PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Cheney, Councilor Perkins, and Councilor Champaco, Town Manager B. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Office Administrator, J. Reed, Bruce Fowle of the Kiwanis, Ron Mullins, Phil Mullins, June Powell, George Powell, Paul Jacques, representing Greystone Mobile Home Park and Richard Moffitt, Councilor Hogan was unable to attend and excused.
ITEM 1. The July 12, 2004 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of minutes: Motion Councilor Cheney--to accept June 28, 2004 minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda: There were no additional items added to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Committee appointments: Manager Reed went through the list of recommended reappointments. Motion by: Councilor Cheney— to reappoint Allan Thomas as Tax Assessor, Code Enforcement Officer, Shoreland Zoning Officer, Plumbing Inspector, Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, 911 Addressing Officer and authority to issue pole permits.—To appoint John Ellis as the Alternate Code Enforcement Officer, Shoreland Zoning Officer and Building Inspector—To appoint John Manter to a 3 year term on the Planning Board—To appoint David Wardrop to a 1 year term as an associate member of the Planning Board—To appoint Joan Perkins, Michael Laferriere, Susan Laferriere and Sherrie Patterson to a 3 year term on the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Seconded: Councilor Perkins Voted 4-0
ITEM 4b. 4th of July Corp. Presentation: Manager Reed introduced Bruce Fowle of the Kiwanis and The 4th of July Corporation. Mr. Fowle handed out copies of the current report of Revenues/Expenses for The 4th of July Corporation. Mr. Fowle did a presentation explaining the history of who, what and how the 4th of July events have been handled for the past 15 years. He explained how money has been raised to keep the 4th of July Fireworks tradition going. The Corporation had been able to raise enough funds to provide the fireworks and for the last 5 years they were carrying funds over from year to year up until a couple of years ago and this pass year ended with a negative balance.
Mr. Fowle expressed that he was perusing new ideas to raise money for the 4th of July celebration. He stated that while the fireworks are still fresh in people’s minds it would be a good time to seek alternatives for fundraising.
Chairman Friedman expressed that there are many residents from Veazie that attend the 4th of July fireworks and recommended that the Town show support of the event by contribute to the 4th of July events.
Mr. Fowle stated that if each person who watched the fireworks donated a dollar there would be plenty of money for the event. The Fundraising has gotten more and more difficult. Selling tickets for a dollar to view the fireworks from the bridge has been a good fundraiser but this will end soon. The area where the fireworks are currently shot off from now will soon be the Bangor waterfront so they will need to find a new open area.
Blue Hill Pyrotechnics has continually donated a substantial amount of fireworks. One thing that people do not often realize is that the parade is not all volunteers. They do have to pay some of the parade participants. Even reserving a military van must be reserved years in advance and will not participate for another 5 years in the same parade. Another large expense is portable toilets which cost $1,000 for just one day.
The Kiwanis Bangor Breakfast Club and Kiwanis Afternoon Club are planning fund raisers. He stated that he was not necessarily present to directly asking the Town for dollars but to share with the Town the need for new ideas for fundraising. One idea mentioned was putting out a challenge to Veazie residents or other community to match funds raised. The donators will be recognized for their participation. He also asked about utilizing the newsletter to bring about awareness and maybe ask residents for ideas to help out with raising funds. This could help raise the awareness that this event does not happen by itself.
Councilor Cheney stated that she is a huge fan of the parade. She got involved 3 years ago by put a float together with the help of public works and the some of the children in the community. She suggested sending buckets around during the festivities to collect change.
Mr. Fowle explained that organizing the parade requires a lot of volunteers and they do not have man power to pass buckets. The bridge can be manned with 6 to10 people. They are also responsible for the clean up and returning the chairs. They also raise funds by selling water during the parade.
Councilor Cheney expressed that she would like to see more community involvement perhaps sending out a town to town challenge could raise funds. She also stated that after the fireworks in the traffic jams would be an ideal time to collect with buckets —but she wants an event t-shirt to work the crowds during the traffic jam. She also suggested that maybe a dance after the fireworks would raise funds.
