Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2014 postponed from February 18, 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, Matt Hart, John Macauley, and Dennis Shubert; staff members Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Mike Bender, and Harbormaster John Lemoine, and Town Clerk/Recording Secretary Joelle Nolan; and members of the public.
I. Call to order at 6:30 p.m.
Chairman Richardson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. Public Hearing(s)
A. None
III. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes from January 21, 2014
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to approve the minutes from January 21, 2014 as presented. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Approval of minutes from January 27, 2014
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Hart, to approve the minutes from January 27, 2014 as presented. The vote was in favor, 4-0-1, with Selectman Dudman abstaining because she was not present at the meeting.
C. Approval of minutes from February 3, 2014
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to approve the minutes from February 3, 2014 as presented. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to take VIII. New Business. A. Third Party/Service Groups Budget Requests out of order. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VIII. New Business
A. Third Party/Service Groups Budget Requests
Chairman Richardson requested those present speak briefly and explained that no decisions would be made this evening. The Board will consider and vote whether or not to recommend the requests be added to the Annual Town Meeting Warrant at a future meeting.
Yesterday’s Children $300, no one present
WHCA $379, represented by Fran Havey
Somesville VIS $2,500, represented by Mady Allen
Somesville Library $8,000, represented by Jerry Miller and Tony Smith
Seal Harbor VIS $30,700 no one present
Seal Harbor Library $4,000, represented by Lynn King
Pretty Marsh Association request withdrawn
Northeast Harbor VIS $5,000, represented by Jerry Suminsby President
Northeast Harbor Library $20,500, represented by Brook Minner, Director
Neighborhood House $88,000, represented by Anne-Marie Hart, Executive Director
Mount Desert Nursing Association $23,000, represented by Rick Fuerst President Board of Directors
Mount Desert Nursery School $5,000, represented by Andrea Howell, Executive Director
Mount Desert Masonic Hall Chairman Richardson explained since the Hall provides water to the Fire Station, the Town contributes the cost of the taxes
Mount Desert Island Historical Society $2,000, represented by Tim Garrity Executive Director
MDI Campfire Coalition $3,000, represented by Anne-Marie Hart on behalf of Scott Planting President
Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce $9,950, represented by Sue Spoelhof Secretary Board of Directors
Island Connections $2,000, represented by David Opdyke
Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County $1,000 no one present
Eastern Maine Home Care dba Hancock County Home Care & Hospice $1,200 no one present
Eastern Area Agency on Aging $500 no one present
Downeast Transportation/Island Explorer $14,000, represented by Paul Murphy General Manager
Downeast Horizons Inc $5,600, represented by Ashley Johnson Resource Coordinator
Down East AIDS Network $1,200, no one present
Bar Harbor Food Pantry $1,500, represented by Kate Sebelin Executive Director
American Red Cross $1,500, represented by Gretchen Wilson Board of Directors
Aid Society of Otter Creek $12,000, represented by Linda Lunt Secretary Board of Directors
Acadian Little League $950, represented by Matt Hart
Town Manager Lunt explained that LifeFlight of Maine, a new request, was inadvertently left out and will be presented at the next meeting.
IV. Appointments/Recognitions/Resignations
A. Appointment of Cyndi Schmidt to the Events Committee
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve the appointment of Cyndi Schmidt to the Events Committee. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Recognize Certificate of Appreciation Presented to Lieutenant Kevin Edgecomb from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to recognize the Certificate of Appreciation presented to Lieutenant Kevin Edgecomb from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
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, Fire, Finance
B. Events Committee Minutes January 28, 2014
C. Traffic Committee Notes February
D. Hancock County Tax Assessment
E. EMR Contract Renewal
F. Skatepark Event at Neighborhood house March 1, 2014
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VI. Selectmen’s Reports
Chairman Richardson told of someone contacting Tony Smith and himself regarding the Seal Harbor Comfort Station and the installation of a heat pump and hot water.
VII. Old Business
A. Town Meeting Attendance, discussion
Bill Ferm, experienced Moderator and Chair of the Warrant Committee was present to join in the discussion of possibly shortening the length of town meetings and encourage attendance.
Selectman Shubert suggested combining some articles and thought having the Warrant Committee highlight articles that they feel are more important might be helpful.
