TranscriptSelect Board Meeting ~ August 11, 2026

and it's like the entire town is 2 miles wide by 2 miles long. 57,000. We good? See that's See, that's what you guys good to go. Oh my god. Okay, we live. Perfect. We got eight seconds before we can start. So In case anyone calling in early

now we're ready. All righty. Welcome everyone to the August 11th select board meeting here at the fire station at 6:30 p.m. We have a quorum and we will begin with the pledge of allegiance. States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat]

All righty. we have everyone present. Do we have any amendments to the agenda? I have a question about it. The town manager is going to talk about um the uh pay as you throw stuff. Is that something we should that we need to know before we do the I don't know what line item, but there's a discussion item in here about uh

pay as you throw. I think the selling bags at the town selling trash bags at the townhouse. Yeah. Jerry, is that something that we need before we talk about the selling them at the town hall? Then no, we have no changes.

Perfect. Good question, though. Any other uh questions or recommended amendments? All right. Seeing none, do we have any public comment? accept the motion to approve the meeting minutes from the July 28, 2026 meeting. So move.

We have a motion in a second. Any discussion? You were pretty detailed, but good. Perfect. Thank you. All right. Any all in favor of the motion? Any opposition? Seeing none, it all passes. All right, we don't have any old business on the agenda tonight. Um, I will note light agenda last meeting, light agenda this meeting, not so light agenda next meeting. So, I was trying to give us a little bit of breathing room uh in the the the heat of summer here before we we dive into the uh prioritizing goals and objectives. And then it's going to kind of be very busy after that. So hope everyone's saves the this bank a time your meeting month yearly meeting allowment time. We're putting a little bit in the bank right now.

All righty. Uh new business. We have Donna here to talk about uh municipal tax commitment. So Donna and Jerry, you move at the board of assessors. Oh yes. Sorry. I need a motion to move into the board of assessors. So moved.

All right. Josh hasn't made the motion. Do we have a second? John, do we have any questions on the motion? All right. All in favor? All oppose? Seeing none, that passes unanimously at 6:32. We are now in the board of assessors. So, um, Jerry, Donna, do you have anything you want to start us off with here?

Uh, I'd love to give you a little background. Yep. Uh, so for this year, we picked up $5.4 million in new value. We're currently at 47% of market value, but we have a full revaluation next year to bring us up to 100%. For this coming year, homesteads 11,750

and veterans exemptions 2,820. Those are our values at 47%. Usually, we give you three options. This year, there's two options, and I'm hoping you'll take one option. um couldn't go any higher because uh tax rate that I'm recommending is $25.50.

That gives us a $26,000 overlay. The other option was a $25.45. It's a nickel difference, but it only gives us an overlay of six of $6,519. Yeah. That means if I have an abatement in a value of $256,000 or more, I have blown the overlay. So, it's it's ridiculous to think about because it could very well happen. You know, I double assessed something.

We did, right? Didn't this past year we have a $20,000 20,000? Yeah. And we'll need a higher overlay next year because we can anticipate that there's going to be a baitment request, but we'll also have a low digit, not single digit, but a low digit mill rate because then we'll be at 100% market value.

Mhm. So, I'd like to recommend that we go with the 2550. It's a safe bet for all of us and it's the lowest that we can go with the information that we have. Does anyone have any questions for Donna or anyone else or Jerry or anyone?

together. Uh, definitely want to lean on your experience here with that overlay. 20 26K seems even even low there, too. Yeah. And and the thing about it, if if we don't have a an abatement or or any of that, it goes right back into undesated.

It's no harm. I mean, it's a nickel difference, but it's a nickel that also gives us a safety net. Mhm. All righty. Um, do I have a motion to accept option one? That's a 2550. Yeah, I'll make that motion. All right. Motion from Josh. Do I have a second?

