Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2014
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room, Town Hall, Northeast Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Tom Richardson; Selectmen Martha Dudman, John Macauley, and Dennis Shubert; staff members Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Treasurer Kathi Mahar, Assessor Kyle Avila, Code Enforcement Officer Kim Keene, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Harbormaster John Lemoine and Town Clerk/Recording Secretary Joelle Nolan; and members of the public.
I. Call to order at 6:00 p.m.
Chairman Richardson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. Executive Session
A. Pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405 (6)(A) to discuss potential candidates for Board of Selectmen vacancy
MOTION: At 6:15 p.m., Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to enter into Executive Session pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405 (6)(A) to discuss potential candidates for Board of Selectmen vacancy. The vote was unanimous in favor, 3-0. [Selectman Dudman joined the session in progress.]
MOTION: At 6:30 p.m., Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to close the Executive Session. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
Chairman Richardson explained the deliberations regarding two very qualified individuals, Jerry Miller and Matt Hart, and he thanked them for volunteering.
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to appoint Matt Hart as Selectman until the Annual Town Meeting Election to be held May 5, 2014. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
III. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes from December 16, 2013 meeting
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve the minutes from the December 16, 2013 meeting as presented. The vote was in favor, 3-0-1, with Selectman Dudman abstaining due to her absence from the meeting.
B. Approval of minutes from January 6, 2014 meeting
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve the minutes from the January 6, 2014 meeting as presented. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
IV. Appointments/Resignations/Recognitions
A. Confirm Appointments to Events Committee: Stephen Ashley, Meg Ashur, Kelly Brown, Kathleen Graves, Sue Kropff, Suzie James, and Brook Minner
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to confirm the following appointments to the Events Committee effective January 22, 2014: Stephen Ashley, Meg Ashur, Kelly Brown, Kathleen Graves, Sue Kropff, Suzie James, and Brook Minner. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
B. Confirm Appointment of Samuel S. McGee to the Warrant Committee
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to confirm the appointment of Samuel S. McGee to the Warrant Committee effective January 22, 2014. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
C. Planning Board Reflections and Resignation from Planning Board by Joseph Tracy
Mr. Tracy recounted some of his early years on the Board and how the Conditional Use Permit process has evolved from an efficient review to a time consuming 40 minutes or more. The application has burgeoned from one page to 29 pages. The process is not productive and needs to be streamlined to retain board members. Perhaps this means allowing the Code Enforcement Officer to make more decisions; and revising the permit applications. He also suggested Board of Selectmen members attend a Planning Board meeting to see how tortuous the process is. He shared his thoughts on how long a potential member should live in town prior to being appointed to the board. Although he could not offer specifics on streamlining, he suggested Planning Board members meet with a lawyer to
review and simplify. Chairman Richardson mentioned the LUZO Advisory Group led by Noel Musson; perhaps this something they can address in the future. He thanked Mr. Tracy for his many years of service to the Town and noted his appreciation for Mr. Tracy’s and the Planning Board’s efforts.
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to accept with regret the resignation of Joseph Tracy from the Planning Board. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
Town Clerk Joelle Nolan administered the oath to Mr. Hart and he was duly sworn in as Selectman. Mr. Hart introduced himself and gave a brief synopsis of his involvement with the Town, which includes the Neighborhood House, Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce, and the Wayfinding Committee.
V. Consent Agenda (These items are considered routine, and therefore, may be passed by the Selectmen in one blanket motion. Board members may remove any item for discussion by requesting such action prior to consideration of that portion of the agenda.)
A. Department Reports: Wastewater Treatment Plants, Treasurer – Financials, Harbor
B. MaineDOT Project Route 102 from Pretty Marsh Rd to Fernald Point Rd
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VI. Selectmen’s Reports
None presented.
VII. Old Business
A. Municipal Officer’s Certification of Official Text of Proposed Ordinance Amendments and Sign Warrant for Special Town Meeting February 24, 2014
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to sign the Municipal Officer’s Certification of Official Text of Proposed Ordinance Amendments and sign the Warrant for Special Town Meeting February 24, 2014. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Board of Selectmen Vacancy
See above.
