PRESENT: Chairman Hathaway, Councilor Hogan and Councilor Cheney; Manager Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Assistant Clerk K. Gifford, Fire Chief Gerry Martin, Police Chief Mark Leonard and Candidate for State Representative Stan Marshall. Councilor Friedman and Councilor Kelly were absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The July 29, 2002 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes:
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to accept July 15, 2002 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Hogan, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda: Manager Reed stated that Fire Chief Gerry Martin was present to give an update on the fire truck. This was added as item 6b. Manager Reed added that a memo has been added to the packet. It pertains to the resignation of a school committee member and the process of replacement. This was added as item 6c.
ITEM 4. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 5a. CEO/Assessor’s Report
CEO Thomas stated that the computer network is on hold for the summer with all the other projects occurring. Assessing is progressing, his assistant has been a huge asset. CEO Thomas outlined that NPDES is ongoing. In the near future he is probably going to start getting a computer generation of an outline of where things are going with it. CEO Thomas stated the fire station project is doing well, better then expected, however, there was a small setback earlier today. The first crew installed a new electrical service underground, a second crew accidentally dug it up.
CEO Thomas reviewed his list of enforcements. There are still a couple problem areas. Senior Housing is progressing very well with one minor exception. There is a two hour fire wall designed between the apartments and the public part of the building. It is what’s called a U411 firewall and it calls for steel studs. However, the contractor brought wood studs and also neglected to continue the wall to the roof line. CEO Thomas is working with the developer to resolve the problem.
CEO Thomas stated the Barb & William Dalton’s subdivision is moving slowly until they get their house relocated so the road can be built. CEO Thomas went over the property sale lists. He noted that there seem to be quite a few houses that sold for a lot more then they were assessed at and it has affected his assessment ratio quality rating. The first list is by date to see if prices increased over time. The second list is sorted by ratio. The third list is sorted by street to see if it was the neighborhood or just the house. He outlined that he will continue his revaluation and address the assessment ratio concern.
ITEM 5b. Candidate Introduction
Stan Marshall was present to discuss any concerns or issues the Town Council may have. He outlined that he is a resident of Veazie and he is running for the State Representative seat. Stan Marshall stated the key issue is to represent and speak the citizen’s voice when it comes time in Augusta. Councilor Cheney inquired on when Veazie was going to get their laptops. Stan Marshall stated that the budget is tight next year and he wasn’t sure that any new communities would.
Councilor Hogan stated his biggest concern was education. Stan Marshall stated he knows that Veazie has a large subsidy and it could go away fast. Chairman Hathaway stated taxes are one of his biggest concerns. The state needs some stability with taxes and equity. Chairman Hathaway added that redundancy between State/municipality relations is another concern of his.
The Council thanked Stan Marshall for coming.
ITEM 6a. Municipal Building Update
The Town Council adjourned to take a look at the progress that has been made on the municipal building. After resuming there was discussion on the windows being installed on the side of the Town office entrance. Chairman Hathaway outlined that if customers looked through the windows they would be looking right at the plumbing and the generator. He stated he thought there should be no windows. There was discussion about getting windows that aren’t clear or windows that are tinted. Manager Reed outlined that he was following the architect’s design.
ITEM 6b. Fire Truck Update
Fire Chief Gerry Martin was present to give an update on the new ladder/quint fire truck. On the 14th of July, Chief Martin, Lt. Scott Kigas and firefighters James McCrum and Scott Ireland went to Portland to meet with E-One Representative Chris Champagne. The following Monday they flew to Florida to inspect the new truck. Chief Martin passed out a punch list of 23 items that they found on the truck that were of concern. Chief Martin stated the truck arrived on July 22nd in Randolph where the extra tools and lettering were to be put on. The truck will be here on Monday, August 5th. Chief Martin outlined that he will have to contact E-One to set up a training date. He outlined that all warranties are void unless the firefighters take the training provided by
E-One.
Chief Martin showed the Council a draft of the truck and where the lettering will go. There was discussion on Casco Bay or their logo being placed on the truck to show the significance of their role in the truck.
Councilor Cheney inquired on when the training starts for the new truck. Chief Martin stated it would most likely be within a week of receiving the truck. Councilor Cheney inquired on where the training would be. Chief Martin stated it would be right here at the municipal building. A lot of the training will be right out in the parking lot learning how to use everything on the truck. There will be a log book to keep track of how many hours each firefighter has driven/or spent on it.
Chairman Hathaway inquired on publicity for the new truck. Chief Martin stated that Lt. Pete Metcalf and Lt. Scott Kigas are planning in advance for that. There will be an open house during fire week. There is also a magazine that features towns and their new fire trucks. They are going to do a write-up and send it in with a picture. Manager Reed outlined having the open house when the building is of course finished.
ITEM 6c. Letter of Resignation
Manager Reed outlined that he received a letter of resignation from school committee member Peggy Lewis. Peggy Lewis is moving to Ames, Iowa and will not be able to complete her term of office. Manager Reed stated the Town Charter outlines that the Town Council appoints the individual to the school committee by the majority vote of the Town Council. The appointment is valid until the next municipal election. Traditionally a written letter has been required from any persons requesting to fill the vacancy and a meeting with the Town Council has also been required unless the Town Council waived the applicant’s meeting. Chairman Hathaway recommended putting an announcement up in the stores and on the cable channel notifying people of the vacancy. Manager Reed stated announcements
would be posted.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
7a. A memo to the Town Council pertaining to the school walkway issue was reviewed. Manager Reed outlined that as the memo details the design will need some additional review before a final design can be made. He stated that he was unable to get an estimate from Superintendent of Public Works Butch Free. He also hasn’t met with Superintendent of Schools Thomas Perry or Principal Scott Nichols to go over the walkway design. At the present time the proposed walker’s path would be proposed to run from the sidewalk to the bridge and from the top of the walker’s bridge to the paved playground following the hillside line. Councilor Cheney proposed widening the driveway and adding a shoulder that would serve as a sidewalk. It would serve two purposes, as a sidewalk for the kids to walk on and provide better parking when there are concerts and plays at the school.
7b. A memo to the Town Council addressing the issues of abatement versus write off was reviewed. Manager Reed outlined that at the last Council meeting the Council did a write-off on the account. He just wanted there to be clarification on the matter.
7c. The audit is proceeding and looks like things are going quite well.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information/Council Comments: There were no requests for information or comments from the Council.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 2 and 2A, Town Payroll Warrant 2, School Warrant 2, School Payroll Warrant 2 and School Lunch Warrant 2 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion by: Councilor Hogan—to adjourn July 29, 2002, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 3-0 in favor. There was no further discussion. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Gifford
Assistant Clerk
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