Board of Selectmen May 19, 2000

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

MAY 19, 2000

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Robert Mack, Jr.

John Rosenthal

Clark Hinsdale, III

Charles Russell

OTHERS: Spin Richardson

Nancy P. Sabin

Mary Beth Freeman

Wallace Smith

Richard LeBoeuf

Sandy Mayo

Francis Thornton

Joel Woolum

Wendy Schroeder

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Chairman Mack called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to

order at 8:25 a.m. in the Charlotte Town Offices.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

Chairman Mack noted the Selectboard had been in receipt of a

petition asking for a referendum on further spending on the

option on the Burns property. Mack said he had spoken with the

town attorney who recommended the town hold a Special Town

Meeting and the Selectboard take a few days to draw up and

agenda for said meeting. Mack stated he thought the cost of a

town meeting warranted having more than one Article on the

agenda, and suggested the residents address the shortfall in

monies needed to replace the Fire/Rescue building.

Spin Richardson asked if there would be voting by Australian

ballot and Mack responded that all Articles would be voted on

the floor, except possibly the fire station, as that may be a

bond issue.

Wendy Schroeder discussed financing needed for acquisition of

the Burns property, including closing costs, etc.

Hinsdale discussed the advantages of having an evening meeting

and his preference for voting from the floor: the complexity of

the issues; presentations needed to explain to the public the

reasons for the expenditures and the implications of voting yes

or no on expenditures.

Rosenthal noted the money for the senior center may be available

to the town in a couple of weeks.

Board of Selectmen -2- May 19, 2000

Frank Thornton outlined the requirements of the town in posting

a warning in answer to a petition.

Board members discussed dates for a Meeting and decided on June

28, 2000.

Mack and Russell discussed having a septic engineering study on

the Burns property and Russell was asked to follow up with an

engineer and work with Wendy Schroeder on getting engineering

consulting on project costs. There was a discussion on how the

town would access the septic fields; easements, etc., and

specifically talking to Richard LeBoeuf about a right-of-way

across his property to the Burns land.

Sandy Mayo discussed the Irish bequest to the town in relation

to the senior center. Hinsdale said the money for septic or the

senior center and municipal buildings comes from the same

citizens and there was no sense in arguing over septic

allotments and there will be two pipes on line to the Burns

property.

Russell discussed the approaching the Conservation Commission

for money for the Burns property acquisition and whether the

Conservation Commission monies were considered "town funds" as

was asked for approval for in the petition. Russell recommended

getting a legal opinion on the issue. Hinsdale said he was

drafting a formal letter to the Conservation Commission about

the Burns property. Hinsdale recommended also getting a legal

opinion on what issues might come up at the Town Meeting that

may or not be germane to the discussion and Mack agreed.

Hinsdale offered the proposed expenditure by The Conservation

Commission could be an advisory motion.

Mack left the room momentarily for a phone call.

Hinsdale moved and the motion was seconded by

Russell:

* "TO ELECT JOHN ROSENTHAL AS ACTING CHAIR IN THE

ABSENCE OF CHAIRMAN MACK."

Vote: All in favor.

There was a discussion of the legal fees involved in the land

acquisition and having a title search done on the property.

Hinsdale discussed reasons for going to the town attorney for

proper wording of Articles and what monies are considered "town

funds."

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Rosenthal:

* "TO WARN A MEETING FOR JUNE 28, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. ON

ARTICLE 1, SUBSTANTIALLY AS IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE

TOWN."

Vote: All in favor.

Board of Selectmen -3- May 19, 2000

Board members agreed to meet Wednesday, May 24, 2000 at 8:15

a.m. to discuss the Articles to be on the warning for the

Special Town Meeting.

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Mack:

* "TO ADJOURN."

Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 a.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Debby Flynn