October 18, 2004
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT, MAINE
Monday, October 18, 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, Assessor John Brushwein, Harbor Master Will Boddy, Finance Director Brent Hamor, Recreation Director Anne-Marie Hart, Recording Secretary Ellen Kappes & members of the public.
Call to order.
Chairman Savage called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
III. E.~~~~~~Acknowledge Somes Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary request for letter of support for grant application.
At Selectman Smith’s request, Chairman Savage took the above item out of order. Selectman Smith said this would require an action by the Board instead of just an acknowledgment.
David Lamon, Executive Directive of the Sanctuary, said the letter would be part of a federal grant application for funds to do some restoration work on the fishway from Somes Sound. Each fish ladder is in bad shape now. The grant would be for design work, the Somesville Library retaining wall and the fishway. All he needed from the Town would be a letter from the Selectmen. Chairman Savage aside him to communicate with Town Manager MacDonald about drafting the letter.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to support the above endeavor, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Chairman Savage returned to the regular agenda.
Minutes
A. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of October 4, 2004.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 4, 2004 as presented, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
III. Appointments and Communications
A.~~~~~~Approve appointment of Kathleen M. Branch, James Robinson, to County Services Committee.
Town Manager MacDonald said the above were the only two people who had come forward to offer their services. Selectman Smallidge wanted to wait to start work until after the November vote on the Palesky amendment and to continue to advertise for volunteers for the committee.
MOTION: Selectman Coombs moved to approve the above appointments, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.~~~~~~Approve appointment of Lisa Renault as Planning Board Alternate.
Town Manager MacDonald said Lisa Renault will replace Robert Coolidge who is moving away.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C.~~~~~~Reconfirm appointment of Chris Farley as Emergency Management Director.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to reconfirm the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was unanimous in favor.
D.~~~~~~Confirm appointment of Brent Hamor as Director of Finance and Administration, effective October 8, 2004 at a weekly salary of $865.38, increasing to $913.46 after successful conclusion of six-month probationary period.
Town Manager MacDonald said Mr. Hamor was the in house candidate for the position. His background includes work for a Blue Hill accounting company. He has the support of all the staff.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to confirm the above appointment, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
F.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of letter of concern regarding water level at Long Pond.
Town Manager MacDonald said George Lauriat told him on Friday that there is continued conflict between those who want the water level high and those who want it low. Selectmen acknowledged the letter.
G.~~~~~~Acknowledge receipt of Planning Board minutes for meetings of August 9, 2004 and August 27, 2004.
No action was required.
H.~~~~~~Acknowledge Seal Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Weekly Construction Summary dated October 1, and October 8, 2004.
Public Works Director Smith said there are a couple thousand more feet of pipe and the bridge crossing to go on the road work. The DOT will not be paving the road.
IV. Consent Agenda
None
V. Selectmen Reports
None
VI. Old Business
A.~~~~~~Renewal of Town Manager employment contract, extend contract termination date to 10-22-2007. ~Salary adjustment to $1326.51 per week, (2% increase), $1,183.46 one time performance bonus (1.75%).
Selectman Coombs was very uncomfortable with committing the Town to that amount of money when the Board does not yet know what will happen with staff salaries. The Board had not yet met with employees. Town Manager MacDonald said last year the Board approved a 3.5% average, close to 4% average salary increases. Selectmen discussed salary increases. Referring to the issue about extending the contract to 2007, Chairman Savage said this is standard procedure if Selectmen are satisfied with the job the Town Manager is doing. He thought the contract was fair noted that the contract also says Selectmen can terminate the contract.
Selectman Smallidge agreed with Chairman Savage that the contract is a vote of confidence. Selectman Smith said that the extension provides continuity in case there is a new Board in 2007. He was in favor of the contract.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to approve the above contract, seconded by Selectman Smith. The vote was three to one. Selectmen Smith, Smallidge and Savage voted in favor of the motion; Selectman Coombs voted against it. The motion carried.
VII. New Business
A.~~~~~~Approve Resolve “Adoption of Mount Desert Hazard Mitigation Plan.”
Town Manager MacDonald said participation in the planning process is necessary in order for the Town to qualify for any FEMA grants after Jan. 1, 2005 for disaster funds.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above resolve, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
B.~~~~~~Authorize purchase from Reserve Account #2875 s 2005 Ford F-250 4X4 diesel pickup truck from Darling's ~Ford at a cost of $23,782. ~(Reserve account balance = $145,850.88.
Chairman Savage saw the justification for the proposal but thought the policy indicated that Kenny Poors would drive the Ford F-100 truck. The proposed new truck would be more expensive to maintain and run, he thought. Public Works Director Smith said Karl Richard would be assigned the F-100 for his needs and that the department was trying to replace the Ford Ranger pick-up. He said the full-sized truck hopefully will last longer and require less maintenance.
MOTION: Selectman Smallidge moved to authorize the above purchase, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
C.~~~~~~Authorize and approve Acadia Disposal District resolve “Removing Corrugated Cardboard From the Waste Stream for All Acadia Disposal Towns.”
Public Works Director Smith thought the above should not say “authorize and approve” because ADD has the authority. Chairman Savage thought the standard operating procedure would be to get Selectmen’s support before the Town approved it. This was a drastic proposal, a major philosophical change, he said. He wondered what would happen if voters don’t go along with it at Town Meeting. Public Works Director Smith said the Town might then want to withdraw from ADD. He had been appointed to represent this Town.
Selectman Coombs wondered what would be done with the Town’s dumpsters. Harbor Master Boddy and Chairman Savage noted those at the marina would especially be a problem because people would just throw cardboard in them. Public Works Director Smith said they had two months to get people on board.
