Board of Selectmen Meeting, July 18, 2005
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, July 18, 2005
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date at the Somesville Fire Department, Somesville, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Rick Savage, Selectmen Kathy Branch, Patrick Smallidge, Jeffrey Smith; Public Works Director Tony Smith; Police Chief James Willis; Acting Town Manager(Assessor) John Brushwein; Harbor Master Shawn Murphy; Finance Director Brent Hamor; Interim Fire Chief Mike Bender; Code Enforcement Officer Kimberly Keene; Several members of the Volunteer Fire Department 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 July 5, 2005.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 5, 2005, as amended, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
III. Appointments and Communications
A…Approve appointment of Samuel Fox III to the Ordinance Review Committee and the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
Acting Town Manager Brushwein explained that Mr. Fox had recently resigned from the Planning Board after 9 years of service and wishes to continue his service to the community.
MOTION: Selectman Smith motioned to approve the appointment, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Board acknowledged receipt of DEP retirement of Otter Creek wastewater WWTP Discharge License.
No action required.
C: Board acknowledged receipt of recent Planning Board minutes from May 23, June 13 and June 27, 2005 meetings.
No action required.
D. Board acknowledged receipt of department head monthly reports.
No action required.
E. Board acknowledged MDI Water Quality status report.
Acting Town Manager Brushwein explained beach closings and explained that we will continue to maintain and report the findings to the Board.
Mr. Savage stated that it seems to be an interesting phenomenon right now; at times we are getting high and low levels both on the same day.
No action required.
IV. Selectmen Reports
A. Selectman Smith suggested that due to numerous complaints and criticisms over the year, it would be a good time to discuss the water level at Long Pond. He also wanted to have a discussion regarding the use of the boat ramp at Ponds End and the overall increase in activity and safety issues.The rip rap installation to be done this week.
Selectman Smith discussed the possibility of regulating road widths to allow for clearance for emergency vehicles in light of the fact that the Town will be purchasing a new Fire Truck in the near future.
Acting Town Manager Brushwein stated that this would fall under driveway standards and the planning board is where this should be addressed. Discussion of a round table with the planning board was discussed.
Joseph Tracy spoke about safe passage for fire vehicles on narrow roads.
B. Selectman Savage asked that Public Works Director Smith be notified that the Marina parking lot needs to be swept.
Selectman Savage noted that the new parking spot lines have been painted but it has not been swept.
C. Selectman Branch asked for the status of the Fire Chief position and if it had been advertised yet.
Selectman Savage stated to his knowledge, the position has not been advertised.
V. Public Hearing
White Tailed Deer Management Plan
The public hearing was called to order at 6:45 P.M. Selectman Savage turned the meeting over to Selectman Smallidge.
Selectman Smallidge suggested that a committee of 5 residents from Mount Desert be formed to assist with this plan. He stated it should also consist of Maine State Inland Fish and Wildlife Biologist Thom Schaefer from the Dept. and a member of the Maine Bow Hunters Association, Chairman Savage opened the floor for the public to speak 10 minutes on each side [for and against] on this matter and later updated the time limit to 20 minutes.
Mr. Schaefer explained that 126 Towns in Hancock, Washington and Penobscot Counties have put this type of plan in place to deal with nuisance deer. Other island communities such as Swans Island, Frenchboro and Cranberry Isles use this type of management plan to deal with the nuisance deer as well. He explained that depredation permits are issued freely by the local wardens and that the plans are tailored to fit each individual towns needs.
Comments were made and discussion was heard from members of Maine Bow Hunters Association with BLIP program. It was explained that the Maine Bow Hunters Association has a great history of land owner relations especially in urban and suburban areas.
Several members of the public spoke both for and against the plan.
Selectman Smallidge then read a letter of support from the President of the Northeast Harbor Golf Club stating the Golf Club, being among the biggest property owners on the island, offers the club as staging ground for the project. He stated his concern for the disease and damages these nuisance deer are bringing to the island.
Gerard Haraden suggested an Island wide discussion and recommended working with the League of Towns on the matter.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge motioned to form a White Tailed Deer Management Committee, seconded by Selectman Savage. 3 in favor (Savage, Smallidge, Branch) 1 opposed (Smith).
The public hearing part of this meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M.
VI. Old Business
A. Approve Seal Harbor Library Association use of Seal Harbor Village Green for annual fair on August 6, 2005 from 9:00AM-12:00PM.
MOTION: Selectman Smith motioned to approve, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VI. New Business
A.The Board postponed approval of the wastewater treatment contract with Acadia National Park to discuss contract provisions with Town Manager MacDonald
.
No action required.
B. The Board awarded float bids to the highest bidder, Floats # 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 to Morris Yachts for $500.00 each. Float # 3 to Peter Smallidge for $650.00, Floats 8 & 9 to Brightside Boat for $220.00 & $400.00 respectively.
Harbor Master Murphy requested that permits be put into place if the floats are to be put back in Town waters.
MOTION: Selectman Smith motioned to approve high bids and to rebid the two remaining floats # 6 & 10, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C. Hancock Oil was awarded the fuel bid with a fixed price of $1.8969 for #2 heating oil, $2.399 for kerosene, $1.599 for propane, Tank Car price + .0485 and a discount of $ .15 cents per gallon to Town of Mt. Desert employees. The Town is to provide a list of employees to Hancock Oil. Changes in employee
status to be notified to Hancock Oil within 10 days of the change.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge motioned to accept the fixed fuel prices from Hancock Oil Company, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
D. The Board approved Harborview Corp. D/B/A Mainsail Restaurant’s Liquor License renewal.
MOTION: Selectman Smith motioned to approve the liquor license, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VII. General Issues
A Approval of Sharon Gilley’s request for 10 additional days of unpaid leave.
A series of unforeseen and unexpected medical conditions has resulted in Mrs. Gilley completely using all of her paid and unpaid permitted leave. Mrs. Gilley is following the Personnel Manual in making this request to the Board of Selectman. Town Manager MacDonald submitted a letter to the Board of Selectman stating that although he and Mrs. Gilley have not seen “eye to eye” on a number of issues that he and Chief Willis both request that this additional time be granted to Mrs. Gilley.
MOTION: Selectman Smith motioned to approve 10 days additional unpaid leave, seconded by Selectman Branch. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Assessor Brushwein requests a public hearing to hire VISION to take on entire assessing project.
Assessor Brushwein requests that VISION take on the entire assessing project. It will be completed by July 2006, with an August 2005 Public Hearing date. Assessor Brushwein explained that the overlay should be increased from the current $30,000 to $400,000. An additional $77,100 will need to be raised to be able to hire VISION to do the entire project from inception to completion.
The Board recommends that Town Manager MacDonald review this and submit his recommendations to the Board.
No action required.
C.Public Works Director Smith requests approval of part-time recycling attendant.
Acting Town Manager Brushwein recommends for the Board not to approve this request without the proper paperwork and process.
No action taken.
XIII. Treasurer’s Warrants
A. Approve Treasurer’s Warrant # 62 for $258,693.13
Signed as presented.
IX. Executive Session
None requested
At 8:42 pm, Selectman Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Smith
Secretary
Transcribed by Darcel Winslow.
Adjournment. ~The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, August 1, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. in the Town Office Meeting Room, Northeast Harbor.
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