Second. All right. From John. Any questions or discussion on the motion? I I just think it it it's a high number because we're at 47%. Yeah, I think when we're at 100% it comes down. Yeah. Well, just to put in perspective, the last reval in 2010, our our tax rate dropped to 1205

and we can't anticipate that will be 12 or 13, right? Hopefully. If the valuation doubles, then the tax rate is going to fall in half, right? So, I mean, exactly. Considering what we're I mean, it sounds really high, but I think

Yeah. So I Yeah, and that's just the challenge we're at right now is the the mill people ask about the mill rate and the mill rate doesn't take into consideration valuations either. Um and so uh mill rate's just a piece of the puzzle like you said, you know, if your valuation stays the same, your expenses stay the same or sorry, if your valuation doubles and your expenses stay the same, your mill rate could be cut in half.

Now you might break even there on your tax bill because your valuation doubled. Um but uh it's that number is just one piece of the puzzle. So all right uh any other questions or discussion on the motion? All in favor? Any opposition? Seeing none, that passes unanimously. We can sign this here.

Before we let Donna leave though, do we have a timing on the reevaluation? I know they're working paperwork in the office now. Is there Yeah. and and I don't know my my now that I'm done commitment my goal on Monday is to uh cuz I'm back next Monday

uh to have a breakdown of what we're going to look at and and where they are with everything. Okay. Yeah. And then the second question is you now put out I'm new this year but you now will put out the tax bills. Yes. And we're leaving. Uh Jess and I are leaving right now to go back and and we just make sure everything's in there so that tomorrow she can back process

for billing. And reminder here. So the tax bill will be one bill going out, but there's two dates to pay. That's right. Two sections on the bottom. Two sections. Now people are able to pay all of it at once if they so choose. Yes.

Um, but the what can you remind us what the payment dates will be there? October 15th of this year and April 15th of next year. excited or looking forward to hearing about the um eval reevaluation process because people are going to want to have have questions about someone coming into my house or someone's knocking on the door. How long this is going to take? What do they need to see?

Exactly. You know. Exactly. Okay. Don't don't paint your house and make it look nice before they get there, you know. Yeah. Hold off on all home improvement projects until 28. Okay. Are you guys good? Yeah. Thanks, Donna.

Thank you, D. Thank you. I have to sign it and then we can just sign it and hand it over to you. Okay, that's a good idea. So, you're all set. And thank you all for jumping right on this at, you know, 7 o'clock at night on a

well two sets of eyes on. Yeah. No, no, no, no. I'm saying like thank you. It's, you know, rather than waiting till tomorrow, getting right on top of it. Well, she's alone tomorrow, so we want to make sure that I appreciate your extra effort.

John, you skipped a page. They're going no. Did I miss something? Yeah, I'm right. I'll run over to you. There's three places you need to sign. Just No worries. I'm sorry. I guess there were two yellow. Yeah, pick. It's like four houses though. That's right.

John, if missing a page is the biggest mistake you make today, that's pretty good. You know, I've already exceeded that. You mean both? Yeah. No, I wrote it down. I'm really interested to see the valuation once the gets taken care of.

Thank you, Dr. Thank you. Everybody, thanks. Bye, Donna. All righty. Our next is going to be discussion here on vote to sell trash bags at the town office. So, um, lot of public feedback on wanting the trash bags to be available at the town office. And so, I talked with Jerry about it last week. Couple things. Um, you know, as we know, we've got agreements with vendors to carry the trash bags. Right now we've got um Food City, Market Basket, Shaw in

Freeport and um oh get and go and uh the corporate structure behind Hannerford has been slow to get things where they were supposed to be even though they had said it wasn't going to be an issue and then individual stores can say well we actually don't want to carry them anymore because we don't think they're going to be needed here or whatnot and so we can't control all aspects of those vendors. And so after hearing feedback that people want them at the town last week, I just asked Cherry about that as a possibility. Um and uh he said it's something that he thinks that the staff could take on. Um people are going to have to be mindful that, you know, if everyone is lining up to buy trash bags at the town, there's going to be a line and they're going to there's going to be a wait and it will slow down other things, especially when we're a little short staffed right now. Um but I just wanted to bring that up.

Jerry, do you have anything to add there? Have you talked with Osero at all? Yeah. Yeah. And what did they say about like the selling the bags at the office? Yeah, they don't care. All we got to do is just order them. Yeah.

