Town of Mount Desert
Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Minutes
December 5, 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 Martha Dudman, John Macauley, Rick Mooers, and Dennis Shubert; staff members Town Manager Durlin Lunt, 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 November21, 2011 meeting.
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve the minutes from November 21, 2011. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
IV Appointments & Recognitions
A. Appoint Edward D. Ferm (Ned) to the Warrant Committee effective December 6, 2011
MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Mooers, to appoint Edward D. Ferm (Ned) to the Warrant Committee effective December 6, 2011. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Acknowledge citizen letter of thanks to Mount Desert Firefighters
MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge citizen letter of thanks to Mount Desert Firefighter. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
V Consent Agenda (These items are considered routine, and 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 by requesting such action prior to consideration of that portion of the agenda.)
A. Acknowledge receipt of Department Head monthly reports: Public Works
B. Acknowledge receipt of $550 gift from the Atwater Kent Foundation
C. Acknowledge receipt of letter of acceptance from DHHS/OFI of General Assistance Appendixes
D. Acknowledge receipt of Northeast Harbor Marina Project update from CES, Inc.
E. Acknowledge receipt of MeDOT Meeting Minutes from November 22, 2011 re Stanley Brook Bridge project
F. Acknowledge receipt of 2011 Workers Compensation Fund summary of benefits
G. Acknowledge receipt of Invitation to Comment on Proposed Telecommunications Tower, from Martin Enviro Solutions Inc.
MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to acknowledge receipt of Consent Agenda items A – G. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VI Selectmen’s Reports
None presented.
VII Old Business
VIII New Business
A. Award bid for valve replacement on influent pumps Northeast Harbor WWTP and authorize expenditures
Public Works Director Smith referred to his memo dated November 28, 2011 and his recommendation to award the bid to Penta Corporation.
MOTION: Selectman Dudman moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to award the bid for valve replacement on influent pumps at the Northeast Harbor WWTP to Penta Corporation in the amount of $20,776; and to authorize expenditures of $15,000 from E105-04507-12/Return Pumps and up to $10,000 from E105-04-509-82/GL20-24105-01/WW Capital Improvement.
DISCUSSION: Selectman Shubert queried why such a range on the bids, and does the Town specify the valves. Public Works Director Smith replied the we do spec the valves, the difference in the bids is labor.
VOTE: The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Request for Authorization to Solicit Bids for purchase of WWTP service truck
MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to authorize Public Works Director Tony Smith to solicit bids for a new WWTP service truck. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
DISCUSSION: Selectman Shubert said he was struck by the irony of road conditions vs salt effects. He wondered if an underbelly washer to remove salt had been considered; especially for the new public works garage. Fire Chief Bender explained the fire department tried undercarriage washing a few years ago on fire trucks. He found that unless the trucks are moved every day, parts freeze and break. However, if trucks are moved regularly and the washer design is correct, it’s a good idea. Public Works Director Smith said the public works men do hose down the trucks, however, perhaps not enough. Public Works Director Smith said he will pursue additional information regarding cleaning salt from trucks.
VOTE: The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Request to Declare as Surplus Equipment two MSA Argus® Plus Thermal Imaging Cameras and for Authorization to sell by bid
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to declare as Surplus Equipment two MSA Argus® Plus Thermal Imaging Cameras and to authorize Fire Chief Bender to sell same items by bid. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
D. Terms of payment for new Fire Department Tanker, discussion, authorization
Fire Chief Bender referred to the document from Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. offering a choice of payment plans on the new tanker. Fire Chief Bender said he prefers full, up-front payment to avoid finance charges. He also pointed out that remitting the cost of the chassis when completed would save $4,061. Payment is due next spring [and was authorized by the Board at its September 6, 2011 meeting as follows: MOTION: Selectman Macauley moved, seconded by Selectman Mooers, to authorize Chief Bender to enter into a contract with Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. for the purchase of a new water tanker truck, the cost of which is not to exceed $392,000, with the expenditure from Fire Equipment/Engine Reserve Fund 20-24104-71. The vote was unanimous, 4-0.].
After a brief discussion, Board found no reason to finance the cost of the new tanker.
Selectman Shubert asked if we were also paying off the other truck and Fire Chief Bender replied no. He noted after paying off the new tanker there will be approximately $300,000 left in reserve. Annually, approximately $150,000 is added to the reserve. Selectman Dudman wondered if large expenditures are anticipated next year. Fire Chief Bender said the Capital Improvement Plan calls for replacing the SCBA’s at an estimated cost of $120,000.
Selectman Shubert asked why the other [ladder] truck was financed. He also wondered why, since the town has uncommitted reserves that would handle a large unexpected expense, the town has debt and continues to pay interest. Town Manager Lunt commented that the town typically runs its debt around 14 to 19 million, or slightly below 1%, when legally it could run as high as 140 million. Some think paying back at a cheaper rate makes sense. This is a Board decision.
Fire Chief Bender reminded the Board that the current issue is the tanker. The ladder payments are due in June and payment discussion will come before the Board in May.
MOTION: Selectman Shubert moved, seconded by Selectman Dudman, to authorize payment to Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. in the amount of $203,052 from account G20-24104-71 Fire Equipment/Engine Reserve upon completion of the tanker chassis, and to authorize paying the remainder on delivery of the tanker. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
E. Budget 2012-2013 questionnaire for 3rd Party Requests, discussion
Selectman Dudman said she likes the questionnaire; however, she thinks salaries and compensation do not belong on the questionnaire and are not relevant. Selectman Macauley agreed. Selectman Shubert disagreed, saying as public institutions that have to file federal forms, the salary information is relevant. Selectman Dudman defended her position by describing the compensation areas as invasive. Chairman Richardson agreed with Selectman Shubert because there have been situations of organizations paying top people very well. He thinks if an organization wants money from the town, it needs lay out all its information. Selectman Mooers agreed, saying the entire organization should be an open book if it is requesting money from the town. Taxpayers have the right to
know how their money is being spent. Board discussed new requests and former recipients and agreed that the questionnaire should be sent to those organizations that received town funds last year and to any new requesters. Board also agreed to leave the questionnaire as is; however, financial statements and audits do not need to be copied and sent to Board members, only the questionnaires. Chairman Richardson stated the applicant must show some type of direct assistance to town residents.
F. Such other business as may be legally conducted
None presented.
IX Committee Meeting Reports
A. None
X Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve Treasurer’s Warrant #70 in the amount of $898,145.82
MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #70 in the amount of $898,145.82. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Approve Treasurer’s Warrant #73 in the amount of $156,240
MOTION: Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Shubert, to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #73 in the amount of $156,240.
DISCUSSION: Chairman Richardson asked how the amount was calculated. Town Manager explained the amount appropriated at town meeting was divided by the number of those households potentially eligible; thereby avoiding the shortfall that happened last year.
VOTE: The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
XI Executive Session
A. None
XII Adjournment
MOTION: At 7:04 p.m., Selectman Mooers moved, seconded by Selectman Macauley, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Respectively submitted,
John Macauley
Secretary
| 