Regarding the pay per throw idea, Selectman Coombs was concerned about adding sales of bags to the staff workload. Selectman Smallidge supported the idea of removing cardboard from the waste stream but did not support pay per throw and wanted to know more about the expense. Chairman Savage thought the current recycling method is awkward and difficult. Public Works Director Smith said that, with pay per throw, trash disposal would be removed from the budget. Bob Smallidge said half the population lives on the other side of Babson Creek and needs arrangements for taking recycling to EMR which now will not allow it. Public Works Director Smith said they would and that it should be taken to the left of the building. When Selectman Coombs told Public Works Director Smith that if he
wanted to get out of garbage, he should say so, Chairman Savage said the Town is close to getting out of it and that this Town with its municipal pickup is the fly in the ointment in making ADD work.
Assessor Brushwein said it would be difficult to try and change people’s thought processes but that it was something that has to be done. Chairman Savage said this is the beginning of a major change in the Town’s disposal system. Public Works Director Smith said there was nothing for the Selectmen to adopt and noted this was the biggest discussion on garbage in the 3 ½ years he has been here. He said he would have to figure out how to handle a cardboard ban within the next two months. Selectman Smith thought this would be an excellent way to save money.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve item C as presented, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor.
D.~~~~~~Approve reimbursement of $200 from account #0403-2903 Contingency fund (current balance $5,142) to James Bright for Town contribution to Bob Suminsby plaque.
MOTION: Selectman Smith moved to approve the above reimbursement, seconded by Selectman Coombs. The vote was unanimous in favor.
E. Town Manager MacDonald said he would to close the Town Office at 3:30 on Thursday, Oct. 21 so that the staff could attend Jennifer Carter’s funeral.
VIII. General Issues
A.~~~~~~Discussion item of Pay-To-Throw system for municipal solid waste.
Selectman Smith noted there had been enough discussion on this issue for the night.
IX. Other Business
A.~~~~~~Budget workshop with Department Heads.
Chairman Savage said the Town went from 2003 to 2004 with a 20% increase in the budget and that now they were looking at 10.3% increase. A nearly 50% increase between 2002 and 2005 was not acceptable. He thought the consumer price index was less than 3.5%. If they were to maintain the status quo and increase only where it was uncontrollable as in heating, they could present something not over 4%.
Town Manager MacDonald said the budget showing a 10% increase reflects the wishes of some of the department heads. He offered to take it back to them with the understanding that the Board would give them a number they could live with. Some factors, like the school budgets and county tax, are beyond their control. Health insurance costs will increase by $55,000. The only way to lower that would be to have fewer employees or to ask them to begin paying. He asked if the 4% represents an absolute number that would also include those items which would add up to about $450,000.
Responding to Chairman Savage, Assessor Brushwein said the Town is looking at only $150,000 in new revenue. Town Manager MacDonald said sewer connection fees would be kicking in to add more revenue and he wanted to dedicate a major percentage of those fees over and above $100 for Code Enforcement to the sewers. He suspected they would amount to tens of thousands of dollars.
Selectman Smallidge recommended eliminating Other Services because too much time is spent discussing $100,000. He discussed sewer capital and debt with Public Works Director Smith.
Chairman Savage noted that Fire Chief Farley was not there to defend his budget but that it was outstandingly high. Town Manager MacDonald said Fire Chief Farley’s memo included what it would take up to clean up a pond in Otter Creek. He had put together a plan for depreciation and purchasing schedule in order to maintain a positive truck reserve.
Responding to Selectman Smith, Town Manager MacDonald said there is an item in the building and grounds budget for the firehouse doors and explained possible changes. Earlier this summer Curtis Blake suggested getting a comprehensive design rather than using band aid approaches. He recommended contacting John Rivers, the original architect. Options were discussed. Selectman Smallidge did not like the idea of paying architectural fees.
Chairman Savage said the one complaint he had heard the most was about taxes but that it was too early in the game for Selectmen to be scribbling up the budget sheets with what they think the line items should be. Selectman Coombs did not think any department head was asking for something he did not think was necessary but that Selectmen should establish a percentage if they wanted. Chairman Savage suggested going with the consumer price increase (cpi).
Public Works Director Smith asked if prices were too low in the past and if Selectmen wanted to provide services or not? He thought the cpi would cause a break even situation or a slide backwards. Selectman Coombs thought the Town should be careful about scrimping and saving when not spending money now might come back to bite it in the future.
Town Manager MacDonald proposed a 3.5% increase in those items that could be controlled. He suggested it was unfair for the Board to ask the municipality to take a bite because of the high school and the county. Selectman Smith thought that was a good point. If the taxpayers have an interest in the high school, they should go to the budget meetings. Selectman Coombs favored asking the Town Manager MacDonald to come back with no more than a 3.5% increase.
Chairman Savage noted that 44% of Fire Chief Farley’s incident report included false alarms and suggested charging for them. Selectman Coombs thought charging for false alarms might bring in some revenue and also cut down on false alarms.
Town Manager MacDonald agreed with Harbor Master Boddy that marina revenue should be treated like an enterprise fund with a portion of them dedicated them to marina reserves.
Chairman Savage noted the consensus of the Board was to begin with a 3.5% increase.
Recreation Director Hart said the Neighborhood House was requesting a 0% increase.
X. Treasurer’s Warrants
Signed as presented.
XI Executive Session
None requested
At 8:14 pm Selectman Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Smallidge. The vote was unanimous in favor
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Smith
Secretary
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