PRESENT: Chairman Hathaway, Councilor Cheney, Councilor Friedman, Councilor Kelly and Councilor Hogan; Manager Reed, Assistant Clerk K. Gifford, Police Chief Mark Leonard, Fire Chief Gerry Martin, CEO Allan Thomas, Deputy CEO John Ellis, Officer Ashley, Officer Welch, Officer Watson, Orono Land Trust Representatives Sally Jacobs and Chris Dorian, Members of the Public John Manter, Lori Watson and Nicole Watson.
ITEM 1. The June 16, 2003 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM.
ITEM 2. Election of a Chair
Motion By: Councilor Hogan—to accept Councilor Hathaway’s resignation and nominate Councilor Friedman as Council Chair and to continue meeting every other Monday at 7:00 p.m. Seconded: Councilor Kelly, Voted 3-0-2. Councilor Friedman and Councilor Cheney abstained.
Councilor Cheney stated that it was with great regret to see Councilor Hathaway step down as Chair.
ITEM 3. Consideration of minutes: Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to accept June 16, 2003 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 4. Consideration of the Agenda: Councilor Hathaway stated he would like to discuss the redistricting of the Town. This was added as item 5f.
ITEM 5a. Conservation Corridor
Sally Jacobs was present to discuss the proposed Bangor-Old Town conservation and recreation corridor. Manager Reed outlined that she has already done presentations for the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission. Since Veazie is part of the urban center the group sponsoring the corridor is looking for a letter of support.
Chris Dorian and Sally Jacobs both discussed the proposed corridor. There are several undeveloped parcels, most of which are owned by public entities. They include Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, University Forest Lands, Caribou Bog, Bangor City Forest and Penjajawoc Marsh. The proposal is to connect all of these parcels into one corridor. This would preserve a line that the animals and people could utilize. There will be areas that will need to be acquired to make it continuous either by fee or easement.
Sally Jacobs stated that there is $1.1 million left in funds for the Land for Maine Future Grant. The Land for Maine Future Grant requires a match of funds. Sally Jacobs stated that the group needs a letter of support from Veazie and would appreciate any donation as well. It will be two to three years before any more grant money is available so it is important that the group tries to get a grant now. For every three dollars received from the grant the group has to match a dollar.
Councilor Cheney asked if it would be a place where walkers and skiers intermingle with ATVs and snowmobiles and how it would work since it would not be managed. Sally Jacobs stated that each group would manage their section. They would all meet and decide how to connect trails and determine regulations.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to authorize the Town Manager to write a letter of support for the Bangor to Old Town Wildlife Corridor. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 5c. Public Safety Recognition (Taken out of order)
Chairman Friedman stated that the Council appreciates the individuals going beyond the call of duty on May 26, 2003. The two Chiefs stood to present the certificates of recognition. Chief Leonard presented certificates to Officer Watson and Officer Welch. Chief Martin stated that Firefighter Nick Sirois could not be present but wished to thank the Council and Nick had said that “it was his everyday job”.
ITEM 5b. Follow-up to Town Meeting (Taken out of order)
Councilor Hogan stated he thought there was a good turnout and everyone had an opportunity to be heard. He was also pleased that the budget was accepted and approved.
Councilor Cheney recommended advertising more for the budget meetings so that people would come and understand the process instead of having things “snowball” out of control at the end.
Councilor Hathaway stated that he thought the meeting ‘splintered’ the community. There are people who can’t give enough to the school, people who want to cut taxes and then there are people who want to ‘gripe’ about everything. He outlined that it is going to be a tough year. There are some hurt feelings between the school and the Town. All the hard work done over the last 10-15 years has gone down the drain. There will be some relationship building to do in the coming year.
Chairman Friedman stated that it bothers him when residents come to Town meeting and try to cut things when they don’t even know what they are cutting because they haven’t attended any other budget meetings. He outlined that the Council has always done everything it can for the children of the community. The Town does the best job it can with the monies it has available.
Manager Reed outlined that he thought Jim Parker did an excellent job as the moderator.
Councilor Cheney stated that there was a comment from someone who said they were shocked because the School Committee voted in favor of the Town budget. However, the School Committee later said that it is not about ‘us against them’ so Councilor Cheney is in disagreement that there is a lot of damage between the departments.
Councilor Hogan stated he would like to get the budget committee more involved and invite them into dialogue sooner.
ITEM 5d. Stormwater Management Presentation
Deputy CEO John Ellis was present to give a presentation on the Stormwater Management Phase II. In order to be successful the Town and Council’s support is needed.
