MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONTHLY FINANCIAL WORKSHOP
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, December 21, 2009
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Town Hall Meeting Room, in Northeast Harbor.
Those present included: Chairman Tom Richardson, Selectmen Rick Mooers, Chuck Bucklin, Marilyn Damon, and Jean Bonville, Town Manager Michael MacDonald, Fire Chief Michael Bender, Police Chief James Willis, Finance Director John Graves, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Harbor Master Shawn Murphy, Recording Secretary Jennifer McWain and members of the public.
I. Call to order.
Chairman Richardson called the financial workshop to order at 6:00PM.
Selectman Bonville distributed a three page list of concerns generated from the November financial reports. Questions included General Ledger entries for Bar Harbor Banking accounts, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA), Hancock County DEA accounts, Speed and Bicycle grants, Clearing Account and Reserve Fund Liabilities. Selectman Bonville also had questions on the Revenue Report and pointed out that the Franchise Fees had been received under Misc. Revenue and needed to be transferred to Franchise Fees via a journal entry. She also noted that the Police Outside Detail costs greatly exceeded the income for same, and that follow through on collections were necessary. Maine Drug Enforcement reimbursements should be shown in Intergovernmental Revenues rather than charges for services, as that is where it was entered in
the budget process. Selectman Bonville stated that the interest income had not been posted due to non-reconciliation of accounts and noted that these accounts should be reconciled regularly. Selectman Bonville noted that Mooring Rental revenues had been credited to the Mooring Registration line and needed to be corrected. She also noted that funds had been received for the Pump Out Grant, but no expenditures were showing.
Due to the lack of time Selectman Bonville did not address all of the concerns listed on her handouts.
Chairman Richardson concluded the Financial Workshop and called the regular Board of Selectmen meeting to order at 6:35PM.
II. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of October 30, November 11, 2009 and December 14, 2009.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the minutes of October 30, 2009, with a minor spelling correction, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 4-0-1, with Chairman Richardson abstaining.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the minutes of November 11, 2009, with no additional corrections, seconded by Selectman Damon. The motion was approved 4-0-1, with Selectman Bonville abstaining.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the minutes of December 14, 2009, with no additional corrections, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion was approved 5-0.
B. Revisit previously approved minutes of November 2, 2009.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the corrected minutes for November 2, 2009, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 5-0.
III. Appointments and Communications
A. Confirm appointment of Chad Campbell as part-time dispatcher, effective Tuesday December 22, 2009 at a rate of $12.75 per hour.
Selectman Mooers moved to confirm the appointment of Chad Campbell as part-time dispatcher, effective Tuesday December 22, 2009 at a rate of $12.75 per hour, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion was approved 5-0.
IV. Consent Agenda
After a brief discussion the Board of Selectmen agreed to address each Consent Agenda item individually.
A. Acknowledge receipt of State Planning Office notice of receipt of Town of Cranberry Isles proposed comprehensive plan.
No action, Selectman Mooers acknowledged receipt of the State Planning Office notice of receipt of Town of Cranberry Isles proposed comprehensive plan, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion was approved 5-0.
B. Acknowledge receipt of communication from Clifton Dock Corporation concerning plans to establish a self-serve pump out system.
No action, after brief discussion with Clifton Dock personnel present at the meeting, Selectman Mooers moved to acknowledge receipt of the Clifton Dock Corporation's plans to establish a self-serve pump out system, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 5-0.
C. Acknowledge receipt of Hancock County RCC/911 offer of providing emergency dispatch services.
After brief discussion with members of the public supporting local dispatch, Town Manager MacDonald detailed the time line requirements for inclusion on this year’s Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Mooers moved to pass the Regional Communication Center (RCC) offer to the Public Protection Committee for their analysis and report, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 5-0.
Citizen Peckham requested the Board of Selectmen have an attorney present at every meeting to protect the citizens of the Town. The Board of Selectmen took no action on the suggestion.
V. Selectmen Reports
Selectman Bonville noted that the Board had not voted to approve the 2009-10 Marina Budget, and requested an agenda item for the same at the next meeting.
