MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, March 8, 2004
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Seal Harbor Community Room, Seal Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Rick Savage, Ernest Coombs, Emily Damon Pascal, Patrick Smallidge, Jeff Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Public Works Director Tony Smith; Police Chief James Willis, Harbor Master Will Boddy, Finance Director Michael Chammings, 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.
II. Minutes
A. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of February 23, 2004 and Organizational meeting March 2, 2004.
MOTION: Selectman Damon Pascal moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 23, 2004 and the Organizational Meeting of March 2, 2004 as presented, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
III. Appointments and Communications
A. Confirm appointment of Sarah L. Merchant as Administrative Officer, effective March 19, 2004 at an hourly rate of $13.80, increasing to $14.49 after successful completion of six-month probationary period.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to confirm the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B. Confirm appointment of Phillip Frost as Assistant Operator (WWTP), effective March 9, 2004 at an hourly rate of $12.20 increasing to $13.23 after successful completion of six month probationary period.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C. James Bright application for to Planning Board. No vacancies currently exist on Planning Board.
Since there are no vacancies on the Planning Board, Chairman Savage said Mr. Bright's name should be kept on file.
D. Copy of Hancock County Commissioner's Warrant.
There were no comments.
E. Hancock County Commissioners invitation to attend "Pilot Project" proposal meeting, 6:30 PM March 11, 2004 at Commissioner's Meeting Room, 50 State Street, Ellsworth.
Selectman Smallidge was extremely concerned about the regionalization effort. He did not think this Town had requested the kind of assistance being considered. If the County takes over any function, he said, the Town will not have any say in it. He thought the County was unable to control its budget which has exploded because of a lack of accountability.
Chairman Savage said the idea is a result of the Governor's task force on regionalization. He thought it was a real political ploy and that this Town is on the short end of the stick.
Selectman Smallidge was willing to attend the meeting but wanted to be sure what he could state as the Town's viewpoint.
Public Works Director Smith attended a meeting last week in Bangor on regionalization. He said the overwhelming message the towns voiced was that the municipalities are smart enough to know when to regionalize and that they do not want to be mandated to regionalize.
Police Chief Willis echoed Selectman Smallidge's concern, saying the County couldn't provide the Town with a fraction of what the municipality does now.
Chairman Savage noted this Town pays 13.1% of the County budget and that many other towns pay very small percentages. Responding to Edie Dunham Crowley, he said the County tax is based on property assessments. Today, this method has no bearing on a town's actual ability to pay. The only message we can send loud and clear is that we can't stand it, he said.
Kathy Branch asked if the invitation to the meeting included the public. Chairman Savage was sure it would be open.
Edie Dunham Crowley asked how the tax allocations could be changed. Harbor Master Boddy said the only way would be through the Hancock County Commission. Police Chief Willis said the most direct way is to sit on the Hancock County budget commission.
Selectman Smallidge thought the Town would be well advised to form a committee that would put a numerical value on county services and establish where those services overlap or are redundant. Chairman Savage thought this would be a good idea for the future but that the immediate need involved a response for the March 11, 2004 meeting. He thought a letter could be prepared and sent with Selectman Smallidge. Selectman Smallidge said he would feel better with a letter.
Chairman Savage asked Selectman Smallidge to attend the meeting and represent the Selectmen.
Bruce Walton noted the airport expenses will be going way up when it has to have a full time fire department. Selectman Coombs noted the airport is one place the Town gets benefits from.
Town Manager MacDonald suggested making the County send its own bill to the taxpayers instead of making the Town the Sheriff of Nottingham. That would be one way to make residents more aware of the County budget. Selectman Smallidge said that was an excellent idea.
F. Olver Associates cost estimate for Seal Harbor Sand Filter Pump Station/Force Main replacement.
Public Works Director Smith reported the Olver Associates cost estimate for the above project is $306,000 but that the Town has only budgeted $275,000. He will negotiate to try to get the figure under $275,000. He is in contact with the DEP about the sand filter. Responding to Chairman Savage's question if the Town would be o.k. for the coming summer season, he said he will go over the schedule with the DEP.
G. Municipal Review Committee (MRC) memo to member towns explaining support for West Old Town Landfill Project.
Town Manager MacDonald gave the background for the idea to dump ash from the Hampden facilities in the Old Town landfill. He noted an attempt is being made to amend Interstate 95 restrictions north of Augusta for trucks so they can use an exit ¼ mile from the landfill.
No action by Selectmen was required.
H. FYI Planning Board Minutes for meeting of 2-9-04
I. ME Dept of Conservation notice of Submerged Lands dock application.
J. Monthly Department Reports
No action was required on the above three items. Selectman Damon Pascal asked about the Town clean up week and when it would be advertised. Public Works Director Smith said advertising would start within two weeks. He assured her this year's hiring process will be different from last year's.
IV. Consent Agenda
" None
V. Selectmen Reports
1. 2005 Budget process and Warrant Agenda time line. Determine cutoff date for new warrant articles and major budgetary additions.
Chairman Savage said he had requested a cut off date in order to avoid a jam like last year's with the agenda and to make the process go smoother. One problem came from allowing department heads to make changes later and later in the fall. He suggested November 15 as the cut off date to allow for a month of review before Christmas. By mid-January, there is no wiggle room.
