MAY 18 SELECTMEN'S MEETING

The meeting began a bit late because of the discussion of a local bear making its presence known. (!) Seems it is attracted to birdseed containers at a residence on Main Road - not all that far east of the Town Office. The resident was advised by the local Game Warden not to place bird feeders out because the bear(s) like the seeds, too. (What is this world coming to?)

This was the second incident of this nature I heard of this week - the other came with photographs of damage done by the marauder, complete with bent wrought iron poles embedded in cement and twisted hooks from porch braces that (had) supported the bird feeders. This incident, at least, was in New Hampshire while the resident had been here in Bangor over this past weekend.

As if the gray squirrels weren't bad enough is all I can say (other than load the gun and keep it handy).

With the exciting stuff taken care of the meeting was called to order at approximately 6:10pm. Fire Chief Ellis reported that Deputy Chief Kevin Byers is retiring after 19 years and the two live-in students did graduate from EMCC. Appropriate award ceremonies and activities are planned.

The grant program that has allowed Deputy (aka Fire Chief) Ellis to be on duty, in addition to Deputy Darren, and take on special patrol assignments will be ending in June. During Deputy Darren's report, he noted that Deputy Ellis has been a High Profile in the Eddington Elementary School parking lot during school hours and other places of focus which has been noticed around town. Deputy Darren noted that Eddington is not only a "quiet town" but it has several residents with various law enforcement backgrounds who look out for their neighbors which helps keep things safe and those law enforcements agencies on duty well notified. (Now, if we could just get that bear to shoo.)

The Planning Committee is in the process of upgrading the proposed Zoning and Subdivision map and related Ordinances. There will be a Special Town Meeting at some point in the future to approve both documents; however, the Town Manager thinks it might be a good idea to hold a few more Public Hearings before the Town Meeting just to give residents a chance to become informed. Maybe it would be helpful to hold some of those Public Hearings while the Summer Residents are here since they, too, will be effected - even if they're not allowed to vote. Of course, since Summer Residents pay full price on their property taxes it seems only fair they have some kind of voice & vote on such matters. And wait until they get their bill for 2010-2011!

Ron Harriman had been invited to address the Selectmen regarding the issue of Economic Development for the town. He was not aware of the work of the Planning Committee on the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, but was provided with copies of the current Draft documents for his review. He was asked to look at them from the perspective of how they might impact any future economic development potential for the town. Several ideas were shared back and forth with the Selectmen. It does appear that a small committee of five individuals will be formed that will involved at least one member from the Planning Committee to explore ideas. Let's face it, if the State Legislature continues its current track of passing down its financial responsibilities for public education to local property owners, this town needs to find more ways to expand the tax base.

The liquor license for Clewley Farm Restaurant was signed. And there was some general discussion regarding Gregory Boober's concern pertaining to how the Merrill Road ditch impacts his property when it rains. No action appeared necessary on the Board's part.

The Farmers' Market will begin this season effective this coming Saturday - May 22. The Farmers' Market will be held each Saturday from 1pm to 3pm.

There was no School Board Report per se since Representative Karen Clark was not in attendance; however, this writer believes the Town Manager reported he was at Monday's School Board meeting. He did state it was his understanding the Board made a few more cuts in the proposed 2010-2011 budget which will come before the people for votes on both June 3 (at the Holbrook Middle School at 7pm) and June 8 as part of the state primary elections - voting to be at the Town Office from 8am to 8pm.

At the moment, while the Warrant that was signed at the School Board left some questions with the Selectmen as to consistency between certain parts, the following appears to be the Bottom Tax Line:

A. The current allocation designated to Eddington taxpayers will necessitate a 1.5 mill increase in property taxes,

B. This will translate to $150.00 per $100,000.00 in assessed property value.

C. There will also be a $32.00 increase in property taxes for those who have been receiving the Homestead exemption because the Legislature reduced the exemption from $13,000.00 to $10,000.00.

Now, here's the kicker, as far as the School Budget is concerned:

Residents and elected representatives from all three towns in the school district have agreed that a 9% increase in the school budget is outrageous and unacceptable. And it is.

A close look at the proposed 2010-2011 budget clearly shows a lower Bottom Line Total than the Total for last year (2009-2010).

The entire 9% increase is because of the state's FURTHER reduction in its allocation of state funding toward public education, because the state legislature took federal stimulus money INTENDED for public education and allocated it to other state priorities, AND because of the $180,000 tax penalty being assessed to the district because it did not consolidate with any other school district. And the state is taking no responsibility for the State Commissioner of Education sitting on her hands (and whatever else) for five months when Orrington and Dedham were petitioning to become a separate RSU even though (1)they did not meet the state requirements for an RSU, and (2) a representative from the Commissioner's Office had been present when those towns had agreed to consolidate with SAD 63.)

Finally, IF this proposed 2010-2011 budget is voted down by the taxpayers, the district will have to work with last year's budget until they come up with a budget the voters do approve. In the meantime the state will still be cutting their fundings and still be levying the tax penalty - all of which will cost more than the proposed budget.
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Commentary:
What the state legislature is forcing our towns to do is one of three things:

1. Cut more teachers and school programs and sacrifice the education of the children, or

2. Bankrupt our property owners and taxpayers, or

3. Vote out every single incumbent - regardless of political party.

Yes, the Maine Democrat Party over the past 34 years has driven this state into a hole of financial ruin - BUT - Senator Richard Rosen, a Republican, is the elected representative of this community. Senator Rosen has taken no notice of what his constituents have been going through or the consequences being faced by his vote NOT to defer the tax penalty. He is running for his last term [because of term limits]. Maybe we need to send a message that since he wasn't serving the people who sent him to the State Senate, he shouldn't serve another term.

Ask yourself, of our two representatives - Ben Pratt in the House, and Richard Rosen in the Senate - have either one ever DIRECTLY contacted you? Ever held Office hours in the home towns they represent? Ever held local meetings to hear directly from their constituents - except to show up at a caucus to ask for your signature or financial contribution? If the answer is NO to two out of three of those questions, what makes you think they are representing you? How are they EARNING the taxpayer paid salary and benefits they are receiving in Augusta?

You can answer these questions when you vote June 8.