by The Town Line staff

The board of selectmen, on August 17, opened the meeting by convening as the board of assessors, to listen to Vern Ziegler, who remotely presented the tax assessment for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The board voted unanimously to approve a 13.0 mil tax rate for the fiscal year, to sign the assessors certification of assessment, 2021-22 municipal tax assessment warrant, certificate of commitment, and certificate of assessment to be returned to the municipal treasurer.

The public works department reported the culverts on the Windsor Neck Road have been changed and ditched. Also, a two-foot culvert near the China town line that is six to seven feet deep on one end will need replacing.

It was also noted that the town’s 2007 International plow truck will be going up for sale.

Paving has begun, and because of the Windsor Fair in progrress, the work started with Maxcy’s Mill Road and Erskine Road first.

The animal control officer informed the selectmen that there have been many kittens and dogs at large which have been taken to the animal shelter, or returned to owners. Ten-day notices for unlicensed dogs have been delivered to owners.

Tom Reed asked if the town is still looking to purchase the well pump for the cemetery. Reed provided Town Manager Theresa Haskell with the contact information at Bison Pump.

A qualified catering organization application for a catered function from Rustic Taps and Catering was unanimously approved for a craft beer tent at the Windsor Fair.

Nina Tulio was appointed to the planning board with her term to expire June 30, 2024.

In other business, the town of China board of selectmen has asked for a written response as to why the town of Windsor board of selectmen does not want to contribute to the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA). There was much discussion and the decision was made that board chairman Ray Bates could be called for additional discussion.

The next board of selectmen meeting was scheduled for August 31.

by The Town Line staff

At the August 3 meeting of the Windsor selectmen, town manager Theresa Haskell read a release from the Maine Municipal Association regarding the town receiving a $2,383 dividend check for its good performance and loss prevention program. Other financial news from the town manager is that the projected revenue sharing numbers have changed again but it still shows the town will be getting more than was budgeted.

Haskell presented the monthly report from the transfer station, showing $8,370.47 so far this fiscal year, which is up $637.62 from last year. Selectman Richard H. Gray Jr. asked for clarification on the recycling process and what could be done to get the information to the public. Haskell proposed creating a flyer to educate residents on proper recycling, and to poll other towns on how they do it.

Discussion centered around the schedule at the transfer station during Windsor Fair week. It was suggested to reduce the hours to 9 a.m. – noon on the Saturday during the week. However, this year, both attendants are asking for time off, so it was suggested to close the transfer station on Saturday, September 4. Selectmen unanimously approved closing the transfer station on that Saturday.

In other transfer station news, Gray stated that upon a visit to the transfer station, he noticed the good customer service from the attendants. Selectman William Appel Jr., also noted that other residents have complimented the transfer station attendants.

Selectmen directed Haskell to contact the Maine Department of Transportation for speed limit signs on the Reed Road, since it is now a default road, with a speed limit of 45 mph.

Selectmen suggested the flagpole at the Veterans Monument be returned to the person who purchased it. Scott Pierce has said he does not want the flagpole, and wants to sell it, and donate the money to the veterans memorial fund. The public works department will take down the old pole.

The well pump at Resthaven Cemetery has been repaired. The town is still planning to purchase the refurbished pump for $6,000.

It was noted that October 10, 2020, was the cut off date for names to be submitted to be added to the Veterans Memorial Wall. Names can still be added for a fee of $275.

In other business, Ken Knight was present to speak to the board about the possibility of doing the mulching on the sides of the roads for Windsor when needed. There was much discussion regarding this and the it was decided the work would need to out for bid.

Selectmen also unanimously approved a new contract with Transco and possibly a new copier for the town office. The new copier would have scanning, faxing and emailing options that the current copier does not provide. The new copier will save the town $30 a month. Selectmen unanimously approved the new copier.

The next meeting was scheduled for August 17.

by The Town Line staff

At the July 6 meeting of the Windsor selectmen, Town Manager Theresa Haskell reported that June revenues were down from this time last year, with $620.41. However, the total amount for the year was up $12,043.44, for a total 2020/2021 year to date income of $71,007.86. Haskell noted that $65,000 was budgeted.

Cemetery Sexton Joyce Perry informed the board of a request to place a bench with four legs which is what Riverside Memorials provide. Selectman Richard Gray Jr. was concerned that any type of bench at the cemeteries could bring other benches in, like wooden or plastic. The board asked Perry to bring the issue back to the cemetery committee and go through the cemetery rules to get an opinion on benches. There are too many uncertainties regarding benches and the board of selectmen would like more clarity before making a decision.
In other business, selectmen approved MaineGeneral Medical Center’s request for a pop-up vaccine clinic in August, with a follow-up clinic for the second shot in September.

Selectmen also approved a request from Dwight Tibbetts, on behalf of the Downeast Brass Quintet, to hold a free public concert upstairs in the town hall sometime in August for a fundraiser for the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association featuring the life and music of Glen Campbell, who passed away from the disease.

The selectmen also made a number of committee appointments:

Theresa Haskell, Richard H., Gray Jr., and Thomas Reed were appointed to the cemetery committee, Robert Holt and Laurie Thomas were both appointed to the board of appeals, Scott Farwell to the planning board, Heather Wilson and Bonnie Squiers both as a Windsor Educational Foundation and Reed Fund member.

The town manager reported that COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption to government meetings and led many public bodies to shift to a remote/online model to keep business moving as usual. They were permitted to so pursuant to temporary pandemic-related permission authorized by the state legislature and the governor. If the town is looking to continue this model they have to develop a policy. The board of selectmen indicated they are not interested in creating a policy at this time.

Selectmen also approved a qualified catering organization application for catered functions from The Roaming Catering Company, for a wedding on July 31, held at the Windsor Fairgrounds with approximately 350 people in attendance.

The final action of the evening was the board of selectmen elected Ray Bates as the new chairman of the board of selectmen.
At their July 20 meeting, selectmen heard that the trees on Hunts Meadow Road and Greeley Road have been cut, and the big tree on Choate Road that was uprooted has been removed.

Town Manager Theresa Haskell announced to the board that Sean Teekema, who had been serving as interim transfer station supervisor, has been named the new supervisor as of July 20.

Shawn Mills was present to discuss the status of the requirements for continued building of his tiny house. There was much discussion because this is something new for the town. No decisions were made.

Also, an anonymous letter was read regarding flying the American flag at half mast. The town does not give the authority to fly a flag at half mast and in no way was it meant to take away from the observance of it. The selectmen voted unanimously, 3-0 (Richard Gray Jr. and Ronald Brann were absent), to accept as written Title 4, United States Code Chapter 1 of flying the flag at half-mast.

The question was raised as to when flags displayed on veterans’ graves should be removed. All American Legions should follow the practice of removing flags as soon as possible after Memorial Day. However, since the town of Windsor is the one who puts the flags on the graves and not the legion, the selectmen decided that since the town owns the flags they should be kept out longer, per Title 30-A §2901.

In other business, selectmen unanimously approved an abatement request in the amount of $51.20 to Kevin Tillson for a business that closed in 2019.

The next board of selectmen meeting was scheduled for August 3.