by The Town Line staff

Town manager Theresa Haskell informed the Windsor Select Board at their April 25 meeting about a bill pending before the Legislature, LD461, that if implemented, would require municipalities to develop or update a list of town ways, private ways, and private roads. Each municipality will have to have this provided to the Department of Transportation by November 1, 2023, and the towns would have to establish standards for private road construction by November 1, 2024. “This is a lot of work,” Haskell commented. Also, LD1177 would increase municipal solid waste and construction debris $5 more per ton.

Haskell also said she received a letter from the Department of Transportation indicating that All State Asphalt will be resurfacing Route 105 from Augusta to Somerville.

In other business, Haskell asked the board to use the remainder of ARPA funds that were approved for up to $35,000 for the Windsor Rescue’s Defibrillator, to purchase a battery for this defibrillator. The cost for the battery is $440.44, and this will not go over the $35,000 that was approved by voters.

Regarding public works projects, Haskell gave an update on bridge inspections. Overall, the bridges are in good condition. All the scores were reported back from the inspections as 7 and 8 for culverts and the channels. The scale for scoring goes from a 9 being very good to a 2 being poor.

The hazardous waste program day that was held at the China transfer station on April 22 was a big hit, according to Sean Teekema, transfer station supervisor. There were tons of TVs brought in. It was mentioned several times by the public that they would like to see this become a yearly event. The total community turnout was between 320-350. The town of China is in discussions with KennebecValley Council of Governments (KVCOG) to perhaps keep this as an ongoing event, and they are seeking other locations that may work better for traffic flow, although consensus among officials is that the China event was very well organized.

Teekema gave a brief update on the transfer station committee. It was noted they may need a 100-foot distance from the transfer station cap to where the compost pile will be located. When a measurement was taken, 100 feet would end in the middle of the cap. This would not provide enough room for the compost area. Tekeema mentioned that a conversation has taken place with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and were told there is no issue with a 100-foot distance. A survey asking residents if they favor having composting available at the Windsor Transfer Station will not be circulated until the 100-foot question has been answered.

Haskell mentioned the town needs to talk with the Windsor Fair Association to get permission regarding composting. It was suggested if this is something the town should ask, as to whether this will be built into the lease that Windsor holds, with the $1 lease agreement, or at least getting a confirmation letter if they approve. Members of the Windsor Fair Association will be invited to attend a transfer station committee meeting.

Sandra Grecenko appeared before the board to rqeust a 911 address for her Barton Road property, in Windsor. She owns property on the road but has no residence there. She keeps livestock there, although there is a structure, just no residence. The property has no utilities other than power. She was advised to set up an appointment with Codes Enforcement Office Arthur Strout.

Select board member Ray Bates is following up on the David Shaw property. Shaw came to the select board asking to have fines reduced and was given an opportunity to pay a reduced fine back in February at a considerable reduction. He was given 30 days to pay the reduced fine and instructed to clean up his property. Bates wanted to be sure the follow up was being done. He said neither fine payment nor clean-up have taken place. Haskell confirmed that CEO Strout has been following up and had begun the next steps. The town will also consult with legal counsel as necessary.

The next Windsor Select Board meeting was scheduled for May 9.

by The Town Line staff

At the April 11 meeting of the Windsor Select Board, attendees discussed various town topics, including the Public Works department, the Transfer Station, the Cemetery Sexton, and the Town Manager’s items.

Public Works Supervisor Keith Hall reported the department would start stripping trucks of plow gear in about a week. They still have some salt left over, and the heat in the garage has been turned off. They are currently cleaning up roads and intersections want to make roadways as safe as possible for the public during the warmer weather.

The department is working with Town Manager Theresa Haskell on an MMA grant valued at almost $3,000. If granted, the funds would be used for new safety equipment for public works. Roadside mowing is still to be done, and the roadside mowing contract will go out to bid again.

Sean Teekema, the Transfer Station Supervisor, reported there has been community interest regarding the Windsor Transfer Station offering composting on-site. The select board proposed reconvening the transfer station committee to meet and discuss several things, including the startup of a composting program on-site at the transfer station. The board wants the committee to bring thoughts and ideas back to the select board as soon as possible. The meeting was scheduled for April 18, at 6 p.m.

The select board also discussed hiring a transfer station attendant, which has been posted on the town of Windsor website and is being advertised on the sign at the town office. The monthly transfer station report was handed out, and it was noted that March was down from last year by $1,575.40, making the overall number under $1,988.79 for the year.

Cemetery Sexton Joyce Perry spoke about the troubles she has had getting the cemetery website together and making it user-friendly for the public. She spoke of roadblocks she has encountered with the current web host, IPower. Perry asked the select board to change the current hosting company to Dummy Solutions, owned by Windsor resident Dustin Hinds, who has volunteered his previous hours in helping with the website. Hinds offered a 10-hour bundle rate for service at $50 an hour, and he has already paid for a software widget plug-in. The total cost for the hosting package and set up from an existing provider plus 30 minutes a month of professional in-service is $824.08.

