Ave near Day's Jewelry. No problem. Car fixed and I had a car to use during the process. Piece of cake.
So now - recently - a handyman was at the house re: four windows on the second floor I need to have replaced before winter. Definitely NEED to have replaced. As in - they get frost AND icicles on the INSIDE during the winter (probably facing the water doesn't help but I need to reduce my heating costs because of property taxes and all. But we won't go there.) The handyman suggested I contact my insurance company. Maybe I had a claim. I didn't think so but what the heck. Can't hurt to ask a question. Well, I called. I asked questions. Bottom Line - when I was talking to the Claims Person, she asked if the windows were Anderson Windows. They are. She said Anderson Windows have a 20 year guarantee. How about that! More Bottom Line: I am within the 20 year "window". So - while I do not have an insurance claim, so to speak, because of the great people who work at Liberty Mutual, I am now getting 11 brand new Anderson Windows FREE (because the technician Anderson Windows sent tested every window in my house and determined I had "collapsed glass" in more than the four problem windows I had originally determined were in need of replacement.
Do I believe in Anderson Windows? Absolutely! Do I believe in Liberty Mutual? You Bet!
Now, as for Liberty Mutual's ad campaign - you've probably seen their TV ads where one person does something good for someone else (usually a stranger) and a third party sees that act and then the third party catches the "bug" and does something for someone else (like pulling them out of traffic or picking up a child's dropped toy, etc.) - Liberty Mutual calls it The Responsibility Project. I LIKE IT.
Of course, I'm not too sure how it works when someone decided not to throw their container of oil into the woods and just left it along the roadside - in the area near my trash for collection. Good not to throw it into the woods BUT our trash collectors won't take it and it certainly doesn't qualify for "recycling". So I guess that means someone like ME is expected to take it into Bangor on October 3 for Universal Household Hazardous Waste Day.
Then last Fall - maybe it was this last Spring (can't remember which) a dead tree limb from an oak tree fell on my car. Smashed windshield, dented hood, dented lots of stuff. $4,600.00 worth of stuff. (I think "dead" limbs must weigh more - and dead oak limbs especially). Called my agent's office. I didn't call the Claim's telephone number because I like to talk to human beings - not automatic machines. Funny that way. Great PEOPLE at my agent's office up on Stillwater Ave near Day's Jewelry. No problem. Car fixed and I had a car to use during the process. Piece of cake.
So now - recently - a handyman was at the house re: four windows on the second floor I need to have replaced before winter. Definitely NEED to have replaced. As in - they get frost AND icicles on the INSIDE during the winter (probably facing the water doesn't help but I need to reduce my heating costs because of property taxes and all. But we won't go there.) The handyman suggested I contact my insurance company. Maybe I had a claim. I didn't think so but what the heck. Can't hurt to ask a question. Well, I called. I asked questions. Bottom Line - when I was talking to the Claims Person, she asked if the windows were Anderson Windows. They are. She said Anderson Windows have a 20 year guarantee. How about that! More Bottom Line: I am within the 20 year "window". So - while I do not have an insurance claim, so to speak, because of the great people who work at Liberty Mutual, I am now getting 11 brand new Anderson Windows FREE (because the technician Anderson Windows sent tested every window in my house and determined I had "collapsed glass" in more than the four problem windows I had originally determined were in need of replacement.
Do I believe in Anderson Windows? Absolutely! Do I believe in Liberty Mutual? You Bet!
Now, as for Liberty Mutual's ad campaign - you've probably seen their TV ads where one person does something good for someone else (usually a stranger) and a third party sees that act and then the third party catches the "bug" and does something for someone else (like pulling them out of traffic or picking up a child's dropped toy, etc.) - Liberty Mutual calls it The Responsibility Project. I LIKE IT.
Of course, I'm not too sure how it works when someone decided not to throw their container of oil into the woods and just left it along the roadside - in the area near my trash for collection. Good not to throw it into the woods BUT our trash collectors won't take it and it certainly doesn't qualify for "recycling". So I guess that means someone like ME is expected to take it into Bangor on October 3 for Universal Household Hazardous Waste Day.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
JUST PULL UP AND 'COP A SQUAT'
Or - maybe, "Watch the lid there" - or "Only in downtown Eddington" (Do we have a 'downtown'?) - Or how about "Good Gawd, Maud!" Maybe something like, "If the line's too long at the Post Office and Your Coffee's Kicking In - No Problem"
As you can tell, gentle readers, I am having a problem with choosing a title for this story - or call it a folksy article about Life in Eddington. (I probably shouldn't say "only in Eddington." I'm learning better. I know, I know. You're probably saying - "So get on with it already."
