PRESENT: Chairman Champaco, Councilor Hathaway, Councilor King, Councilor Friedman and Councilor Perkins; Manager W. Reed; Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey; Office Administrator J. Reed, Police Chief M. Leonard, Fire Chief G. Martin, Parks & Recreation Director Lisa Janicki, Penquis C.A.P. Representative Stephen Mooers, Jim Parker of CES, Inc., Midsummer Music Challenge Organizer Bill Masters and Members of the Public.
ITEM 1. The July 10, 2006 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to accept the June 26, 2006 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. White Goods Discussion
Manager Reed outlined that every year the Town has a few people that express that they would like to have an opportunity to drop items off in Veazie. He stated that he had spoken with the Superintendent of Public Works to get his thoughts on the subject and Superintendent Free stated that a white goods collection was something that the department could do. It was outlined that some people have expressed that they are intimidated by the Industrial Metals site.
Councilor Hathaway stated that he thought it was a great idea as long as the Town charged the appropriate fees to cover the actual cost of disposing of the items. He outlined that he is against curbside pickup because it has been so abused in the past.
Councilor Perkins inquired on what Industrial Metals charged for items. Manager Reed stated that they charge a fee for Freon items, washers and dryers he had heard that they may pay a couple of dollars for the metal.
Councilor Perkins also inquired whether the Town would plan on doing a collection for computer monitors and televisions. Manager Reed stated that the Public Works Department has a universal waste Gaylord set up behind the municipal building. Residents can bring them on the same day as the universal waste collection.
Councilor Hathaway inquired whether Industrial Metals would drop off a dumpster and come empty it. Manager Reed stated that Superintendent Free was going to look into that option. He added that it would be for municipal use and for certain times of the year for residents.
Councilor Friedman asked what the possible fees would be for residents. Manager Reed stated that for a refrigerator, residents would probably be looking at paying $20 and the fee for a washer or dryer would be very minimal.
Councilor Friedman stated he would like to see Industrial Metals bring containers and come get them instead of Public Works transporting the items down there in the Town trucks. The transport would cause additional wear and tear on the trucks.
Chairman Champaco asked the Council how they felt about having the collection on a weekend or weekday. She also asked Manager Reed how many employees would be needed to tend to the collection. Manager Reed stated one or two would be needed.
Councilor Hathaway recommended having the collection on a Saturday and possibly a Sunday. He suggested having someone at the gate to collect the fees and direct the person to the appropriate pile.
Councilor Friedman asked how the Town will advertise the collection to the residents. Manager Reed stated that it would be placed on the government channel and website, in the newsletter and in the Bangor Daily News.
The consensus was for the department to report back to the Town Council with a proposal.
ITEM 4b. Annual Election – MMA Executive Committee
Manager Reed stated that staff did not have any recommendations, however he was familiar with Ruth Marden of Jay and her work with smaller and industrial towns on tax reform.
It was the consensus to vote for the following candidates:
Nicholas Mavodones – President – 1 Year Term
Ruth Marden – Vice President – 1 Year Term
Stephan Bunker – Director – 3 Year Term
Scott Harriman – Director – 3 Year Term
John Sylvester – Director – 3 Year Term
The Council also took up item 7a of the Manager’s Report which was the ballot for Maine Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Committee. Manager Reed was the only candidate for the position and the Council cast their vote for him.
ITEM 5a. Senior Housing Update and Discussion
Stephen Mooers of Penquis C.A.P. and Jim Parker of CES Inc. were present to discuss the proposed second phase of the Veazie senior housing project. Jim Parker presented a new site plan layout. He outlined that he hasn’t started meeting with local residents yet because he is looking for some direction from the Council to give the developer authority to take this parcel of land to the Planning Board so it can be considered as part of the total land requirement needed for the project. The developer is also looking for authorizing to use this land for the project so that he has permission to go before the planning board.
Jim Parker stated that he has talked to Tom Lewis and they think they can bring the building forward so there is less impact to the trail and the amount of woods there.
Councilor Perkins stated that he walked through the Senior Housing area the prior night and noticed that there was a camper parked down there taking up quite a few spaces. He outlined that the Town used a lot of land to put that housing facility there and that he would hate to see excessive parking spots being wasted.
Councilor Hathaway inquired where the building would be placed in relationship to the stream. Jim Parker outlined that the front left hand side of the building would be very close to where the Kennett house once sat.
Member of the Public, Don MacKay, outlined that the last thing he remembered hearing was the Council wanted Town staff and developers to work with abutters and interested parties. He stated that he would have appreciated someone contacting him, however nothing was ever done. Jim Parker stated that the developers were waiting until they had a “footprint” of what they are going to do before they started to meet with residents.
Code Enforcement Officer Allan Thomas inquired about the roof between the two buildings of the proposed facility and whether it was going to be an open roof. Jim Parker stated that it was going to be a foyer.
