PRESENT: Councilor Michaels, Councilor Cheney, Councilor Friedman and Councilor Kelly; Manager Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Assistant Clerk K. Gifford, Police Chief Mark Leonard, Fire Chief Gerry Martin, Assistant Fire Chief Carl Tenney, Lt. Pete Metcalf, Superintendent Butch Free, Parks and Recreation Director Rosemary Freese, Parks and Recreation Committee Member Joan Perkins, Sewer District Superintendent Gary Brooks, Budget Committee Members John Manter, Suzanne Hart and Bill Hogan, Superintendent of Schools
Tom Perry, Principal Scott Nichols, School Committee Members Peggy Lewis, Andrea Ostrofsky, Mark Janicki, Rebecca Wetherbee and Duska Hayman. CES Representatives James Parker and Pete Tuell, Member of the Public Andy Freese. Chairman Hathaway was absent.
ITEM 1. The May 20, 2002 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes:
Motion By: Councilor Michaels—to accept May 6, 2002 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Vote 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda: Manager Reed asked that two items be added to the agenda pertaining to Public Works. A stockpile and storage area request was added as item 7c under ‘Old Business.’ A memo was distributed by Superintendent Free and added as item 7c in the packets. Equipment for new plow and dump truck was added as item 7d under ‘Old Business.’ A memo was distributed as well and added as item 7d in the packets.
ITEM 4. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 5. Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Budget
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to open the public hearing on the FY 2002-2003 Budget. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Vote 4-0 in favor.
Manager Reed stated the budget committee had met and forwarded a recommendation of approval for the presented budget. The budget committee met on May 15th, all department heads were present to answer any questions. Manager Reed pointed out that there was a recommendation from the committee and a copy of the minutes from the meeting included in the Council packets.
Manager Reed stated that as discussed at past meetings the proposed budget has a mill rate estimated to be in the range of 17.1 or 17.2. Manager Reed outlined that the FY 2002-2003 budget has several one-time costs including a used bulldozer for Public Works, a cascade unit for the Fire Department, storage units for Public Works and Veazie’s 150th Celebration. Manager Reed highlighted that the future FY 2003-2004 budgets would benefit from those one-time costs due to the fact that it will result in a reduced future spending request. The $99,000 in “one-time costs” in this FY 2002-2003 will equal a future reduction in cost that should equal roughly ½ of a mill in a future tax year.
Manager Reed outlined that this year’s planned reduction in the municipal budget of $180,000 did offset increased costs in education, sewer district assessment and the County Tax assessment.
Councilor Cheney requested an explanation on the school’s proposed budget. Manager Reed stated a memo was included in the packets as item 8a. Superintendent Perry explained that it was an oversight on his part. $24,078 of State revenue was determined to be a ‘hardship cushion’ rather than foundation allocation. Superintendent Perry outlined that it does not change the amount of State allocation, the school budget or the funds needed from the Town, it only changes the categorization of the funds.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to close the public hearing on FY 2002-2003 budget. Seconded: Councilor Michaels, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to accept the proposed budget for FY 2002-2003 and present it to the residents of Veazie for approval. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6a. Sewer District Trustees
Superintendent Gary Brooks was present to inform the Council that the Sewer District would have to be rescheduled for another time. The Sewer District Trustees could not attend due to unforeseen reasons. It was noted that they would be scheduled for the next Council meeting on June 3rd.
ITEM 7a. CES Update
James Parker stated they will be proposing adding a full fire bay on to the current structure. A hose tower may be added as well. James Parker introduced Pete Tuell, who will be working on the fire bay renovation. Pete Tuell showed the Council and the public a draft plan of the renovations. He explained that the middle beam would need to be altered to allow for more overhead space for the fire trucks. Pete Tuell stated that he has already started pulling field measurements.
James Parker stated that while performing work on the middle beam, the bay in which they are working will have to stay open, therefore the truck will have to be parked elsewhere. The generator will also have to be relocated. James Parker inquired on whether the Town would like to have the Town electrician do the electrical work or have one contractor do all the work.
Manager Reed added that the new truck could possibly be arriving as early as July now.
Councilor Friedman inquired on who the potential contractors were. Pete Tuell stated that H.E. Sargent and Buck Construction were potentials. Manager Reed proposed that CEO Thomas, James Parker, Pete Teull and he get together and work with a contractor that can be selected out of a pool.
Councilor Cheney stated that since the front of the building will become the main entrance it will need to look good. James Parker stated that some landscaping will be done. As far as the building, it would still be the same except for the doors being on front. They will use the same doors when possible.
Councilor Cheney also had concerns on the cutting of the center beam, she inquired on whether it would sustain through the Maine winters. Pete Tuell stated that they will be reinforcing the beam after cutting the hole in it. It will be a heavier beam but narrower.
Councilor Michaels inquired on the complications of the hose tower. James Parker stated that they want to add a bay to side of the building the trucks currently enter and exit from. If a hose tower is added it will have to be put in the back end of the new bay. The height of the tower will be of concern and CEO Thomas will review the design and proposed layout.
