Board of Selectmen Meeting, Sept. 9, 2004
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Thursday, September 9, 2004
A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room at the Town Office, Northeast Harbor, Maine.
Those present included: Chairman Rick Savage, Ernest Coombs, Patrick Smallidge, Jeff Smith; Town Manager Michael MacDonald; Public Works Director Tony Smith; Police Chief James Willis, Fire Chief Chris Farley, 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 August 16, 2004.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 16, 2004 as presented, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
III. Appointments and Communications
A.~~~~~~Approve appointment of Heather Brinson as part-time recycle Attendant, effective September 1, 2004 at a rate of $11.00 per hour.
Town Manager MacDonald said she would work 15 hours a week, 9 to 12 noon, Mon. – Fri.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.~~~~~~Approve appointment of Adam Wibby as part-time seasonal Dock Hand, effective September 2, 2004 at a rate of $11.00 per hour.
Town Manager MacDonald said he is available during the shoulder season when some of the dock hands had to leave to go back to school early.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of citizen request to repair and improve Ripples Road.
Town Manager MacDonald said someone called asking if the Town would spend any money on Ripples Road and that he told her the basically tarred over mud road would require considerable resources in order to make it a year round Town road. She wanted year round access also. He said Public Works Director Smith informed him it would take about $500,000 to do the job right. Selectman Smith said it looked like a Herculean task. It’s the worst hill in the Town. He was not in favor of destroying the landscape that is there. Selectman Coombs said it would be a long range project for which the Town would have to spend $500,000. It was a much greater challenge that any other road in the Town.
Ted Bromage was appreciative of the fact that the Town has not piled up snow there during the last couple of years so that the road could be used.
Selectman Smallidge cited a lack of financial resources for the job. Town Manager MacDonald suggested that it would be an appropriate long term subject for the Town Comprehensive Plan Committee. Selectman Coombs said it could not be a quick fix.
D.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of request for Emergency Services personnel to hold a cookout at Suminsby Park on Saturday September 11, 2004.
Mike Bender said the correct name is the Mount Desert Firemen Association and that they did not necessarily need exclusive use of the site.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to positively acknowledge receipt of the above request, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
E.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of citizen request to hold a surprise farewell picnic luncheon at Suminsby Park on Friday, September 24, 2004.
Town Manager MacDonald said he had told her that the Town could not grant exclusive use of the Park, that it is a public place.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to positively acknowledge receipt of the above request, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
F.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Maine State Planning Office request for participation in process “to explore and document potential new and innovative concepts for the management of Maine’s embayments.”
No action was required. Town Manager MacDonald will ask Harbor Master Boddy to complete the survey.
G.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of US Board on Geographic Names response to request to change name of Bartlett Island to Bartlett’s Island. ~Respond to inquiry of interest in adding Bartlett Harbor as official name.
Mr. Bromage asked for a definition of where Bartlett Harbor is. He thought the above could be considered because many visitors get confused. Selectman Coombs saw no need to change the name. Selectman Smallidge suggested waiting for sufficient public interest. Chairman Savage said that if it is always called Bartlett Island Landing, the road is the Bartlett Island Landing Road. No action and no letter were required.
H.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of communication from Maine State Planning Office indicating local municipal responsibilities for personal computer monitors and televisions.
Town Manager MacDonald said this is a new mandate from the State. Although these items cannot be included in the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, Public Works Director Smith said it probably could be coordinated with the Collection Day for 2005. Chairman Savage thought it was interesting that the Legislature could follow through with this law without some kind of financial backing. Public Works Director Smith said a notice should be put in the Town Report about the law which considers monitors and televisions to be hazardous waste.
I.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Planning Board minutes for meeting of July 26, 2004
No action was required.
J.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Acadia Disposal District meeting minutes of July 8, 2004
No action was required.
K.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Weekly Construction Summary for Seal Harbor WWTP upgrades for weeks beginning August 9, August 16, and August 23.
No action was required.
IV. Consent Agenda
None
V. Selectmen Reports
A~~~~~~~Pond’s End, request for repair and rehabilitation (Selectman Smallidge)
Selectman Smallidge said a citizen had contacted him about erosion at the landing at Pond’s End which appeared to have lost 7 to 8 feet of the beach.
Mr. Bromage said Long Pond has encroached on the shoreline, that the beach was 7 to 8 feet further to the south in 1987. Towards Pretty Marsh Road, another 17 feet has eroded. He had met with Public Works Director Smith and the DEP. The DEP said the Town could not go back to get the older shoreline. He suggested that the cost of riprap be investigated. He pointed out that the landing is the only place for public access to fresh water swimming for residents of the Town. Because it is heavily used for canoes and kayaks, he thought it would be appropriate to look for a second site for hand launched boats. He thought 60% of the use came from the rental place across the street. He thought some stones could be moved around to better define the parking. Selectman Smallidge thought
at the very minimum, the bank should be stabilized and that Selectmen should commission Public Works Director Smith to estimate costs of Mr. Bromage’s suggestions.
Jim Bright suggested removing one of the boards from the dam to lower the level of the pond. Public Works Director Smith said ice would cause erosion anyway.
Selectman Coombs said the Town has neglected the area and should take better care of the resource. Ms. Kappes was concerned that riprap would replace the small sandy area. Selectman Smallidge said the intent would be to keep the grassy area from being further eroded into a larger sandy area.
Mr. Bright asked why a private business is being allowed to use the ramp. Mr. Bromage described the rental practices of the business across the street. They do not specifically tell kayak and canoe renters to use the ramp at Pond’s End.
Fire Chief Farley asked about a dry hydrant line.
