PRESENT: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Kelly, and Councilor Hogan; Manager Reed, Assistant Clerk K. Gifford, School Committee Chair Rebecca Wetherbee, School Committee candidates Brian Perkins and Julianne Simone, Fire Chief Gerry Martin, Town Forester Carol Redelsheimer and State Senate Candidate Tom Mooney. Chairman Hathaway and Councilor Friedman were absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The September 23, 2002 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 6:50 PM.
ITEM 2. Candidate Meeting - School Committee
Protem Hogan thanked Brian Perkins and Julianne Simone for coming. Councilor Cheney inquired on how long each had lived here in Veazie. Julianne Simone stated he has lived in Veazie for nine years and lives in Silver Ridge. Brian Perkins stated he has lived here for nine or ten years. Councilor Cheney inquired on whether either had any background in education. Julianne Simone stated she is a physician and she has served on numerous boards but not a town school committee. Brian Perkins stated he works at the University of Maine, works with gifted children and serves on the Sewer District Trustee Board. Manager Reed noted that the term would run until the next municipal election at which time they could run again for the remaining one year of the term or run for a
three year term which would be open in June.
Protem Hogan inquired whether Brian Perkins and Julianne Simone saw things that needed to be done. He outlined that the Town has a new school, great teachers and a hot lunch program, could they see any items that need to be addressed. Julianne Simone stated that the community is changing and growing at a tremendous pace with the new senior housing development and all the new subdivisions going in and she was concerned with how the school system will keep up. Brian Perkins stated he is concerned that there is already talk about expanding the school and it is a brand new school. He is worried the Town might be jumping into something before its needed. Councilor Kelly outlined that with the new senior housing there is going to be more than likely a lot of turnover in the
village. That along with the new subdivisions could mean an additional 40-70 children in the coming years.
The Council thanked the two candidates for attending the introduction session.
ITEM 3. Consideration of minutes: Motion By: Councilor Kelly-to accept September 9, 2002 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 4. Consideration of the Agenda: State Senate candidate Thomas Mooney was added as item 6c.
ITEM 5. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 6a. Maine Forestry Grant Project
The Town's Forester, Carol Redelsheimer was present to introduce herself to the Council and to inform them she would be working on Project Canopy for which the Town received a $5,700 grant. Part of the application that pertained to harvesting was not funded. Work is being done on the McPheteres farm parcel behind the cemetery and to the trails in that area.
Councilor Cheney stated she lived on Davis Drive and behind her house there are a lot of woods which of which her and her children use. There is a lot of dead wood that needs attention because it attracts huge fire ants that invade everyone's yards. Councilor Cheney stated that this was a big concern of hers and she hopes that the can be controlled. Carol Redelsheimer stated that she has seen them and is trying to find out why they are out there. Manager Reed stated that he believed the ants are Alleghany mound builders.
ITEM 6b. Formal Creation of Veazie Celebration Committee
Manager Reed stated that it would be recommended to officially create the Veazie 150th Celebration Committee. At the present time the group has met in a workshop fashion to set forth planning goals and objectives. Councilor Cheney inquired on whether there was a large turnout for the first meeting. Manager Reed stated that quite of few people showed up.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney--to create the Veazie 150th Celebration Committee with the goal of the committee being the planning and scheduling of events for Veazie's 150th anniversary. The committee shall keep and submit minutes to keep the Town Council updated and informed on its progress in a timely manner. The committee shall have no less than three members and no more than five. Initial representatives will be one Town Councilor, one Parks and Recreation Committee member and one member of the public at large. The committee shall last no longer than one year and all appointments shall terminate at that time. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 3-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney--to appoint Chairman Hathaway to serve on the Veazie 150th Celebration Committee as the Town Council's representative. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 6c. State Senate candidate Thomas Mooney introduced himself to the Council. He stated his family has lived in Veazie for 27 years however he just recently moved from Veazie to Bangor. State Senate candidate Thomas Mooney outlined he was present to answer any questions or here any concerns the Council may have.
