TOWN OF TREMONT
REGULAR SELECTMEN’S MEETING
TREMONT TOWN OFFICE
MEETING ROOM
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2007
6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Charlie Dillon called the Regular Selectmen’s Meeting of March 19, 2007 to order at 6:05 pm.
2. ROLL CALL
Present were Vice Chairman Charlie Dillon, Selectmen Heath Higgins, Kathi Thurston, and Chris Eaton, Town Manager Millard Billings, and Recording Secretary Debbi Nickerson.
Members of the public present were Mark Good – Islander, Laurie Schreiber – Bar Harbor Times, David Trust, and Carey Donovan.
3. ADJUSTMENTS/ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Town Manager Millard Billings suggested moving 9. A. Acquisition of Property to 6. New Business. The Selectmen agreed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2007
Motion by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to accept the minutes of February 26, 2007. Motion passed 3 – 0 – 1. Vice Chairman Charlie Dillon abstained; he was not present at the meeting.
B. MINUTES OF MARCH 5, 2007
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to accept the March 5th minutes. Motion passed 4 – 0.
5. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Warrant 107 $5,484.04
Warrant 108 5,249.90
Warrant 109 342.00
Warrant 110 34,836.99
Warrant 111 1,424.21
Warrant 112 78.21
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to approve Warrants 107 – 112. Motion passed 4 – 0.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. AGENDA ITEM 9. A. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY
Motion by Selectman Kathi Thurston, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to go into executive session pursuant to Title 1 Maine Revised Statutes Annotated Section 405 Subsection 6 Paragraph 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 4 – 0. The Selectmen went into executive session at 6:11 pm.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to come out of executive secession at 6:30 pm. Motion passed 4 – 0. The Selectmen came out of executive secession at 6:30 pm.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second Selectman Kathi Thurston, to return back to the original agenda 6. A. Motion passed 4 – 0.
B. AGENDA ITEM 6. A. UPDATE NEW TOWN OFFICE
The expansion joint has been installed in front of the elevator. Town Manager Millard Billings invited the Selectmen to a presentation for a LED sign on Tuesday, March 20, 2007.
Selectman Heath Higgins asked about the handrail for the front steps. Mr. Billings will check to see where it is.
Selectman Kathi Thurston asked about Handicap sign. Mr. Billings will order a sign.
C. AGENDA ITEM 6. B. REVIEW SALT/SAND BUILDING PLANS
The Selectmen agreed to put an article for $180,000 for a new salt/sand shed on the Town Meeting Warrant.
D. AGENDA ITEM 6. C. DOG WARRANT
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Charlie Dillon, to hand the Animal Control Officer the Warrant for Prosecuting Unlicensed Dogs. Motion passed 4 – 0. The Selectmen signed the original Warrant (copy attached).
E. AGENDA ITEM 6. D. EXCUSE ABSENCE OF BOARD MEMBER
Chairman Scott Grierson will be gone from March 19 to April 5, 2007 and would like the board to excuse him (see attached letter).
Motion made by Selectman Chris Eaton, with second by Selectman Charlie Dillon, under the circumstanced to excuse his [Scott Grierson’s] absence. Motion passed 4 – 0.
F. AGENDA ITEM 6. E. FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR USE OF LAND
Wayne Patton, Assistant Fire Chief, submitted a letter to the Selectmen (see attached).
Motion made by Selectman Charlie Dillon, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to allow the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department to use the vacant [Town owned] lot behind the dump site for training. Motion passed 4 – 0.
G. AGENDA ITEM 6. F. RESURFACING ROADS
The finish layer of paving has not been applied on the Leighton Rd., Kelleytown Rd. and both ends of the Cape Rd. Due to the storm damage this past weekend the bid spec needs to be revised. The Selectmen asked Town Manager Millard Billings to update the specs and send them out.
H. AGENDA ITEM 6. G. APPOINTMENTS
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint William Helprin to the Landscaping Committee. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Susie Higgins to the Warrant Committee for a 3 year term. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Charlie Dillon, to appoint David Campbell to the Warrant Committee for a 3 year term. Motion passed 4 – 0.
7. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
A. The DEP approved the application to preserve Sawyer’s Island in order to compensate for the Bass Harbor Dredge Improvements as amended to be recorded prior to starting the proposed project (see attached).
B. The Selectmen received invitations to the MDI & Ellsworth Housing Authorities Annual Commissioner’s Dinner on April 25, 2007.
C. Invitation to attend MMA “Front Porch” Regional Meeting at the Bucksport Community Center Wednesday April 4, 2007 (see attached).
D. There were washouts on Kelleytown Rd. from Davis Dr. to Town Landing Rd. which undermined the pavement. Also on the Cape Rd. from Singh driveway along the left side to the first culvert and along the hill by Mark Picurro’s and Garry Blanchette’s. There is a washout by Carol Butler’s and before the Carter Rd. The Turner Rd. has 5 or 6 major washouts. Kelleytown Rd. is being worked on first, then the south end of Cape Rd. Once the paved sections are stabilized the rest of the washouts will be prioritized and repaired. Selectmen Kathi Thurston wanted to commend Public Works employee Jimmy Schaefer for the work he has done on the roads in all types of
weather. Town Manager Billings told the Selectmen Jimmy has been clearing the frozen culverts with a borrowed steamer and if he had not done that the town would have had more road washouts. Some of the work may need to be contracted out to get them completed before spring’s heavy rains. Town Manager Millard Billings suggested the town get a heated pressure steamer. The Town of Southwest Harbor has been very good about letting us use theirs, but when we really need it they are using it.
E. Mr. Billings gave the Selectmen a list of people the Town Report could be dedicated to (see attached). The Selectmen chose Stan Reed and June Thompson.
8. ANNUAL BUDGET
A. BOARDS & COMMITTEES REQUESTS
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to [recommend passage] of $1,200.00 for Acadia Disposal [District HHW & UW]. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to recommend passage of 1. Town Wharf, 2. Fire Truck, 3. Municipal Garage, 4. Bond payment. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Charlie Dillon, to recommend passage of $10,000.00 for the Community Building. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to recommend passage of $5,000.00 to reserves for town truck. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to recommend passage of $5,000.00 [to the reserves] for town equipment. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to recommend passage of $75,000.00 to the reserves for the State Road reconstruction project. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to recommend passage of $150,000.00 for Summer Roads. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend passage of $2,000.00 for Equipment Maintenance and Repair. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend passage of $12,000.00 for Street Lights. Motion passed 4 – 0.
The Selectmen agreed to moving the Cemetery Budget from Public Works to Boards and Committees.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend passage of $10,000.00 for Town Garage Maintenance and Repair. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend passage of $6,000.00 for General Assistance. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to recommend passage of Contingency for $12,500.00. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to recommend $80,000.00 for passage for Law Enforcement. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend $500.00 for passage for the Seal Cove Fishway. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend passage of Solid Waste for $155.700.00. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend passage of $20,000.00 for Insurances. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to recommend passage of $60,900.00 for Office Operations. Motion passed 4 – 0.
Selectman Kathi Thurston asked to have a spread sheet next time with the whole budget on it. She wants to know what the entire budget looks like.
9. AGENDA ITEM 10. SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS FOR NEXT MEETING
Finalize the Municipal Budget, Spread Sheet, as much of the Warrant Article as possible.
10. AGENDA ITEM 12. SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING
April 2, 2007
11. AGENDA ITEM 9. A. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to go into executive session pursuant to Title 1 Maine Revised Statutes Annotated Section 405 Subsection 6 Paragraph 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 4 – 0. The Selectmen went into executive session at 8:30 pm.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, at 9:03 pm to leave the executive session and return to the regular business meeting. Motion passed 4 – 0. The Selectmen came out of executive session at 9:03 pm.
The Selectmen have decided to have the Negotiating Committee negotiate with the Animal Shelter. They have also decided to decline the other property presented to them tonight.
12. AGENDA ITEM 11. OTHER
The flag pole in front of the Community Building will stay until the new memorial is complete and someone needs to be appointed to take care of the flag. The school has added money in their budget to maintain the lawns and walkways of the Community Building.
13. AGENDA ITEM 13. ADJOURN
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to adjourn. Motion passed 4 – 0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 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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