After discussion, William Appel Jr. made a motion to approve Dummy Solutions as the new website host for Windsor Town Office.

Haskell gave an update on the RSU #12 meeting. There had been revised calculations reported that made an impact on the original figures that RSU#12 Superintendent Howard Tuttle presented at the March 28 select board meeting. One of the biggest impacts was that the Maine Department of Education ED279 had errors. The new figures are good news for Windsor townspeople. The RSU #12 district budget meeting will be held on May 24 at Chelsea Elementary School, at 6 p.m., and the community is encouraged to attend.

Daniel West, a resident of Windsor, presented himself to the select board as a potential member of the planning board. Andrew Ballantyne made a motion to appoint West as an alternate planning board member, seconded by Richard H. Gray Jr., and approved $1,166 to the Cemetery Fund for the Windsor Veterans Memorial Fund.

Finally, the meeting concluded with some select board items. Ray Bates mentioned having Joel Greenwood at Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) look into legislative bills LD2003 and LD2014 to see if they would pertain to Windsor, while nothing was reported for the Town Hub.

by The Town Line staff

Cemetery Sexton Joyce Perry informed the Windsor Select Board, at their February 14 meeting, that she has been researching information regarding software for the cemeteries. The costs have ranged up to $6,000. There are several different companies and she recently talked with Julie Finley, from China, regarding a Crypt Keeper program which is what they use. To use this program, there is a one-time fee of $250 to download the program to a laptop. If the town wanted to pay $60 per month, they can access it from anywhere. Perry recommended if they were to do this, they could put it on a desktop computer. Perry gave a presentation of the Crypt Keeper through the town of China’s website. This software can give a lot of information, like where someone is buried, which lot number, which cemetery, photos of the stone and much more. The town of China has hired someone to do their cemeteries and it took them over three months working 40 hours a week.

Perry was asking the select board to approve the $250 program purchase for now, and add in $500 a year in her budget for 2023-24 and continue until the work is done. The board approved the purchase and added they will add the additional $500 a year in her budget until the work is completed.

In other business, Town Manager Theresa Haskell said the town of Windsor has been invited to participate in a one-day household hazardous waste collection which is being coordinated with KVCOG and the town of China, to be hosted by China on Saturday, April 15, from 8 a.m. – noon. The cost to Windsor is $500 and this would allow the town residents to dispose of hazardous chemicals, in a proper manner, that are commonly used around the house.

Resident Patricia Springer asked the town to reimburse the excise tax she paid on a vehicle she purchased in December that was later declared totaled in an accident. The board approved to credit Springer the $124.30 transfer rate.

Public Works Supervisor Keith Hall, and Public Works driver/laborer Timothy Coston brought up the compensation time and are asking the select board to warrant them to be able to comp over 40 hours of overtime, which will equal 60 hours of time off. The board approved the agreement with the conditions that need to be done.

A discussion followed about CDL drivers and a possible position added in next year’s budget. Hall said he needs someone with a CDL license. Springer indicated she conducts CDL classes and would provide information in helping to hire someone.

Resident Colleen Doucette asked what the status was with people in town living in campers. The board indicated the codes enforcement officer, Arthur Strout, is working on this matter and that it takes time. Allison Whynot said there are people living in campers on the Jones Road as well. Selectman Ronald Brann said it is a long process and the town is dealing with human beings, and that an attorney may become involved, which could be costly to the town.

Haskell said the cemetery perpetual certificate of deposit is coming up for renewal and suggested they take the money received for the sale of lots throughout the year, which is a total of $5,625, and add it to the CD. The move from the general ledger account to the CD was approved.

All votes were by unanimous (3-0) votes since selectmen Richard Gray Jr. and Andrew Ballantyne were absent.

FEBRUARY 28 MEETING

At the February 28 meeting of the Windsor Select Board, resident David Shaw asked to discuss fines that were billed to him. Arthur Strout, Codes Enforcement Officer, said he was working on it. Shaw explained he was doing a favor for the occupants of the campers and it was his understanding it would only be for a short period. Shaw did what he could to get the occupants off his property, including getting the law involved. The fines have now reached $4,000. Shaw is asking the town to reduce or forgive the fines for the reasons he had given and the explanation. Strout recommended no less than $1,000 as the fine. The select board approved that $1,000 be paid within 30 days and the property to be cleaned up in the spring.

In other business, Town Manager Theresa Haskell wanted to be sure everyone on the board has received and looked over the new Delta Ambulance contract. She would feel comfortable having an attorney look it over to address some of the questions that have been brought up and suggested by the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department and select board members. The townspeople should be aware of what they will be getting into if they choose to go with Delata Ambulance service as opposed to not having an ambulance service. Selectman Richard Gray said he’d like to see it go to the town as a separate warrant article and for the voters to see if they want an ambulance service or not.

Selectmen Andrew Ballantyne and William Appel Jr. were absent from the meeting.