MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Thursday, May 10, 2007
A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room at the Town Office, Northeast Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Ernest Coombs, Selectmen Kathy Branch, Rick Mooers , Patrick Smallidge, Jeffrey Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Finance Director Hamor; Wendell Oppewall, Recording Secretary Ellen Kappes and members of the public.
I. Call to order.
Chairman Coombs called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
II. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of April 17 2007.
MOTION: Selectman Branch moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 17, 2007 as presented, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor.
III. Appointments and Communications none
IV. Selectmen Reports
• Selectman Smith showed an 8th grade study on transportation on Mount Desert Island. Copies will be distributed at the next meeting.
V. Old Business
A. Approve Board of Selectmen’s Resolve: To Reduce Digital and Electronic Isolation.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Approve Wireless Broadband Service Agreement with RedZone Wireless and authorize Town Manager to sign the agreement. Any payments to RedZone, not to exceed $75,000.00, will be paid from Capital Improvement Reserve Account #2690 balance $2,228,061.55.
Town Manager MacDonald said the differences have been worked out. The attorneys have no legal issues. He thought the agreement was something that could be lived with.
Jim McKenna acknowledged that some gaps will exist but that to the best of RedZone’s ability, they will get the network to as many places as they can. It will approach 100%. The Town’s investment represents about 25% of the total. Initially 50 towers will be set up. Wendell Oppewall said the school might have some space for connections. Mr. McKenna said they would work out the best location. Selectman Smith noted that Mr. Oppewall could offer public training at the school. Considerable discussion followed about the meaning of near 100% and ways to achieve it. A lot more radios would be needed to reach 100%. It starts to get difficult when the network is extended to get into private roads. Mr. McKenna is looking at a different way to architect Pretty Marsh. Selectman Smith said
that if two people can’t get coverage, they will complain about spending their tax dollars. That’s hard to respond to. It becomes a matter of politics. Mr. McKenna said 100% is a possibility. It depends on how much the Town wants to spend. Town Manager MacDonald said they would be investing, not spending tax dollars. If it works, it could be a positive cash flow for the Town.
Selectman Smallidge was concerned about the appropriation method. He preferred to go through Town Meeting for using the capital improvement reserve account. Finance Director Hamor and he discussed the issue. Chairman Coombs said a special town meeting would be a possibility but there would be some expense involved. He would expect minimum participation. Town Manager MacDonald said the five Selectmen were elected to make decisions like this when opportunities come along.
Selectman Smith said this is the first and necessary step towards getting 100% coverage for the Town. Selectman Mooers saw the fine line that Selectman Smallidge was talking about but said that since this is an investment, it meets the standards of responsible stewardship of the Town’s funds. Selectman Branch said no one who has contacted her has raised an issue about the service being Town funded.
Mr. Oppewall said he knew about 100 people who would be willing to sign up right away. The service seemed to be the best alternative at this point. It will make a lot of people very happy. It is a good step forward.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above agreement, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was 4 to 1. Selectmen Branch, Coombs, Mooers and Smith voted for the motion; Selectman Smallidge voted against it. The motion carried.
VI. New Business none
VII. General Issues none
VIII. Other Business
A. Relocate June 4 2007 meeting to Seal Harbor
Town Manager MacDonald said the staff will be in the meeting room then because the Town Office area will be undergoing renovation.
IX. Treasurer’s Warrants
Approve Treasurer’s Warrant #35 for $313,937.40.
Signed as presented.
X Executive Session
None requested
At 5:25 pm Selectman Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Smith
Secretary
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, May 21, 2007 at 6:30 P.M. in the Community Room, Somesville Fire Station, Somesville.
Jennifer L. McWain[Marker]
Deputy Clerk
Town of Mount Desert
21 Sea Street
P.O. Box 248
Northeast Harbor ME 04662-0248
Telephone (207)276-5531
Fax (207) 276-3232
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