ITEM 7a. Appointment of School Committee Member
Manager Reed stated that someone had already called up and asked if Brian Perkins had a conflict of interest since he serves on the Sewer District Board of Trustees. Manager Reed outlined that he reviewed the matter and he could not see one.
It was the consensus of the Council to have a written ballot. Ballots were passed out then collected in a hat. Assistant Clerk K. Gifford then read the votes aloud. Julianne Simone received the majority ballot.
Motion By: Councilor Kelly--to appoint Julianne Simone to the School Committee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of School Committee member Peggy Lewis. The appointment shall be valid until the next municipal election per Town Charter Section 04.23-C. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 7b. Work Plan Update
Manager Reed stated that the work plan update was pretty self explanatory. The plan is a list of items the Town wanted to work on. This update just explains that is ongoing and what is settled and what is starting. Manager Reed stated he is going to ask for more goals and objectives in 2003 to add to the work plan.
ITEM 7c. Municipal Building Update
Manager Reed stated the building renovations are moving forward. Councilor Hogan inquired about the little 'pond' in the parking lot. Manager Reed explained that once there is pavement water will not collect like it currently is. Manager Reed stated that rain has slowed down some of the electrical issues. He also noted the ceiling in the town office which has had wires run inappropriately over the years. Conduits or "highways" will be installed to correct the problem. Thomas Mooney inquired on whether the Town had someone to go to on these issues. Manager Reed stated the Town has an electrician and Town engineer CES also connects the Town with contractors.
ITEM 8. Manager's Report
8a. Enclosed was a candidate nomination form for the MRC Board of Directors Election. Manager Reed stated the form was enclosed just in case any of the Council members were interested in being nominated to the board of directors.
8b. Enclosed was a copy of a letter to Chairman Hathaway from Steve Moores of Penquis CAP which opens up the door to discussing the proposed Phase II of the Veazie Senior Housing project.
8c. Enclosed was a letter from Penquis CAP pertaining to the Grant and Disbursement Agreement that the Town has with them pertaining to the Senior Housing project.
8d. Enclosed was a letter from MMA regarding MMA's Proposed Tax Reform Initiative.
8e. Enclosed was a notice regarding the County Commissioner Districts Caucuses.
8f. Enclosed was a memo from Admin Asst. Gifford about the Town newsletters. Manager Reed outlined that the post office changed its routes once again without notice. An additional 400+/- newsletters will have to be printed to cover the new route areas in Bangor and Orono.
8g. Enclosed was a memo from Superintendent of Public Works Butch Free explaining the pavement patch on Chase Road. Several people had asked about it so Superintendent Free sent out the memo. Manager Reed outlined that Superintendent Free thought an oil spill from equipment might have caused the pavement slide. The patch is to prevent things from getting worse when they plow in the winter.
8h. Enclosed was a memo regarding the park maintenance and that the budget would run over due to unexpected damage.
8i. Enclosed was a copy of the Water District's annual report.
ITEM 9. Requests for Information/Council Comments: Councilor Cheney stated that about a week or so ago there was a fire hydrant that let loose on the Chase Road.. Manager Reed stated that the construction workers hooked a hose up to the hydrant to keep dust down. However, the hydrant was a self draining unit and it looks as if it shouldn't have been running for a long period of time. Councilor Cheney stated she would like to recognize Public Works for putting dirt dams between the houses and the water. Fire Chief Gerry Martin stated that the Fire Department was first called to the scene but had to call Public Works because they did not have adequate equipment to dam the water. Councilor Hogan stated the interaction between the two
departments should be commended.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 6 & 6A, Town Payroll Warrant 6, School Warrant 6 and School Lunch Warrant 6 School Payroll Warrant 6 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Cheney--to adjourn September 23, 2002, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 3-0 in favor. There was no further discussion. Meeting adjourned.
Respectively submitted,
Karen Gifford
Assistant Clerk
| 
