Draft Minutes 2-12-11 Meeting

Twenty Three Mile Slough RSA
February 12, 2011
Moose Creek Community Center

Call to order at 4pm by Chairman, Stu Davies
Present: Commissioners: Ed Arobio, Irene Coben, Stu Davies. Residents: Dan Rees, Darcy Etcheverry, David Throop, Frank Duncklee, Robyn Davies, Thomas St.Clair, Warren Smith
Agenda approved without additions or changes
Minutes from last meeting handed out and reviewed. Motion by Irene to approve without any changes, 2nd by Ed
Ed Arobio - yes Irene Coben – yes Stu Davies - yes
Financial report – money spent to date reviewed. Discussion on problems with clearing last summer. Half of road completed, will be finished this year with proper equipment.

Old Business
1. Stu reported he filled out third request for signs at rural services office
2. Stu gave update on $2/K mile project money. Residents went to an open house to review project as outlined by borough engineers. Estimated cost was $48,800, RSA voted previously to allow a maximum of $33,000 for this resurface project. Borough recently decided to let $2/K money be used for matching grant funds. RSA will use savings to do end of road resurfacing and project funds for portion of $50,000 90/10 matching grant.
3. Stu explained reason our collected taxes continue to increase from $18,000 in 2006 to $48,000 this year. Reasons include newly annexed area and new construction. Mill rates continue to increase because of inflation and new construction
4. Alternate commissioner position still open. Any resident encouraged to apply
5. Stu reported on AAA site update: Army Corps has 3.1 million to begin excavation and reclamation of this site located at 5.3 mile EFR. They have written plans for traffic control. $250,000 budgeted to repair any damage to road. Will have independent contractor assess damage to road. Suggestion for borough to be involved at this stage to assess damage and help decide how repairs would be made.

New Business
1. Maintenance last summer included resurface 2.5 mile for $18,968, asphalt patching to mile 5 for $6,430, grading and machine clearing
2. Upcoming repairs/maintenance include hardpack removal, mowing not finished last summer. Will need to do brush/tree clearing in right of way from heavy snow. Maintenance on mile 7.2-7.9 EFR will begin this fiscal year and finished FY2012. Work to be completed hopefully by Aug 1st. Discussion on policy for when to do work on side roads. Consensus that RSA policy will continue to be grade all side roads in spring and fall, plowing done when residents request, hardpack removal on all streets.
3. Discussion on acceptance of $500,000 grant to make safety improvements to EFR. RSA will need to spend $50,000 matching of which $33,000 will be taken out of project fund account. Improvements to include 3 turnouts for large vehicles including school bus, improving line of site at curves between Sebaugh and Sawmill. Discussion on need to figure out timeline and how much borough will charge for administering grant. Darcy and Frank volunteered to serve on committee to follow up on this project and report back to RSA. Consensus that all present interested in knowing when planning/information meetings occur on this project, emails will be sent out when meeting scheduled. Ed moved to accept $500,000 90/10 safety improvement grant, seconded by Stu. Unanimous approval by residents present.
Ed Arobio - yes Irene Coben – yes Stu Davies - yes
4. Irene made motion to fund $50,000 matching grant from project funds and balance from savings account. Ed 2nd
Ed Arobio - yes Irene Coben – yes Stu Davies - yes
5. Discussion on operating budget for FY2012 to include $7,000 for routine summer maintenance, $10,000 misc maintenance, $12,000 snowplowing and $100 mailing, Adding direct cost to borough of $7,400 brings grand total to $36,500. Move by Ed to accept FY12 budget of $36,500 to maintain road. Seconded by Irene. Poll of resident – unanimous approval
Ed Arobio - yes Irene Coben – yes Stu Davies - yes
6. Tax cap discussion included review of why RSA annual tax collection continues to increase and how much money we need to maintain roads and save for future projects and unforeseen problems. Consensus need to have tax cap higher than budget so that money will be put in savings. Ed moved to set our revenue cap at $40,000. Seconded by Irene. Poll of residents present – 4 yea, 2 nea
Ed Arobio - yes Irene Coben – yes Stu Davies - yes
7. Stu reported commissioners approved subdivision for Hanna’s way – 3 lots off OVT
8. Discussion of road maintenance done by Rolling Stone Inc. Irene reported resident had complained to her about washboard from truck plowing. Discussion on reason to use truck vs grader which is 1/4 the cost each time. Next plowing will be with grader. Irene moved to approve the contract with Rolling Stone Inc. Seconded by Ed
Ed Arobio - yes Irene Coben – yes Stu Davies - yes

Public Comments
Darcy Etcheverry reported she was pursuing funding for a youth group to do weed control in right of way on main road. No pesticides will be used.

Ed will be acting chairman in March.

Next meeting set for Wednesday, Aug 17 7-9pm, Davies Garage

Meeting adjourned at 6pm