PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Hogan, Councilor Cheney and Councilor Champaco; Town Manager B. Reed, Assistant Clerk K. Humphrey, CEO Allan Thomas, Office Administrator Julie Reed, Police Chief Mark Leonard, Assistant Fire Chief Carl Tenney and CES Inc. Representative Jim Parker. Councilor Perkins was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The November 29, 2004 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:03 PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes: Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to accept the November 15, 2004 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Champaco,
There was no more discussion. Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda: There were no additions made to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Solid Waste Contract Discussion
Manager Reed outlined that in fiscal year 2000-2001 the Town was amidst reworking on a consolidated solid waste contract. At which time the Town decided to go with Waste Management. Since that time, Waste Management and the Town have added memorandums of understandings to the agreement. Manager Reed outlined that sometimes fees have been waived for certain services. When the Town changed its spring cleanup Waste Management allowed residents to take items to their Brewer facility.
In meeting with Waste Management to discuss a new contract it has been pointed out that a number of costs have increased. The number of stops, gas prices and insurance had risen. Costs for federal and state regulations have also increased. Manager Reed outlined that the Town would like to work with Bob Sparks of Waste Management to come up with a new multi-year agreement instead of the one year option.
Operations Manager, Bob Sparks reiterated that there have been increases. He outlined that the increased house count is a big issue. In the current contract 120 stops is estimated for the recycling, however, there has been a low of 171 stops and a high of 300. Trash pickup is estimated at 600 stops, however, there has been a low of 718 stops and a high of 752. Bob Sparks outlined that if the Town looks at tipping fees and tonnage, the workload has almost doubled. Currently Waste Management has two trucks servicing the Town, originally one truck serviced the Town.
Chairman Friedman stated that since the Town has been with Waste Management, trash removal has been consistent and they leave nothing behind. He outlined that he thought the Town should stay with Waste Management.
Councilor Cheney stated that she has been very impressed with the service. She had one problem and that was with the time frame varying on trash pickups. Bob Sparks outlined that possible reasons for that is that the truck has had mechanical problems or they are backed up at PERC. Sometimes the truck will have to wait in line to empty its contents.
Councilor Hogan asked if there was a possibility that the Town’s rebate from PERC could change. Manager Reed outlined that the Town’s rebate depends on the profitability of PERC and tipping fees.
Councilor Cheney stated that she would like to see some figures on tonnage and costs.
Motion By: Councilor Cheney—to allow Town staff to negotiate a new multi-year consolidated service contract with Waste Management which will include the new guidelines of transfer station usage and other matters associated with bulk wastes, brown goods and universal waste. Seconded: Councilor Champaco, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5a. Water Project Update
Jim Parker was present to give an update on the water project. The new water line is installed and will need to be flushed and disinfected which will be done this week. Tomorrow the rest of the pavement will be finished weather permitted. Jim Parker noted that the water line that runs beyond the Stonehouse Cafe is only two inches wide and would not be able to service a hydrant in the park.
Manager Reed stated that he spoke with the park’s owner and the correct size line will be installed so that a hydrant will be able to be placed in the park. The owner, Mark Mullins, committed that he would work with the Town to create an escrow to put a hydrant in the park.
Manager Reed stated that he would like to work out an escrow agreement to get this project finished in the spring as well as get the roads paved after all construction is completed. He would also like to work something out so that the Town would have a public right-of-way through the park back to Mutton Lane.
Councilor Hogan asked if Manager Reed had a dollar amount for the escrow. Manager Reed stated that he is looking at an amount of $25,000.
Councilor Hogan stated that he would like the Town to have the escrow by the end of the year, December 31st. Chairman Friedman agreed.
Jim Parker also had an update on the issue of encroachment on Hobson Avenue. The survey done shows the same thing the Town’s tax maps do. There is no physical encroachment of structure and no right-of-way encroachment by the Town unto the property of Roderick Hathaway. The road is not straight in the right-of-way but it will stays within the right-of-way. Jim Parker outlined that the Code Enforcement Officer might review if the park’s structures are within proper setbacks.
ITEM 6. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report:
a. The Council reviewed a copy of a proposal that the Town submitted to the Veazie Sewer District pertaining to the Town’s former standby power generator. Manager Reed outlined that he has not heard anything official from the District since the letter was sent, however when he had spoken with Superintendent Gary Brooks on the phone and he seemed very interested.
b. The Council reviewed a copy of the Police Department’s quarterly report.
Manager Reed outlined that union negotiations start on Thursday with the Veazie Professional Firefighter bargaining unit.
Manager Reed stated that the Council may have read an article in the Bangor Daily News regarding an issue with a child abuse investigation. He commended the Police Department for their action on this incident.
Councilor Cheney stated that she is very pleased with the Police Department and would like to commend the Chief and the department for all of their hard work.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information/Council Comments:
Councilor Cheney outlined that there was a lot of litter beside the road by the Stonehouse Cafe and would like to see it picked up. Manager Reed stated that he would have Code Enforcement Officer Allan Thomas take a look at it.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 11 & 11A, Town Payroll Warrant 11, School Warrant 11, School Lunch Warrant 11 and School Payroll Warrant 11 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Cheney—to adjourn the November 29, 2004 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Hogan —there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0, Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Humphrey
Assistant Clerk
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