Mr. Ferm sees it as a balancing act of encouraging participation without discouraging attendance. The Town Charter specifically says the meeting shall be conducted in accordance with the Maine Moderators Manual which contains a series of rules that allow flexibility. The Charter also states “Each article for the appropriation of funds shall be drafted so as to fairly allow the town meeting to vote on a single category of proposed expenditures” which Mr. Ferm interprets as allowing some combining of articles. Although we currently deal with 50 to 60 articles, the meetings rarely last more than 2 – 3 hours. Several years ago some meetings took longer and occasionally went to a second night. He expressed concern that combining articles may inhibit people from
speaking their minds. He also mentioned the Americans with Disability Act and suggested by not reading the articles, some people might lose their way. In his opinion if 2 – 3 hours is all the time it takes for residents/voters to express their views, then he hesitates limiting their opportunity to speak.
Selectman Shubert said they have not addressed the issue of those who do not show up; he believes we are driving away people who won’t sit in a meeting for hours. Selectman Dudman complimented Mr. Ferm on his role as moderator; said she does not agree with combining articles; and wondered if the moderator could take the lead in suggesting that articles not be read. Chairman Richardson suggested apathy and unwillingness to participate are the biggest issues, not the length of the meeting. Phil Lichtenstein, Warrant Committee member, said he would like to see more people at Warrant Committee and Board meetings, enabling them to be better prepared for Town Meeting. Jerry Miller, Warrant Committee members, sees the discussions devoted to the articles as the time eater, which is
the purpose of the meeting; we can’t take that away. Selectman Macauley thinks the community event is a good idea; however, he also agrees there is a good deal of apathy which is an inherent problem in small towns. Katrina Carter, Warrant Committee member, believes it is important that residents can say their piece at Town Meeting; it is an important part of our government. Selectman Hart thinks shortening the meeting won’t be a draw and that the focus needs to be on retaining those in attendance for the duration of the meeting. Chairman Richardson agreed that the arrangement of the articles is crucial in keeping voters present. Placing the school articles, which are set by statute, at the end helps.
Chairman Richardson thanked Mr. Ferm for his input; all agreed it was a good discussion.
B. Municipal Officer’s Certification of Official Text of a Proposed Ordinance [amendment]
Chairman Richardson explained the proposed change is to the Land Use Zoning Ordinance to change the zoning of a specific lot. The issue was addressed at the Board’s February 3, 2014 meeting.
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve the Municipal Officer’s Certification of Official Text of a Proposed Ordinance [amendment]. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Yachtsmen Building Washers and Dryers, Authorization to Proceed with Purchase
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to authorize release and expenditure of funds in the amount of $11,015.26 from the Marina undesignated fund Munis Account 60038300/Trio Account 60-37300-00 for the purchase and installation of washers and dryers for the Yachtsmen Building from Browns Appliance, Coastal Energy and MCM Electric. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VIII. New Business, continued
B. Horace and Mary Reynolds, and Frank F. Stanley Trust Scholarship Recommendations
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to authorize the Mount Desert Island Regional High School to grant two scholarships as follows: Horace and Mary Reynolds Scholarship in the amount of $500 and Frank F. Stanley Trust Scholarship in the amount of $100. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Otter Creek Fire Pond Easement
Fire Chief Bender explained the intent of his memo, dated February 12, 2014, was to simply make the Board aware of the intended process to move forward with an easement agreement between the Town and a property owner regarding the Otter Creek Fire Pond. He will bring a final draft to the Board at a future meeting. There is no action required at this time.
D. Liquor License Renewal Application: Judith L. Swett/Lighthouse Inn & Restaurant
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve the Liquor License renewal application from Judith L. Swett/Lighthouse Inn & Restaurant. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
E. Such other business as may be legally conducted
None presented.
IX. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve & Sign Treasurer’s Warrant AP1448 in the amount of $77,626.89
B. Approve Signed Treasurer’s Payroll, State Fees, & PR Benefit Warrants PR1436, PR1437, AP1446, AP1447 in the amount of $45,802.78, $47,503,69, $6,095.75, $4,427.88, respectively
C. Acknowledge Treasurer’s School Board AP/Payroll Warrant(s) 8 & 17 in the amount of $100,010.16, $62,954.65
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve and acknowledge Treasurer’s Warrants A – C totaling $344,421.80. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
X. Executive Session
A. None
XI. Adjournment
MOTION: At 7:45 p.m., Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
John B. Macauley
Secretary
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