C. Economic Development, update
Jacqueline “Jackie” Hewett, Economic Development Consultant, was present and gave an update. She stressed the importance of the proposed LUZO changes for the February 24th Special Town Meeting and how necessary they are for the Town to move forward. She has met with the owners of Ollie’s Trolley and people involved with the cruise ships that come to Bar Harbor; plans are being made to bring more people to Northeast Harbor. She has also met with entrepreneur John Boynton regarding his two projects on Main Street which are moving forward. And she is working on fundraising for movie nights on the village green this summer. The newly formed Event Committee will meet for first time next week.
Selectman Shubert asked if we are able to track sales through sales tax receipts, and Ms. Hewett said she will look into it. He also queried the use of TIF, and Ms. Hewett said it is on the list for consideration.
Seal Harbor resident and Vice President of the Seal Harbor Village Improvement Society Ann Funderburk noted that the SHVIS has been under considerable pressure from Ollie’s Trolley to provide adequate toilet facilities in Seal Harbor for tours. She suggested Northeast Harbor is far more suitable for a stopping place.
D. Stanley Property Appraisal
Assessor Avila confirmed that the result is a valid approach by the appraiser. Selectman Shubert noted that historically this was a workforce house that became a summer home. The dollars make sense and additional land increases the value of the property. Chairman Richardson asked if any of the houses in the vicinity have rights-of-way from the Town parking lot, and Assessor Avila replied no, access is through Kimball Lane. Selectman Dudman sees a responsibility to the Town, although she empathizes with the Stanley family. Chairman Richardson made the point of functionality; the Town has not had access, the family has. It’s appropriate for the Town to be paid for the Stanley’s use of the land.
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to bring to the May 5 & 6, 2014 Annual Town Meeting a Warrant Article offering the land for sale at the appraised price of $37,100. The vote was in favor, 3-2 with Selectmen Shubert and Dudman opposed.
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman to take VIII New Business B, C, and D and IX Treasurer’s Warrants out of order. The vote was unanimous in favor 5-0.
VIII. New Business
B. Board Representative to Union Negotiations
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to designate Chairman Richardson as the Board representative for the upcoming Union negotiations. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Acadia Family Center Village Green Special Event Application
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve the Acadia Family Center Village Green Special Event Application for October 4, 2014. The vote was in favor, 4-0-1 with Selectman Dudman abstaining due to the fact she is working with the Center.
D. Wayfinding Design Phase 2
Town Manager Lunt summarized and explained the money is to come from donations. Because the money is donated, the Board needs to authorize the acceptance. This Phase contains the elements that can move forward without the proposed LUZO changes for the February 24th Special Town Meeting. Ms. Hewett elaborated, saying we need to start now in order to have the signs ready by spring.
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to accept the Concept Design Propose Part A of Phase 2 from Gamble Design LLC $5,000 [as presented]. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
IX. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve & Sign Treasurer’s Warrant AP1441& AP1442 in the amount of $447,621.96 and $145.00, respectively
B. Approve Authorized Treasurer’s Payroll, State Fees, & PR Benefit Warrants PR1432, PR1433, AP1439, and AP1440 in the amount of $55,314.33, $45,648.73, $789.56, and $16,295.71, respectively
C. Acknowledge Treasurer’s School Board AP/Payroll Warrant(s) 7 and 15 in the amount of $41,916.61 and $78,675.13
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve and acknowledge Treasurer’s Warrants A – C totaling $686,407.03. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VIII. New Business, continued
A. 2014-2015 FY Budget Review: General Government, Health and Welfare, Rural Wastewater Support, Culture and Recreation, Economic Development, Debt Service, Operating Transfers (CIP)
Formatting was discussed, and it was suggested it would be better to compare the 2015 Department Requests to the 2014 original budget for percentages, rather than the 2014 revised budget column. A glossary of terms would be helpful.
Town Manager Lunt noted we have tried to build up reserve accounts to bring forth level budgets. Selectman Shubert asked if personnel numbers would change over next few years and Town Manager Lunt said he didn’t think so; although we are preparing for retirements. He reported this is nearly a flat budget; a working budget representative of needs.
E. Such other business as may be legally conducted
None presented.
X. Adjournment
MOTION: At 8:40 p.m., Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
John B. Macauley
Secretary
01/21/14
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