MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
March 3, 2008
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Town office Meeting Room, Northeast Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Ernest Coombs, Selectman Kathy Branch, Rick Mooers, Vice- Chair Patrick Smallidge, Jeffrey Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Harbor Master Shawn Murphy, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Finance Director Brent Hamor, Police Chief Jim Willis, Assessor Kyle Avila, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Joelle Nolan, Recording Secretary Jennifer McWain and members of the public.
I. Call to order.
Chairman Coombs called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m.
II. Minutes
A. Minutes unavailable
III. Appointments and Communication
A. Approve appointment of Steven F. Hamor, Jr. as member of the Shellfish Conservation Committee.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the appointment of Steven F. Hamor, Jr. as member of the Shellfish Conservation Committee, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Town Clerk memo identifying oldest citizen of Mount Desert, Marjorie Bucklin.
There was brief discussion about the preserving the Cane while still honoring our oldest citizen. The Cane would be encased in glass and displayed at the Town Office; the citizen would be honored with a miniature cane and a certificate. The Board was not interested in changing the way the cane was given and displayed. Board directed Town Manager MacDonald to schedule an appointment to present the Boston Cane.
C. Copy of proposed LUZO.
There was considerable discussion with Planning Board Chairman Jim Clunan. Board of Selectmen members recommended improvements to the new lighting standards section of the LUZO. Planning Board Chairman Clunan mentioned that the lighting standards language were examples that came from Peter Lord who is an astronomer in Bass Harbor. Selectman Mooers said he saw a problem with the subjective difference in the competitive lighting section, who on a town level would be making that decision that lights are too bright. The clearer the language could be and not so subjective it would serve the town well. Selectman Smith felt that the lighting issue had some merit within boundaries when it came to shielding "promiscuous lumens"
Selectman Smallidge had concerns about culverts and added cost for putting them in the ground. He also suggested that maybe it should be noted that culverts should extend past the sides of the road in order to maintain the road in case of wildlife issues.
IV. Selectman's Reports
Selectman Smith asked Town Manager MacDonald now that Verizon is offering high speed internet service in town how does this effect redZone? Town Manager MacDonald said that he received an email from redZone's Jim McKenna looking for positive support from the town to sell the service. Selectman Smith said that he was finding it more and more difficult to deal with redZone.
Selectman Smith also gave a brief update on the last RPC meeting. He stated that attendance has dropped, and the committee is hoping that legislation will decide soon. The Governor has cited the Town of Mount Desert as uncooperative, and it is just discouraging. The State of Maine is holding firm and the Town of Mount Desert is holding firm.
V. Old Business
A. Schedule Public Hearing to amend Traffic Ordinance to change start of the one-way traffic on Main Street from the beginning of Daylight Savings Time to? (First Sunday after Patriot's Day, 2008 date change would be April 27, 2008).
Town Manager MacDonald mentioned that the businesses would like to have the time change the end of April or later. Police Chief Willis spoke and said that the problem is in the ordinance and the ordinance needs to be changed. He reminded the Board that the parking ban changes on May 15th. Board directed staff to schedule a public hearing to unify implementation dates of various traffic ordinance components, Northeast Harbor Main Street one-way, Main Street and various overnight parking bans. Selectman Smith mentioned that school vacation fell on a BOS meeting week. There was discussion to revise a short term meeting schedule with meetings on March 10, March 17 and March 31st. Selectmen will meet on April 14 and April 28th. Adjustments were made due to Board of Selectmen members being out of town during the week of April 21,
school vacation. Selectman Smith moved to approve the revised short term schedule, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Non agenda item with discussion on increasing security for the Police and Dispatch Department. Chief Willis wanted to thank Selectman Smith for mentioning his growing concerns with the increasing security and privacy issues in the Police Department, given the lack of working space The Board of Selectmen directed Chief Willis and Public Works Director Smith to review existing proposed building improvements and return with options for the Board to consider. The Board acknowledged Town Manager's requested to reserve a placeholder warrant article requesting funds for the renovation.
VI. New Business
A. Approve malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license for the Acadia Corporation d/b/a/ Jordan Pond House.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the liquor license, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Authorize Chairman Coombs to sign auditor agreement with James W. Wadman, CPA for audit services.
Selectman Smith moved to authorize Chairman Coombs to sign the audit agreement, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Approve purchase of Sewer Equipment Company Model 747-2000 Jet Flushing Machine from J.F. McDermott Corp for $68,000.00 and authorize release of $34,000.00 from Reserve Account 20-24-105-00 PW Equipment Reserve, balance $95,674.50 (old account #2750); and $34,000.00 from Reserve Account 20-24-105-01 Water Infiltration of Sewers, balance $124,849.51 (old account #2740).
Item withdrawn
D. Authorize purchase of Wastewater Treatment Plant Service Truck from solicited bidders for the amount not to exceed $40,000.00 and authorize release of $15,000.00 from Reserve Account 20-24-105-83 WW Work Truck Reserve, balance $25,886.84 (old account #2750); and the balance up to $25,000.00 from the Reserve Account 20-24-105-01 Water Infiltration of Sewer, balance $90,849.51 if item above is approved (old account #2740).
Item withdrawn
III. General Issue
A. Discussion of improvements to Town of Mount Desert web page.
Selectman Mooers stated he was concerned that the Town website was not being used to its potential and the information on the website was very outdated. He stated that he felt that there were many options for means of communication, and community concerns. There was considerable discussion on the communication possibilities with an upgraded website. Selectman Smith moved to pay for an upgrade to the Town website from the Board of Selectmen's' contingency account, $2,000 from account #102-01-509-50, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VIII. Other Business
A Approve Warrant Articles for 2008 Annual Town Meeting.
Board of Selectmen approved for passage or at recommended amount for the following articles, #5 through #18, #27, and #31 through #55. All articles were approved except #15, passed 4-1, Selectman Smallidge against.
There also was considerable discussion on how many copies of the revised Land Use and Zoning Ordinance should be available at the Town Meeting in May. The Board decided to have 100 copies of the 2 pages per page in a booklet size available.
B. Approved Conditional Gift Warrant Article for Cole Foundation donation of a Memorial Bench.
Selectman Smallidge motion to accept Warrant Article question #45 as amended from Galen Cole to Cole Foundation, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
IX. Treasurer's Warrants
A. Approve Treasurer's Warrant #24 for $182,480.59
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the treasurer's Warrant #24 for $182,480.59, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
X. Executive Session
Personnel matter, pursuant to M.S.R.A. Title 1 §405.6 (A).
Selectman Smallidge motioned to enter into executive session, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Selectman Smallidge motioned to come out executive session, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
No action taken.
At 9:41p.m. Selectman Smallidge moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Smith,
Secretary
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