Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2011
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 Jean Bonville, Chuck Bucklin, and Rick Mooers, Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Police Chief Jim Willis, Harbormaster Shawn Murphy, Town Clerk/Recording Secretary Joelle Nolan, and members of the public [Joanne Robbins Eaton, Jerry Miller, Albert Hamor, Phil Lichtenstein, David Higgins]. Selectman Marilyn Damon was excused.
I Call to order at 4:00PM.
Chairman Richardson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
II Minutes
A. None
III Appointments
A. None
IV Consent Agenda (These items are considered to be routine, and therefore, will not be allotted Selectmen discussion time on the agenda. The items may be passed by the Selectmen in one blanket motion. Any Board member may remove an item from the “Consent” portion of the agenda for discussion or questions by requesting such action prior to consideration of that portion of the agenda.)
A. None
V Selectmen’s Reports
Selectman Mooers suggested the Board be mindful of Scamp Gray’s [Douglass S. Gray, Jr., President of the Northeast Harbor Ambulance Service] mission to seek information relative to a new ambulance garage; Town funding could be involved. Town Manager Lunt informed the Board Mr. Gray will be talking with the Medical Center board in February. He also noted that he has sent permitting information to Mr. Gray. Joanne Robbins Eaton, Service Chief/Northeast Harbor Ambulance Service said a sub-committee has been appointed to look into several different garaging alternatives.
VI Old Business
A. Public Works Director Smith reported that the Steamboat Wharf Road project has been extended a month and the contractor is footing associated costs; come spring all they have to do is landscaping and paving.
VII New Business
A. Budget review Public Safety: Fire, Police and Communications.
Board began the review with the budget dated January 10, 2011.
Police: Selectman Mooers asked if line 503-85 Ammunition in the amount of $1,200 is sufficient, and Police Chief Willis said according to Sergeant Edgecomb it is. Selectman Bonville referred to 501-50 Overtime and asked if there is any way to reduce. Police Chief Willis explained this line includes filling an officer’s shift while at the Police Academy. Currently there is an officer at the Academy until May. There was discussion regarding line 507-20 Vehicles for $35,000. The vehicle will be purchased in budget year 2012; should it be an expenditure in the budget or a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) item. It was decided to leave the cruiser as is in line 507-20 and the CIP at 0. Police Chief Willis noted that leasing police cruisers generally costs more for small departments due to financing
charges. It might be a better fit for those towns that buy/lease several vehicles per year.
Reviewing the CIP, Chairman Richardson noted that three cruiser laptop computers are proposed to be replaced in budget year 2012. Police Chief Willis explained that the computer warranties expire after 5 years. Chairman Richardson suggested replacing one a year for the next 3 years, commenting why replace if working. There was a discussion involving consistency of equipment. It was agreed to delete CIP Unit No. 005/Icop Digital Video Cruiser Recording system in the amount of $6,000 and add a third recorder to CIP Unit No. 007 Watchguard Digital Video. Chairman Richardson suggested removing the speed trailer from the CIP, using it as long as it lasts, then decide whether or not to replace. Police Chief Willis agreed and said it was re-built under warranty the first year (got wet); now it is put away
for winter and used seasonally.
Communications: Chairman Richardson suggested removing copier from the CIP, lease again as necessary, and add leasing fees to budget line 503-07. Police Chief Willis explained the radio replacement schedule is new (CIP Unit No. 006) and is the basis for the public works frequency.
Fire: Fire Chief Bender noted 501-20 Firefighter is the new position and suggested $500 be added for possible raise after a one year evaluation; he also suggested the addition $5,500 to 501-50 Overtime. Selectman Bonville asked about line 501-60 and the volunteer incentive. Fire Chief Bender explained he brought this back to the budget – it represents the pre AmeriCorp amount for training in the amount of $30,000 plus 3 new programs. The first program stems from the Public Protection Committee suggestion to keep the volunteers we have. This would reward those people with experience by paying $100 per year for years of service tied in with training and other requirements; program totals $22,000. The second program would pay for weekend on-call duty during summer months. There has been a decrease
in availability of volunteer firefighters on weekends in the summer. The six Fire Officers agree with this incentive. To comply the firefighter would agree to be in town and available 24/7 for the weekend; funding for 22 weekends at $200 each weekend total $4400. The third program compensates a firefighter that might lose wages due to extended hours of service; some employers will not pay employees for this. The $5,000 is a guesstimate. Town Manager Lunt asked if self-employed people would be eligible; there is the question of equal protection. Selectman Bonville wondered if this would make firefighters employees of the town. She also asked that now there are 2 full-time employees in the Fire Department if any consideration has been given to splitting the work-week to cover week-ends. Fire Chief Bender said Monday – Friday is where the greatest need is, then summer week-ends. When asked if all volunteers have been brought
into these discussions, Fire Chief Bender replied no, he was waiting until after this discussion with the Board. He also said the 6 Fire Officers are seasoned veterans, meet about once a month, and he has discussed this with them. This is not “pay per call”.
Selectman Mooers stated these programs give consideration to volunteers and is less expensive than full-time pay.
Chairman Richardson asked if 505-20 Building Repair and Maintenance is for all Fire Department buildings and, if yes, why is the amount increased by $5000. Fire Chief Bender replied it covers all buildings and is for unanticipated expenses. For example this year the line is overspent by $4,552 already.
Selectman Bonville noted 507-60 Infrastructure Comm should be deleted, it is replaced by 507-61 (deleted $3,000).
Fire CIP: Selectman Mooers asked if the intent is to replace both Argus Thermal Imaging cameras at $6138 each this year. Fire Chief Bender replied yes; the Argus is no longer made; he would replace with Bullard, a smaller, more user friendly camera.
Chairman Richardson asked why the need for a $14,000 camera; Fire Chief Bender explained it detects different grades of heat than smaller units, and he feels there is a need for one.
Chairman Richardson addressed the philosophy of the way we fund big ticket items. He is against pre-taxing on big trucks of any kind; they should be purchased when needed and the money borrowed at that time. People living today should not be paying for something with a life 15 years from now. He would remove from the CIP every piece of equipment. He asked for Board members thoughts. Selectman Bucklin commented that the reserves have worked for years. Chairman Richardson declared he does not want to put $560,000 into this budget. He said he is more comfortable paying for an item when it is used. Selectman Bonville reminded the Board there is money in the reserve to replace the 1988 tanker this year. She said she understands about borrowing and paying after, but we can get bogged down
borrowing. Selectman Bonville stated having the CIP at $600,000 in a single budget is not practical. Selectman Mooers noted this represents a fully funded CIP. All agreed the CIP is a good tool. Warrant Committee member Jerry Miller asked how the CIP will be presented at Town Meeting. It was agreed that the spreadsheet will be shown in the Warrant book.
Selectman Mooers recommended line 509-71 remain at $154,500.
Board agreed to continue the Fire Department budget review at 4:00 p.m., January 31, 2011.
VIII Committee Meeting Reports
A. None
IX Treasurer’s Warrants
A. None
X Executive Session
A. None
XI Adjournment
MOTION: At 5:55, Selectman Bonville moved, seconded by Selectman Mooers, to adjourn the meeting. The Vote was unanimous in favor, 4-0.
Respectively submitted,
Jean Bonville
Secretary
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