Sewer Cost Study Committee
May 28, 2003
Committee Members Present: Robert Smallidge, Jr., Kathy Branch, Brian Pollard, Charles Pugh, Jim Bright, George Peckham, Anne Funderburk, Bob Cawley, Jim Robinson and Ted Bromage
Public and Others Present: Michael MacDonald
Committee Member Excused Edith Dunham
Call to order 6:50pm
Correction to May 14, 2003 minutes; Breakdown attendance by committee members and public. Jim Bright as present. Jim Bright nominated Jim Robinson as Vice chairman. Kay Graves motion for all meetings to be open to the public and any public comments be submitted in writing to one or more of the committee members. A quorum will be 7 committee members and a simple majority is the majority of the members present of the quorum. Anne motion 2/3-majority or quorum of 7 people will be required on any final resolutions and a simple majority for other issues.
Anne motion to adopt minutes as corrected, seconded by Brian, passed.
Anne Funderburk with proposed “Mission Statement” for the committee; It is the mission of this committee to develop for the Town of Mount Desert a sewer funding plan, or plans, acceptable for the residents and acceptable to the Board of Selectmen and the public, and legal, or capable of being made legal.
George motion to adopt mission statement, seconded by Anne, passed.
Absence from meetings: If a committee member habitually misses meetings without notice, the committee may recommend that the chair or vice chair contact that member, who may then be referred to the Board of Selectmen for consideration of replacement.
Brian motion to adopt, seconded by Bob Cawley, passed.
Agenda items for future meetings: 1. Establish subcommittees, synopsis of history of sewer systems, methods of funding, lists of proposals and recommendations, committee member plans and financial data.
Jim Bright believes water/sewer meters as a fair solution.
George with reasons why funding has failed and is strong it should be based on property valuation.
Charles Pugh plan similar to Bar Harbor to address seasonal users, include capitol and debt or rebate to residents not on sewer in an amount equal to their sewer contribution in their taxes.
Anne Address Jordan Pond house which presently has water meters which can be utilized to measure the affluent. Possible to have water invoices doubled and not affect taxes.
Jim Robinson metered is the most sensible and perhaps a graduated billing system for low and peak usage..
Bob Cawley meters is the most accurate measure, ways to address seasonal use, rates are $100 per 100 cubic feet. Including operations and maintenance now, not debt service or capital at this time. Two rates, 1 for operational and another for capital. What is rate now?
Brian not clear on a better plan. Rebate or metering. How to determine sewage systems. Three residences with same number of people, equal water use, two on sewer and one off. House #1 with a the lady living by herself and away for part of the winter. House #2 runs water year round to keep it from freezing. House #3 in Pretty Marsh with a septic system. All 3 now contribute the same to fund the sewer system. Costs of septic systems? Pipe extensions are done to meet dilution of poisons not to achieve clean waters.
Ted fairness issue-meters may be the fairest. Rebate another option. We all need to grow and share our ideas and research them together.
Kathy meters or fixture count may be the fairest, costly but the fairest. Indicated based on present taxes what each of the committee members contribute to the sewer systems.
Bob Smallidge gathering data and sharing ideas, cost analysis. Any legal opinions need to be done fairly soon. Property shifts on sewer and water. Work on one plan at a time but at the end have more then one plan to present to the Board of Selectmen.
Jim Robinson with comments about positive press to reiterate Ann’s prior comments. Mike MacDonald recommended the possibility of a press release and sending it to three
newspapers. Bob Cawley recommends sending the Public Hearing notice to the press to encourage public attendance with their suggestions and proposals.
Next Meeting June 11, 2003 6:45pm Meeting Hall Northeast Harbor
Jim Bright motion to adjourn, seconded by Jim Robinson. Adjourned 9:20pm
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Branch,
Recording Secretary
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