Poland Board of Selectmen
Minutes of Meeting
February 6, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Sandra Knowles called the meeting to order at 7:00PM with Selectmen Reginald Jordan, Lionel C. Ferland, Jr., Wendy Sanborn and Erland Torrey present.
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Also present were Town Manager, Richard Chick, Assistant Town Manager Rosemary Roy, Willie Rice, John Cleveland, Chuck Finger, Nancy Fraser, Paul Harrison, Art Dunlap, Rebecca Moran, Joe Cimino, Glenn Peterson, George Twine, Scott Segal, Joan Houston, Richard Fraser, Joe Parent and Jim Porter.
Downtown Village TIF District
The Board of Selectmen received for their review, the Credit Enhancement Agreement between the town and KP Realty on the first development within the Downtown Village TIF District. John Cleveland, economic development consultant for the town, gave a presentation on the benefits of a TIF district and the particulars of the agreement before the selectmen. The developer will incur the debt for the construction of the center lane on Route 26 and there will be no long-term debt for the town. The town will benefit from the improvements to the area at no cost. The town and the developer initially, will spilt the new valuation, 65% to the developer and 35% to the town, and over the length of the agreement the percentages will change with the entire revenues going to the town.
There are two buildings currently in construction and a third still to go up. The agreement calls for preferred tenants to allow the town to have input on the type of services provided at this location. The agreement is specific to this property location only. The revenue split does not effect any other future property developments with in this TIF district.
Residents attending the meeting questioned why this was not going before the townspeople. It was their understanding at last year’s town meeting, when approving this new TIF district, that no activity would take place in the district without going before the townspeople. Chuck Finger explained that the town is incurring no costs for the improvements to the property that the developer is taking on the loan and expense of the development. Selectman Ferland stated that it is to the town’s advantage to have TIF districts as it shelters significant areas of the town valuation, which in turn aids in the amount of state school funds received and to the amount of county taxes the town will have to pay.
Nancy Fraser asked what impact the new businesses will have on public safety and public utilities. All though a figure is unknown at this time there will be an impact. Through further public discussion it was noted that a public hearing had been held on this new development and that KP Realty, as required, has been before the Planning Board for regarding this development. Residents in attendance, felt very strongly that this credit enhancement agreement should go before the townspeople for approval.
The consensus of the Board was to review the agreement and vote on the agreement at their next meeting.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Selectman Sanborn moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 2, 2007. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Sanborn moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 16, 2007. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Reports and Communications
Assistant Town Manager’s Report - Selectman Ferland moved to approve the Assistant Town Manager’s biweekly report. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: Selectman Sanborn asked that the Board of Selectman, being with the FYE 2006 report, that they submit a report for the book. Members agreed and Chairman Knowles stated that she would put something together for the other members to review. Rosemary stated that she would need it within the next couple of weeks.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Town Manager’s Report - Selectman Ferland moved to approve the Town Manager’s biweekly report. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: Selectman Ferland would like to see the newly received fuel oil price of 1.999 a gallon reflected in the FYE 2008 budget reports.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Finance Director’s Report
Selectman Ferland moved to accept the Finance Director’s biweekly report. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Payables/Monthly Warrants
Selectman Ferland moved to approve the bills payable from January 16, 2007 through February 6, 2007 in the amount of $707,255.86. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Jordan moved to approve the Town Treasurer’s Warrant for January 2007 in the amount of $1,308,377.30. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Sanborn moved to approve the A. B. Ricker Memorial Library Treasurer’s Warrant for January 2007 in the amount of $8,695.34. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Communications
The following materials were included in the meeting packets:
· General Assistance Report
· LPIA Report
· Town Hall Handicap Ramp - DCS Construction Corp. – Summons
· LD 79 – Repeal of Excise Tax on New Vehicles
· Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting minutes of 01/11/07
· Economic Development Committee minutes of 01/04/07
· MMWAC December 2006 Report
· School Committee meeting minutes of 1/09/07
· Knightly News Letter – January 2007
· Scholarship Fund Committee minutes of 12/12/06
Selectman Sanborn inquired as to Bill Willett’s participation with the Comprehensive Planning Committee. Sandra Knowles explained the amount of assistance he has given the committee and suggested that he be appointed as a member. Selectman Sanborn moved to appoint Bill Willett to the Comprehensive Planning Committee. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: It was recognized that Chairman Knowles is the Selectmen’s liaison for the Comprehensive Planning Committee.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
OLD BUSINESS
Citizen Agenda Request – Susan Reny; tabled from 1/16/07 – No show.
