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.

by The Town Line staff

The Windsor Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the contract with Vern Ziegler in the amount of $19,080 at their abbreviated June 7 meeting, attended by a handful of residents.

The selectmen also unanimously agreed to write off personal property taxes for 2020 in the amount of $573.92 for David Choate, Inc., because he has not been in business for quite a few years.

Also, Deputy Clerk Tammy Bailey submitted her resignation letter to town manager Theresa Haskell, because she has been hired as a full time deputy clerk in the town of China.

Selectmen also authorized chairman William Appel Jr. to sign a release deed regarding 53 Barton Road, which has shown old tax liens going back to the 1980s that were not discharged. Haskell, acting as tax collector, said the town does not have any liens on this property at this time and she was unable to find the old files to see why these were never discharged. The vote was unanimous.

There were several certificate of appointments approved: Theresa Haskell as tax collector, treasurer, General Assistance administrator, Emergency Management Manager and health officer, Kelly McGlothlin as the MOSES licensing agent, MOSES registration agent and BMV municipal agent, Arthur Strout as the Emergency Management manager, and Kim Bolduc-Bartlett as the animal control officer and Peter A. Nerber as back-up animal control officer. All were approved unanimously.

The selectmen were updated by the town manager regarding Avery Glidden Construction finishing work at the town garage and shoulder work being completed on the Maxcy’s Mills Road.

The next board of selectmen meeting was scheduled for July 6.