Councilor Cheney inquired on how long the renovation will take. Pete Tuell stated they will need all the time they can get especially now that the truck may be delivered early. A contractor really needs to be decided on. Councilor Cheney also inquired on how much it is going to cost. James Parker stated right now it is in the ballpark of $120,000 but that doesn’t include the proposed hose tower. The cost will increase but he is unsure of by how much.
James Parker stated they will be working to get a design done and to acquire a contractor. The Council asked James Parker and Pete Tuell to come back to the next Council meeting with this information.
James Parker also touched base on a couple ongoing projects. The curbing on Ridgeview Drive will be done soon. He also showed the Council and the public a GIS plan of the cemetery. CES had taken an old cemetery plan which was drawn by hand and digitalized it for the Town’s GIS System.
ITEM 7b. Manager’s Review
In lieu of Chairman Hathaway’s absence the Manager’s Review was postponed until a future meeting when Chairman Hathaway is present.
ITEM 7c. Stockpile and Storage Area Request
Superintendent of Public Works Butch Free stated he has been working with CEO Thomas and they have located an area beside the sewer district where they could stock pile compost, gravel and loam. CEO Thomas stated that it is far enough away from residential areas to eliminate noise concerns.
Manager Reed stated that the idea of stockpiling at the cemetery was visited but it wouldn’t look nice. It could also not be done behind the municipal building. The topography was the defining point in choosing this new proposal location, also because it is Town owned property.
Manager Reed outlined that CEO Thomas and Superintendent Free were going to work with James Parker and see if the Town could get their composting licenses at the site and also see if the Town forester could go out to the site and do an analysis and inventory of the site. This review would also determine if the site would meet all of the state licensing requirements.
Councilor Cheney inquired on why there weren’t more choices of sites. Manager Reed stated that this was the only Town owned land that was secluded and that met the topographical requirements. Councilor Cheney inquired on whether the Town really wanted big trucks going down Hobson Avenue through this residential area. CEO Thomas stated that this site was the most out of the way place they could find and truck traffic would be limited to Town trucks.
Councilor Michaels inquired on who the adjacent property owners were. CEO Thomas stated it was Bangor Hydro, Veazie Sewer District and the Maine Central Railroad.
James Parker added that access will have to be worked out with the Sewer District most likely. Manager Reed stated that this is just a proposal. The Town will work with the Town forester and engineer to see what can be done. Councilor Friedman requested more information on it at the next Council meeting. Councilor Cheney stated she would like to see what other choices there are for sites.
Item 7d. Public Works – Equipment for New Plow & Dump Truck
Superintendent Free stated after visiting Hill-Martin and speaking to people who have used the equipment he feels that Hill-Martin offers a high quality product that meets the needs of the community. He added that he was very pleased with the performance of the current MG and Viking equipment but feels that the Tenco equipment from Hill-Martin is a superior product. Superintendent Free recommended that Hill-Martin be awarded the purchase.
Manager Reed added that the Tenco equipment has a feature in the pump that allows the operator to realize immediately when a hose breaks and then automatically shuts down the pump to prevent spillage of hydraulic fluid onto the road.
Manager Reed stated that the funding will come from the Casco Bay Fund account. He added that he is looking at a lease purchase option.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to authorize Superintendent Free to purchase equipment for the new plow and dump truck from Hill-Martin. Seconded By: Councilor Michaels, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report:
8a. Enclosed was a copy of a memo that Superintendent Tom Perry wished to share with the Town Council. In general the State did some last minute changes to how revenues will be handled in the coming fiscal year. It should be noted that nothing changes and it seems to be net – net cost to the Town. It was noted that this item was discussed in the Budget Public Hearing.
8b. Enclosed was a memo from Chief Leonard pertaining to the beacon “light” situation on School Street
8c. Enclosed was a copy of the Water District’s minutes
8d. Enclosed was another disbursement request for the senior housing project. Councilor Michaels inquired on whether the change order would affect the Town in the long run. Manager Reed stated it would not affect the Town’s commitment amount on the project.
8e. Enclosed was the Fire Department’s monthly report
Councilor Cheney stated that now that the senior housing project is starting to look like a building, she has been getting a lot of people asking her how to apply to live there. Manager Reed stated that they should contact Steve Moores at Penquis C.A.P. Councilor Cheney inquired on whether the building was already filled up. Manager Reed stated he thought there was 48 or so people on the waiting list. He added that Penquis C.A.P want a large list of people that way when it is ready there will be people ready to move in immediately. Councilor Cheney also inquired on when the opening date would be. Manager Reed stated he thought it would be September 2002.
ITEM 9. Requests for Information/Council Comments:
There were no requests for information or Council comments.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 25& 25A, Town Payroll Warrant 25, School Warrant 22, School Payroll Warrant 22 and School Lunch Warrant 22 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Kelly—to adjourn May 20, 2002, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 4-0 in favor. There was no further discussion. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Gifford
Assistant Clerk
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