PRESENT: Chairman Champaco, Councilor King, Councilor Hathaway and Councilor Perkins; Manager W. Reed; Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey; Office Administrator J. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Police Chief M. Leonard, Parks & Recreation Director Lisa Janicki. Councilor Friedman was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The August 7, 2006 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor King —to accept the July 24, 2006 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 3-0-1 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Manager Reed outlined that David Wardrop of the Veazie Chapter of the Orono Land Trust sent over an email regarding a proposal for the Davis Family land. This was added as items 4b.
ITEM 4a. P.V.C.O.G. Appointments
Manager Reed outlined that included in the Councilors’ packets was a nomination form for the P.V.C.O.G General Assembly and Executive Committee. He outlined that the Executive Committee member is usually the Elected Official for the General Assembly.
Chairman Champaco inquired whether any of the Councilors were interested in being on either of the two. Each Councilor stated that they wouldn’t be able to attend every meeting but would be willing to rotate attendance.
Councilor Hathaway outlined that the P.V.C.O.G. forums are for elected officials however, the meetings are during the day. He added that the meetings have become more for town and city managers.
It was the consensus to put down Chairman Champaco’s name and to put the other four Councilors as alternates, the Town Manager would serve as the appointed member.
ITEM 4b. Land Trust Proposal
Manager Reed outlined that David Wardrop emailed him a proposal that the Town purchase the Davis Family holdings over a period of 10-20 years. Manager Reed added that David Wardrop has had a lot members of the Land Trust ask him to forward this idea on to the Town Council.
Manager Reed stated that bonding for that parcel of land seems like a good idea in nature however if you look at the cost it is very expensive. He also outlined that the Town would have a special bond in order to buy the land. There is an issue with buying something tax exempt and then profiting from it. If the Town were to redevelop a portion of the property the Town would likely have to have a revenue bond which is not tax exempt and the interest rate would be higher.
Chairman Champaco inquired what the status was with the Davis Family, LLC development. Code Enforcement Officer Allan Thomas stated that right now everything is in the placeCityDavis’ hands. He outlined that studies have to be done and documented, including traffic and water flow studies before the review process can begin.
Councilor Perkins inquired on how many acres were involved in the proposed purchase. Manager Reed outlined that it was about 300 acres.
Councilor Hathaway stated that he thought the idea was worth exploring. He outlined that he didn’t think a 97 unit subdivision was a ‘neighborhood’, it was more of its own town within one. He added that it would destroy the character of the town and he thought the Town would find that people would be willing to pay for it.
It was the consensus to have David Wardrop come to the next Council meeting and Manager Reed would come back with some figures on bonding as well as lease purchasing.
CEO Allan Thomas stated that Tom Davis should be invited to the meeting or at least told that the Council is discussing his land.
Councilor Hathaway stated that the Town is either going to pay for it in school additions, infrastructure additions and road maintenance or they could purchase the land and pay for it up front.
Chairman Champaco requested copies of the Planning Board meetings that have pertained to the Davis Subdivision as well as copies for the other Councilors.
ITEM 5a. Revenue Sharing Update
Manager Reed outlined that he received an email regarding the revenue sharing from State Treasurer David Lemoine. After review by staff it was found that Veazie would have a 60% reduction which seemed incorrect due to the Town downloading the list on July 12th and the Town’s estimate showing at roughly the same as last fiscal year.
Manager Reed stated that he called Senator Schneider who got right on top of it and set up a meeting with David Lemoine and spoke with the Governor’s office. Manager Reed outlined that he and Assessor Allan Thomas looked over the spreadsheet and saw that the Town’s tax assessment was incorrect.
Manager Reed stated that the State will be reissuing numbers in the next few days. He added that tax commitment had been delayed a week because of this issue.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
Member of the Public Bill Masters was present to discuss the Veazie Mid Summer Music Challenge. He stated that the event was under promoted but luckily that is something that can be corrected. He outlined that his fear was that if there were too many people the Town may not want to do it again. The weather was another problem. The event also lost three bands in the week before, two in the 48 hours before. Bill Masters stated that next time the bands will be required to pay an entry fee, if they show up they will get it refunded. He also outlined that there were not a lot of volunteers. In the end, $450 was raised for the school fund.
Bill Masters outlined that everyone helped out from all departments and there were positive comments so he thinks this is something that will happen again.
Chairman Champaco stated that it was a positive event. She outlined that a short time elapsed between the idea being introduced and then taking place. She recommended taking more time to organize it.
Bill Masters commented on item 4b. He outlined that it was gratifying that the Town was seeking out different ways to approach the Davis Subdivision. The fact that the Council wants to preserve the Town is great.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
a. The Council reviewed a copy of an enforcement action letter that CEO Allan Thomas sent out recently.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Police Chief Leonard stated that the department is in the beginning stages of a hiring phase. They started with a physical agility test and six candidates passed. He outlined that he would like to do an oral board and have a member of the Council on the board.
Chairman Champaco asked what the purpose of the oral board was and what the role of the Council member would be. Chief Leonard explained that it was part of the interviewing process. There is a list of questions and the board members score the candidates on their answers.
Councilor King volunteered for the position. Chairman Champaco appointed Councilor King to serve on the board.
Chairman Champaco inquired on what the status of sewer access to addressStreetLongmeadow Drive was. CEO Allan Thomas stated that it was the same as it was back in May when it was discussed.
Councilor Hathaway requested that the Council discuss bonding for future road pavement projects at a future meeting. He outlined that the Town needs to get caught up and perhaps this was a viable alternative.
ITEM 9. Town Warrant 3 & 3A, Town Payroll 3, School Warrant 3 and School Payroll 3 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Perkins—to adjourn the August 7, 2006 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor King—there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of CityplaceVeazie
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