Well, west driving along scenic Route 9 the other afternoon on the way to pick up my mail at the Post Office, I almost drove across the center line with the artistic distraction on the south side of the road just before the Post Office. (Of course I am always watching for signs of wild life - skunks, porcupines, deer and suck.) I even saw a woman putting out a couch last week. She was attempting to put some sort of a sign on it (maybe "Free" or some price) but the wind kept blowing it down so she gave up and just left the couch - abandoned as though it was on its own. For sure the trash collectors wouldn't be taking it.
So, back to my story here. What I saw was no wild lands critter. And no couch either. It was a white, porcelain toilet. Complete. No sign. Perhaps this is Eddington's version of a "Rest Stop." Can't you just imagine some wanderer strolling down the road - or an early morning jogger perhaps. Maybe one of those late night big rig drivers who's had too many cups of coffee.
"Oops. Gotta go. Well, looky here. How convenient."
Like I said, Welcome to downtown Eddington.
How about, "Flushing optional." (BTW, if you are inclined to take the offer of a free toilet you might want to check for any "contributions" first." :-)
As you can tell, gentle readers, I am having a problem with choosing a title for this story - or call it a folksy article about Life in Eddington. (I probably shouldn't say "only in Eddington." I'm learning better. I know, I know. You're probably saying - "So get on with it already."
Well, west driving along scenic Route 9 the other afternoon on the way to pick up my mail at the Post Office, I almost drove across the center line with the artistic distraction on the south side of the road just before the Post Office. (Of course I am always watching for signs of wild life - skunks, porcupines, deer and suck.) I even saw a woman putting out a couch last week. She was attempting to put some sort of a sign on it (maybe "Free" or some price) but the wind kept blowing it down so she gave up and just left the couch - abandoned as though it was on its own. For sure the trash collectors wouldn't be taking it.
So, back to my story here. What I saw was no wild lands critter. And no couch either. It was a white, porcelain toilet. Complete. No sign. Perhaps this is Eddington's version of a "Rest Stop." Can't you just imagine some wanderer strolling down the road - or an early morning jogger perhaps. Maybe one of those late night big rig drivers who's had too many cups of coffee.
"Oops. Gotta go. Well, looky here. How convenient."
Like I said, Welcome to downtown Eddington.
How about, "Flushing optional." (BTW, if you are inclined to take the offer of a free toilet you might want to check for any "contributions" first." :-)
Monday, September 7, 2009
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND!
Gorgeous weather! It's true, I can see the season change in just the changing color of the water as it changes to a darker, steely gray, but the loons are still here and calling in the early evening hours. The light at night as the moon rises is both romantic (for those with a partner, sit outside with a warm blanket around your shoulders and a hot cup of something - what the heck - and just snuggle) and mystical.
It's getting chilly but as long as we have sun - no snow (thank you even though my snowmobile friends are anxious, I know, but NOT ME!) and the days are crisp, they are productive. I need to be outside getting the gardens ready for their long winter sleep but I have been tied to the computer for nearly a week now working on a novel that I hope to have ready for something come late Fall.
So - enjoy the weekend and this wonderful week's weather. How fortunate we are not to be in the midst of the terrible fires that southern California is experiencing. Having been there and gone through that, I can tell you - it is terrifying.
I hope you have had a lovely Labor Day Weekend.
It's getting chilly but as long as we have sun - no snow (thank you even though my snowmobile friends are anxious, I know, but NOT ME!) and the days are crisp, they are productive. I need to be outside getting the gardens ready for their long winter sleep but I have been tied to the computer for nearly a week now working on a novel that I hope to have ready for something come late Fall.
So - enjoy the weekend and this wonderful week's weather. How fortunate we are not to be in the midst of the terrible fires that southern California is experiencing. Having been there and gone through that, I can tell you - it is terrifying.