Member of the Public, Touradj Solouki, inquired whether the square footage of this proposed site was the same as the original. Jim Parker stated it was the same square footage as the original plan. Mr. Solouki also inquired whether a road could be put from Main Street down to the proposed site. He was concerned with big trucks and equipment coming down Olive Street and Flagg Street because of the children. Manager Reed stated that he wasn’t sure if something like that could be done.
Councilor Hathaway outlined that the Town wants to be the least intrusive as possible so that the Town can save as much of the path as possible and make it better. He also outlined that the Town should try to discourage tennis court users from parking down in the Senior Housing parking lot and park up on Main Street which was originally intended for that.
Manager Reed stated that the stairs from Main Street down to the tennis courts had to be rebuilt so access to the tennis courts from Main Street would once again be feasible. However, now the stairs have been replaced and the Town can place a sign that says tennis court parking.
Member of the Public, Maggie Auxier, stated that she was worried about the kids’ safety. She outlined that countless children come down through the path and she has a big concern about the traffic. She is also concerned with large trucks and construction workers driving in and out of the area. Member of the Public, Maggie Auxier, stated that the Town would be putting a facility in a place that is very kid friendly and the people living there may not want the kids there.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to authorize the Town Manager to remit a letter to the project developer outlining that they are the designated developer for the proposed “second” phase of the Veazie Senior Housing project. The intent of the letter is meant to address the requirements of the Veazie Planning Board for developer standing on the proposed project. The Town Manager and Town’s legal counsel are further requested to continue to develop a “lease, lease/purchase or purchase” agreement and an affordable housing Tax Increment Finance District “TIF” in order to facilitate the orderly development of the second phase of affordable senior housing. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, there was no further discussion, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 5b. Midsummer Music Festival Update
Bill Masters was present to give the Council an update on the Midsummer Musical Festival. He outlined that not only did they have the ten bands but they also had five bands on an alternate list. He added that one of the bands will be from Veazie.
He stated that he would like to offer free tickets to the Senior Housing facility residents and set up a section for them to sit in. Admission will be $10 a person and for families of three or more it will be a $25 flat fee.
Bill Masters stated that he is afraid they might get too many people so he is going to limit the advertising. So far there haven’t been any problems and there have been plenty of sponsors.
Councilor Friedman asked whether he had acquired the prize money. Bill Masters stated that he is not concerned with the prize money because he feels that they will have plenty of people in attendance to cover the prize money and then some. However, he would pay it if he had to.
Bill Masters stated that Helen Cheney has volunteered her time to help with the event and she has arranged with the businesses on School Street for people to park in their parking lots.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
Chairman Champaco wanted to thank the public in attendance. She outlined that sometimes things seem cut and dry but the Council does value their comments and they hope that they continue to come and express their opinions.
Member of the Public Don MacKay inquired where the stage was going to be for the Midsummer Music Challenge. Manager Reed stated that it was going to be in the batting area of the baseball field.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
Manager Reed stated that the Town is going to have an outdoor movie screen to show movies. The Town has received the screen and Public Works is going to build the frame for it. He outlined that the school’s license to show movies did not cover outdoor showings so staff is still working those details out.
Manager Reed wanted to thank Allan Thomas and Intern Ryan Collins for helping set up the new waterslide for Parks and Recreation. The department use to use tarps and the Fire Department would spray it with water however, staff has now purchased OSHA approved waterslides.
a. The Council reviewed a copy of the ballot for MMA’s Legislative Policy Committee.
b. The Council reviewed a copy of the BACT’s newsletter.
c. The Council reviewed a copy of the Safety Grant Award that the Fire Chief had briefly mentioned at the last Town Council meeting.
d. The Council reviewed a copy of the Penobscot Valley Council of Governments’ agenda and meeting minutes.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor Hathaway wanted to note the passing of Coda Little. He played a very big role in bringing senior housing to Veazie.
Councilor Hathaway stated that trees seem to be overgrowing the community. Roads and paths are becoming obstructed and sidewalks are becoming overgrown. Road signs are also becoming obstructed. He outlined that there is a tree dangerously leaning towards the Chase Road by Councilor Perkins home. Code Enforcement Officer Allan Thomas stated that the tree was on private property and it was not a Town issue. He also added that if the tree fell it would not fall on the Chase Road.
Councilor Perkins stated that he had noticed some holes in the Chase Road that may be getting bigger.
Chairman Champaco stated that she was glad to see a police cruiser parked in front of Johnson Monument. She outlined that she had mentioned at a prior Council meeting that there is a tendency for vehicles to speed by her on the right side when she is trying to make a left hand turn on to Ridgeview Drive.
ITEM 9. Town Warrant 26B, 1 & 1A, Town Payroll 1, School Warrant 26A &1 and School Payroll 1 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman—to adjourn the July 10, 2006 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway—there was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:38p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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