PRESENT: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Kelly, Councilor Friedman and Councilor Hogan; Manager Reed, Assistant Clerk K. Gifford, Police Chief Mark Leonard, CEO A. Thomas and Artist Ken Brooks. Chairman Hathaway was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The February 24, 2003 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes: Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to accept February 10, 2003 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Hogan, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda: There were no additions made to the agenda.
ITEM 4. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 5a. Asset Capitalization Policy
Manager Reed outlined that in their packets they received a proposed policy. As the Town moves forward towards complying with GASB 34 a policy should be approved that sets the definition on how new acquisitions are put into the database and how repairs and improvements are recorded. This policy will amend the Town’s current capital improvements plan which is on page 64 of the past Town report.
Motion By: Councilor Hogan—to accept and implement the Town of Veazie Asset Capitalization Policy dated February 24, 2003 as presented by Town staff and advisors. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5b. Veazie 150th Celebration Update
Ken Brooks was present to discuss his proposal of services with the Council. It was noted that Chairman Hathaway had spoken with Ken Brooks after purchasing one of his prints at the folk festival. Ken Brooks does drawings and has prints made up to be sold. Ken Brooks would require a $1,000 deposit and $2,000 on delivery of the prints. Two hundred signed and numbered limited-edition prints would be made and the Town could sell them for $50 each. The Town would also get to keep the original and could use it to make t-shirts or coffee mugs. Ken Brooks stated he is willing to help the Town design a flyer to advertise. The fundraiser has the potential to raise $7,000 for the celebration fund.
Motion By: Councilor Hogan—to move forward with the fund raising project and allow Manager Reed to enter into an agreement with Ken Brooks. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Assistant Clerk Karen Gifford then gave an update on the Veazie 150th celebration. A rough draft of the March 25th, 2003 event was included in the Councilors’ packets.
ITEM 5c. Bangor Public Library Discussion
Enclosed in the Councilors’ packets was a letter from the City of Bangor pertaining to their request of support for additional funding for the Bangor Public Library from the State. Manager Reed outlined that they are not looking for financial support but asking us to send a letter to our representatives supporting the additional funding for the library. Veazie residents are able to use the library at no cost.
Motion By: Councilor Hogan—to support additional funding for the Bangor Public Library by sending a letter to legislative representatives. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5d. Appointment Discussion
Manager Reed stated that enclosed in the Council packets was a copy of a letter received by an individual requesting an appointment to the budget committee. Manager Reed outlined that he didn’t know if a Councilor had spoken with this individual and informed him of an opening. Manager Reed recommended several options; have a meeting of introduction with the individual, if the individual is known and has sponsoring and no meeting of introduction is required an appointment can be made or lastly take no action and see how many any other individuals are interested in serving on the budget committee and conduct an interview then. Councilor Cheney inquired when the members were needed by. Manager Reed stated that the first budget meeting is March 25, 2003. Councilor Cheney asked Councilor
Hogan what exactly a budget committee member does. Councilor Hogan stated that they receive a packet, attend meetings and provide input and comments to the Council on the budget.
The Council would like to know exactly how many are on the committee and send an invitation to those to come in and meet with the Council before the March 25, 2003 meeting.
ITEM 6a. Technology Policy
Manager Reed stated that enclosed in the Council packets was the final reviewed policy. The Town attorney has reviewed it and most changes were wording and clarifying. Councilor Hogan outlined that at his place of employment employees have to sign the policy every year to that it is up to date.
Motion By: Councilor Hogan—to authorize the Town Manager to implement the policy entitled “Veazie Technology Policy” and it is further authorized that said policy may be revised from time to time by the Town Manager as the Town’s technology implementation changes. Any significant policy change shall be subject to final Town Council review and approval. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6b. Zone Change – Perry
CEO Thomas stated that he strongly recommended the zone change. He outlined that the new business occupying 1201 State Street has been very reasonable to work with. Councilor Cheney inquired how a zone line could run through a building. CEO Thomas stated that back in 1956 there wasn’t very good data when determining zoning lines. Councilor Cheney inquired whether CEO Thomas could foresee any problems due to the fact that in the past the Town has had problems with beautification and buffering. CEO Thomas stated that the Planning Board has thoroughly reviewed every thing and there should not be a problem. Councilor Cheney inquired whether the zone change would allow the building to get too big. CEO Thomas stated that the Planning Board has approved an extension at set
dimension.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to approve the zone change as submitted and detailed by recommendation of the Veazie Planning Board at their February 3rd meeting. This approval would clarify and relocate the C1 / R1 zoning line within the property currently owned by Byron Perry (Map 1, lot 15) 1201 State Street and address buffer details. Seconded: Councilor Hogan, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6c. Senior Housing Update
Manager Reed stated he has spoken with Stephen Mooers of Penquis Cap pertaining to the proposed second phase of the Veazie Senior Housing project. Manager Reed outlined that the donation of the land the return of real estate taxes is not a problem but the capital improvement funding in the amount of $150,000 is an issue. It was discussed that the Council supports the forward motion of senior housing but now is not the time. Currently there is a spending freeze on all departments and school funding has been cut by a third. The Council would like to see how things go with the first phase before starting another phase.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
a. The Council reviewed a copy of the new rate information provided by Adelphia
Manager Reed outlined his discussions with the Superintendent and addressed the rumor of reduced State aid. In general, due to Veazie’s very low mill rate and low assessment ratio the State is taking away one third of school funding. It was noted that in past discussion that a significantly lower mill rate would adversely affect State aid. It was noted that other communities have mill rates 30-40% higher than Veazie’s. Manager Reed outlined that he has had a department head meeting and discussed the fiscal year 2003-2004 budget. He also relayed to Superintendent Perry that the Town will come in with a reduction of about $100,000 less as a goal. Manager Reed outlined that across the board everyone is getting hit in school funding but Veazie will be losing a great deal.
Councilor Friedman stated that he is all for education however, it is going to be a tight budget for everyone this year so the school department should be tightening their budget as well.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information/Council Comments: There were no requests for information or comments from the Council.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 17, Town Payroll Warrant 17, School Warrant 17, School Lunch Warrant 17 and School Payroll Warrant 17 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Hogan—to adjourn February 24, 2003, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Kelly, Voted 4-0 in favor. There was no further discussion. Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.
Respectively submitted,
Karen Gifford
Assistant Clerk
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