On June 3, 2003 the Town received a copy of the stormwater general permit. The Town has 90 days to submit a Notice of Intent. This is a five year plan of how we will reduce pollutants to the surface waters to the maximum extent practicable.
The Storm Water Phase II rule was published on December 8, 1999 and generally requires operators of small MS4s in urbanized areas to develop and implement a stormwater management program which addresses six minimum control measures:
1. Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts
2. Public involvement and participation
3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination
4. Construction site stormwater runoff control
5. Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
6. Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations
Councilor Hathaway asked who was setting the criteria for this. CEO Thomas stated the EPA mainly. CEO Thomas also outlined that there are no grants or funds available to help with this process. Councilor Hathaway stated the Town should draft a letter to the congressional staff. He outlined that towns are being forced to comply but there are no funds available to help with the process. Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to have the Town draft a letter to the congressional staff regarding the Stormwater Phase II mandate. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 5e. Governors Sinclair Act II
Manager Reed outlined that in the Council packets was a copy of the Governor’s outline of the Sinclair Act II. He explained that the act is a voluntary incentive-based system for municipalities and the school districts coterminous with them to form a new level of local government. It would involve five or more municipalities converging into one service district or two or more school units.
ITEM 5f. Redistricting of Town
Councilor Hathaway stated that with the new redistricting of towns we are now in the same district as Bangor. He recommended inviting the Town’s new representative to a future meeting to introduce themselves once the redistricting is finalized.
ITEM 6a. GIS mapping Overview
Manager Reed outlined that CEO Thomas has been working with James W. Sewell Co. on the GIS mapping and a couple of examples have been included in the Council packets. Sewell has also given the Town a demo website. Manager Reed recommended that the Council members visit it.
ITEM 7. Comments from the Public
John Manter of the Conservation Commission stated that the commission is continuing to work with cover type analysis mapping and hopefully they will have something ready to show the Council in the near future.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report
a.) The Council reviewed a copy of the Police Department’s annual report
b.) The Council reviewed a copy of a letter from Heather White regarding a complaint against the Town and a reply from Manager Reed to Heather White
c.) The Council reviewed a copy of PVCOG’s Spring Newsletter
d.) The Council reviewed a copy of a thank you note to Deputy Clerk Beckie Woods
e.) The Council reviewed a copy of the School Committee’s agenda and minutes
f.) The Council reviewed a copy of a letter from Michael Smart regarding responsibility issues for field maintenance and a reply from Manager Reed. Manager Reed stated that he, Rosemary Freese, Superintendent Perry, Principal Nichols, Superintendent of Public Works Butch Free and Michael Smart will be meeting to resolve these issues.
ITEM 9. Requests for Information/Council Comments: There were no requests for information or comments from the Council.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 25 & 25A, Town Payroll 25, School Warrant 25 & 25A, School Lunch Warrant 25 and School Payroll 25 were circulated and signed.
Chief Leonard wanted to quickly discuss his proposal for liquidating the department’s old Ford cruiser. He had put the vehicle out to bid and received three responses. Fleetmaster offered to pay between $3,000 and $4,000. Police Cars Unlimited offered to pay between $3,000 and $4,000 and Jim O’Halloran offered $7,000. Chief Leonard outlined that the department has done business with Jim O’Halloran before, he has bought several of the department’s vehicles.
Motion By: Councilor Hogan—to accept the $7,000 bid from Jim O’Halloran. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 5-0 in favor.
Chief Leonard stated that he was sorry to see Councilor Hathaway resign from Council Chair. He was happy to have had the opportunity to work with him. He also congratulated Chairman Friedman and outlined he looked forward to working with him as well.
Chairman Friedman inquired about a letter the Council had received from Mark Janicki. He recommended inviting him to the next Council meeting and putting the issue on the agenda.
Councilor Cheney stated that she had been approached by two or three people inquiring whether Walmart would be purchasing land by the cement plant. Manager Reed stated that he had not heard anything. CEO Thomas stated that no one has come to him with questions regarding the land.
Councilor Cheney asked if the gravel removal along side the road was taken care of. CEO Thomas stated that he had spoken with the owners about removal. Councilor Cheney outlined that there is still a huge pile at the end of the driveway at the school. Manager Reed stated that he would speak with Public Works about cleaning it up.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Hogan—to adjourn June 2, 2003, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 5-0 in favor. There was no further discussion. Meeting adjourned at 9:15.
Respectively submitted,
Karen Gifford
Assistant Clerk
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