MEETING MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, July 19, 2010
(this meeting was not taped)
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Community Room, Seal Harbor Fire Station, Seal Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Selectmen Jean Bonville, Chuck Bucklin, Marilyn Damon, and Vice Chairman Rick Mooers; Interim Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Treasurer/Tax Collector John Graves, Harbormaster Shawn Murphy, and Town Clerk/Recording Secretary Joelle Nolan; and members of the public. Selectman Tom Richardson was absent.
I. Call to order.
Vice Chairman Mooers called the meeting to order at 6:30PM
II. Minutes
. None
III. Appointments and Public Requests
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. Notification of payment in Lieu of Taxes from Interior Department to Hancock County, $24,972
At the request of Selectman Bonville, this item was addressed separately. She asked what portion of this amount the Town would receive. Treasurer/Tax Collector John Graves reported that approximately $26,000 and $4,000 have been received from the Interior Department. Selectman Bonville questioned that either of those checks represented a portion of this amount.
B. Letter to NEH Ambulance Service, Inc. re: Status of Communications Improvement Project
C. Letter to Mount Desert Fire Rescue Association re: Status of Communications Improvement Project
D. Acadia Disposal District FY-11 Draft Summary Budget
E. Letter from citizen John Grill concerning dog waste problem
F. Letter from Summer resident Christopher Reece re: damage to trees on Tennis Club Road
G. Monthly Reports from Department Heads: Public Works Director and Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent, Fire Chief, Code Enforcement Officer, Harbormaster, Police Chief, and Town Clerk
MOTION: Selectman Bucklin moved, seconded by Selectman Bonville, to accept Consent Agenda items B. through G. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
V. Selectmen Reports
Selectman Damon said that in a recent conversation with business owner Penny Fernald, from Kimball Terrace Inn, Penny expressed concerns about the lack of businesses in Northeast Harbor, and that overall, business is down. Selectman Damon said Ms. Fernald suggested art fairs, craft fairs and other activities on the green by the Marina might be a draw. She also said she is disturbed by the appearance of the Great Harbor Museum parking lot. Public Works Director said if the area of concern is Town property, public works will clean it up.
Vice Chairman Mooers spoke to Main Street, Northeast Harbor businesses. A discussion followed regarding the interest and level of commitment by the public at large. The ReStoreNEH group led by Sam Shaw was mentioned as a good place to pursue involvement.
VI. Old Business
A. Approve Marina Budget for 2010-2011
Selectman Bonville noted there will be legal fees related to the Marina project and there is no legal expense money in this budget. She wondered if the Harbormaster expects to support legal fees through the bond. Harbormaster Murphy said the bond money should complete the project and include the legal expense.
Citizen Sumner Rulon-Miller asked since this is a general obligation bond, why would the Town point to the Marina budget rather than the Town’s. Selectman Bonville was referencing legal expenses to obtain the bond. Harbormaster Murphy expects legal fees to come from the Bond. Selectman Bonville thought any marina expense should come from the Marina Enterprise Fund (budget).
MOTION: Selectman Bonville moved, seconded by Selectman Damon, to approve the Marina Budget for 2010-2011 with $561,000 in revenue and $516,797 in expenditures. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
B. Highway Garage, authorization for concept plan prepared by CES, Inc.
Public Works Director Smith reiterated, from his memo dated July 14, 2010, Maine Municipal Association concerns, and his preference to construct a new building. He is asking for authorization to spend up to $1,500 for a concept plan from CES, Inc.
MOTION: Selectman Bonville moved, seconded by Selectman Bucklin, to spend up to $1,500 for a conceptual plan by CES, Inc. regarding a new highway garage. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
Citizen Rulon-Miller asked that the Board keep at the forefront the Town's capital obligations.
VII. New Business
A. Marina Bond Financial Application – draft
Selectman Bucklin asked if the Total Project Costs of $2,243,272 exceeds the authorized bond amount of $2.2 million. Treasurer Graves explained this is a draft and said he would be talking with the Bond Bank to clarify some areas. The Total Source of Funds contains grant money. Selectman Bucklin thought the grant money had already been spent; and Harbormaster Murphy noted the Town has been reimbursed grant money.