Chairman Savage asked Public Works Director Smith to make recommendations for the budget.
Selectman Smith said Mr. Bright had a good point about controlling the level of the water with the boards at the dam but noted that has been a contentious matter among owners of land on the pond. Public Works Director Smith said he was hesitant to mess with the dam and noted that it would need some major repairs in the next few years.
B~~~~~~~Dedication plaque for Suminsby Park (Selectman Smallidge)
Selectman Smallidge said he had been contacted about financing for a dedication plaque at Suminsby Park. It would cost $475. Mr. Bright said Norwood’s would mount the plaque free of charge in honor of Bob Suminsby. He also wanted to coordinate with Public Works Director Smith to use a Town backhoe pick up a rock and place it in an appropriate spot. Chairman Savage thought some other organizations would be happy to contribute to funding the cost.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to contribute $200. to the plaque, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VI. Old Business
A.~~~~~~Approve resolve declaring Otter Creek Fire Station will no longer be used for fire protection purposes, declare intent to request Quitclaim deed at 2005 Town meeting and declare 1979 Ford HMC fire truck as surplus equipment.
Town Manager MacDonald said Fire Chief Farley requested the October 1 date so the building is not kept open and heated during winter.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above resolve, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.~~~~~~Approve re-authorization to expend up to $114,412.40 from Reserve Account #2740 (Water Infiltration of Sewers) for Babson Creek sewer and pump station reconstruction. ~Previous authorization November 3, 2003
Town Manager MacDonald said Finance Director Chammings had asked for the authorization for some bills submitted by Public Works Director Smith. The above Board authorization was required because the original 2003 authorization was not carried forward into 2004.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above authorization, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
VII. New Business
A.~~~~~~Declare 1988 FMC Vanguard 3000SP Street Sweeper, 3,000 gal fuel storage tank with secondary containment, and gasoline pump as surplus and authorize advertisement for sale.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.~~~~~~Approve utility location permit from Bangor Hydro Electric for one pole on Beech Hill Road.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C.~~~~~~Approve purchase of Police “special service vehicle” from Dave Gould Ford.
Town Manager MacDonald said the above is a recommendation from Police Chief Willis to trade the former Fire Chief’s jeep for a Ford Expedition 4 wheel drive. Police Chief Willis said the 4 wheel drive will be used when roads are slippery. The trade value of the jeep which is not safe enough is $10,000. With that value, the net purchase will be $16,400. The line item in the budget is $25,000. He would not be inclined to buy the new vehicle if Selectmen do not authorize the jeep trade. Saying that an Expedition is a bit much in size and fuel consumption, Selectman Smallidge asked if an Explorer had been considered. Police Chief Willis said his research showed that they don’t hold up as well. The Bar Harbor Police Chief told him maintenance of the Expedition costs less.
Selectman Smith said he had had reservations but changed his mind. The Town should have one very good 4 Wheel Drive vehicle that accommodates the Town’s needs for patrol purposes. The safety issue is important.
Selectman Coombs said he came ready to fight but was changing his mind after hearing the numbers. He was reminded of when the Town started buying Volvos which turned out to hold up better than other vehicles. He liked the idea of selling the jeep for $10,000.
Fire Chief Farley noted that the jeep had originally come from the Fire Dept. budget. Town Manager MacDonald said he was satisfied as long as the taxpayers are getting a good value out of the replacement.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above purchase, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
D.~~~~~~Designate Town Manager as official Voting Delegate to MMA Annual Business Meeting, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine.
Town Manager MacDonald said it would be more fitting for one of the Selectmen to be the delegate if any of them had an interest in attending the meeting.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to designate the Town Manager as the above delegate, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
E.~~~~~~Respond to citizen requests to use Suminsby Park.
This item was handled earlier in the meeting.
F.~~~~~~Approve Budget Development schedule and determine Department Head Budget meeting date.
Town Manager MacDonald suggested October 18 for meeting with Department Heads. Selectmen approved that date and the proposed schedule.
VIII. General Issues
Tod Holbrook asked about the Selectmen’s response to Fire Chief Farley’s comment about the jeep. Selectman Smallidge said it would have to have been addressed last year and that possibly there should be a policy for reimbursing departments. Selectman Coombs said the money from selling heavy equipment had to go back into the general fund.
Town Manager MacDonald said unless there is a specific item in a warrant, any surplus funds do revert to general funds. It would take a town meeting to appropriate money to a reserve account.
IX. Other Business
Selectman Smallidge said it was clear that unless the County’s source of revenue based on property taxes is changed, the County will continue to take a huge bite out of this Town without any reasonable ratio of value of returned services. Mount Desert currently pays 13.22 % of the County budget. He wanted the Board to address consideration by the League of Towns, as an entity and in its individual components, of the issue of succession from Hancock County.
Edie Dunham Crowley pointed out that the jail is used primarily by Mt. Desert Island. She and Selectman Smallidge discussed property taxes and possible means of funding services.
Selectman Smallidge said that, as an elected official, he would like to have this issue put by the Board of Selectmen before the League of Towns as an agenda item. Selectman Smallidge said other elected officials on the Island would support this idea as individuals.
Police Chief Willis said the Town does get services from the Sheriff’s department. If he calls and asks for help, he gets it.
Chairman Savage was in favor of bringing up the issue as a topic of discussion at the next League of Towns meeting. He did not see Selectmen solving it at their current meeting. Selectman Smallidge confirmed that he could put the issue out in the open to see what the interest is. Selectman Coombs and Selectman Smith agreed that Selectman Smallidge could put it before the League for discussion.
X. Treasurer’s Warrants
Signed as presented.
XI Executive Session
None requested
At 8:46 pm 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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