PRESENT: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Michaels, Councilor Friedman and Councilor Kelly-- Budget Committee members J. Manter and B. Hogan-- School Committee members P. Lewis, K. Carr, R. Wetherbee, A. Ostrofsky, M. Janicki and Principal Nichols, and Supt. Perry-- Police Chief B. O’Halloran, Fire Chief G. Martin, Town Manager B. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, and Deputy Clerk J. Reed-- Representative from Penquis CAP, T. Lewis, and S. Moores. Members from the public-- P. Robertson, K. Robertson and four
others--Chairman Hathaway was excused.
Motion: Councilor Cheney--Councilor Friedman pro tem of the meeting, due to Chairman Hathaway absence, Councilor Michaels seconded. Vote 3-0-1 in favor.
ITEM 1. The May 7, 2001 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 6:40.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes: Motion: Councilor Kelly --to accept April 23, 2001 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Michaels Vote 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda: There were not any additions made to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 5. Senior Housing update Penquis CAP: T. Lewis and S. Moores were available for questions on the proposed Senior Housing Project. They outlined that the application was submitted in March and the applications have been scored but the results will not be announced until June. Currently, the project is the top rated senior project and next in line for tax credits that will come from a general pool. They met with Manager Reed and CEO Thomas this afternoon to prepare to move ahead to the Planning Board stage of the project.
Councilor Cheney asked if they had contact with the seniors and they said they hear from the president of the senior’s club on a weekly basis. She thanked them for keeping the seniors updated.
Councilor Michael’s asked about the timeline. They said they plan to go before the planning board in May or June and to have the specs completed by July.
ITEM 6. Budget: Manager Reed presented the remainder of the budget; fixed costs and reserve accounts as outlined in the budget books. When he was finished, councilor Friedman asked what the mill rate would be for the budget presented? Manager Reed estimated the mill rate would be between 17 and 17.4 decreasing the rate by at least one mill.
Manager Reed stated that at 17 mills, Veazie would be 7 mills below the average of communities with similar services so the more money the town shelters, the better off the Town will be in getting future state funds.
K. Robertson asked if that was a bad thing? Friedman explained that yes it would be a bad thing to lose state revenues because the town would have to pay more and lose more state revenues in the long run. B. Hogan said that, as he understands that the town wants to stabilize taxes for the long run and the mill rate will be stabilized with the current plan. K. Robertson went to say, the economy is in bad shape so let the mill rate go down. Councilor Michaels said, that looking at the economy to save $50.00 this year and then have turn around and pay $150.00 more in two years would not be good for the town.
Councilor Friedman asked the Budget Committee if they were going to need the additional workshop scheduled for May 14, 2001. The committee agreed they did not need the additional meeting.
Motion: Councilor Cheney—move the proposed budget be presented at the Public Hearing on May 21, 2001 at 7:00pm. Seconded: Councilor Michaels, Vote 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 7a. Manager’s Report: Manager went through the list of items on his Manager’s notes as follows:
7a. A copy of the memo pertaining to the promotion of Jerry Martin from acting Fire Chief to Fire Chief. The memo details the decision making process that Manager Reed used in regards to the matter.
7b. A memo from Fire Chief Martin pertaining to the Town Council meeting that he was called way from.
7c. A notice pertaining to a registered sex offender
7d. A memo and a copy of a check for $3,000 that the town received from the State of Maine via MDEA on asset forfeiture from a drug arrest that the police department worked on.
7e. A letter pertaining to the Town’s participation in the PV Pilot program which is about regional resources.
7f. A memo on the CEO’s action on RPM motors pertaining to complaints received from neighbors.
7g. A copy of the Parks and Recreation committee meeting minutes.
7h. A resignation letter from Kathy Wadleigh from the Parks and Recreation Committee.
7i. The manager provided recent copies web contacts. The majority of the contacts (95%) are from individuals looking for information about Veazie’s schools and housing or rental opportunities
7j. A letter from MDMV. This was a follow-up to the audit that was conducted with the office staff. The manager outlined that all seems to have gone well.
7k. A copy of the latest Sewer District assessment. It was noted that the assessment increased by some $10,000.00 or roughly 15% from last year’s assessment.
7l. A letter that Jim Parker had remitted pertaining to the posting of Hobson Ave. The manager detailed that the Town’s engineer and the Sewer district’s engineer are the same. The manager detailed that the Sewer District’s manager expressed concern that the town posted the road to delay the project. The manager’s memo detailed that it was not meant to cause any delay but was to protect the roadway, which is in poor shape. The Town’s engineer detailed the limits that we used. The memo detailed that the Town posted the following roads: Chase Road, Ridgeview Drive, Hobson Ave, Jackson Drive, Thompson Road, and Shore Road. All posting were to be removed this week due to the dry spring conditions.
7m. A copy of the fire department order pertaining to equipment checks. In general, it is recommend that when an interim chief or new chief assumes command that all equipment be reviewed for safety and ISO compliance.
7n. The Fire departments monthly report for April.
7o. School Committee minutes and agenda
7p. A copy of the Historical Societies minutes
ITEM 7b. Requests for Information/Council Comments: Councilor Cheney requested a commitment to enter a float in the upcoming 4th of July parade. She would like for the Parks and Recreation department to help and offered to dedicate time to the project herself.
Councilor Michaels asked the manager to run two scenarios with the budget numbers. One scenario being the one presented and another projecting a 20% increase in the budget over the next five years to see whether or not it exaggerates this burden substantially.
Councilor Friedman requested a list of outstanding taxpayers and request the town administer liens on those properties. Manager Reed noted that Veazie has the best tax collection rate in the state and that they would continue the collection efforts.
ITEM 8. Warrants: Town Warrant 21, Town Payroll Warrant 21, School Warrant 21, School Payroll Warrant 21, and School Lunch Warrant 21, were circulated and signed.
ITEM 9. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Cheney-to adjourn May 7, 2001, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Michaels, there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie D. S. Reed
Deputy Town Clerk
| 