Citizen Rulon-Miller referred to page 2 of the Financial Information section and asked how expenditures exceeding revenues by $120,677 figures with a balanced budget. Treasurer Graves noted this is still a draft and he will be talking with Bond Bank counsel.
B. Letter from Richard Fuerst on use of public sidewalks for commercial purposes
Interim Town Manager Lunt said he has spoken with Mr. Fuerst - this is informational only. Mr. Fuerst just wants the Board to be aware of potential obstruction to pedestrian traffic. Vice Chairman Mooers wondered if the flower boxes were an impediment when they lined the sidewalks.
C. Mount Desert Island 250 year celebration of permanent settlement in 1761
Interim Town Manager Lunt has talked with Librarian Bob Pyle, and is willing to offer his services. Board agreed this project is “right up his alley”.
D. Maine Municipal Association Annual election Vice President & Executive Committee Members
After a brief discussion,
MOTION: Selectman Bucklin moved, seconded by Selectman Bonville, to vote for the three Directors for the Executive Committee as listed on the ballot. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
MOTION: Selectman Bonville moved, seconded by Selectman Bucklin, to vote for MMA's recommendation of Sophia Wilson for Vice-President. The vote carried 3-0, with Selectman Damon abstaining.
MOTION: Selectman Bonville moved, seconded by Selectman Bucklin, to authorize Interim Town Manager Lunt to complete and sign the ballot. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
E. Mount Desert Fire Department Training, authorization for Town Manager to sign Agreement and General Release
Fire Chief Bender spoke to the issue, referring to his Memo dated July 15, 2010. The agreement/release is fairly standard and has been used in the past.
MOTION: Selectman Bonville moved, seconded by Selectman Bucklin, to authorize Interim Town Manager Lunt to sign the Agreement and General Release of all Claims between the Town of Mount Desert and Charles Watson. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
F. Emergency Response Corps/AmeriCorps, RFP to host an AmeriCorps member, approval to submit
Fire Chief Bender noted, if approved, this would be the Department’s third year with the program. It has been very successful by providing additional staff in the station during the day, lessens the workload of the volunteer firefighters.
MOTION: Selectman Bonville moved, seconded by Selectman Damon, to authorize Fire Chief Bender to submit the application to host an AmeriCorps member. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
G. Gift from Mount Desert Fire/Rescue Association to Town of Mount Desert Harbormaster of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), approval to accept
Fire Chief Bender
MOTION: Selectman Bucklin moved, seconded by Selectman Bonville, to accept the donation of one AED to the Town of Mount Desert Harbormaster. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
VIII. General Issues
None
IX. Committee Meetings Reports
None
X. X. Treasurer’s Warrants
Approve Treasurer’s Warrants #94 for $317,352.53 for FY 2010, and #3 for $394,042.79 for FY 2011
MOTION: Selectman Bucklin moved, seconded by Selectman Damon, to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #94 for FY 2010 in the amount of $317,352.53. The vote carried 3-1 with Selectman Bonville voting in the negative.
MOTION: Selectman Bucklin moved, seconded by Selectman Damon, to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #3 for FY 2011 in the amount of $394,042.79. The vote carried 3-1 with Selectman Bonville voting in the negative.
XI. Executive Session
A. Discuss Town Manager Contract (1 MRSA §405.6.A)
At 7:15 pm,
MOTION: Selectman Bucklin moved, seconded by Selectman Damon, to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the Town Manager contract per 1 MRSA §405.6.A. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
At 8:10 pm,
MOTION: Selectman Damon moved, seconded by Selectman Bucklin, to end the Executive Session. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
Adjournment
There being no other business, at 8:11 pm,
MOTION: Selectman Damon moved, seconded by Selectman Bucklin, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Bonville
Secretary
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