Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 5, 2015
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room, Town Hall, Northeast Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman John Macauley; Selectmen Martha Dudman, Matt Hart, Tom Richardson, and Dennis Shubert; staff members Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Treasurer Kathi Mahar, Tax Collector Margaret Porter, Assessor Kyle Avila, Police Chief Jim Willis, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Public Works Director Tony Smith, 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 Macauley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. Public Hearing(s)
A. None
III. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes from December 15, 2014 meeting.
MOTION: Selectman Hart moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve the minutes from December 15, 2014 meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
IV. Appointments/Recognitions/Resignations
A. Confirm Appointment of Joelle D. Nolan as Registrar of Voters Effective January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Richardson, to confirm the appointment of Joelle D. Nolan as Registrar of Voters effective January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Accept Resignation of Kathleen Graves from the Events Committee Effective January 1, 2015
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Hart, to accept the resignation of Kathleen Graves from the Events Committee effective January 1, 2015. 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. Thank You from Mount Desert Nursing Association
B. Hancock County Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes December 12, 2014
C. Emera Maine Notice of Rate Increase
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Hart, to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VI. Selectmen’s Reports
Selectman Dudman asked Town Manager Lunt about the LUZO Advisory Group public meetings, and he replied a schedule will most likely be set this week.
Selectman Hart asked for confirmation that once the new town signage is complete, the old signs will be removed. Public Works Director Smith confirmed with a yes.
Selectman Shubert said he had spoken with Darrell Phillips, former salary consultant for the Town, and asked that Mr. Phillips be invited back to review with the Board how the system works. Town Manager Lunt will contact Mr. Phillips.
Chairman Macauley reported that he had been asked why there had been no Sustainability Committee meetings recently. Committee chairman Phil Lichtenstein was present and explained that the committee had agreed to not meet for the sake of meeting; also members have been away during the holiday season. They are still waiting for information regarding the lighting issues and will convene a meeting as soon as they have material to work with. Public Works Director Smith will address Atom Electric about the lighting. Mr. Lichtenstein said the LED lights used at the Island Explorer terminal in Trenton are an excellent example of efficient, attractive dark sky compliant lighting.
VII. Old Business
None presented.
VIII. New Business
A. Police Chief Return Agreement
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Richardson, to accept the Police Chief Return Agreement as presented.
DSICUSSION: Selectman Shubert said he is uncomfortable with the wording regarding salary and benefits; it reads as though he would be treated as he was when he first began employment with the town, rather than when the police chief sharing began. Town Manager Lunt explained the intent is that he is treated as though he is here; his evaluations etc. continue. Police Chief Willis said he also is uncomfortable with some of the wording. Selectman Dudman suggested adding a reference regarding if either party decides to terminate. Town Manager Lunt and Police Chief Willis will review the Agreement and bring it back to the next Board meeting.
Selectman Shubert withdrew his motion and Selectman Richardson withdrew his second.
B. Authorization to Release $12,460.68 from Fire Equipment Reserve for Mounting Equipment for 2013 International Fire Truck
MOTION: Selectman Richardson moved, seconded by Selectman Hart, to authorize the release of $12,460.68 from Fire Equipment Reserve Account 4040300-24471for Mounting Equipment for the 2013 International Fire Truck. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Steamboat Wharf Road Boardwalk and Retaining Wall
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Hart, to authorize Public Works Director to sign an agreement with Hedefine Engineering for the survey, design, and bidding services as described in his memo dated December 30, 2014 (retaining wall and retrofit) for the amount of $14,500, and to use funds from the Public Works Road Reserve Account 4050100-24573 for said services. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
D. Purchase of New Telephone System
An exhaustive and sometimes heated discussion based on Public Works Director Smith’s Memo dated December 30, 2014 containing recommendations from a committee comprised of Tony Smith, Bob Bickmore, Kyle Avila, Jim Willis resulted in a decision to gather more information before taking action.
Although some thought interconnectivity was among the goals, it was determined that it was time to reassess what the Board wants.
Selectman Shubert said he did not realize that we do not have “fiber” to all locations, and that the town office system has to use Fairpoint to connect to outlying buildings.
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Richardson, to table the telephone issue to a later date. The vote was in favor, 4-1, with Selectman Dudman voting against. She stated the research had been done and recommendations should be taken.
E. Budget Review: General Government, Debt, Community Development and Marina
Board started with the Marina figures. Harbormaster Lemoine noted the largest increases were health insurance (a single employee married and had a baby), Maine Public Employees Retirement System (employer rate increase), heating fuel (propane), and training. On the recommendation of the Marine Management Committee a new line is requested for an unclassified contingency of $25,000 to allow for emergency spending, such as unanticipated repairs.
Town Manager Lunt led the review for the Board of Selectmen and Town Administration portions. There are no changes to the Boards’. He noted that the Town Administration now contains the universal copier contracts (taken from individual departments such as Fire, Public Works, etc.). The Town Clerk part-time line is increased significantly to cover the 3 – 4 month overlap with the replacement for retiring Clerk Joelle Nolan. No changes to Registrar or Elections.
Town Manager Lunt to check with CEO Keene regarding the lack of funding for the Planning Board clerical position.
Under Finance, the clerical position represents a finance clerk, moved from the Treasurer section; not adding a person just moving the position. Board asked for clarification. Tax Collector – the Worker’s Comp expense seems high. Assessing is OK. Human Resources Consultant-Admin represents Union negotiations. General Assistance OK. Rural Wastewater OK.
Community Development includes a broadband study: 54539 Consultant Ed at $22,000; 51100 Dept Head at $67,600 (vs 54970 at $55,000 prior year); and 53900 Misc Supplies at $10,000 for marketing [brochures, advertising, etc].
Debt OK; no new debt.
F. Such other business as may be legally conducted
None presented.
IX. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve & Sign Treasurer’s Warrant AP1542 in the amount of $559,629.55
B. Approve Signed Treasurer’s Payroll, State Fees, & PR Benefit Warrants
AP1539, AP1540, AP1541, PR1525, PR1526, & PR1527 in the amounts of $4,576.50, $1,316.00, $1,373.62, $43,558.80, $49,119.75, & $43,614.24, respectively
C. Acknowledge Treasurer’s School Board AP/Payroll Warrant(s) 13 & 14 in the amount(s) of $147,057.49 & $56,224.21
MOTION: Selectman Hart moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve, sign, and acknowledge Treasurer’s Warrants A – C totaling $906,470.16. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
X. Executive Session
A. None
XI. Adjournment
MOTION: At 8:24 p.m., Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew J. Hart,
Secretary
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