Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2013
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, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Mike Bender, 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 July 31, 2013 meeting
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve the minutes from July 31, 2013 meeting. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
B. Approval of minutes from August 5, 2013 meeting
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve the minutes from August 5, 2013 meeting. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
IV. Appointments & Recognitions
A. Confirm Appointment/Promotion of Royce Gordon as MEO II with a Probationary Base Pay Rate of $18.21
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to confirm appointment/promotion of Royce Gordon as MEO II with a probationary base pay rate of $18.21 effective August 20, 2013. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
B. Recognize Firefighter Amilie Bacon’s Achievement of State Certification as Fire Instructor I & II
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to recognize with great appreciation Firefighter Amilie Bacon’s achievement of State Certification as Fire Instructor I & II. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
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: Fire, Treasurer (Financials)
B. Revised Board Meeting Locations
C. Planning Board Minutes of June 10, 24, & 28 and July 22, 2013
D. Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of August 1, 2013
E. Hancock County Commissioners Caucus Warrant for Budget Advisory Committee Member
F. Thank you letters from Mount Desert Nursing Association, Downeast Horizons, Eastern Maine HomeCare Foundation, and Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to acknowledge receipt of Consent Agenda items A – F as presented. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
VI. Selectmen’s Reports
Selectman Shubert commented on a letter from a Seal Harbor resident regarding cell tower moratoriums. He believes Chairman Richardson’s response was appropriate in encouraging the resident to work with Town Boards and officials. Town Manager Lunt confirmed that directing the resident to the Planning Board to discuss the process was appropriate.
VII. Old Business
A. Fire Truck Specifications, discussion
Selectman Shubert opened the discussion by stating he would like reassurance that we are not building a truck too small for the community simply to accommodate those living on roads that are not up to specification. Fire Chief Bender said the Truck Committee is considering a larger truck than what was initially mentioned. Chairman Richardson asked if the Fire Department is required to go down every road in Town, and does the Town have to provide equipment to go on roads that are not up to specification. Fire Chief Bender said as far as he knew there was no State or NFPA requirement; however, perhaps it could be a Board mandate. He noted the Department tries to buy equipment that will service the most people; the existing equipment can access all roads. He agreed that some
driveways are challenging. Town Manager Lunt asked if the smaller trucks work and Fire Chief Bender explained there are trade-offs. Although we give up the capability to carry more crew, more hose, equipment and water, the ability to reach a fire may be increased with a smaller truck. They are trying to strike a balance - as are other towns on the Island. Selectman Shubert inquired as homeowner, who is going to tell me my road is inadequate. Fire Chief Bender said insurance companies have the most clout; more than fire chiefs and code enforcement officers. He also said that he and the CEO have looked into the issues with roads and driveways not meeting specifications, and obtained a legal opinion stating that it would be difficult to enforce compliance. A few years ago he included a letter with every tax bill explaining the need for driveways and roads to meet specifications. Chairman Richardson requested that MMA Legal be
contacted and asked about the Town’s responsibility, and resulting liability, to officially notify people regarding the adequateness of their road/driveway for fire truck access. Also, is the Town required to provide fire protection on substandard roads.
B. Solid Waste and Recycling, discussion
Selectman Shubert said he thinks we are moving forward; his purpose of addressing this issue is to understand where we are going and what is going on the rest of the State. Public Works Director Smith gave an overview of the history of the Town’s recycling program, Acadia Disposal District, Municipal Review Committee, and EcoMaine. EcoMaine is a do-it-all facility with single sort recycling and an effort to burn as little as possible. Ellsworth, where our recycling goes, is already at the forefront and has pay-per-bag-program. It is currently too expensive to do a single stream recycle on MDI. ADD is looking at a full service facility; however, status quo will be maintained for the next few years to see what MRC does. Transportation is a key factor. For
every ton of waste not sent to PERC, we realize $115 through recycling.
The discussion hit on a myriad of subjects ranging from this Town’s extreme trash pick-up policies which include collecting from businesses, allowing leaves in the trash, and mandating no cardboard in the trash. Public Works Director Smith explained that when the Town’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee disbanded a few years ago, its Chair, Phil Lichtenstein, expressed interest in forming a Conservation Committee, which will be discussed at a future meeting. Public Works Director Smith suggested ADD could be charged with items to address on behalf of the League of Towns.
VIII. New Business
A. Agreement and General Release for Fire Training Purposes
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Agreement and General Release between the Town of Mount Desert and G. Todd Mydland to allow the Mount Desert Fire Department to use Mr. Mydland’s building for fire training purposes. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
B. Donation of Darley Portable Fire Pump from Acadia National Park
At the request of Fire Chief Bender, this item was passed over to a future meeting.
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley to table agenda item VIII. B. until a future meeting. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
C. Release Deed for Josef Stone Property
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve and sign the Release Deed to Joyce J. Stone to release the Town’s interest in property located on Tax Map 026 Lot 054. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
D. Award Bid and Authorize Purchase of Plow/Dump/Work Truck for Highway Division of Public Works
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to award the bid to Darling’s Auto Mall to purchase a new 2014 Dodge 5500 regular cab Tradesman SLT 4x4 cab and chassis, dump body, plow and hitch, controls and lift gate for the Highway Division of Public Works at a price of $76,149; and authorize payment from Public Works Equipment Reserve account 20-24105-00. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
E. Award Bid and Authorize Purchase of Truck and Packer for Solid Waste Division of Public Works
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to award the bid to Colwell Diesel to purchase a new 2014 International 7400 SBA 4x2 truck and chassis for the Solid Waste Division of Public Works at a price of $79,100; and authorize payment from Refuse Truck Reserve account #20-24105-81. The vote was in favor, 4-0.
F. Such other business as may be legally conducted
None presented.
IX. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve & Sign Treasurer’s Warrant #AP1408 in the amount of $334,717.18
B. Approve Signed Treasurer’s Wage & Benefit Warrants #006 & 007 in the amount of $56,744.53 & 52,856.45, respectively
C. Approve Signed Treasurer’s State Fee Warrant #AP1407 in the amount of $1,905.50
D. Approve Signed Treasurer’s State Fee and Wage & Benefit Warrant #AP1406 in the amount of $14,118.63
E. Acknowledge Treasurer’s School Board AP/Payroll Warrants #2, 3, & 4 in the amount of $151,526.70, $67,456.90, & $61,480.94, respectively
F. Approve & Sign Treasurer’s Warrant #AP1409 $122,765.07
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve and acknowledge Treasurer’s Warrants A – E totaling $740,806.83. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve and sign Warrant AP1409 in the amount of $122,765.07. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
X. Executive Session
A. None
XI. Adjournment
MOTION: at 7:26 p.m., Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to adjourn. The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
John B. Macauley
Secretary
| 