VI. Old Business
None
VII. New Business
A. Review commuter ferry service proposal from the Town of Cranberry Isles.
Selectman Bonville moved to table the Cranberry Isles commuter ferry request until the Marine Management Committee issues a report, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion was approved 5-0.
B. Acknowledge receipt of Public Works Director Smith directive to Highway Superintendent Poors regarding sanding MDOT Priority III roadways in Mount Desert.
There was considerable discussion with Public Works Director Smith on the memo to begin sanding/plowing the State Priority III roads (Somes Sound and Peddars Corner to Seal Harbor) in Mount Desert. Selectman Mooers moved to acknowledge and agreed with Public Works Director Smith’s directive to Highway Superintendent Poors, seconded by Selectman Bucklin. The motion was approved 5-0.
C. 2010 -2011 Budget Presentation.
Town Manager MacDonald presented a brief overview of the 2010-2011 Budget, summarizing the text of the budget message. The Board of Selectmen commented favorably on the Department Heads meeting the 0.0% increase goal. Selectman Bonville recommended removing the 2007 and 2008 columns from the spreadsheet and adding the 2009 actual expenditures. The Board discussed a schedule and agreed to have certain departments at scheduled meetings to avoid Department Heads having to come and sit through another department’s presentation and question and answer period. The Board agreed to review the Public Works and General Government budgets at the January 4th meeting. Selectman Bonville reminded the Board that MMA was planning an insurance presentation at the January 19, 2010 meeting.
VIII. General Issues
A citizen present at the meeting requested clarification from Selectman Bonville on her previous statements of concern for the accuracy of the salary matrix. Selectman Bonville indicated that she contacted the developer of the merit pay plan, and went over the 2009 salary survey which resulted in a 0.5% increase for the evaluation of number 3 in the middle of the salary band. Town Manager MacDonald indicated that his input of data into the system resulted in a 0.0% increase in the same block in the matrix. Selectman Bonville and Town Manager MacDonald disagreed on which matrix to use. Selectman Bonville indicated that the 2009 matrix based on the July 2009 salaries is the appropriate matrix, Town Manager MacDonald suggested that the 2008 matrix was based on the July 2008 MMA salary survey and should be used. The dialog ended with an
agreement to continue the discussion under the personnel issue of the Town Manager’s grievance. Town Manager MacDonald indicated that the session would be in public and he would sign a written waiver.
IX. Committee Meetings Reports
None
X. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve Treasurer’s Warrant #41 for $53,923.14.
After a brief discussion with Selectman Bonville about her questions pertaining to a T-shirt purchase from the bicycle grant funds, after an explanation from Police Chief Willis, Selectman Bonville moved to approve Treasurer’s Warrant #41 for $53,923.14, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The motion was approved 5-0.
XI. Executive Session
A. Pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405.6.A, personnel issue, Town Manager grievance.
Town Manager MacDonald waived his right to Executive Session and requested that his grievance hearing be open to the public. The necessary waiver was signed and is attached to these minutes.
Chairman Richardson indicated that the Board of Selectmen had received their attorney’s opinion and distributed a copy of Attorney Plouff’s letter to the Board members and Town Manager MacDonald. Considerable discussion ensued between Selectman Bonville and Town Manager MacDonald. Selectman Mooers commented on the arbitrary and capricious nature of some of the evaluation numbers. Members of the public weighed in with opinions and thoughts. After discussion Board members agreed to follow attorney’s opinion and not consider the grievance for reasons stated in the opinion letter. Selectman Mooers moved to award the 3% salary increase to Town Manager MacDonald; seconded by Chairman Richardson. During the discussion Selectman Bonville stated that she would have no problem with a cost of living increase but had issues with a
merit increase and disagreed again with which matrix to use. The motion failed 2-3 (Richardson, and Mooers for) and (Bonville, Bucklin and Damon against).
Selectman Mooers moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55PM, seconded by Selectman Bonville. The motion was approved 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Bonville
Secretary
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