MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES WORKSHOP
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, August 17, 2009
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: Vice Chairman Rick Mooers, Selectmen Chuck Bucklin, Jean Bonville and Marilyn Damon, Town Manager Michael MacDonald, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Michael Bender, Assessor Kyle Avila, Police Chief James Willis, Code Enforcement Officer Kim Keene, Harbor Master Shawn Murphy. Finance Director John Graves and Recording Secretary Jennifer McWain arrived at 5:20PM. Chairman Jeffrey Smith was absent.
Vice Chairman Mooers opened the meeting at 5:00 PM. The Board decided that they would follow an informal dialog process. The discussion basically followed the numbered outline in a July 12, 2009 e-mail message from Selectman Bonville to Chairman Smith.
Foreclosed properties, Selectman Bonville asked that the topic be added to the Boards September 8 meeting agenda and that Town staff provides the names and locations of all foreclosed properties and any information on payment plans. Any formal repurchase agreements require the approval of the Board of Selectman.
Old Personal Property, Selectman Bonville requested a list of all old Personal Property so that the Board could make a decision to pursue collection, including taking the business to small claims court, to be addressed at our September 21, 2009 meeting.
Investment Policy, Selectman Mooers commented that Investment Committee had not met for quite a while and that the committee would recommend changes to the policy to be presented during the 2010 warrant development process.
There was considerable discussion about Health Insurance, between all BOS members and Department Heads, an emotional topic that affects morale and recruitment. After questioning from the Town Manager, BOS members asked Town Manager MacDonald to develop cost of consulting service for reviewing insurance costs. Likely a consultant would require an objective from the Board as the basis for conducting the investigation. Consultant cost information should be available for the second meeting in September.
Change the Town Meeting Date, Selectman Bonville suggested waiting until after the SRA meeting on Tuesday, 2009-08-18.
Contracting Services Out, considerable discussion between BOS members and Department heads. Considerable dialog on what method to value the current service levels, JB suggested this topic could be explored during the budget process.
Regionalization of Services, also through the budget process
Excise Tax Referendum, Selectman Bonville and Town Manager MacDonald commented on possible negative effect if the referendum is approved. All towns’ personnel’s responsibility to fully educate citizens on the effect of the referendum. Any reduction in Excise Tax revenue will either be offset by an increase in property taxes; $.0.10 increase in the millage rate in Mount Desert’s case. Selectman Bonville suggested the MDI League of Towns formulate a position paper that all elected bodies on the island may use as the basis for an individual statement on the topic.
Budget, Selectman Bonville suggested the BOS become more involved in the pre-work of the budget. Considerable discussion on the objective, is it to decide on the minutiae level of detail or general policy and goal setting? Town Manager to develop a budget timetable.
At conclusion of G&O session general discussion on satisfaction level of relationship between the services the Town of Mount Desert provides and the taxes paid. All elected officials expressed satisfaction or agreement that the cost or millage rate is appropriate for the services received.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, August 17, 2009
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: Vice Chairman Rick Mooers, Selectmen Chuck Bucklin, Jean Bonville and Marilyn Damon, Town Manager Michael MacDonald, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Fire Chief Michael Bender, Assessor Kyle Avila, Police Chief James Willis, Code Enforcement Officer Kim Keene, Harbor Master Shawn Murphy, Finance Director John Graves, Recording Secretary Jennifer McWain and members of the public. Chairman Jeffrey Smith was absent.
I. Call to order.
Vice Chairman Mooers called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.
II. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of July 6, 2009 and August 3, 2009.
Selectman Bonville had one correction for the minutes of August 3rd, moved for approval as amended, seconded by Selectman Damon. The motion was approved 4-0.
III. Appointments and Communications
A. Confirm appointment of Patrick Smallidge as Wastewater Assistant Operator effective August 18, 2 009 at probationary hourly rate of $15.50, increasing to $16.28 per hour after successful completion of six-month probationary period.
Selectman Bonville moved to confirm the appointment of Patrick Smallidge as
Wastewater Assistant Operator effective August 18, 2 009 at probationary hourly rate of $15.50, increasing to $16.28 per hour after successful completion of six-month probationary period, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion was approved 3-1, Selectman Damon opposed.
B. Confirm appointment of Michael Walls as Wastewater Assistant Operator effective August 18, 2 009 at probationary hourly rate of $15.50, increasing to $16.28 per hour after successful completion of six-month probationary period.