Beach Use Ordinance –Scott Segal presented to the Board his recommendations for amending the current Beach Use Ordinance as well as, proposed budget costs for beach operations. Selectman Sanborn felt that a maximum number should be specified in section four’s group activities for lower Range Pond. The Board agreed to address the financial costs at an upcoming budget workshop.
Comprehensive Planning Committee – The Board received correspondence from Chairman, Buffy Morrissette regarding a request for the Selectmen to hold a public hearing for statistical amendments to the current comprehensive plan so that they may be presented at town meeting.
The Board collectively agreed to hold a Public Hearing on Monday, February 26, 2007 for both the amendments to the Beach Use Ordinance, and the Town Comprehensive Plan.
Vacant Staff Positions – The Board requested (meeting of 1/2/07) to review the staff vacancies in Public Works and the CEO department. Art Dunlap stated that things are beginning to pick up and that Poland currently has more activities compared to other towns. His administrative assistant has been able to provide additional help but he could not predict what would take place, as spring gets closer. Selectman Knowles moved to reinstate the part-time CEO position to the department. Selectman Jordan seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 2-yes 3-no (Selectman Ferland, Torrey and Sanborn voted in the negative.)
Selectman Knowles moved to reinstate the full time position in the Public Works department. Selectman Torrey seconded the motion. Discussion: Selectman Jordan stated that in years past the department was capable of performing operations with the current crew size. They accomplish whatever they can in the time allowed. Selectman Ferland stressed again the need to generate a responsible budget for the FYE 2008, and if we can get through without filling the position we should try.
Vote: 0-yes 5-no
New Business
Board of Appeals Application – Tabled.
Road Construction – Surface Approval
Resident Joe Parent received plan approval from the Planning Board and is requesting a gravel surface to his road, which will remain a private way. Selectman Jordan moved to grant approval of a gravel road surface. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Planning Board – Payment authorization request
Selectman Jordan moved to authorize payment to Bob Faunce in the amount of $2,181.85 for professional services conducted from December 3, 2007 through January 13, 2007. Selectman Ferland seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Selectman Torrey moved to authorize payment for services to AVCOG in the amount of $1,440.00. Selectman Ferland seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Code Enforcement Office - Permit refund request
Selectman Torrey moved to authorize the refund of $25.00 to Gordan Fairfield for building permit # 2006-428, which he unfortunately did not need. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: 5-yes 0-no
Recognition of Visitors
Resident Joe Cimino expressed his concerns over the previously discussed credit enhancement agreement in view of the fact that the town does not know yet what effect the new personnel property law will have in 2008.
Any Other Business
Plains/Ricker Roads - Mr. Chick stated that the Plains Road project would be to bid soon. If the cost figure comes in lower than the original budgeted amount, and combining what is left from the waterline, will determine whether or not the Ricker Road will need to be bonded.
PSB TIF – The second quarterly meeting of the Poland Spring Bottling TIF accounts is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 8:30am.
Adjourn
Selectman Jordan moved to adjourn at 9:05pm. Selectman Sanborn seconded the motion. Discussion: None.
Vote: -yes -no
Recorded by: Rosemary E. Roy
Board of Selectmen
________________________________ ________________________________
Sandra T. Knowles, Chairman Erland M. Torrey, Vice Chairman
________________________________ ________________________________
Reginald D. Jordan Wendy S. Sanborn
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Lionel C. Ferland, Jr.
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