MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
March 31, 2008
6:35 PM Public Hearing Amendments to Traffic Ordinance
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, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Police Chief Jim Willis, 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. Approval of minutes of BOS meeting of March 17, 2008.
Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the minutes of March 17, 2008 meeting, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
III. Appointments and Communication
A. Accept with regret resignation of John Littlefield from Mount Desert Volunteer Fire Department and acknowledge John's sixteen years of service.
Board of Selectmen accepted the resignation of John Littlefield with regret. The Selectmen directed the Town Manager to prepare a certificate of appreciation.
B. MDOT notice of Public Hearing, intersection of Rt. 3 with Rt. 102/198 (Head of the Island).
No action acknowledgement of MDOT public hearing notice. The public hearing will be held at the Mount Desert Elementary School in the Forum.
C. Minutes of December 3, 2007 Special Town meeting.
No action acknowledgement of December 3, 2007 Special Town Meeting minutes.
D. Citizen comment on condition of and scheduled repairs to Pretty Marsh Road.
Considerable discussion with residents, comments by Mr. Fuerst, Mr. Irvin and Selectmen Smallidge, Smith and Coombs. The Board of Selectmen directed the Town Manager to write to the State Legislative Delegation commenting on the process and the request a review of the decision to renovate the western end of the Pretty Marsh Road. Town Manager MacDonald mentioned that he spoke with Public Works Director Smith; both agreed that the Town didn't have much say in this matter. When the Town put in for the request three years ago for work, the western end of the Pretty Marsh Road was the end that needed repairing, and didn't think that the east end would have a problem. The Town is trying to reposition the money with the State.
IV. Selectman's Reports
Selectman Smith asked if it was necessary to advertise the Mooring Agent Contact every year, instead just posting a notice on the Town website. He felt that we have the same one applicant every year that does a great and professional job. Selectman Smallidge thought that advertising every year kept it fair.
There was considerable discussion from the Selectmen and the residents present at the meeting about the status of RedZone. Selectman Smallidge said that we as a Town need to hold RedZone accountable. He would like to see at the next Selectman meeting a copy of the contract, and copies of the minutes of the Selectmen's meeting for April 7, 2007. Selectman Smith commented that he was frustrated and it would be good to have an update from RedZone. Resident Irvin suggested that when the Town talks with RedZone they should also ask for the level of service, the completion date and the expected bandwidth when the project of coverage is completed. Town Manager MacDonald asked Mr. Irvin to put his comments in writing, Mr. Irvin agreed.
V. Old Business
A. Approve Traffic Ordinance amendments.
Chairman Coombs opened the Public Hearing on the Amendments to the Traffic Ordinance. Chief Willis recommended the changes to the changing of the one-way schedule on Main Street, but with the early day light saving time change it made it confusing, so he recommended that the one-way schedule change the first Monday in May every year. After limited discussion the Selectman Smallidge approved the amendments to the Traffic Ordinance, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Not on the agenda, Selectman Mooers asked staff to provide the Selectmen with credit card information on the new Rapid Renewal system.
VI. New Business
A. Approve malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license for WinterSpring Inc. d/b/a the Colonel's Restaurant.
Selectman Branch recused herself. Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the liquor license for WinterSpring, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was 4-0-1 (Branch recused).
B. Approval and adoption of Town of Mount Desert Emergency Operations Plan.
Selectman Mooers moved for approval and adoption of the Town of Mount Desert Emergency Operations Plan, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Approval to begin negotiations to replace Fire Department ladder truck.
After considerable discussion Selectman Smallidge moved for authorization for Fire Chief Bender to begin the process to replace the ladder truck. Selectman Smallidge commented on his concern on how the Fire Department was going to pay for the truck when the money wouldn't be available for a couple of fiscal cycles. Chief Bender mentioned that the companies that he queries information from are use to dealing with municipal budget cycles. Town Manager MacDonald said that Chief Bender was just asking to begin the process and that there would be more in the way of hearings. Selectman Mooers was curious on how the Town's insurance would be affected if the equipment didn't meet certain standards. Town Manager MacDonald said that the Town's ISO rating was at 5.0. Motion seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
D. Authorization for Fire Department to apply for a grant from Emergency Response Corp for additional staffing.
Selectman Smallidge read the material provided about the grant for additional staffing, and was surprised on the constraints of volunteers. Selectman Smith commented that times have changed and additional man power is needed. Selectman Smallidge moved to apply for the grant, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
E. Approve Seal Harbor Library request to hold Seal Harbor Library Fair, Book Sale and Silent Auction on SH village green, August 9, 2008.
Selectman Mooers asked if the Library was required to have one day insurance like the Neighborhood House. Selectman Smith moved to approve the library's request, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VII. General Issue
A. Quantify the number of copies of Comprehensive Plan to be available at Town Meeting.
Town Manager MacDonald confirmed with the Board of Selectmen to have 50 copies of the draft Comp Plan, and discussed how the Comp Plan process is wrapped up.
VIII. Other Business
A. Approve revision to Marina budget for a new computer server, account #120-05-507-40, EQP-Tech HW for $1,765.34.
Selectman Smith moved to approve the revision of the six month budget for the marina request for a new computer, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Approval to have a Fire Department recruitment table at Town Meeting in May 2008.
The Board approved the Fire Department to have a recruitment table at the annual Town Meeting, no vote consensus of the Board.
IX. Treasurer's Warrants
None
X. Executive Session- Pursuant to 1 M.S.R.A §405.6.D Discussion of Labor contracts with negotiator.
Selectman Mooers moved to go into executive session at 8:01PM, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Selectman Smith moved to come out executive session at 8:50PM, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
There was no action taken.
At 8:50p.m. Selectman Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Smith,
Secretary
| 