I hope you have had a lovely Labor Day Weekend.
Friday, September 4, 2009
TOWN MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING LOCATIONS
Thanks to a return email from the Eddington Town Manager, I can now confirm that the location for BOTH the Public Hearing on September 29 and the Special Town Meeting on October 6 will be at the Eddington Town Office - at 6PM.
As reported in yesterday's posting here, the purpose of the Public Hearing will be to explain and discuss the one issue that will be on the October 6 agenda - whether or not to authorize $8,900.00 to be taken from the Eddington Fire Department Reserve Fund to be used to match the Americorp grant for the purpose of establishing an 11 month firefighter position (from October 2009 through September 2010).
There will be more information provided at the September 29 meeting, I'm sure. So people should attend. I doubt the meeting will be very long but there should be questions regarding this matter and the Public Hearing is the place to ask them and to get the answers.
I know Tuesday nights (September 29) is a school night - and I know a lot of people don't even get home from work before 6pm, but this is your tax money. Money you have already paid. It's reasonable to ask if we will have to "repay" the Reserve Fund for potential emergencies, which means additional taxes. And then there should be the question about what happens after September 2010 - will the town need to raise more money (meaning Taxes) if we want to keep the position even if another grant can be obtained?
Add to this that come November, there is an issue on the ballot having to do with the repeal of a new Excise Tax. IF that Excise Tax is repealed, Eddington property taxpayers (according to a comment made at last Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting) will have to pick up the loss of $137,000 from the state. This means an increase in property taxes.
The issue is not one individual increase here and another increase there. We need to start looking at the sum total of all the tax and fee increases that are going into effect this coming year.
Where is all this money going to come from, especially when we consider those members of our population who are on fixed incomes or unemployed or on reduced income because they've lost their employment altogether?
I think it would be great to add another firefighter position to the Fire Department. But if it means more taxes next year, on top of the ones the state is already handing to us directly or indirectly, I don't know how we can afford it. Suggestions are welcome.
This is why residents need to attend the Public Hearing and then the Special Town meeting.
As reported in yesterday's posting here, the purpose of the Public Hearing will be to explain and discuss the one issue that will be on the October 6 agenda - whether or not to authorize $8,900.00 to be taken from the Eddington Fire Department Reserve Fund to be used to match the Americorp grant for the purpose of establishing an 11 month firefighter position (from October 2009 through September 2010).
There will be more information provided at the September 29 meeting, I'm sure. So people should attend. I doubt the meeting will be very long but there should be questions regarding this matter and the Public Hearing is the place to ask them and to get the answers.
I know Tuesday nights (September 29) is a school night - and I know a lot of people don't even get home from work before 6pm, but this is your tax money. Money you have already paid. It's reasonable to ask if we will have to "repay" the Reserve Fund for potential emergencies, which means additional taxes. And then there should be the question about what happens after September 2010 - will the town need to raise more money (meaning Taxes) if we want to keep the position even if another grant can be obtained?
Add to this that come November, there is an issue on the ballot having to do with the repeal of a new Excise Tax. IF that Excise Tax is repealed, Eddington property taxpayers (according to a comment made at last Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting) will have to pick up the loss of $137,000 from the state. This means an increase in property taxes.
The issue is not one individual increase here and another increase there. We need to start looking at the sum total of all the tax and fee increases that are going into effect this coming year.
- The state is planning to decrease its contribution to public education by $60 million. That means an increase at the local level for school budget that INCREASES EVERY YEAR.
- The state has passed a new Income Tax law which is going to increase the taxes of anyone making $60,000 a year or less and who owns property and has a mortgage because you will no longer be able to deduct your property taxes (which keep going up) or your mortgage interest, the sum total is probably more than the 2 percent reduction in the tax rate.
- Sales tax is now being applied to services such as when you get your car serviced for winter and spring tires, balancing and other repairs.
- You are paying more for registering your car (and will probably be paying more for inspections, too). And look at what it is costing to register your recreational vehicles.
- Members of my family just received their property tax bills. Did you receive yours. All of us saw an increase over last years' bill. Did you? I'm not sure why. It shouldn't be because of the school budget. I heard some time ago the state was going to reduce the Homestead credit. Maybe that's it. I'll have to check. But I know my bill was nearly $150.00 higher this year and there have been no changes in my property.
