MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, April 28, 2008
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room at the Somesville Fire Station, Mount Desert, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Ernest Coombs, Selectmen Kathy Branch, Rick Mooers, Patrick Smallidge, Jeffrey Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Public Works Director Tony Smith, Harbor Master Shawn Murphy, Finance Director Brent Hamor, Recording Secretary Kathleen Miller and members of the public.
I. Call to order.
Chairman Coombs called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. Minutes
There were no minutes to approve.
III. Appointments and Communications
A. Confirm appointment of Northeast Harbor Marina Seasonal Dock Hands; Henry Cesari at $11.00 per hour; Alex Lyons at $12.00 per hour; and Rory Stratton, Sarah Hinckley, Bill Hodgkins; and Sam Stephens at $13.00 per hour, effective April 29, 2008.
Selectman Branch moved to confirm the appointments noted above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Confirm appointment of John Shoppe as part-time Dispatcher at $12.00 per hour, effective April 29, 2008.
Selectman Smith moved to confirm the appointment of John Shoppe as noted above, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C. Appointment of election clerks.
Selectman Branch moved to appoint the lists of both Republican and Democratic party Election Clerks as presented, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor.
D. Citizen proposal to form a "100 Percent Committee."
There was a discussion in response to a letter from Richard J. Vander Zanden requesting the Board of Selectmen to create an ad hoc committee of interested citizens to work with RedZone to help obtain access in hard to reach places with high speed internet connections, in an attempt to approach 100 percent connectivity. The Board of Selectmen expressed support for such a committee, but questioned the role the Board of Selectmen should play in creating such a committee, noting that other committees they create have an obligation to report back to the Board of Selectmen, and usually have some liaison between the Board of Selectmen and the committee. There were also concerns raised of the Board of Selectmen getting involved further with the activities of a private business.
Selectman Mooers moved to write a letter to Mr. Vander Zanden stating that the Board of Selectmen endorses the formation of an ad hoc committee of interested citizens as suggested, but that the Board of Selectmen will not formally create the committee nor appoint members to it. Selectman Smallidge seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING: Liquor License Application Redbird Provisions Inc.
The public hearing was called at 6:40 p.m. There were no comments from the public. The public hearing was closed.
E. Citizen proposal to request permission to transport alewives to Long Pond.
Dennis Smith addressed the Board of Selectmen to explain his request that the Board of Selectmen request permission from the State Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to transport alewives from the head of tide in Somesville directly by vehicle to Long Pond at pond's end. He cited historical information about the number of alewives that were formerly transported by such method. There was considerable discussion about the impact of alewives on other fish stock, such as smelts, bass or salmon, as well as birds and the ecosystem as a whole. A representative of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife expressed their cautions over introducing too many alewives, and other members of the public also participated in the discussion. Board of Selectmen members expressed a desire for more scientific information
on the impact the increased alewives would have, but there was agreement that no such scientific evidence exists. It was also noted that the town is already spending money rebuilding fishways to allow the alewives to travel upstream into Long Pond on their own. It was unclear what position the State might take on the request. There was some clarification that granting such a permit would require a public hearing.
Selectman Mooers moved to write a letter from the Board of Selectmen to the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife requesting permission to transport alewives by vehicle from the head of tide in Somesville to pond's end of Long Pond, provided that any restrictions or limitations the DIFW places on the permit will be monitored and enforced by the DIFW. Selectman Smith seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor.
IV. Selectmen Reports
Selectman Branch raised the issue of the condition of the state roads in Town, citing particular concern over Rte. 3 by the Seal Harbor beach. Others noted other roads of equal concern elsewhere in Town. Public Works Director Tony Smith also noted the State's plans to work on a particular section of the Pretty March Road, when a different section of the same road is in much greater need of repair, but will receive only minor repairs. After further discussion, there was consensus that State Senator Dennis Damon be invited to a Board of Selectmen meeting to discuss the Dept. of Transportation's lack of response to the worst road conditions Mount Desert has experienced. Mr. MacDonald will extend the invitation.
Regarding other traffic issues, it was noted that there is some confusion about the one-way/two-way traffic arrangements on Main Street in Northeast Harbor, and that cars are parking diagonally while traffic is still allowed in both directions, creating a hazard. It was noted that since Daylight Savings Time has been moved to an earlier calendar date than previous years, the Board of Selectmen had changed the date for traffic to be limited to one-way as of the first Monday in May.
There was a discussion about the Reorganization Planning Committee for the school system and some clarification about the meeting coming up. There were suggestions that the Reorganization Planning Committee will have to make some decisions based on the final outcome of legislation related to school unions and consolidation, or even if the school system wishes to remain within the state system.
V. Old Business
A. Authorize disposal of surplus items.
Mr. MacDonald noted that items had been offered for sale, but no bids had been received.
Selectman Smallidge moved to authorize the Town to dispose of the surplus materials in any way possible, seconded by Chairman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VI. New Business
A. Approve appointment of Kerry Taylor as Mooring Agent for 2008.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve the appointment of Kerry Taylor as noted above, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Approve liquor license application for Redbird Provisions Inc.
Selectman Branch moved to approve the liquor license application for Redbird Provisions Inc., seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VII. General Issues
A. Approve School Union #98 request for $5,000.00 for RPC legal costs regarding school consolidation.
There was a question raised about how much money the other island towns were contributing. Mr. MacDonald reported his conversation with the Superintendent indicated that the other three towns will also be contributing up to $5,000 each, though they have not officially voted on the matter yet. The bills should be completed by mid-June, and will total roughly $22,000. It was noted the voters were asked at the last Town Meeting to approve up to $25,000 to protect local control, including local school systems. The money would be paid to School Union 98 for attorneys and lobbying fees. It was also noted that the volunteers who served on the committees did a very commendable job, and with no compensation for all their time or travels to Augusta.
Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the request for up to $5,000 as noted above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VII. Other Business
A. Approve and sign School Budget Validation Referendum Warrant.
There was some discussion about this warrant, how it relates to the school consolidation issue, and how the new school consolidation law will affect the "special and private act" that created the regional high school. There was agreement that if the legislative language does not address it specifically, then the original arrangements for the high school creation remain intact.
Selectman Smallidge moved to approve and sign the warrant noted above, seconded y Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Tony Smith reported on recent estimates received for proposed work on the Town Office and Police Dept. on Sea Street. The two rough estimates received to date fall well below the architects estimates made two years ago. It was noted that building material prices have dropped sharply in recent months. There was a discussion on how to proceed, given that the estimates are preliminary and are not included on the Town Warrant. There was consensus that the matter should be brought up for discussion at the Town Meeting, then a public hearing held, and then a Special Town Meeting to approve the expenditure.
IX. Treasurer's Warrants
Approve Treasurer's Warrant #43 for $5,405.12; #46 for $103,173.28; #49 for $418,753.56.
Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the Treasurer's Warrants as presented, seconded by Selectman Smith. Warrants were signed as presented.
X Executive Session
Executive Session - Pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §405.6.A Personnel, discussion of duties.
At 7:45 p.m., Selectman Smith moved to go into executive session, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Members of the Board of Selectmen, the Town employees and members of the public expressed thanks to Ernest Combs for his years of service on the Board and for his work as Chairman, as this was his last meeting as a member of the Board of Selectmen.
At 8:19 p.m., Selectman Mooers motioned to leave Executive Session and to return to regular session, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
At 8:20 p.m., Selectman Mooers moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Smith
Secretary
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