Just we just order them and they deliver them and we'll sell them. Can I just ask where cuz I mean there's no room. Where are you going to keep them? In the account manager's office. Mhm. Okay. All right. Yeah. Is there an upfront cost to the town?

Nope. So you you pay when you sell them? Yes. Yes. Well, they're they're so much money and then when they get sold that zero gets their cut, we get our cut. So how how do you feel as a town manager that because we are down one person in the office, how is that going to affect everything else? I know Joe, you said, you know, there is going to be a line. I feel like especially with tax bills going out, is that a smart use of time?

So, implement, right? So, we're not sure, but I understand, but you have constituents that you're trying to make happy, so we'll get it done if that's what you decide to do. I mean, I don't like it, but because I don't think we're a convenience store for trash bags and like I go to my town office once a year to register a vehicle. I I don't go there to buy trash bags. And here you

got trash bags a mile down the road. That gives him foot traffic. So, you probably take foot traffic away from him. So, that affects him. But, you know, you have your constituents to worry about. So, I don't know how many people will go in and buy trash bags,

but we can certainly do it. I mean, when we'll take a box and we'll put them behind the counter somewhere and someone wants trash bags. I don't think people are specifically going to go to the town office to buy trash bags. I don't know why they would when they're right there at their grocery store or they're right there at the

they're going to stop there. They're going to get them when they're there for something else. Yeah. Yeah. And that's a I think that's a possibility. I think that they will that's one of those like if you're in there dealing with something else or say, "Oh, can I grab a roll while I'm here?" Um, you know, I was really hesitant to bring it up because

I don't I mean, if any of you have stopped by just to talk to anyone at the town office, there's always a line there. Um, most of the time that I've I'm there, two or three people, we're already short staffed. Um, but people have been saying that they desperately want them at the town office. Now, whether that means that they're going to end up going to the town office, whatever, I think that at minimum maybe we could start with this and for the next few months, see how things are going um and see if it's re-evaluate if it's a problem or if it's not getting enough a lot of traffic. Um but I'm just

like we're getting a ton of feedback on that. So, I just wanted to bring it up to the board and say it is a possibility that we can uh um consider. So, yeah. John, did you have some? Yeah, I won't vote for it. I mean I I think we were concerned we were concerned we talked about this once before back when we were doing this and there was a good discussion town clerk Jerry that said no that's not the right way to go

and I I'd rather go the opposite of what and I agree 100% with with everybody spoken. We are concerned we're talking about hiring yet another person even on top of what we've done. we are short-handed and I just think that adding another task uh that could be done is being done right now I think well at the get-go and at these other places and to Jerry's point it's I don't know I think it's less than a mile away

and I'm a big believer if the private sector could do them let it so I will vote and I have a similar feeling with you at this like the the the the value to the individual companies that are carrying these is the increased foot traffic. And so, who's to say if a company says, "Oh, well, you're just going to have them in your town office. It's not worth it for me to pay someone to stock them because you're you're going to do it anyway." So, there's there's that challenge, too. And I just But I just wanted to air this out to see what folks are thinking.

I would say we try it as is, not at the town office. See how it works. And you know, a lot of it is just six months ago, if you remember, the world was going to end because we went to trash bands and somehow the world didn't end and we've we've moved on. So, I would just say let's try it for a while. If Get and Go drops it, my mind would probably change. Um, but you know, Al seems to be the kind of guy who'll step up for the town in a lot of ways. So, I that's how I won't know.

I I agree with you 100%. And I mean, I stopped there tonight not to get bags, to get something else. And he's got a sign on the front door that says where you can buy them. Uh, and I think Al I I agree. He he'll do what he can for the town. And I think, you know, I know they've sold out, but I think he's going to realize that and stock them and have them there for. So, I I agree. If if if he's not

doing a good job and someone we talk to him and doesn't change it, then we can reconsider it. But I think at this point, I I agree. He supports us, supports the town, and uh I I think we should give him this little bit of support.

I agree. Um just some one other bit of information. Uh Repanova Farm wants to sell that. So I get that W zero's contact. So Oh yeah. In that case, it's like you're going to be contacting. So you got a good idea. Hopefully hopefully that comes they'll do that. It was repo farm that was interested. So I gave away zero their contact information. So they'll get an account set up hopefully and they'll be available there as well.

