PRESENT: Chairman Hathaway, Councilor Cheney, Councilor Kelly and Councilor Friedman; Manager Reed, Assistant Clerk K. Gifford, Deputy Clerk B. Woods, Police Chief Mark Leonard, Assistant Fire Chief Carl Tenney, Town Forester Carol Redelsheimer; and two Members of the Public. Councilor Hogan was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The February 10, 2003 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes: Motion By: Councilor Friedman —to accept January 27, 2003 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor. Chairman Hathaway wanted to clarify that under item 6d he wasn’t just talking about the school he was talking about all department budgets.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda: Councilor Friedman made a recommendation to appoint John Ellis as an alternate Code Enforcement Officer. This was added under item 5b.
ITEM 4. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 5a. Zoning Change - Perry
Manager Reed stated that the Planning Board held a public hearing and are recommending a zoning line change that they wish for the Council to take action on. The request was made by Byron Perry to move a zoning line to match property lines more accurately and to afford for better zoning delineations.
CEO Thomas was unable to attend so Deputy Clerk Beckie Woods was present to answer any questions that the Council may have. Manager Reed outlined that currently the zoning line runs through the center of the building with a portion of the property zoned as residential and the remaining portion zoned as commercial. Mr. Perry requested that the property be rezoned to a full commercial property.
Councilor Cheney inquired whether the abutters to the property were aware of this proposed change. Deputy Clerk Beckie Woods stated that letters were sent to all abutters and only one person came to the public hearing that the Planning Board held. She outlined that this individual just wanted to find out what the difference was between an R1 zone a C1 zone. Councilor Cheney inquired whether this zone change would allow for expansion. Deputy Clerk Beckie Woods stated that there will be adequate buffering, twenty five feet will be put in.
Chairman Hathaway stated the only issue he forsees is the open frontage on Riverview Street. Chairman Hathaway inquired whether the opening on Riverview Street was more than forty feet. Manager Reed and Byron Perry both stated it was. Chairman Hathaway stated that the Town should be concerned with traffic and where it goes and try to minimize it. He recommended having a forty foot opening and curbing or planting the rest.
Chairman Hathaway stated he would like to clearly define the entrances to the property and eliminate all of the open frontage. Councilor Friedman asked Byron Perry whether this decision would affect the business that will be occupying the property. Byron Perry stated that it would not affect the business and their schedule of opening. It was the consensus of the Council to go look at the property and come back with a recommendation before approving the zone change.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to table item 5a until the next Council meeting. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5b. Board Appointments
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to appoint Suzanne Malis-Anderson to the Veazie Planning Board for a three-year term as a full board member. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to appoint David Wardrop to the Veazie Planning Board for a one-year term as an associate member. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to appoint John Vetelino to the Conservation Commission for a three-year term as a full board member. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Manager Reed introduced John Ellis to the Council. Manager Reed outlined that he has been helping Superintendent of Public Works Butch Free with being compliant with the Maine Safety Board. He also outlined that he would like to have him appointed as a backup code enforcement officer. John Ellis introduced himself to the Council and outlined his past employment and experience.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to appoint John Ellis to backup code enforcement officer. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Manager Reed stated he will send John Ellis’ name off to the State and have him sent to certification classes. Chairman Hathaway inquired on whether John Ellis would be hired as a consultant or as an employee. Manager Reed stated he would be a part-time employee.
ITEM 5c. Proposed Budget Schedule
Enclosed in the Council packets of the proposed budget schedule. Manager Reed outlined that April 14th is available if there is a conflict with the meeting during the week of school vacation. Manager Reed stated that he will send it out and see if it brings up any conflicts with department heads. If there were no objections this schedule will be adopted.
Manager Reed outlined that he has received a letter of interest from a resident to be on the Budget Committee. It was noted that two more members are needed.
ITEM 6a. Town Forester
Town Forester Carol Redelsheimer was present to update the Council on the major projects the Conservation Commission is working on. Carol Redelsheimer passed out information to the Council regarding the harvester. He is fully insured and licensed. She outlined that he is an independent contractor and the Town is not liable if he is hurt on Town property while working.
Right now the harvest is pending approval of the contract. Carol Redelsheimer stated they would like to start work at the end of this week. She outlined that they would like to get started as early as possible to make sure a wet spring doesn’t postpone work and the September 30th deadline is met. The snow and ice also make it easy to harvest the very back portion of the lot.
Councilor Cheney asked about access to the lot. Carol Redelsheimer stated that primary access will be at the back of the cemetery. As far as she knows this is the only access on Town property. She added that she notified all the residents in the area of the harvest and posted signs around the property to notify that there will be work done on the site.
ITEM 6b. Fire Department Budget Update
Manager Reed stated that once the reconciliation was completed on the fire department’s carry forward account and the encumbrances were deducted it appears that the department has adequate funding to purchase the Lifepak and the service plan. Assistant Fire Chief Carl Tenney stated that the service contract will provide battery replacements, calibrations and maintenance and things that have wear and tear like the cuffs. He added that the department would also like to use $4000 of the carry forward account to buy equipment for ISO.
Chairman Hathaway inquired about payment terms. Manager Reed stated the payment terms are at 90 days. Councilor Kelly asked if the service plan was needed for the first year. Assistant Chief Tenney stated he wasn’t sure, they needed to check to see if the service plan had to be purchased the first year or whether you could pick it up after the first year.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to approve the purchase of the Lifepak 12 in the amount of $12,500 and service plan in the amount of $900 a year from their current budget. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
a. The Council reviewed a copy of the Police Department’s quarterly report. Police Chief Mark Leonard was present to answer questions
b. The Council reviewed a copy of Deputy Treasurer Reed’s budget and status report.
c. The Council reviewed a copy of the annual schedule for Town Meeting and elections.
d. The Council reviewed a copy of the Fire Department’s monthly report.
e. The Council reviewed a copy of the Sewer District’s meeting minutes.
f. The Council reviewed a copy of the Orono-Veazie Water District’s monthly report.
g. The Council reviewed copies of thank you cards from Duke Energy personnel.
h. The Council reviewed a copy of the school committee’s minutes and agenda.
i. The Council reviewed a copy of the hazardous waste collection summary report.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information/Council Comments:
Councilor Kelly inquired if there had been any complaints on trash pickup. Manager Reed stated there have been a few. He explained that the trash truck has gotten stuck in Greystone Trailer Park a few times due to insufficient sanding of the roads. This in turn backed up trash pickup. The trucks have also had hydraulic problems during the extremely cold days.
Chairman Hathaway stated he would like to look at the five-year plan again. He wants to understand where all the departments are heading.
Councilor Friedman inquired on whether Steve Mooers would be coming to a Council meeting to discuss the second phase of the senior housing project. Manager Reed stated that he has not heard anything yet.
Councilor Cheney asked if there were any new developments with the Dang property. Manager Reed stated that an individual from the church had contacted him and that he was trying to contact personnel at the church. Manager Reed expressed concerns pertaining to Church/State relationships and he would make that a point in any discussions.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 16 & 16A, Town Payroll Warrant 16, School Warrant 16, School Lunch Warrant 16 and School Payroll Warrant 16 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman—to adjourn February 10, 2003, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Cheney, Voted 5-0 in favor. There was no further discussion. Meeting adjourned at 8:18PM.
Respectively submitted,
Karen Gifford
Assistant Clerk
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