MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, October 15, 2007
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room at the Town Hall, Northeast Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Ernest Coombs, Selectmen Kathy Branch, Rick Mooers, Patrick Smallidge, Jeffrey Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Harbor Master Shawn Murphy, Police Chief Jim Willis, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Assessor Kyle Avila, Finance Director Brent Hamor, Recording Secretary Jennifer McWain and members of the public.
I. Call to order.
Chairman Coombs called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. Minutes
A. Minutes were not available from previous meeting.
III. Appointments and Communication
A. Approve Police Officer John Wardwell assignment to Hancock County Drug Task Force, effective October 22, 2007.
Selectman Mooers moved to approve Officer Wardwell's assignment to Hancock County Drug Task Force, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The motion was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Confirm appointment of Christopher Wharff as Police Patrol Officer, effective October 16, 2007 at probationary rate of $16.25 per hour, increasing to $17.06 after successful completion of six-month probationary period.
Selectman Smallidge moved to confirm the appointment of Patrol Officer Christopher Wharff, seconded by Selectman Branch. The motion was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
C. Appoint Kyle Avila as Assessor, effect November 5, 2007 at weekly salary of $1,010.00, increasing to $1,060.50 after successful conclusion of six-month probationary period.
Selectman Smith moved to appoint Kyle Avila as Assessor, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was greatly unanimous in favor, 5-0.
D. Acknowledge receipt of monthly department reports; Harbor Master, Police, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Fire
No action, acknowledgement of department reports.
E. Acknowledge receipt of monthly financials
No action, acknowledgement of monthly financials.
F. Acknowledge receipt of Mooring Agent end-of-year report, total rental income $26,256.50.
No action, acknowledgement of Mooring Agent report.
G. Notice of submittal of Draft Comprehensive Plan to State Planning Office.
No action, acknowledgement of State Planning Office Submittal.
IV. Selectman's Reports
Selectman Smallidge and Public Works Director Tony Smith had a request from Harvey Heel to get a permit application to the Cole Transportation Museum for a granite bench for the Northeast Harbor Town green. Town Manager MacDonald thought the request might have to go to Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen were mixed on what should be inscribed into the bench.
Selectman Smallidge asked about the status of the negotiation process with the ambulance service. Town Manager MacDonald has been talking with the Town Attorney asking him to finish writing the conditions as soon as possible. Manager MacDonald stated that the attorneys and the insurance company are pointing out the pitfalls that the ambulance company is proposing, and making sure that the Board is aware of all the risks. Selectman Smallidge asked about the procedure for continuing terms of two Board of Selectmen member's terms with the change of the fiscal year.
Selectman Smith had questions about the status of RedZone. He was concerned because he has heard a lot of questions still, on when and where coverage will be. Town Manager MacDonald updated the Board with the latest RedZone report, and would ask RedZone Jim McKenna to be present at the next Board of Selectmen meeting. Selectman Smith also commented on a letter that was received by the Board of Selectmen from resident Rick Furst. Several Board members expressed concern and confusion on the contents of the complaints in the letter and hoped that Mr. Furst would attend a future Board of Selectmen meeting and explain his management ideas with the Board and Town Staff.
V. Old Business
A. Cancel police cruiser purchase from Dave Gould Ford; approve purchase of police cruiser from Quirk Ford, Augusta, for $21,389.00.
Selectman Smallidge moved to cancel the police cruiser purchase from Dave Gould Ford, seconded by Selectman Mooers who thought it was a excellent and timely decision. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VI. New Business
A. Approval of General Assistance Ordinance Appendices A, B and C.
Hearing no comments during the public hearing Selectman Smith moved to approve the General Assistance Ordinance Appendices A, B and C, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Authorize Public Works Director to solicit bids for plow/dump truck and packer truck.
Authorized Public Works Director to solicit bids for equipment.
C. Respond to proposed Local Health Officer rules changes, fiscal impact.
Board acknowledged Local Health Officers rules changes suggested by the State. The Board directed the Town Manager to write to the Governor suggesting the State take over the Local Health Officer from the Town responsibility due to Town budget restraints by forming 26 Local Health Officer Districts.
D. Approve award of 2007-08 Winter Roads sand bid.
Selectman Smith moved to award the winter sand bid to Blanchard and Gray, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
VII. General Issue
A. Budget Workshop
There was considerable discussion between Town Manager the Board about the new budget format. There were minor changes made to the format, resulting from good questions from the Board.
VIII. Other Business
A. Motion was made by Selectman Mooers to add an item to the agenda, approve release of $92,000 from Waste Water Bond Repayment Reserve, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
B. Selectman Mooers motioned to approve release of $92,000 from the Waste Water Bond Reserve Account (R2890), seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
IX. Treasurer's Warrants
Approve Treasurer's Warrant #74 for $122,147.69 and #75 for $1,301,943.59
Approved Treasurer's Warrants #74 and #75.
X. Executive Session
1. Executive Session - Pursuant to 1 MRSA §405.6.A - Town Manager's annual performance review.
Selectman Mooers moved to go into executive session Pursuant to M.R.S.A. Title 1, Ch. 13, §405.6, seconded by Selectman Branch at 7:45PM. Selectman Smith motioned to come out of executive session at 8:45PM, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Selectman Mooers, seconded by Selectman Smith motioned to add item to agenda, scheduled for next meeting for October 22, 2007, motion passed 5-0, followed by a brief discussion of dates. Selectman Smith motioned to schedule next Board of Selectmen Meeting October 22, 2007, with budget and warrant workshop, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
At 8:50 p.m. Selectman Branch moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Mooers. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Smith,
Secretary
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