So at that point you got to drive by at least two places to get to the town office. This is my part of my management pool but since we're on it so Hannah Thompson and Brunswick and Lewon will all participate. They're almost got their bags.

Yeah. And so but then Bow Street they're out. they're not going to participate, but Shaw is participating and so they already have their bags in Freeport and Leon. So, it sounds like we're just a couple weeks away from nine locations.

This morning I was at Hannerford and Toam and the guys were so polite and so apologetic they did not have them and they said, "I swear they're coming soon. I know a lot of people have been in asking, but I promise next week they're due to arrive."

When I So, they're really polite about it. when I went in and I said, "Hey, Market Basket already has them. Maybe I'll just have to go over there." They're like, "Oh, no, no, no." You know, like um All right. Well, this has been a good conversation. I just wanted to make sure we we brought it up. Um you know, I I'm I'm feeling better knowing that we have more on board. Um and just want, you know, folks have asked that we talk about it. So, we we talked about it, but um especially with the concerns with how much stuff we have going on right now at the town office,

um it's going to be very busy time and people don't like to wait and uh you know. Yeah. The other thing too I think we're running into a little bit of is there's like a COVID toilet paper run on these bags whenever they get stocked at like one of the stores and people go in and buy like them in bulk because they're like I'm going to need 40 33 gallon bags for the next week and then so I think some of these companies are determining trying to determine how frequently do I need to be reordering these if it's is it every other day or is it every you know week that they order and so a lot of the places they're just selling out right away. So, I think that there's going to be that initial, like you said, John, it's like that initial gug of getting used to it and then

going ahead. So, do we need to I'll make a motion that we vote no on this idea. Well, if we don't if we don't if no one feels the need to make a motion to vote in favor, then we can move move along. So, unless there's a motion to vote to add the bags at the town office, I I see this as a uh dead on the floor with a lack of motion.

I think it's something you can address later on, but let's All right, perfect. See how it goes. Good discussion folks. May I add one comment? Yes. On that. Um I als I I contacted way zero um the 1-800 number just on the quality stuff. I got bags and I that that's what led to the

uh posting about how to open the bags properly so the seal doesn't mess you up. and they were so pleasant. And uh the the quality uh woman who took the call had someone get back to me and she was explaining how they moved to a different wrapping from some other towns issue. But I think our residents are going to be pleasantly surprised. If by any minor chance people have quality problems with their bags, I think when they call the number, they will be very happy with the service and response from the company. So, I just want to mention that.

Yeah. I mean, it's one of those things that like um the the wrapper, it seems like it could just very easily get put on there. One thing I think I'll make sure I communicate out in one of my next videos is that like you can leave the sticker on the on the outside of the bag if you're if you're worried that it's going to rip the bag. But, I've heard good things about the customer service uh hotline as well.

The rappers did make me think a little bit of the uh the Hannerford sandwich uh meat stickers that always get stuck, you know. So, if just we can figure that out, we can figure this out. Issues with the dog poop bag, but whatever.

There you go. All righty. But thanks for that uh feedback, Z. Um before we go into manage report, just one thing I wanted to let folks know, as you can see, we now have underneath um people's names uh updates. So, anyone if there's something that you want listed under your name ahead of the um uh board meeting that you were planning on giving an update or want to mention, feel free to uh to let me know that the Thursday before the meeting. Um these bullet these uh these subheaders are not all-encompassing. So, don't feel like you're you're stuck to only bringing that up, but I just wanted to say that because some of the feedback we've been receiving is, well, there's not there hasn't been this on the agenda. Well, things aren't going on the agenda unless there's a need to have a discussion and a vote. So, if it's just an update or a question or something like that, those are better suited for reports, but we

want to still help increase a little bit of transparency so people can look and say, "Oh, look, there is going to this is going to be mentioned, you know." So, with that uh said, Jerry manager report. Yeah. So, what I have I'll just repeat for you all and for the residents. So as far as Hannah is concerned the locations in Toppsum and Brunswick and Lewon are participating. Aubin has declined in and for hand fitting a bow street is out. They will not be participating and Shaws will be participating in Freeport and Lewon.

