Board of Selectmen Meeting, May 16, 2005
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, May 16, 2005
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Community Room of the Somesville Fire Station, Somesville, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Rick Savage, Selectmen Patrick Smallidge and Jeffrey Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Public Works Director Tony Smith; Harbor Master Shawn Murphy, Recording Secretary Ellen Kappes and members of the public.
Call to order.
Chairman Savage called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Minutes
A. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of May 2,2005.
Town Manager MacDonald noted that page 5 line 10 should state that the vote was 4 - 0 - 0; that Selectmen Coombs, Savage, Smallidge and Smith voted in favor of the motion and Selectman Branch abstained.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 2, 2005 as amended, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
III. Appointments and Communications
A.~~~~~~Confirm appointment of Darcel M. Winslow as Reception, effective May 17, 2005 at a probationary rate of $13.00 per hour, increasing to $13.65 upon successful completion of six-(6) month probation.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.~~~~~~Notice of Pizza and Planning session to discuss land use and Mount Desert’s Comprehensive Plan. ~Tuesday, May 24, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Somesville Fire Station.
Town Manager MacDonald said it is imperative for the committee to get community input. The Board approved his idea to put an ad in the newspaper for it. He will also send emails.
C.~~~~~~Copy of memo from PW Director Smith to Mount Desert business owners, memo requests limiting use of “Jake Brake” engine braking systems within the built-up areas of town.
No action required.
D.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Investment Committee minutes for meeting of May 4, 2005.
Acknowledged
E.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Planning Board minutes for meeting of April 25, 2005. Acknowledged
F.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Olver Associates Weekly Construction Summary for Seal Harbor WWTP Upgrade for week of April 29, 2005 and May 6, 2005
Public Works Director Smith said they are clearing up the staging area.
IV. Selectmen Reports
Selectman Smith said he has received phone calls about a suggested change in the fiscal year. He asked if someone in the Town Office could prepare a one page paper outlining the pros and cons of the idea. Chairman Savage said it is not necessary to have a town meeting vote in order to change an annual meeting date. He liked the idea of electing officials at one time and setting the Town’s fiscal policy at another.
V. Old Business
A. Authorize Dobbs Productions Inc. permission to use public Access channel in Mount Desert for Summer 2005 and Winter 2006 to broadcast “The Acadia Channel (June 5-Oct. 31), MDI High School Television, MDI Hospital Exercise for the elderly, and all Mount Desert Island School Christmas Concerts.
Town Manager MacDonald said this request is similar to the one Selectmen approved last year.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve authorization of the above, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
~Public Hearing:~~~~~~~~Liquor License Application, Cheryl Shields d/b/a Ammachi Inc. La Matta Cena
At 6:42 pm, Chairman Savage closed the regular session of the meeting and opened the public hearing on the above application.
At 6:44 pm, Chairman Savage closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular meeting.
VI. New Business
A.~~~~~~Approve Liquor License for Cheryl Shields d/b/a Ammachi Inc. La Matta Cena
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.~~~~~~Authorize release of Horace & Mary Reynolds $1,000.00 scholarship from GL account #2980.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to authorize the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C.~~~~~~Approve changes to section 5 of Mooring Agent contract.
After a discussion about the proposed rental fee changes, Chairman Savage asked Harbor Master Murphy to prepare a chart showing the 2004 rates and proposed changes for the next Board meeting. The Board can vote on them then.
D.~~~~~~Approve Union Congregational Church of Seal Harbor request to use Seal Harbor Village Green for fund raising events, July 17, July 30, and August 20.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VII. General Issues
A.~~~~~~Replacement vehicle presentation from Harbor Master Murphy.
Town Manager MacDonald indicated the presentation was not quite ready. He wanted to delay it at least until the next meeting.
B.~~~~~~Discuss Engineering and Construction cost estimates for wastewater collection system improvements.
Town Manager MacDonald reviewed the rough estimates for the three projects. The Summit Road cost is up considerably from the original $600,000 estimate. There have been sewer back ups in that area. He suggested coordinating that project with the Water Company’s possible replacement of its major infrastructure.
Responding to Chairman Savage, Town Manager MacDonald said $186,000 has been set aside for Summit Road but funding it was stopped two budgets ago in anticipation of getting a bond for it. One of the Town’s bonds will be retired this year and the next in 2012. Chairman Savage was nervous about the wish list, noting the total for the three projects would be about $950,000. Selectman Smallidge thought the Ripples Tract sewer extension might be funded from reserves. Chairman Savage wanted specifics from the Island Housing Trust. He said a special Town meeting for it could be called at the same time as a Selectmen’s meeting. Selectman Smallidge thought it might be possible to have a two part question – one to approve the transfer and the second to fund the sewer extension.
Chairman Savage thought waiting until the annual town meeting might allow for more discussion. He wished a whole audience were present at this meeting because of the projects being reviewed. The status of the Ripples Tract project was discussed.
Responding to Selectman Smallidge, Public Works Director Smith mentioned other concerns including rotting underground tanks and the disrepair of the Somesville plant. Work on that plant would be next on the list. Also, he has received phone calls from some Hall Quarry residents asking about the cost of extending the sewer line to that area.
Selectman Smallidge mentioned funds expected from the Park. Chairman Savage said Selectmen should do what was promised – to use those funds to pay off the bond for the Otter Creek - Seal Harbor plant. Town Manager MacDonald affirmed that the promise was to apply the funds to payment of the bond if the money came in from the Park. The bond can not be paid off early, he said. When we get the money it should be put aside and used to apply the Park’s portion to the yearly payment.
Bob Smallidge pointed to a need for a program to let the Town on residents’ property to inspect the septic systems. People who can’t afford a new system are not calling the Town.
Selectman Smith called the sewer thing mind-numbing. There seems to be no end in sight. He wanted hard figures for what the Town has facing it for the next 8 years. He was glad to have figures for the above 3 projects. Town Manager MacDonald said the Capital Improvement Plan ought to be tied to the comprehensive plan.
Selectman Smallidge thought the two sewer projects that had been put off for 10 years should be combined in one bond.
Chairman Savage said that without a plan for the big picture, they were attacking things piecemeal as they became emergencies. He was discouraged by the increased amounts taxpayers keep getting hit for.
Selectman Smallidge asked for more figures on the replacement pump stations in Seal Harbor and Bracy Cove.
No decisions were made.
VII. Other Business
None
IX. Treasurer’s Warrants
None
X Executive Session
None requested
At 7:21 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, June 6, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. in the Meeting Room, Town Office, Northeast Harbor.
| 
