MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, July 24, 2006
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room at the Meeting Room, Seal Harbor Fire Station, Seal Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Rick Savage, Ernest Coombs, Patrick Smallidge, Jeffrey Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Public Works Director Tony Smith; Assessor John Brushwein, Harbor Master Shawn Murphy, Finance Director Brent Hamor, Fire Chief Mike Bender, Recording Secretary Ellen Kappes and members of the public.
I. Call to order.
Chairman Savage called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to go into executive session for discussion of labor contracts negotiation position for upcoming Teamster's Local 340 negotiating session, pursuant to 1 MRSA 405.6.D, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to come out of executive session and to return to regular session, seconded by Selectman Smith. No action was taken.
At 7:00PM, Chairman Savage returned to the regular session.
II. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of July 10, 2006.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 10, 2006 as presented, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
III. Appointments and Communications
A. Approve appointment of Edward Bonville to Zoning Board of Appeals.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Confirm appointment of Steve Rittman as part-time seasonal Wastewater Treatment employee at hourly rate of $11.50, effective July 25, 2006.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to confirm the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C. Acknowledge receipt of Board and Committee meeting minutes: Comprehensive Planning committee, July 12, 2006; Planning Board May 22 and June 26, 2006 No action required
D. Acknowledge receipt of Department Monthly Reports: Code Enforcement; Fire Department; Harbor Master; No action required
E. Press Release from Senator Olympia Snowe's office advising of successful passage of a bill that included Mount Desert's de-authorization from the Federal Navigation Project.
Town Manager MacDonald said a conference committee between the House and the Senate was meeting that afternoon to reconcile the difference between two bills. They were confident that a bill would be signed. Chairman Savage noted that the end result would be that they would be able to manage the Town's harbors a little better.
F. Franchisee notice from Time Warner Cable. No action required.
G. Hancock County annual audit available.
Chairman Savage asked if Selectman Smallidge would agree to be the liaison officer for the Board. Town Manager MacDonald asked him if he wanted to fill a position available on the budget committee. He said he would think about it.
H. Letter of appreciation to Tom Wallace for removing graffiti from Police vehicle.
IV. Selectmen Reports
Chairman Savage referred to a previously mentioned bump in the road on Peabody Drive and said it ought to be fixed. Public Works Director Smith said the DOT has been asked to do so.
V. Old Business
A. Vision Appraisal Technologies power point presentation on 2006 tax equalization program.
Michael Tarello, District Manager for Vision gave a nearly 25 minute power point presentation on the above which included a time line. He said they were getting near the final stages and have entered 65% of the properties to date. This is high for waterfront property but they will try to get it to over 70%. For the next couple of weeks they will recheck each property with Assessor Brushwein. A notice will be sent to every person in Town giving them the projected evaluation, proposed assessed values and an estimate of what the new taxes will be. Hearings will be held for a couple of weeks in August. People who attend a hearing will be sent a 2nd notice. The Town was last assessed in 1992. Values have gone up three times since then.
Responding to Chairman Savage, Mr. Tarello said in three or four years Assessor Brushwein could make minor adjustments with more control and it would be much easier for to keep the valuations closer to 100%.
Chairman Savage explained to Gerard Haraden that addresses would not be given in the newspapers mainly to respect people's privacy. The addresses will be in the computer system and on the web site.
B. Notice from ME DOT of SHIP award of $28,000 for float replacement, municipal share 35% or $15,000.
Town Manager MacDonald said this is the second year in a row that the Town has received this award. He praised Harbor Master Murphy for doing a good job with the application.
A. Approve release of funds, amount not to exceed $45,000, from Reserve Account R-2840 (NEH Landing, current balance $157,365.00) to complete the 2006-2007 float replacement project.
Town Manager MacDonald said the not to exceed phrase was used because they don't know the cost of the materials yet. Responding to Selectman Smallidge, he said the auditor told him it would be best to set up a general ledger account for such funds. Harbor Master Murphy said $10,000 is for the boat ramp which will be widened. He explained which of the older floats would be replaced.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VI. New Business
A. Approve utility location permit to install 92' replacement of seasonal water line for Nancy & Charles McCormick, Cooksey Drive.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Approval to release $36,550.00 from account #440-6020 (current balance ($46,995.00), Compliance & Mandates, to install a vehicle exhaust system in Fire Station #1 (Northeast Harbor) and to modify the existing exhaust system in Station #2 (Seal Harbor) to fit the new Air Truck that has been ordered and authorize Fire Chief to sign purchase agreement.
Town Manager MacDonald said the new truck has arrived. It has to be hooked up to the exhaust system which requires modifications. The purchase for the exhaust system has not yet been completed. The above will take care of that. Fire Chief Bender said it would be about 3 or 4 weeks before it is delivered.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Town Manager MacDonald said he learned that afternoon that the new truck was delivered. It can't be used until the Town gets title to it. Payment on the balance must be paid first. That balance of $227,549 must be released. This truck replaces 3 trucks.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the release of $227,549 from account #2829 to fulfill the obligation, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C. Approve release and transfer of $40,000 from the Credit Reserve Account (GL# 2660, current balance $1,823,222.01) as described in Article 58 of the 2006 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
D. Approve release of $30,000 from Reserve Account Number 2740 (current balance $100,000.00.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
E. Award fuel bid.
Town Manager MacDonald reviewed fuel bids, fixed price options and insurance costs. Selectman discussed the possibilities. Chairman Savage said it might be time for the Town to start taking conservation measures.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to award the contract to Hancock Oil at the fixed price, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
F. Approve resolve pursuant to 23 M.S.R.A. §3028(2), declaring thirty-three foot right of way for Summit Road, Manchester road and Church Road.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Public Works Director Smith said the Summit Road project is now out to bid. The Ripples Road project will be out to bid in the papers soon.
G. Approve vote for MMA Legislative Policy Committee candidates, Minier of SWH and MacDonald of TOMD.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve a vote for Michael MacDonald of TOMD, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
H. Cast ballot for MMA Executive Committee Officers and Directors; one contested position, Vice President, three candidates.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to recommend Michael MacDonald of TOMD, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VII. General Issues
A. Schedule combined Mount Desert Board of Selectmen / School Committee meeting, suggest September 18, 2006 BOS meeting.
After discussion, Selectmen decided the above would be satisfactory.
VII. Other Business
IX. Treasurer's Warrants
Approve Treasurer's Warrant #57 for $452,564.78 and Warrant #58 for $50,545.76.
Signed as presented.
X Executive Session
A. To deliberate over an abatement (PA 2006-01) pursuant to 36 M.R.S.A. §841 (2)
MOTION: At 8:18PM, Selectman Coombs moved to go into executive session to deliberate an abatement, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
MOTION: At 8:39 Selectman Smith moved to come out of executive session, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
MOTION: At 8:40 PM Selectman Smith moved to approve abatement PA 2006-01 in the amount of $1,011.54, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
At 8:41 PM, Selectman Smallidge moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Smith
Secretary
Adjournment. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, August 7, 2006 at 6:30 P.M. in the Meeting Room, Town Office, Northeast Harbor.
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