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Board of Selectmen Minutes 05/21/2007
TOWN OF TREMONT
REGULAR SELECTMAN MEETING
TREMONT TOWN OFFICE
MEETING ROOM
MONDAY, MAY 21, 2007
6:00 PM

1.      CALL TO ORDER
        The May 21, 2007 Regular Selectman Meeting was called to order by Chairman Scott Grierson at 6:00 pm.

2.      ROLL CALL
        Present were Chairman Scott Grierson, Selectmen Heath Higgins, Kathi Thurston, Chris Eaton, and Lester Closson, Town Manager Millard Billings, and Recording Secretary Debbi Nickerson.
        Members of the public present were Heidi Farley – Rec Board, Mark Good – Islander, and Carol Williams – Bar Harbor Times.

3.      ADJUSTMENTS/ADOPTION OF AGENDA
        Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to put 6. B. between 4 and 5 so we [the Selectmen] can discuss the Rec Board before we [the Selectmen]         do the warrants.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

4.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES
        A. May 7, 2007
        Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing of May 7th.  Motion passed 4 – 0 – 1.  Selectman Lester       Closson         abstained; he was not yet a board member.

Selectman Kathi Thurston asked to have the motion for Warrant 130 corrected to read Warrant 130 in the entire motion.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to approve the minutes of May 7, 2007.  Motion passed 4 – 0 – 1.  Selectman Lester Closson abstained; he was not yet a board member.

5.      AGENDA ITEM 6. B. REQUEST OF REC BOARD FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
        Rec Board Member Heidi Farley asked the Selectmen for $150.00 for summer scholarships.
        Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to allow the Rec Board to spend $150.00 of their money towards three more local scholarships.  Motion          passed  5 – 0.

6.      AGENDA ITEM 5. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Warrant 133     5,328.40
Warrant 134     3,734.32
Warrant 135     5,249.90
Warrant 136     21,917.27
Warrant 137     200.00          Rec Board Scholarships
Warrant 138     100.66

Chairman Scott Grierson asked why Warrant 137 was for $200.00 instead of $150.00.  Town Manager Millard Billings explained that $50.00 of the $300.00 that the Selectmen approved at the May 7, 2007 meeting needed to be voided and reissued.
Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to approve Warrant 133 – 138.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

7.      AGENDA ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS
        A.      ADOPT BOARD POLICIES
        Town Manager Millard Billings asked the Selectmen to review and adopt policies for the Selectmen and Warrants (see attached).
        Motion made by Selectman Chris Eaton, with second by Selectman Heath Higgins, to accept the General Policies of the Board of Selectman as written.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
        Motion by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to adopt the policy on Treasurer’s Disbursement Warrants for Employee wages and benefits.  Motion           passsed 5 – 0.  The Selectmen agreed to include State of Maine checks in the “Employee” category.
        Motion by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to adopt the Order of Municipal Officers.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

        B.      AGENDA ITEM 6. C. UPDATE NEW TOWN OFFICE
        1.      Flag pole has been set and Maine State and POW flags have been ordered.  Brad Reed has brought in documentation on how to properly light a flag and he has promised to have             that done by Memorial Day.

        2.      Sign Service has draft of event sign. We are waiting for their shop drawing.

        3.      The Generator is on order.

        4.      Landscaping – Saturday was a volunteer day for people to pitch in and help with the landscaping.  Scott Grierson picked up quite a few plants and a team planted them.   Scott                  Grierson outlined what he thinks is still needed.  He invited the Selectman to come up with what they would like to see by the entrance to the parking lot.