Where is all this money going to come from, especially when we consider those members of our population who are on fixed incomes or unemployed or on reduced income because they've lost their employment altogether?
I think it would be great to add another firefighter position to the Fire Department. But if it means more taxes next year, on top of the ones the state is already handing to us directly or indirectly, I don't know how we can afford it. Suggestions are welcome.
This is why residents need to attend the Public Hearing and then the Special Town meeting.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A BIT OF CORRECTION RE: SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Thanks to an email from the Eddington Town Manager, I want to clarify something I didn't understand from this past Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting re: the Special Town Meeting that's coming up.
September 29 at 6pm will be a Public Hearing (Town Office) which, I believe, will be to discuss the issues we will be asked to vote on at the Special Town Meeting which will be held October 6 (at 6pm). The location of the Special Town Meeting I'm not sure of - maybe the Eddington School since that's where they are usually held. But I'll get back to you about that. There's plenty of time.
*****
BUT - It is ALSO important for as many of you as possible to attend the School Board Meeting on Monday, September 28 at 6:30pm at the Holden School. That night's issue will be whether or NOT to give any school land to the Town of Holden. The more I look into this issue the more adamant I am that no land should be given or sold that is currently owned by the school district. Our schools are currently full and we may need the land for simple expansion. Aside from that, it has been the taxpayers from all three towns who have paid for the maintenance and improvements for all four pieces that the Town of Holden is trying to have turned over to it.
Within this past week I have learned it is school custodians at Holden School who maintain the Nature Walk trails by cutting down brush and overgrown tree branches and other work. It appears that Town of Holden Councilman Harvey was in error with his information to me that the trails are maintained by Holden volunteers. And who pays the salaries for the school custodians? The taxpayers from all three towns: Eddington, Clifton and Holden.
I have also been told that the School District had to pay the Town of Holden to BUY the land that is now in question. Why would we ever want to give that land to the Town of Holden? Let us remember when the school district entered into an agreement with the Town of Holden when it came to the lease for the property where the school district buses were originally kept and serviced which forced the district to move the location. Now the district is being accused of not negotiating in "good faith" because we simply required the Town of Holden to put their request/offer in writing. Having read the request/offer, this writer can not see any benefit to the school district although I can certainly see benefits to the Town of Holden. But I am an Eddington taxpayer. Who said Eddington or Clifton were obligated to accept the request or offer once it was put on paper? I don't recall anything like that ever being said.
The more the Town of Holden pushes, the more I question the motivation of the "deal."
September 29 at 6pm will be a Public Hearing (Town Office) which, I believe, will be to discuss the issues we will be asked to vote on at the Special Town Meeting which will be held October 6 (at 6pm). The location of the Special Town Meeting I'm not sure of - maybe the Eddington School since that's where they are usually held. But I'll get back to you about that. There's plenty of time.
*****
BUT - It is ALSO important for as many of you as possible to attend the School Board Meeting on Monday, September 28 at 6:30pm at the Holden School. That night's issue will be whether or NOT to give any school land to the Town of Holden. The more I look into this issue the more adamant I am that no land should be given or sold that is currently owned by the school district. Our schools are currently full and we may need the land for simple expansion. Aside from that, it has been the taxpayers from all three towns who have paid for the maintenance and improvements for all four pieces that the Town of Holden is trying to have turned over to it.
Within this past week I have learned it is school custodians at Holden School who maintain the Nature Walk trails by cutting down brush and overgrown tree branches and other work. It appears that Town of Holden Councilman Harvey was in error with his information to me that the trails are maintained by Holden volunteers. And who pays the salaries for the school custodians? The taxpayers from all three towns: Eddington, Clifton and Holden.
I have also been told that the School District had to pay the Town of Holden to BUY the land that is now in question. Why would we ever want to give that land to the Town of Holden? Let us remember when the school district entered into an agreement with the Town of Holden when it came to the lease for the property where the school district buses were originally kept and serviced which forced the district to move the location. Now the district is being accused of not negotiating in "good faith" because we simply required the Town of Holden to put their request/offer in writing. Having read the request/offer, this writer can not see any benefit to the school district although I can certainly see benefits to the Town of Holden. But I am an Eddington taxpayer. Who said Eddington or Clifton were obligated to accept the request or offer once it was put on paper? I don't recall anything like that ever being said.
