PUBLIC HEARING
TREMONT BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TREMONT COMMUNITY BUILDING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2006
6:00 PM
The Tremont Board of Selectmen have scheduled a Public Hearing to hear public comment on General Assistance Maximums and Appendixes.
The Public Hearing was opened by Chairman Scott Grierson at 6:00 pm.
Present were Chairman Scott Grierson, Selectmen Charlie Dillon, Heath Higgins, Kathi Thurston, Chris Eaton, Town Auditor Kelli Bowden, Town Manager Millard Billings, and Recording Secretary Debbi Nickerson.
Members of the public present were Lester Closson Sr., Bill Carroll, Scott Swann and Mark Good – Islander.
There was no comment.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Charlie Dillon, to close the Public Hearing. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:01 pm.
TOWN OF TREMONT
REGULAR SELECTMEN’S MEETING
TREMONT COMMUNITY BUILDING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2006
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Selectmen’s Meeting of October 16, 2006 was called to order at 6:01 pm.
2. ROLL CALL
Present were Chairman Scott Grierson, Selectmen Charlie Dillon, Heath Higgins, Kathi Thurston, Chris Eaton, Town Auditor Kelli Bowden, Town Manager Millard Billings, and Recording Secretary Debbi Nickerson.
Members of the public present were Lester Closson Sr., Bill Carroll, Scott Swann and Mark Good – Islander.
3. ADJUSTMENTS/ADOPTION OF AGENDA
None
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINORS
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to approve the minutes of September 25, 2006. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
5. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Warrant 41 4,651.59
Warrant 42 77,022.47
Warrant 43 4,651.59
Warrant 44 207,203.66
Warrant 45 4,651.59
Warrant 46 84,531.89
Warrant 47 234,223.88
Warrant 48 5,466.06
Chairman Scott Grierson asked if the County Taxes were among these Warrants. After he received a positive response, he then asked Town Manager Billings to find out what percentage of our taxes goes to law enforcement.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to approve Warrants 41 – 48. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. UPDATE NEW TOWN OFFICE
The elevator needs 3 phase electrical power for its operation. Because of the extra cost of purchasing a generator to run 3 phase power we decided to spend the extra $2,011.17 to have the elevator back up system (see attached).
Town Manager Millard Billings has been told that there is an additional shunt trip switch that need to be installed by H G Reed. This switch has nothing to do with the back up system or the generator. It is required for the elevator and should have been included in the original specifications. The total cost to the town is $4,169.33. Brad has found a less expensive model; he is waiting for the invoice but expects a savings of around $1,000.00.
The additional issue has been brought to Mr. Billings attention that the Air Handlers are also 3 phase. Mr. Billings does not feel that we would need to run the air handlers if we were only using the basement as an emergency shelter (which may never happen). The town could always put a fan in one of the downstairs windows to circulate air. CES has been contacted to see if we must have the air handlers in operation if we are using the downstairs area as an emergency shelter. CES reported that the air handlers would not be necessary in the event the lower level was being used as an emergency shelter because of the number of doors and windows in that area that could serve to circulate air.
The painting has been completed, the ceiling tiles are being installed and the floor tile installers will be here on Tuesday. The water pump has been installed in the well. The heat will probably be turned on in the building this week.
The base layer of pavement has been installed by Dugas Construction. Goodwin has set the parking lot light bases and loamed the lawn area.
The elevator came Friday, but because they were paving the lower parking lot the elevator could not be moved into the building. It was stored in garage until today and began installation.
Chairman Scott Grierson asked if the overages were within expected limits. Town Manager Billings assured him they were. Selectman Charlie Dillon asked about a sign on the building. Mr. Billings said it was part of the contract. Selectman Dillon asked if the town would be reimbursed for the $800.00 3 phase breaker put into the bid specs that can not be used. His opinion is that if the town can not return or sell the breaker we should require CES to pay for it. The other Selectmen agreed.
B. AUDITORS RECOMMENDATION CARRY FORWARD
Town Auditor Kelli Bowden was available to answer questions the Selectmen had on the carry forwards the Auditors had suggested (see attached).
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to carry forward Law Enforcement’s left-overs ($45,045.00). Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to carry $14,088.00 forward for Public Works. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to roll over $40,563.00 for Administration. Motion was amended by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to carry over $48,363.00 to Administration. Motion to amend the motion passed by a show of hands 5-0. Amended motion passed by a show of hands 4-1. Chairman Scott Grierson, Selectmen Charlie Dillon, Heath Higgins, and Chris Eaton vote for; Selectman Kathi Thurston voted against.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, leave the Agenda to go to 10. Other. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
C. AGENDA ITEM 10. OTHER
Lester Closson Sr. asked why he was not chosen for the Public Works Position. The Selectmen and Town Manager Millard Billings told Mr. Closson to write a complaint and submit it for the next Selectmen’s Meeting.
Town Manager Millard Billings explained the Harbor Committee, at their last meeting, requested that Public Works retrieve the Gott’s Island Floats for repairs. Scott Swann submitted a request to the Selectmen asking the Selectmen to sell those floats to the Gott’s Island community (see attached). The Selectmen asked this to be given to the Harbor Committee for consideration.