So that means you got you got the get and go and food city maybe repenova farm. you're going to have several locations in the immediate area. And I think some of these like I'm not sure why Auburn didn't, but that's up to them. Like once you get too far out past Durham, I think some of these stores think, well, how many people are really going to buy bags? So that's why they decline. Like I think Bow Street and talking to waste, you know, they've I think they tried to do it from Brunswick, but nobody from Brunswick went to Freeport to get their bag, so they stopped. They stalked it. So, they don't want to participate in either either. So,

and you guys are going to update. Yeah, we'll update that. Um, the only other information I have, so the economic development committee, we're going to try to schedule the first meeting for September 15th. 15th. Yeah, the 15th. Um, we still don't have any more applications for the atlarge.

uh someone that was interested is also on the ad committee, so they may they may uh put their name in through that committee. But um other than that, we haven't we haven't gotten any other interest, but we we want to get going and then if we get interest after that, we'll just get them up to speed of the work that has been done. But hopefully the word will still get out there. Can you put it in the news last for Friday? Just like re I know we had it beforehand, but

Yep. Just to reiterate. Yeah. Mhm. [clears throat] Um, and that's really pretty much all I got. I was going to go to the uh the town city managers conference, but I I just can't with my injury because I have to babysit it too much. Um, so matter of fact, because of what it's doing, I brought my computer and I'll be bringing that home so I can take care of it at home and not in the office cuz I had some issues today with it in the office.

Mhm. So I really have to like baby this thing or I'm going to end up infected and you know antibiotics again if I'm not careful. So that's that. It's kind of unfortunate because those conferences are really really helpful.

But it's but I can't go. I just it's and then risking more could happen versus what I'll learn at that conference. I it's it's a bummer. But and Joe is actually as one of the panelists on the Friday thing. Maybe he'll say something about that in his report. But that's

pretty awesome that you're participating with that group and Yeah, I got to Well, that's all I have for now. Well, thank you for keeping up on the uh pay as you throw stuff. I know it's been very there were a lot of v vocal folks about the what where it's available and this and that. Um, and you know, I know it's taken some extra TLC from you to get things moving along. So, I appreciate that for sure. I'm happy to hear more and more coming on board. So,

yeah. Anyone got anything for Jerry? I'll start off. Um, I'll try to get everything in on the first go here so I don't have to back clean up like I normally do. uh goal setting workshop is going to be at our next meeting. Um most of everyone sent me in comments on on goals. Um so GP COG

offers this now as this is the first year they're offering like a facilitated workshop to help boards set goals and priorities. And so Jerry and I had a meeting with the facilitator um you know former um elected official herself, lots of really great experience um in in many sectors as it relates to municipal government governing. So she'll be coming in and facilitating this for us. Um I've asked some of the uh boards and committees to submit any ideas they have too for goals and objectives. But really what the goal of this workshop is that we're all going to convene with our goals and objectives that we all think are important for the board and then go through with her and help have a facilitated conversation so we can establish some priorities. um reading everyone's list, there's already a lot of overlapping um goals, which is good. But we're also she's going to go a little bit over um how goal setting

workshops and how board operations fit within the municipal governing structure and talking about the difference of levels of goals. So like if the goal is like I'd like to see, you know, the the the town offices door open more smoothly, that's really a small goal. whereas like I'd like to have us have economic development town big, right? And so we're going to kind of go through some of the work with that. So I'm I've received all your all your emails. I'm just sending those to her um without any sort of um u manipulation of what you're saying just because it's helpful for her to get an idea of what our what our board has on their mind.