The more the Town of Holden pushes, the more I question the motivation of the "deal."
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
EDDINGTON SPECIAL TOWN MEETING SEPT. 29
Last night the Eddington Board of Selectmen signed a Warrant for a Special Town Meeting to be held September 29 at 6:00pm. That date coincides with what would have been the second Selectmen's meeting in September. A Public Notice will be posted for the meeting. (Public Notices are usually posted at the Eddington Post Office, The Eddington Store, and at the Tradewinds store.) I do not believe Notices will be mailed to town residents.
It appears there is a requirement for a Special Town Meeting if more than $5,000.00 is going to be expended if the money was not approved at the Annual Town Meeting; so this Special Town Meeting may (or may not) be because of the Amendment to Article 11 which the voters required at the 2009 Annual Town Meeting, but, regardless the "reason", it is the right thing for the Board of Selectmen to do. Now it is the Civic Responsibility of the town voters to SHOW UP, LISTEN, and VOTE.
The purpose of the Special Town Meeting will be for the sole purpose of discussing and voting as to whether or not the Town should take the necessary money from the Fire Department's Reserve Fund to match the Americorp Grant for an additional firefighter position. Eddington will have to provide a match of $8,900.00 to receive the Americorp grant which is for 11 months only. The grant would begin in October 2009 and end in September 2010.
Last night I asked the Board what will happen to the position after September 2010? Will the position be eliminated? Will the town be responsible for fully funding the position (which is a "long-term commitment" as defined by Article 11)? There were a variety of answers provided. The voters at the Special Town Meeting will probably want that question answered before committing the money from the Reserve or accepting the Americorp grant.
*****
The Board of Selectmen have been notified by the SAD63 Interim Superintendent of the September 28 Board Meeting - at the Holden School (note the location) at 6:30pm. The Public is invited and encouraged to attend. A primary subject on the agenda will be whether or note certain parcels of land, which now belong to the school district, should be turned over to the Town of Holden. Members of the Eddington Board of Selectmen will be in attendance along with the Eddington Town Manager to represent the town's position on this matter.
At last night's Board of Selectmen meeting, the Town Manager reported he has sent the Town of Holden's proposed Release Deed and Recitals (provided in full in a previous blog posting) to the Eddington town legal counsel for review and has requested a legal opinion. There was a discussion by some Selectmen as to what is currently located on the parcels of land since the Release Deed doesn't specify that information (other than references to the ballpark). I told the Board that Holden Councilman Harvey confirmed to me (in a conversation outside the School Board meeting) the school property in question includes the ballpark, the newly paved supplementary parking lot, the Nature Walk trails, and the Veterans' Memorial. The Selectmen stated that information should have been specified in the documents provided by the Town of Holden.
It was agreed the Eddington School Board representatives should be made aware of the Board of Selectmen's position (once they have formed one) in advance of the September 28 School Board meeting.
Residents and taxpayers of Eddington may want to communicate their feelings regarding this issue to theie School Board representatives who are: Karen Clark, Pam Dorr, and Therese Anderson.
An interesting fact re: How School Board Votes are Weighted. Even though there are four (4) positions on the board from Holden, three (3) from Eddington, and one (1) from Clifton - and one of the Holden positions is the Chair, which under Robert's Rules of Order does not get to vote unless it is to break a tie vote...something which the current Chair consistently ignores..., the voting is not just a simple 1 vote per representative. Each vote is weighted based on the town's population of the representative. For example, the total population of Clifton is 749, which includes every man, woman and child as reported to me by one of Clifton's Selectpersons. Therefore, when Clifton's sole representative on the School Board votes, his vote is weighted as "749."
The Eddington Town Manager is currently verifying the current population of our town. Then, when each of our three representatives votes, her vote will be weighted as one-third of Eddington's population.
It is expected the Holden's Town Manager is currently verifying that town's population. It will be important to ensure that the three Holden representatives who are authorized to vote - at one-third of Holden's population per vote - are the only votes counted.
