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Selectmen Meeting Minutes - 12/16/13
Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 16, 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, John Macauley, Rick Mooers and Dennis Shubert; staff members Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Police Chief Jim Willis, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Harbormaster John Lemoine and Town Clerk/Recording Secretary Joelle Nolan; and members of the public.  Selectman Martha Dudman was excused.

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)
None.

III.    Minutes
A.      Approval of minutes from December 2, 2013 meeting.

MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve the meeting minutes from December 2, 2013.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

IV.     Appointments & Recognitions
A.      Accept with Regret Resignation of James “Rick” F. Mooers from the Board of Selectmen effective December 16, 2013 at the Conclusion of the Board Meeting

MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to accept with regret resignation of James “Rick” F. Mooers from the Board of Selectmen effective December 16, 2013 at the conclusion of this Board meeting.  The vote was in favor, 3-0-1, with Selectman Mooers abstaining.

B.      Confirm Appointment of James “Rick” F. Mooers as Part-Time Dispatcher at a Rate of Pay of $16/hr Effective December 17, 2013

MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to confirm the appointment of James “Rick” F. Mooers as part-time Dispatcher at a rate of pay of $16/hr effective December 17, 2013.

DISCUSSION:  Selectman Shubert expressed concerns that the hiring process be public.  Selectman Mooers offered to recount the process and explained his initial interest was for the Harbormaster position; however he did not make the cut.  He later applied for the deputy harbormaster job and decided to withdraw when told the job entailed working every weekend during the summer months.  When he became aware of the part time marina office manager position and part time dispatcher opening he discussed the requirements with Harbormaster John Lemoine, Police Chief Jim Willis and Town Manager Durlin Lunt.  It was agreed that he and the positions were a good fit.  Selectman Shubert said it is important to note Selectman Mooers’ public safety background; the Town is lucky to have him in these positions.

VOTE:  The vote was in favor, 3-0-1, with Selectman Mooers abstaining.

C.      Confirm Appointment of James “Rick” F. Mooers as Seasonal Marina Office Manager at a Rate of Pay of $16/hr Effective March 3, 2014

MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to confirm the appointment of James “Rick” F. Mooers as Seasonal Marina Office Manager at a rate of pay of $16/hr effective December 17, 2013.  The vote was in favor, 3-0-1, with Selectman Mooers abstaining.


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, Finance
B.      Marine Management Committee Minutes December 3, 2013
C.      Sustainability Committee Minutes October 31 & December 6, 2013
D.      Hancock County Commissioners Minutes November 26, 2013
E.      MMA Workers Comp Fund Report
F.      Acadia National Park Erosion Control Project Update
Selectman Mooers referred to item C and asked Selectman Shubert if the Committee is working the way he hoped it would.  Selectman Shubert noted both he and Selectman Macauley are liaisons to the committee; and yes, the Committee is making progress.  Although the PUC is slow to respond, the Committee hopes to have a street light plan for Annual Town Meeting in May.  There are many opportunities to upgrade town owned fixtures with more efficient lighting.  Further discussion included how to access and use Efficiency Maine.

MOTION:  Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to authorize Public Works Director Smith to contact and engage Efficiency Maine to assess the cost and benefits of upgrading the lights around town, including, but not limited to the marina, town garage, and town hall.  The vote was in favor,  4-0.

MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to accept Consent Agenda items A, B, D, E, & F as presented.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

VI.     Selectmen’s Reports
None presented.

VII.    Old Business
None presented.

VIII.   New Business
A.      Request to Close Town of Mount Desert Harbors to Dragging
Selectman Macauley asked why and Harbormaster Lemoine replied to protect the moorings.  He also stated this is a recommendation from the Marine Management Committee.

MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to close the Town of Mount Desert Harbors to dragging, as recommended by the Marine Management Committee.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

B.      Release of Reserve Funds for Radar Purchase
Referring to Police Chief Willis’ memo dated December 6, 2013,

MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to authorize the release and expenditure of $1,995.00 from Police Equipment reserve Account #400-244-05 for the purchase of one Stalker radar unit.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

C.      Release of Reserve Funds for Taser Purchase
Referring to Police Chief Willis’ memo dated December 6, 2013,

MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to authorize the release and expenditure of $4,000.00 from Police Equipment Reserve Account #400-244-05 for the purchase of three Taser units.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

D.      Release of Reserve Funds to Pay Hedefine Engineering for Work Regarding Otter Creek Fire Pond
Referring to Fire Chief Bender’s memo dated December 10, 2013,

MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to authorize the release and expenditure of $6,417.50 from Otter Creek Fire Pond account #4040300-24474 to pay Hedefine Engineering & Design Inc. for work regarding the Otter Creek Fire Pond.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

E.      Small Animal Clinic Annual Contract

MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve the Small Animal Clinic Annual Contract.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

F.      Engineering Proposal for Completion of Town Office Building Renovations
Town Manager Lunt said this is the final phase of the renovation project.  Police Chief Willis explained his department will regain its shower facility and add some storage space.  Upon completion, the Town Office/Public Safety building public restrooms will be closed and people will be directed to the marina.

MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to authorize the release and expenditure of $12,400 from Town Office Building Reserve Fund Account #4050100-24570 to pay Hedefine Engineering & Design Inc. for the design, coordination & preparation of construction documents for renovations to the Police Department, public restrooms, and a storage room in the Town Office building, and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the contract.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

G.      Request to Use Seal Harbor Beach Parking Lot for Temporary Equipment Storage
Public Works Director Smith stated that if permission is granted to E. L. Shea, Inc. he will work with them to ensure precautions are taken to protect the asphalt pavement in the parking lot.  Board requested that Public Works Director Smith also assess the condition of the parking lot before and after the storage, and that E. L. Shea, Inc. pay for any damage.

MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to allow E. L. Shea, Inc and subcontractors to use a portion of the Seal Harbor beach parking lot for temporary storage of equipment and materials; such use to be controlled by Public Works Director Smith.  The vote was in favor, 4-0.

H.      Such other business as may be legally conducted
None presented.

IX.     Treasurer’s Warrants
A.      Approve & Sign Treasurer’s Warrant AP1433 in the amount of $719,624.09
B.      Approve Signed Treasurer’s Payroll & State Fee Warrants 26, 27, AP1432 & AP1434 in the amount of $51,417.44, $46,845.31, $1,244.00, & $21,584.39 respectively
C.      Acknowledge Treasurer’s School Board AP & Payroll Warrants 6 & 12 in the amount of $35,699.49 & $58,370.66

MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve and acknowledge Treasurer’s Warrants A – C totaling $934,785.38.  The vote was unanimous in favor, -0.

X.      Executive Session
None

XI.     Adjournment

MOTION:  At 7:20 p.m., Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to adjourn the meeting.  The vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.


Respectfully submitted,




John B. Macauley
Secretary