Councilor Champaco stated she was not a big fan of fireworks and said she would be willing to help raise money through fundraising efforts but was not comfortable with handing over $5,000 of taxes payers money from the town. She feels that the people in town should have a say whether they support this or not.
Chairman Friedman mentioned that he asked to put this on the agenda because there is a shortfall. Bruce Fowle liked the town to town challenge idea. He would also like people to keep in mind that the police officers need to be paid. The City of Bangor is opposed to carrying the load for the event.
Councilor Perkins stated that the City of Bangor makes money because of the traffic flow produced by the event. Manager Reed stated that the City of Bangor does not really benefit from this because many of the businesses are not even opened on the 4th of July. People come into downtown specifically for the fireworks and leave when the show is over. The City of Bangor endures the cost of additional patrol officers for the event and other incidentals.
Councilor Perkins stated that he was with Councilor Champaco that he does not want to just hand over money without the taxpayers support. Councilor Cheney said she would like to make this a challenge to raise the funds and then see what people feel about supporting the 4th of July events. She expressed that citizens should take pride in country.
Chairman Friedman stated that we should issue a community challenge in the newsletter and asked Manager Reed to contact other town managers and put this item back on the agenda for October.
Richard Moffet, a member of the public, stated that he really enjoyed the fireworks and supported the idea of matching funds.
ITEM 5a. Water Project Update: A letter from Richard Moffitt was distributed prior to the council meeting. The contents of the letter stated that he is stepping down from the management of Greystone Trailer Park to pursue other local projects.
Phil Mullins—came here a few weeks ago and has looked over the water situation and feels that it is a dire need for public water. The park owner would like to get on the water project as soon as possible. He stated that since Barney Silver has been hired to do the proposed Water District/Town project and would like a proposal from him to put the whole system in. He would like to get an approval for this project as soon as possible.
Manager Reed stated that all the permits have been attained but that the Town is unable to invest funds for the project that falls outside of the Town’s right-of-way. He stated that the cost outside the area would cost $5,000.00 and needed to be paid by the park owners.
Councilor Perkins asked if things are still moving ahead. Manager Reed again stated that the project is on track all permits have been secured. The coordination of the project would be between Barney Silver and the Water District. Manager Reed stated that a donation of $5,000 is needed and requested the council to make a motion to accept the funds required.
Motion Councilor Cheney Motion--to require a $5,000.00 donation from Chelette Manor for the water line installation that falls outside of the Town’s right of away. Seconded: Councilor Freidman, Voted 4-0
June Powell provided the phone numbers of the new management team.
Home 848-5010—Cell 356-5421
ITEM 6. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7a. Manager’s Report:
a. Manager Reed state that Police Chief Leonard would be present at the next council meeting if any of the councilors had questions about the Annual Police Report.
b. Office Administrator Reed passed out an updated delinquent tax report to replace the one that went out in the Council Packets. Manager Reed stated that Veazie probably has the best Real Estate tax collection in the state. Chairman Friedman stated he would like to see the number even lower. He would like to bring this item up again on August 23rd.
c. Article of Brewer’s actions in regards to the tax cap.
d. Article regarding Veazie donation to the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Corridor and the State Street/Greystone water expansion.
e. Fire Departments Monthly report.
f. Copy of the thank you letter from Sally Jacobs regarding the $5,000 contribution to the Caribou Bog-Penjajawoc Corridor.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information/Council Comments: There were no comments made.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 1, 1A & 1B, Town Payroll Warrant 1, School Warrant 1, School Payroll Warrant 1, and School Lunch Warrant 1, were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion by: Councilor Cheney--to adjourn July 12, 2004 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Perkins--There was no further discussion. Voted 4-0 Meeting was adjourned at 7:56pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie D. S. Reed
Office Administrator
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