If the votes by hand count are tied, for example - 3 for and 3 against with 1 abstention (or absence), the weight by population is what should determine the results.
This information was provided by one of the School Board reps who stated the rules are set by the authority that governs Maine school boards.
If the property is given to the Town of Holden under these circumstances, I project any consideration for school consolidation will go right out the window.
****
Tomorrow, Thursday - September 3 - there will be a public forum at the Bangor Public Library which will be conducted by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) which is the umbrella association to which all local governing bodies belong, such as the Boards of Eddington, Clifton and Holden. The purpose of the forum (and the public is welcome) will be to discuss the impact to local government should the November referendums pass pertaining to the Maine Excise Tax law and TABOR II. (The November ballot is reported to also include the referendum issue as to whether or not to repeal the mandate to consolidate all school districts.)
I have very limited information regarding these two tax-related referendums. However, there was a comment at last night's Board of Selectmen's meeting that suggested that should the voters approve the referendum relating to the Excise Tax (which I am inclined to believe would reject some aspect of the Excise Tax - which is probably an increase since I've not seen a single genuine decrease in any tax in Maine since moving back here), it would result in a decrease from the State to Eddington in the amount of $137,000. An impromptu remark by one member of the Selectmen was that the $137,000 would have to be passed on to the property owners in Eddington in the form of an increase in property taxes.
I find it strange that no member of Maine government at any level seems capable of understanding that Maine taxpayers are voting to repeal various state-imposed taxes, whether it be the new Maine income tax law or this Excise Tax because taxpayers (both personal and business) are fed up with being taxed to death, driven out of business and off their own land. The message to government at all levels is CUT YOUR COSTS. And yet here in our own town and in our School district we don't here or see this attitude at all. We certainly don't see it in the bottom line of the proposed budgets. We are having to cut our household budgets because of your taxation. It's time local government started doing the same thing.
As to TABOR II (the Taxpayer Bill of Rights), I think we can find more information regarding this on the Internet. I'll be looking for some clarification and will be reporting what I can here. I do know that when the original TABOR referendum was introduced a few years ago, it was narrowly defeated. With the level of discontent that is rampant across the state now, I won't be surprised if TABOR II passes. Until these is a better environment for businesses and property owners, there is no reason to believe our year-round state population will grow. That is what is needed is we want to raise the funds to pay for the needed improvements in state and local infrastructure. Taxing people to the point of driving our young educated people and our retired people out of state at least long enough to avoid state income taxes is only hurting the state and our local communities.
It appears there is a requirement for a Special Town Meeting if more than $5,000.00 is going to be expended if the money was not approved at the Annual Town Meeting; so this Special Town Meeting may (or may not) be because of the Amendment to Article 11 which the voters required at the 2009 Annual Town Meeting, but, regardless the "reason", it is the right thing for the Board of Selectmen to do. Now it is the Civic Responsibility of the town voters to SHOW UP, LISTEN, and VOTE.
The purpose of the Special Town Meeting will be for the sole purpose of discussing and voting as to whether or not the Town should take the necessary money from the Fire Department's Reserve Fund to match the Americorp Grant for an additional firefighter position. Eddington will have to provide a match of $8,900.00 to receive the Americorp grant which is for 11 months only. The grant would begin in October 2009 and end in September 2010.
Last night I asked the Board what will happen to the position after September 2010? Will the position be eliminated? Will the town be responsible for fully funding the position (which is a "long-term commitment" as defined by Article 11)? There were a variety of answers provided. The voters at the Special Town Meeting will probably want that question answered before committing the money from the Reserve or accepting the Americorp grant.
*****
The Board of Selectmen have been notified by the SAD63 Interim Superintendent of the September 28 Board Meeting - at the Holden School (note the location) at 6:30pm. The Public is invited and encouraged to attend. A primary subject on the agenda will be whether or note certain parcels of land, which now belong to the school district, should be turned over to the Town of Holden. Members of the Eddington Board of Selectmen will be in attendance along with the Eddington Town Manager to represent the town's position on this matter.