Selectman Bonville moved to confirm the appointment of Michael Walls as Wastewater Assistant Operator effective August 18, 2 009 at probationary hourly rate of $15.50, increasing to $16.28 per hour after successful completion of six-month probationary period, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion was approved 4-0.
IV. Consent Agenda
A. Acknowledge receipt of monthly department reports; Code Enforcement, Town Clerk, Public Works, Wastewater, Fire, and Police.
B. Acknowledge receipt of Olver Associates weekly construction summary for Somesville Treatment Plant Upgrade for week of July 31, 2009 and August 7, 2009.
C. Acknowledge receipt of U.S. Department of the Interior, Mineral Management Service request for information on National Register resources within ½ mile of shoreline.
D. Acknowledge receipt of Hancock County commissioner’s notice of “District Caucus for election of Budget Advisory Committee Member(s).”
E. Letter of appreciation from Pretty Marsh Road resident.
F. Acknowledge receipt of 2008-2009 year end Exp / Rev Summary.
G. Acknowledge receipt of 2009-2010 year to date Exp/ Rev Summary.
Selectman Bucklin moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, items A-G no items removed, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 4-0.
Selectman Bucklin commented that the Fire Department monthly statistic reports are based on a calendar year versus fiscal year reporting. Fire Chief Bender stated that this is how the State Fire Marshalls Office has requested information to be reported to them.
Break for Public Hearing on the Amendment to Traffic Ordinance, Restrict Parking
on Rt. 198 at Parkman Mountain. The Public Hearing was opened at 6:35PM. There were comments about the lack of visibility with cars parked so close to the entrance to the Park’s parking area during the busy months of the summer. Most of the comments were concerned with traffic and pedestrian safety. Chief Ranger West was present and commented that the park has no intentions to make the parking lot bigger. The park is planning to re-line for the Island Explorer use of the parking lot and possibly reconfigure the entrance to the parking lot with rocks along the entrance in the no parking zones. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:50PM.
V. Selectmen Reports
Selectman Mooers commented on the Maine DOT not following thru with the run-off issue in Otter Creek, can we file a breach of contract.
VI. Old Business
A. Discussion of Maine Coast Heritage Trust purchase of Mount Desert Water District parcel and Town’s right of first refusal.
There was discussion with Mount Desert Water District Superintendent Paul Slack, Citizen James Bright and Brian Reilly of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. There was consensus of the Board to recommend passage of the waiver of right of first refusal. Mount Desert Water District will provide the language for the November 16, 2009, Special Town Meeting warrant article.
VII. New Business
A. Approve rack plus biodiesel fuel purchase from Coastal Energy.
Selectman Bucklin moved to approve the biodiesel purchase with Coastal Energy, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 4-0.
B. Approve request to release up to $2,000.00 from the Radio Reserve Account #20-24-104-72. (6-30-09 balance $21,028.97 plus $15,000.00 from 2009-2010 appropriation).
After limited discussion with Selectman Bonville on if improvement is repair or capital, Selectman Bucklin approved request to release up to $2,000.00 from the Radio Reserve Account #20-24-104-72,(6-30-09 balance $21,028.97 plus $15,000.00 from 2009-2010 appropriation), seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 4-0
C. Approve Route 198/Parkman Mountain No Parking amendment to Traffic Ordinance.
After considerable discussion with members of the public and Acadia National Park Chief Ranger West, Selectman Bonville moved to approve recommended improvements, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion failed to pass 0-4.
VII. General Issues
A. Discussion of the fiscal impact of the proposed Excise Tax reduction.
Selectman Bonville brought the issue of the fiscal impact of the proposed Excise Tax reduction to the forefront with a brief statement and encouraged all town employees and officials to help educate the public of the negative consequences of passage of the referendum.
B. Finance Director’s report on status of outstanding property tax liens.
Finance Director Graves gave a brief report on status of the outstanding property tax liens, there was no action taken.
VIII. Committee Reports
None
X. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve 2008-2009 Treasurer’s Warrant #106 for $14,814.51 and 2009-2010 Warrant #9 for $1,005,710.79.
Selectman Bucklin moved to approve 2008-2009 Treasurer’s Warrant #106 for $14,814.51 and 2009-2010 Warrant #9 for $1,005,710.79, seconded by Selectman Damon. The motion was approved 3-1, with Selectman Bonville opposing.
X Executive Session
None
Selectman Bucklin moved to adjourn at 7:31PM, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Bonville
Secretary
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