        C.      AGENDA ITEM 6. D. AWARD BIDS FOR SALT/SAND BUILDING DESIGN
        Bids closed on March 5th at 4:00 pm.  At 4:01 pm the bids were opened and were publicly read aloud.  Awarding of this bid was tabled until after Town Meeting to see if the Selectmen           would be granted authority to borrow the funds.  CES, Inc submitted a bid for $7,700.00 and Carpenter Associates for $15,000.00 (see attached).
        Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to award the bid to CES, Inc. for the Salt/Sand building design $7,700.00.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

        D.      AGENDA ITEM 6. E. END OF YEAR DISCUSSION OF SNOWPLOWING
                The Selectman agreed that the Town’s first year of snowplowing was a success.
        The Town is only $8,840.74 over budget even after gearing up to plow (see attached).

        E.      AGENDA ITEM 6. F. DISCUSSION OF CEMETERY MOWING BIDS OR PUBLIC WORKS
                Town Manager Millard Billings has placed two ads.  One for Cemetery Mowing bids, the other for a third Public Works Employee that would be seasonal.  The Town will still need a plow   truck driver next winter.  
                At the next meeting the bids will be looked at, or a new employee discussed.

Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to move G. [Approval of bid packets for Seal Cove Ramp] to 7. B. [Town Manager’s Report].  Motion passed 5 – 0.

        F.      AGENDA ITEM 6. H. APPROVAL OF BID PACKETS FOR ROAD WORK
                The spring storms on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2007 and Patriots Day, April 16, 2007 damaged the Cape Rd. and the Turner Rd.  They both need shoulder and surface work and the               Cape Rd. needs ditching (see attached).  The Selectmen approved waiting until FY 2008 to have the work done.  Town Manager Millard Billings has been in contact with FEMA and           begun the application process.  He estimates the town will be reimbursed in FY 2009.  Depending on the bids, Town Manager Millard Billings hopes to fix the Flat Iron Rd.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to approve the bid packets for the road work on the Cape Rd. and the Turner Rd.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

        G.      AGENDA ITEM 6. I. APPROVAL OF BID PACKETS FOR PORT-A-POTTIES
                Town Manger Millard Billings has been working on a bid packet for Port-A-Potties.  He has not completed the specs yet, but asked the Selectmen to approve the packet (see attached).
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to give [Town Manager] Millard [Billings] authorization to send out his not finished bid packets for   port-a-potties after he completes them.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

        H.      AGENDA ITEM 6. J. APPOINTMENTS
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Millard Billings to Town Manager, Tax Collector, Treasurer, Road Commissioner, General      Assistance Administrator, Code Enforcement Officer, and Local Plumbing Inspector.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to appoint McKenzie Clough to Town Clerk, Deputy Tax Collector, Deputy Treasurer, and Deputy              General Assistance Administrator.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Heidi Farley as the Deputy Town Clerk.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to appoint Gary Geaghan as Tax Assessor.  Chairman Scott Grierson asked to have Mr. Geaghan               invited to the next Selectmen’s meeting.  Motion failed 1 – 3 – 1.  Selectman Kathi Thurston abstained; she works for Gary Geaghan in another town.  Mr. Geaghan is to be invited to the        next Selectmen’s meeting.
                Motion made by Selectman Chris Eaton, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Keith Higgins as Emergency Management Director.  Motion passed 4 – 0 – 1.  Selectman  Heath Higgins abstained; Keith Higgins is his brother.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Teri Lanpher as the Health Officer.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Stewart Murphy as the Harbor Master.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Chad Smith as Town Attorney.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Elliott Spiker to Acadia Disposal District.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Janet Patton to Registrar of Voters for a 2 year term.  Motion passed 5 – 0.  The           Selectmen asked to have Janet Patton invited to the next meeting to discuss her pay increase.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Richard Nickerson to the Planning Board [for a 5 year term].  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Mark Mosenteen to the Board of Appeals for a 5 year term.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint David Schlaefer for 1 year to the Harbor Committee.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to appoint Diane Miller for 2 years to the Harbor Committee.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Chairman Scott Grierson, to appoint Mike Ryan for 1 year to the Harbor Committee.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to appoint Mel Atherton for 2 years to the Harbor Committee.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to appoint Jon Crossman for 1 year to the Harbor Committee.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to appoint Spencer Ervin for 2 years to the Harbor Committee.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to appoint Art Paine for 1 year to the Harbor Committee.  Motion passed 5 – 0.
                Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Chairman Scott Grierson, to appoint Diane Miller to the Seal Cove Ramp Committee for a 3 year term.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

