PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Cheney, Councilor Kelly and Councilor Hogan; Manager Reed, Assistant Clerk K. Gifford, Police Chief Mark Leonard, CEO Allan Thomas, Members of the Public Joan Perkins, Mark Janicki, Lisa Janicki, Harold Walker, Karen Walker, Freeland Jones and Margaret Sudborough.
ITEM 1. The June 30, 2003 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes: Motion By: Councilor Kelly—to accept June 16, 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 4a. Mutton Lane Discussion
Manager Reed outlined that he had received a letter from Mark Janicki regarding the maintenance of Mutton Lane. Manager Reed stated he replied to Mark Janicki and invited him as well as the other residents on Mutton Lane to attend the Council meeting.
Manager Reed outlined that under the land use ordinance Mutton Lane is a non-accepted right of way, it was never constructed to Town standards. Currently there are two problems that exist with Mutton Lane. First the roadway is not built to Town standards and second it does not adjoin to an existing Town maintained roadway. Manager Reed outlined that the Town does not have a fee simple easement through the Greystone Trailer Park and the Town doesn’t have the right or ability to maintain the private park.
Councilor Cheney asked if Greystone Trailer Park would be coming under new ownership. CEO Thomas stated that most likely the park would be changing owners. Councilor Cheney recommended working with the new owner for a right of way.
Member of the public Freeland Jones stated that he didn’t understand why the Town was getting involved. He outlined that in the deed it stated the road was on private land and that it is up to the property owners to maintain the road.
Member of the public Mark Janicki inquired on who actually owned the road. CEO Thomas stated that the Town owns the property which the non-accepted road lies on. Manager Reed outlined that the road was acquired through a tax interest, however, the Town does not hold a maintenance agreement on it due to the fact that the roadway is non-accepted. The owners of the property are allowed to use the road and can maintain it. The roadway would have to be brought up to Town standards and would have to be connected to the Town roadway system. In general, the Mutton Lane residents’ ownership interest, property deeds, outlined that there is a right to travel the way.
Member of the public Mark Janicki stated that if it is the responsibility of the property owners to maintain the road then they would like to post it as private to stop kids and ATVs from coming up and destroying the road. Manager Reed outlined that in order to make it a private way all abutters would have to agree, however, the Town cannot deny access to open space so the road would not be posted as private.
Member of the public Mark Janicki stated that his motivation was very positive when writing the letter. He wants to do whatever he can to maintain and improve the Town. He stated that if the property owners spend their money to maintain repairs who is liable if someone gets hurt on the road. Manager Reed outlined that the Town has coverage for all Town owned property.
Councilor Hogan stated that the Town will take it under consideration and look into it further. The Town will look at where it stands legally and get input from the new owners of the trailer park if everything goes through, which should be at the end of July.
Member of the public Karen Walker asked why the Town couldn’t acquire land from the Davis’ and Mutton Lane could be connected to Silvers Park or the new subdivision going in on Chase Road.
Member of the public Karen Walker outlined that it was mentioned in the letter Manager Reed sent out that Mutton Lane was an illegal subdivision. She outlined that at the time everything was legal and the Town also issued building permits to the property owners. CEO Thomas stated that he has left the matter as “it’s legal” until proven otherwise.
Manager Reed stated he will send the residents a letter to notify them when the Council will meet again to discuss the issue. Member of the public Mark Janicki asked who was liable and if he and the other residents have the right to deny access. Manager Reed stated that if it is Town owned property it is insured. He added that he would speak with the Town attorney to see if the road can be posted to not allow vehicles like ATVs and motorcycles.
ITEM 4b. Goals & Objectives Discussion
Manager Reed passed out the goals and objections for 2003. Councilors were given a blank form to fill in their goals and objections for 2003-2004. These were completed and given to the Town Manager to draft up a complete list.
ITEM 5ai. Code Enforcement and Assessing Appointment
Manager Reed stated that it was time for the annual appointments for the Code Enforcement Office and the Assessing Office. Councilor Cheney stated that in light of CEO Thomas’ personal matters that perhaps John Ellis’ name should be added in the motion. Manager Reed outlined that it was not necessary. As John Ellis becomes certified he will be appointed to duties.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to appoint Allan Thomas to the following positions for the ensuing fiscal year 2003-2004: Tax Assessor, Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Electrical Inspector and as the Town Council designee for “minor” pole location permits. Seconded: Councilor Hogan, Voted 4-0 in favor..
ITEM 5aii. Budget Committee Member Appointment
Manager Reed introduced Joan Perkins to the Council. He outlined that she serves as chairwoman of the Parks & Recreation Committee. Councilor Cheney asked if there was a conflict of interest where she serves on the committee. Manager Reed stated that she can and that she may abstain from commenting on the Parks & Recreation budget if a conflict exists. Joan Perkins stated that she is looking at this as a learning experience. This will allow her to give an intelligent and an informed answer to questions regarding the budget.
Motion By: Councilor Hogan—to appoint Joan Perkins to the Town Budget Committee for a one-year term ending June 30th, 2004. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
Member of the public Freeland Jones asked what the purpose of Town Meeting was. Chairman Friedman stated that it is to approve the budget. Member of the public Freeland Jones asked if the Town ran the Town meeting or Maine Municipal Association. He outlined that he had heard that people were not allowed to speak. Chairman Friedman stated that everyone who wanted to speak were allowed to speak. Chairman Friedman stated that Manager Reed will contact Maine Municipal Association and contact Freeland Jones pertaining to his concerns.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
a.) The Council reviewed a copy of the letter that was drafted up in support of the Bangor-to-Old Town Recreation and Conservation Corridor.
Manager Reed outlined that the Veazie 150th celebration is coming up. Councilor Cheney inquired why there wasn’t a parade anymore. Manager Reed explained that there would have been 300 or so Shriners and only a couple local groups in the parade. The 150th Committee and Chief Leonard discussed it and decided not to have the parade. Manager Reed added that the weekend after the fourth of July isn’t the best time to have a parade.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information/Council Comments: There were no requests for information or comments from the Council.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 26 & 26A, Town Payroll 26, School Warrant 26, School Lunch Warrant 26 and School Payroll 26 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Hogan—to adjourn June 30, 2003, Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Cheney, Voted 4-0 in favor. There was no further discussion. Meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Karen Gifford
Assistant Clerk
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