WCSC MEETING 030919 Minutes - revised Page 1 of 2
Wastewater Cost Study Committee
Minutes of Special Meeting
Friday, September 19, 2003
Members present Robert Smallidge, Kathy Branch, Charlie Pugh, Brian Pollard, Bob Cawley, Anne Funderburk, George Peckham, Jim Robinson and Edith Dunham
Public present Attorney Erik Stumpfel, Erma Smallidge, Mike MacDonald, Marion Peckham
Excused: Ted Bromage and Jim Bright
Reference: (1) Memorandum from Wastewater Cost Study Committee to Erik Stumpfel, Eaton Peabody, 10 September, 2003. (2) Memorandum, with attachments, from Erik Stumpfel, Eaton Peabody, to Town of Mount Desert Wastewater Cost Study Committee dated 18 September 2003.
Called to order 3:02 pm
Erik Stumpfel presentation; The committee needs to develop a funding plan; he will not suggest or devise a plan for our considerations. He is only for review of legality of proposed plans. Exemption or abatement plans need legislative permission. He recommends that we refer to this as a “Program” for municipal service. Program has eligibility requirements, income based, status of residency-year round or seasonal, who can participate in the proposed municipal program. It is permissible to have eligibility requirements that classify services available to everyone and are eliminated by an application process, similar to General Assistance programs. If a program is titled Resident Homeowner Wastewater Voucher could be better received than a program titled Tax Abatement. Require proof of working septic system
before a refund could be permitted as one of the requirements of a program. Requirement qualifications would need to be established in order avoid the public viewing this as being discriminatory.
Brian inquired if a reimbursement for both the sewer and water district could be made legal. Erik advises providing a property reimbursement program with guidelines that is available to all property owners and the program requirements would determine eligibility. Fairness issue should not be our main focus of any proposed program or plan. Anne advises that some of the county tax based services are perceived as not being available to everyone even though we may have some of these services provided by the town, such as the police department. Anne feels that this is part of being a county resident and taxpayer. Reimbursement for residents would probably be tax exempt and is reportable income for businesses. Brian inquired if the reimbursement could include the capital expenses and Erik advises this could be
problematic.
Discussion about rescheduling September 24, 2003 meeting. Brian suggests that the meeting continue as scheduled and if a quorum is not present, the members present can hold a discussion and not a meeting. Brian motion to leave meeting day on the 24th, seconded by George. Passed, unan.
Charlie advises he will be away around October 21st and will not be back until November 10. Brian away October 16 until November 18. Kathy away October 24 until November 10.
Brian motion to adjourn, seconded by Kathy. Passed unan. Adjourned 4:48pm.
Next meeting September 24, 2003 6:45pm at the Meeting Hall Northeast Harbor.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Branch,
Recording Secretary
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