Bill Carroll brought to the Selectmen’s attention his mooring was taken away by the Harbor Master. The Selectmen asked to have a joint meeting with the Harbor Committee on November 6th about the mooring policy.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, go back to 6. C. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
D. AGENDA ITEM C. ADOPT GENERAL ASSISTANCE MAXIMUMS & APPENDIXES
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to accept Maine Municipal’s appendixes to the General Assistance A through C (see attached). Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
E. AGENDA ITEM D. AWARD BIDS SALT SHED
Associated Builders responded with a bid for $15,000.00. No one else submitted a bid (see attached).
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to reject all bids for the Salt/Sand Shed. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
Motion made by Selectman Kathi Thurston, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to table item 6. D. [discussion of Salt Shed]. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
F. AMENDMENT OT TRAFFIC CONTROL AND PARKING
Chairman Scott Grierson suggested making “F. The Selectmen may from . . .” to a separate section. Town Manager Billings suggested removing the Town Meeting part of F. He also suggested making “SECTION VIII. Amendments.
G. AGENDA ITEM F. AMEND BID POLICY
Town Manager Millard Billing recommended changing the bid policy to: Any expense less than $3,000.00 may be approved by the Town Manager, any expense between $3,000.00 and $10,000.00 may be approved by the Select Board and any expense over $10,000.00 shall be put out to bid.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to accept the amended Bid Policy dated 10/16/06. Motion passed 5-0.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to go back to 6. D. [Salt Shed]. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to authorize Millard to spend up to $5,000.00 on a Salt/Sand Shed. Motion passed by a show of hands 4-0-1. Selectman Heath Higgins abstained; his brother is the local dealer of the temporary structures.
H. AGENDA ITEM G. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
1. Tremont Town clerk McKenzie Clough has been awarded the Rookie Clerk of the year award by Maine Town and City Clerks Association. A Rookie Clerk is considered to have served as a clerk for five years or less.
2. Employee search has ended. Six applications have gone out and five have been returned. October 1 was the date that the search ended. Town Manager Billings has hired Austin Seavey Jr. for the position of Public Works. His duties will be custodian, laborer, light mechanic, truck driver and equipment operator. Mr. Billings feels this candidate best suites the current needs of the Town. His first day of work will be November 6, 2006.
3. Letters asking for support of the Bass Harbor Dredge Project have been sent to our Congressional Delegation (see attached) at their Maine and e-mail addresses.
4. A copy of an e-mail from Mark Habel of the Army Corps of Engineers in reference to funding for the Bass Harbor Dredge Project has been received (see attached).
5. Erich Kluck of DEP Sand and Salt Program visited the Municipal Garage site on September 26, 2006. He found several things that he wanted changed. The three floor drains in the Municipal Garage all drained to a daylight opening. Mr. Kluck orders the corrective action of installing a holding tank and grease/oil separator. This was completed on October 11, 2006. The Salt/Sand pile had to be covered either with tarps or with a tar sand mixture. This was completed on September 28, 2006, Mr. Billings purchased a tar/sand mixture from Lane’s that cost $2,398.88 delivered. Mr. Billings had Bruiser send an excavator to spread the mixture over the pile. Mr. Kluck required a paved pad under the Salt/Sand
Pile. He gave the town an application for a variance for the pad under the pile. Mr. Billings has filled this application out and filed it with the DEP. Mr. Kluck also required that the floor of the Salt Shed, the loading/unloading area in front of the Shed, the loading ramp and the parking area under the loading ramp all be paved. This has been completed with 2 inches of bituminous base. Dugas will install a one inch finish when they do the Office Parking Lot. Pictures of the completed projects have been e-mailed to Erich Kluck at DEP.
6. Snow plowing Schedule and Operation and Maintenance plan (see attached).
7. Acadia Disposal District copy of CES Options Report (see attached).
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to leave the agenda and go to 8. Quarterly Reports. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0.
7. AGENDA ITEM 8. QUARTERLY REPORTS
Selectman Kathi Thurston suggested not giving the Selectmen the Real Estate non-zero report. The other Selectmen agreed.
8. AGENDA ITEM 9. SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS FOR NEXT MEETING
None
9. AGENDA ITEM 11. SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING
November 6, 2006 and November 20, 2006
Town Manager Millard Billings gave the Selectmen copies of Tremont’s Emergency Response Policy (see attached).
10. AGENDA ITEM 7. OLD BUSINESS
A. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, go into executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C) to discuss the acquisition or disposition of real property or interest therein because premature disclosure of the information would prejudice the bargaining position of the Selectpersons. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0. The Board of Selectmen went into executive session at 8:05 pm.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to leave the executive session and return back to the regular agenda. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0. The Selectmen came out of executive session at 8:45 pm.
The Selectmen asked the negotiation team keep negotiating.
11. ADJOURN
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to adjourn. Motion passed by a show of hands 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbi Nickerson
Recording Secretary
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Scott Grierson Charlie Dillon
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Heath Higgins Katharine Thurston
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Chris Eaton
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