Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2012
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, and John Macauley; staff members Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Harbormaster Shawn Murphy, Public Works Director Tony Smith, and Town Clerk/Recording Secretary Joelle Nolan; and members of the public. Selectmen Rick Mooers and Dennis Shubert were 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)
A. None
III. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes from December 3, 2012 meeting.
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to approve the minutes from December 3, 2012 as amended. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
IV. Appointments & Recognitions
A. ME Criminal Justice Academy Thank You to Sargeant Kevin Edgecomb for Instructional Assistance
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge ME Criminal Justice Academy Thank You to Sargeant Kevin Edgecomb for instructional assistance. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
B. Public Works Director Tony Smith Elected to MRC Board of Directors
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge with congratulations Public Works Director Tony Smith’s election to MRC Board of Directors. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
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: Public Works, Wastewater Treatment, Fire, Treasurer (Financials)
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge receipt of Department Reports from Public Works, Wastewater Treatment, Fire, Treasurer (Financials).
DISCUSSION: Selectman Dudman, referring to Public Works Director Smith’s report, asked about the fencing that was removed from Manchester Road. Public Works Director Smith explained the metal fence was not aesthetically pleasing and will be replaced with a wood fence. She then inquired why we (the Town) should pay for the contractors’ inexperience in the matter of cost overruns in the engineering budget for the Town Office building addition. Public Works Director Smith said most of the cost is related to the elevator; and it is inherent that the building owner typically pays for some of the cost overruns.
Chairman Richardson asked Chief Bender about his mutual aid concerns. Chief Bender said it is not clear how an “Automatic Mutual Aid” policy between Mount Desert and Bar Harbor will benefit both towns, but the idea is worth exploring. When asked by Selectman Dudman if he has had luck in recruiting volunteer firefighters, Chief Bender replied there have been some new recruits; however, most have left after a few or several months. The time commitment makes it very hard to retain volunteer firefighters.
VOTE: The vote was in favor, 3-0.
VI. Selectmen’s Reports
None presented.
VII. Old Business
A. Public Water Supply for Bartlett Landing
Referring to his memo dated November 27, 2012, Harbormaster Murphy said under the current circumstances there is no place to put a well on Town property near Bartlett Landing. Ted Bromage suggested there are ways to pick up significant space, including moving the No Parking signs; and by moving the Porta-Potty and dumpster the view would be vastly improved. He also suggested that obtaining an easement from the neighboring property owner (Vaughn) might provide the answer. He touted the advantages to all boat owners of having seasonal running water at Bartlett Landing. Chairman Richardson asked if he had a cost estimate and Mr. Bromage suggested that would be part of the feasibility study. Selectman Dudman said she appreciates Mr. Bromage’s initiative, and she is interested in the easement and cost.
Mr. Bromage thought he might be able to produce financial help.
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to request Ted Bromage to pursue the availability of a property easement from the abutter for the purpose of providing a seasonal public water supply at Bartlett Landing. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to take item VIII. B. out of order. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
VIII. New Business
B. Seal Harbor Dock Proposal from Thomas Grindle
As described in Harbormaster Murphy’s memo dated November 30, 2012, Mr. Grindle presented the Marine Management Committee with a proposal for the Seal Harbor dock concerning float removal dates, installation of a hoist, and installation of a walkway removal system (Gallow). Due to the high cost of a hoist and Gallow system, the MMC referred the matter to the Board of Selectmen.
Tom Grindle was present and said he understood the cost of a hoist and Gallow system being prohibitive. He said he is more interested in access to the larger floats (20 ft x 20 ft) during the off-season; and he would rather work with Matt Knox in lifting and lowering the ramp. The Board, Harbormaster Murphy, and Mr. Grindle seemed satisfied with these decisions.
VII. Old Business, continued
B. DOT Small Harbor Improvement Grant
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to authorize acceptance of the DOT Small Harbor Project Grant in the amount of $61,916.00 and authorize expenditure of up to/not to exceed $88,451.62 from account G10-11321-06. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
C. Mount Desert Fire Rescue Association Storage Agreement
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to enter into an agreement with the Mount Desert Fire Rescue Association for the storage a 1933 American LaFrance ladder truck, and authorize Fire Chief Michael Bender to sign the agreement. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
VIII. New Business, continued
A. Rapid Entry System Ordinance, proposal
Chief Bender explained this proposal would be an amendment to the Town of Mount Desert Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance. He is asking for Board support to continue working on the proposal. Selectman Dudman asked if the proposal is basically for unoccupied houses; Chief Bender replied, yes, and would also include commercial buildings with monitored alarm systems. He went on to say that when alarms go off often no one is around. Caretakers/key-holders rarely live locally, and often are off-island. The proposed ordinance would apply to just fire alarms (not burglar alarms). Chairman Richardson asked if the proposal has been discussed with summer residents, who are the majority affected. He suggested it would be a good idea to have their feedback and mentioned that Ham Clark is the current SRA
President. Chief Bender said he has worked with a number of seasonal residents who already have alarm systems installed. Chairman Richardson stressed it would be courteous to ask for their input and suggested Chief Bender go through Town Manager Lunt as the contact. Mr. Bromage commented that his Road Association has discussed rapid entry systems and they think it is a good idea. Selectman Macauley wondered if there would be any impact on insurance premiums and Chief Bender replied he hasn’t seen any.
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to have Fire Chief Bender move forward with developing the Rapid Entry System as an amendment to the Town of Mount Desert Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance, and to ask the Summer Residents Association for feed-back. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
C. Small Animal Clinic Annual Contract
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to authorize Town Clerk Nolan to sign the Small Animal Clinic annual contract for stray dogs and cats. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
D. Such other business as may be legally conducted
None presented.
IX. Committee Meeting Reports
A. Marine Management Committee Minutes October 9, 2012, October 23, 2012, and November 13, 2012
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge receipt of Marine Management Committee Minutes October 9, 2012, October 23, 2012, and November 13, 2012. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
B. Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes August 15, 2012 and September 12, 2012
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge receipt of Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes August 15, 2012 and September 12, 2012. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
C. Salary Survey Committee Minutes December 10, 2012
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge receipt of Salary Survey Committee Minutes December 10, 2012. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
X. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve Treasurer’s Warrant #72 (Rural Wastewater Support Program) in the amount of $149,258.24
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #72 (Rural Wastewater Support Program) in the amount of $149,258.24. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
B. Approve Treasurer’s Warrant #74 in the amount of $455,063.21
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #74 in the amount of $455,063.21. The vote was in favor, 3-0.
XI. Executive Session
A. None
XII. Adjournment
MOTION: At 7:12 p.m. Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
John B. Macauley
Secretary
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