        I.      AGENDA ITEM 6. K. RESIGNATIONS
                Three members of the Landscaping Committee have submitted their resignations.
                Motion made by Selectman Kathi Thurston, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, to table all three of these resignations, there is obviously something wrong – not working, and I’d like         to request the Committee Members come in and speak with the Board of Selectmen as a whole and maybe we can help solve the problem.  Motion passed 5 – 0.

        K.      AGENDA ITEM 6. L REQUEST FOR 1ST TIME SEPTIC SYSTEM VARIANCE
                Hugh Durgin has submitted a request for a first time subsurface wastewater system variance for John Knote and designed by Bill LaBelle.  A Municipal Officer(s) needs to sign the               application and check if the variance request does or does not comply with all relating Municipal Ordinances (see attached).  Town Manager Millard Billings also needs to sign the              application as the Local Plumbing Inspector, so he is requesting a Selectman to sign the application.  The application will be forwarded to the State for final approval.
                Motion made by Selectman Kathi Thurston, with second by Selectman Chris Eaton, that the proposed variance request for John Knote does comply with all Municipal Ordinances              relating to subsurface wastewater disposal and that we authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the variance request.  Motion passed 4 – 0 – 1.  Selectman Heath Higgins        abstained; his mother is the Real Estate Agent for John Knote.

8.      AGENDA ITEM 7. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
        A.      Lane Construction has completed the paving project on Kelleytown Rd., Leighton Rd. and both ends of the Cape Rd.
        B.      Town Manager Millard Billings has rewritten the letter that was drafted for the last meeting and requested the Selectmen to approve (see attached).

9.      AGENDA ITEM 6. G. MOVED TO 7. B. APPROVAL OF BID PACKETS FOR SEAL COVE RAMP
        Town Manager Millard Billings has nearly completed the packets for the Seal Cove Ramp Project (see attached).  CES is to supply the specs.  The Town is waiting for the 14 day Permit-by-rule   and Greg Johnston, with CES Inc., is to contact the Army Corp of Engineers to be sure the town does not need anything from them.
        Motion made by Selectman Heath Higgins, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to authorize Millard [Billings] to send out the bid packets once he gets the final information from CES.               Motion passed 5 – 0.

10.     AGENDA ITEM 8. A. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY
        Town Manager Millard Billings included a MLS from a Real Estate Agent in the Selectmen’s packets (see attached).

11.     SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS FOR NEXT MEETING
        Invite Janet Patton to the next meeting to discuss pay scale, appointments, Landscaping Committee and the Tax Assessor.

12.     AGENDA ITEM 10. OTHER
        Selectman Kathi Thurston asked about the flag pole for the Wharf.  Town Manager Millard Billings will ask the Harbor Committee if Public Works can install the pole at the Town Wharf.
        Selectman Kathi Thurston asked about the Ferry Terminal Floats.  Town Manager Millard Billings said a Representative of the State met with Stewart Murphy to look at the rocks.  The            Representative felt the State had a backhoe that would take care of the problem.  
        The town offices were closed today for three hours for web-site training.
        The Selectmen welcomed their newest member Lester Closson to the Board.

13.     AGENDA ITEM 12. ADJOURN
        Motion made by Selectman Chris Eaton, with second by Selectman Kathi Thurston, to adjourn.  Motion passed 5 – 0.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 pm.

_________________________                               ___________________________
Scott Grierson                                                          Lester Closson




__________________________                      ____________________________
Heath Higgins                                                           Katharine Thurston





__________________________              
Chris Eaton