At last night's Board of Selectmen meeting, the Town Manager reported he has sent the Town of Holden's proposed Release Deed and Recitals (provided in full in a previous blog posting) to the Eddington town legal counsel for review and has requested a legal opinion. There was a discussion by some Selectmen as to what is currently located on the parcels of land since the Release Deed doesn't specify that information (other than references to the ballpark). I told the Board that Holden Councilman Harvey confirmed to me (in a conversation outside the School Board meeting) the school property in question includes the ballpark, the newly paved supplementary parking lot, the Nature Walk trails, and the Veterans' Memorial. The Selectmen stated that information should have been specified in the documents provided by the Town of Holden.
It was agreed the Eddington School Board representatives should be made aware of the Board of Selectmen's position (once they have formed one) in advance of the September 28 School Board meeting.
Residents and taxpayers of Eddington may want to communicate their feelings regarding this issue to theie School Board representatives who are: Karen Clark, Pam Dorr, and Therese Anderson.
An interesting fact re: How School Board Votes are Weighted. Even though there are four (4) positions on the board from Holden, three (3) from Eddington, and one (1) from Clifton - and one of the Holden positions is the Chair, which under Robert's Rules of Order does not get to vote unless it is to break a tie vote...something which the current Chair consistently ignores..., the voting is not just a simple 1 vote per representative. Each vote is weighted based on the town's population of the representative. For example, the total population of Clifton is 749, which includes every man, woman and child as reported to me by one of Clifton's Selectpersons. Therefore, when Clifton's sole representative on the School Board votes, his vote is weighted as "749."
The Eddington Town Manager is currently verifying the current population of our town. Then, when each of our three representatives votes, her vote will be weighted as one-third of Eddington's population.
It is expected the Holden's Town Manager is currently verifying that town's population. It will be important to ensure that the three Holden representatives who are authorized to vote - at one-third of Holden's population per vote - are the only votes counted.
If the votes by hand count are tied, for example - 3 for and 3 against with 1 abstention (or absence), the weight by population is what should determine the results.
This information was provided by one of the School Board reps who stated the rules are set by the authority that governs Maine school boards.
If the property is given to the Town of Holden under these circumstances, I project any consideration for school consolidation will go right out the window.
****
Tomorrow, Thursday - September 3 - there will be a public forum at the Bangor Public Library which will be conducted by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) which is the umbrella association to which all local governing bodies belong, such as the Boards of Eddington, Clifton and Holden. The purpose of the forum (and the public is welcome) will be to discuss the impact to local government should the November referendums pass pertaining to the Maine Excise Tax law and TABOR II. (The November ballot is reported to also include the referendum issue as to whether or not to repeal the mandate to consolidate all school districts.)
I have very limited information regarding these two tax-related referendums. However, there was a comment at last night's Board of Selectmen's meeting that suggested that should the voters approve the referendum relating to the Excise Tax (which I am inclined to believe would reject some aspect of the Excise Tax - which is probably an increase since I've not seen a single genuine decrease in any tax in Maine since moving back here), it would result in a decrease from the State to Eddington in the amount of $137,000. An impromptu remark by one member of the Selectmen was that the $137,000 would have to be passed on to the property owners in Eddington in the form of an increase in property taxes.
I find it strange that no member of Maine government at any level seems capable of understanding that Maine taxpayers are voting to repeal various state-imposed taxes, whether it be the new Maine income tax law or this Excise Tax because taxpayers (both personal and business) are fed up with being taxed to death, driven out of business and off their own land. The message to government at all levels is CUT YOUR COSTS. And yet here in our own town and in our School district we don't here or see this attitude at all. We certainly don't see it in the bottom line of the proposed budgets. We are having to cut our household budgets because of your taxation. It's time local government started doing the same thing.
As to TABOR II (the Taxpayer Bill of Rights), I think we can find more information regarding this on the Internet. I'll be looking for some clarification and will be reporting what I can here. I do know that when the original TABOR referendum was introduced a few years ago, it was narrowly defeated. With the level of discontent that is rampant across the state now, I won't be surprised if TABOR II passes. Until these is a better environment for businesses and property owners, there is no reason to believe our year-round state population will grow. That is what is needed is we want to raise the funds to pay for the needed improvements in state and local infrastructure. Taxing people to the point of driving our young educated people and our retired people out of state at least long enough to avoid state income taxes is only hurting the state and our local communities.
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