Public Works Director Smith said some needs arise unexpectedly and prices are sometimes slow coming in. Noting the sewer project expense and fire truck request, he wondered if it would be wise to cut the process short because of two big ticket items last year.
Selectman Damon Pascal suggested December 1st as a possible date, noting that departments have from now until the cut off date to get going on requests. Town Manager MacDonald suggested the second meeting in November which would be between the 14th and the 22nd. Selectman Smallidge thought at least December 1st would be a good idea. Selectman Smith
thought the first meeting in December would be a good compromise. Selectman Damon Pascal thought mid-November would be pushing it a tad too close for department heads.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to require that the budgetary requests for 2005 be consolidated by the first meeting in December, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Selectman Damon Pascal thought Selectmen should follow up on the hot issue of Town-owned land very quickly. Asked for an approximate date for completion of the Comprehensive Plan, Town Manager MacDonald said it would be in 30 months.
George Peckham complimented the Board on their defense at Town Meeting of the reserve accounts.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to require that requests for ordinance changes and policies be consolidated by the first meeting in December, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VI. Old Business
1. Responding to a question from Chairman Savage, Harbor Master Boddy said he was prepared to go for the new boat purchase but understood that $7,000 was cut at Town Meeting from the boat reserve. He had not brought price information with him. He had asked for bids on specific boats. Chairman Savage said the Board would like to see the information. He thought perhaps it could go out for a rebid. Use of the reserves was discussed. Selectman Coombs thought that would be risky. Selling the old boat was discussed. Harbor Master Boddy thought two boats would be needed to do the moorings outside Northeast Harbor and in other harbors. Chairman Savage suggested getting the new boat now and trying to live with the old engine on the old boat because money was not raised for a new
engine. Selectman Coombs said the worst thing that could happen would be if the old engine failed, the Town would be back to one boat, the new one. Selectman Smith agreed with the idea of financing the new boat and hoping for the best with the old one. Selectmen asked Harbor Master Boddy to bring the specifications to the March 15 meeting.
2. Chairman Savage asked if the new street sweeper is on the way. Public Works Director Smith said it has been ordered and is expected in mid-April. No sweeping will be done until it arrives. When Selectman Damon Pascal questioned the reasoning for that, Public Works Director Smith said nearly every time the old sweeper was taken out, it broke down. He did not want to put any more money into it.
3. The new practice of cutting back on the use of sand on the roads was discussed. Public Works Director Smith said the department has started experimenting with a different salt method in Northeast Harbor. Chairman Savage said Selectmen should get some kind of report before fall so that they would know how much sand to order.
VII. New Business
A. Review and approve proposed revisions to Town of Mount Desert Harbor Regulations.
Harbor Master Boddy reviewed the five changes to the regulations.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the new Town of Mount Desert Harbor Regulations as proposed, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.
C. Approve annual "Application of Property Tax Payment Policy"
Town Manager MacDonald explained this is an annual housekeeping matter.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above policy, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
D. Approve annual "Policy on Treasurer's Disbursement Warrants for Employee Wages and Benefits."
E. Approve annual "Municipal Officer's Policy on Disbursement of Municipal Education Costs."
MOTION: Selectman Damon Pascal moved to approve the above two items as presented, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VIII. General Issues
A. Consider appropriate GPD connection rate for new sewer connections.
Town Manager MacDonald reviewed comparison figures on other towns one time sewer connection fees. He wanted guidance from Selectmen to see if rates suggested for this Town are in the ball park. The current $100 connection fee is now added to general revenue. He suggested that a portion of the new fees be allocated towards administrative costs and that any money above that be put in the sewer reserve account.
Selectman Smallidge wanted to see the rate for three bedroom houses kept as low as possible in the interest of affordable housing. Selectman Damon Pascal referred to the project across from the Kimball Terrace Inn where five different three bedrooms will be built but, she said, but no one here can afford to live there. She said Selectmen need to look at the rates more closely.
Edie Dunham-Crowley asked if it is necessary to make the increase in rates as dramatic as those suggested.
Responding to Selectman Smallidge's question about including a clause stating a requirement that the homeowner qualify for the Homestead Exemption, Finance Director Chammings said that the resident has to be in the home for more than a year to be exempt.
Chairman Savage said the Board did not have to do something that night but he recommended that it do something soon. Selectman Damon Pascal disagreed with Selectman Smallidge's suggestion to make a decision at the March 15 meeting. She said some of the Selectmen had come up with ideas that need recognition. She wanted a good month for review and asked that the suggested rates be put on the web site. The Board is discussing a potential hook-up fee and people should have a chance for input, she said.
MOTION: Selectman Damon Pascal made a motion that Selectmen will make a definite decision on new sewer connection fees at their April 19 meeting, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was 4 to 1. Selectmen Coombs, Damon Pascal, Savage and Smith voted for the motion. Selectman Smallidge voted against it. The motion carried.
IX. Other Business
Kathy Branch asked for a stop sign at each end of Mackenzie Hill Road. Police Chief Willis said he would put it on his list of roads that need signs and present an entire package of them to Selectmen.
X. Treasurer's Warrants
Approve Treasurer's warrants
Signed as presented.
XI Executive Session
None requested
At 8:00 Selectman Smallidge moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Smith
Secretary
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