Um Joe, what would you like for us to bring for the next meeting? Do you want us just to have those an open mind and an open heart? Okay. Other than that, um, yeah, whatever you I mean, anything that you have written out for your goals or objectives, your concerns or questions, and don't think that what you've sent is is a limitation. She just asked if we could give her some stuff in advance, it gives her an idea. So, um, that that's fine. And then we'll from there create a priority for how we want to address things. So, one thing I've noticed in in my time on the board, and Josh, I I maybe you could chime in too if you if you've noticed it the same or different, is one or two big changes and one minor change seem to be kind of what that we have the capacity to facilitate both from a budgetary standpoint, a staff standpoint, and even just a a public will to have changes going on. Um, anything more than that, my

experience is people get pretty fatigued on how many public meetings do I have to go to? When's this comment section? What's going on here? And so my goal hope is that we can come out with a couple of rock solid, you know, big lifts, maybe a mediocre medium medium lift and then move forward with that. I don't know if you have any insight either from your time. Yeah. Um, and so if we if we end up with a list and it doesn't have everything that you want on it, it doesn't mean that that's not an important thing. Um, the other thing we're thinking about here with this goal setting is, you know, we're only a couple of years away from the next comprehensive plan review. So, some of these things could end up being better suited for that. And so, I'm really excited. I have not been through a facilitator workshop with with this facilitator before, but look looking forward to it. So, um, does anyone have

any questions about that? um town managers conference um later this week on Friday up to Carabasset Valley. Uh going to go Yeah, it's a nice spot. You know, my pl my place is close to there, too, so it makes it easy. Um but I was asked, so as you all know, I've been on this task force for um municipal tax um

issues. So like like us, all municipalities are feeling pinched by their school and their county and trying to adopt figure out different strategies to address the rising property taxes in their municipalities. And um the task force has been working on a lot of different facets and some of them have to do with local tax options for things on lodging and and kind of that recreational traveler and stuff. And um I've been asked just to present a few slides on that task force um work and you know kind of there's it's three people are presenting on it. The uh uh city manager for South Portland uh full-time staff person for GP COG and then myself just saying you know this is what we've been working on. So, it's by no means a a full-on endorsement of anything on behalf of the town of Durham or anything like that, but it's my role with GP Clog. Um, just going to be presenting on that to [clears throat]

and it's the audience is typically town managers and town administrators. And being I think 8:00 a.m. on a Friday on the last day of the conference, it's usually not the most attended speak. So, it's by no means the the keynote. Um, but I will be there. And so, uh, um, just want to make you all aware of that, too. So, um, other than that, I can't think of anything else I have, um, for [snorts] the, uh, chair updates at the moment. So, Josh, do you have anything?

N. All right. Uh, Deb, um, no progress on the, uh, band stand yet. We're still waiting to get the list together, the material that I can take to Jerry and to Calvin. So, I'll update. I don't have anything else. Were you were you all able to connect with the the uh person working towards their Eagle Scout?

No. No. Okay. Just wanted to make sure that I I know that there was a ask there for them. So, um All right, Rebecca. Nothing, John. And nothing. Whoa. All right. Maybe I'll take all this extra time to pontificate or wax poetically, but

nothing. [laughter] And All right. Well, seeing nothing else, um do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda? So, move. Second. All right. There's a motion from Josh. Second by John. [snorts] Any questions or discussion? All in favor? Any opposition? Seeing none. All right. Upcoming um meeting agriculture committee meeting is August 12th at the Eureka Center at 7th. Select board August 25th. The fire station that is really going to we're going to be bare bones on meeting stuff and then mostly the uh the workshop and that's going to be about two hours.

I I'm sorry I should have asked earlier. I got asked a question. Will there be an opportunity for um the audience to participate, ask questions or speak at the workshop? I don't know what the facilitator has planned. My understanding is that I think it's always just been between the board members. Um but we will still I I think we should still have a open public comment period at the onset if people want to share

and I'm fine with that. I can tell them no. Yeah. So um but uh any it's not like so at that meeting we're not going to be like all right and so here's what we're doing now like there's this is the the planning level. So then there will be public comment obviously for anything else we we start working on. So

um planning board meeting September 2nd and then tentatively economic development committee meeting on September 15th and thank you again John for being willing to serve on that. Um like upcoming select board uh like I said next meeting is going to be the uh facilitation workshop. So um look forward to that. I don't believe we have any executive session needed. And then seeing none uh accept a motion to adjourn. So second

Josh a clean sweep on the Josh John motion second this uh this meeting. All favor any opposition seeing it. Perfect. Thank you. All right, we got a couple things to sign here.