PRESENT: Chairman Champaco, Councilor Friedman, Councilor King and Councilor Perkins; Manager W. Reed; Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey; Office Administrator J. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Police Chief M. Leonard, Members of the Public Frank St. Louis and David Wardrop, Councilor Hathaway was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The August 21, 2006 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor King—to accept the August 7, 2006 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 3-0-1 in favor. Councilor Friedman abstained due to his absence from the meeting.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Chairman Champaco stated that she had received a copy of Frank St. Louis’ request however, she didn’t see how it fit on the agenda. She outlined that he would have the opportunity to make comments under item 6, ‘Comments from the Public.’
ITEM 4a. Town Council Meeting Schedule
Manager Reed outlined that the next meeting fell on September 4th which is Labor Day.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to cancel the September 4th Council meeting. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5a. Conservation Discussion
Manager Reed stated that enclosed in the Councilor’s packets were two sheets displaying estimated annual costs associated with bonding. Both are based on tax exempt bonding rates. If the Town were to do a revenue bond the interest rate would be higher and it would not be tax exempt.
Also included was a projection of costs and impacts model that the Town will be issuing to the Davis Family LLC and the Planning Board in the coming weeks. Manager Reed outlined that the new school fund formula actually helps the Town when student enrollment increases. He also added that the subdivision would not impact the Fire and Police Department’s service level.
Member of the Public David Wardrop stated that he has received many phone calls over the last few months regarding purchasing the Davis family holdings in Town. He outlined that people have been discussing this idea for years even before Tom Davis brought this development forward.
Member of the Public David Wardop stated that the Town is small and it does not own much land. He outlined that this was not an attempt to fight the proposed development. He explained that the Land Trust works with landowners and not against them.
Chairman Champaco inquired whether the Davis family would be open to just selling a portion and decreasing the number of lots to be developed. Member of the Public David Wardop thought that is something that could be open for discussion.
Manager Reed outlined that the Town could have the Conservation Commission work with the Land Trust to discuss opportunities or he, CEO Allan Thomas, the Town Attorney and the heads of the committees could have an economic development meeting.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to direct Town staff to pursue a potential meeting with the Davis Family LLC on conservation discussions. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5b. Revenue Sharing Update
Manager Reed stated that he received the new print out from the State with the new figures. After the revisions the Town will be receiving a net gain. Manager Reed outlined that other communities had problems too however, Veazie was the only town to contact the State. He added that Senator Schneider was very helpful and got right on top of things and staff would like to express appreciation for her quick actions.
Motion By: Councilor King—to authorize the Town Manager to write a letter thanking Senator Schneider for her timely and effective assistance on this very important community situation. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
Chairman Champaco stated that she felt the reason the Council meets is to ensure that municipal government is doing its job efficiently and effectively so that residents can receive services that they are entitled to because of the taxes they pay. She explained to Mr. St. Louis that if his issue had an impact on how the government functions, or the budget or services being rendered then the Council would gladly hear his comments.
Member of the public Frank St. Louis stated that the Town has rules and regulations that the Town adopted in the Charter that address conduct of the Council, Chairman and Town Manager. He outlined that the former Chairman at the time of the Senior Housing opening went to the ceremony representing the Town Council and the Town and he accepted a picture. The picture should be in the Council Chambers and not in the person’s home.
Chairman Champaco outlined that the issue occurred over two years ago and it should have been brought up then. She also outlined that the issue was not related to municipal government and its function from her view. The public comment session ended.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
a. The Town Council reviewed information pertaining to the TABOR ballot issue.
b. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a letter that was enclosed with the Town’s lease bill for the community space at the Graham School Senior Housing facility.
c. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the Fire Department’s monthly report.
Manager Reed informed the Council that the Seniors Club had invited the Town employees and Town Council members to their September 6th dinner night as an appreciation night.
Manager Reed outlined that there would be a street dance on September 23rd at the school. The band Freedom will be playing and the PTO will be there selling food.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor King stated that at the previous meeting he had volunteered to be on the oral board for the hiring process of a police officer. He outlined that he really enjoyed participating and thanked Chief Leonard for the opportunity.
Councilor Perkins inquired on where things were with the second phase of the senior housing. CEO Thomas stated that he would be meeting with Noel Musson of CES on Tuesday. Councilor Perkins also inquired on when a meeting would be set up with residents. CEO Thomas stated that Noel Musson would be setting up that meeting most likely on Tuesday as well.
Councilor Perkins stated that he would like to have the footprint be as small as possible and encompass the space around the current parking area because there are already enough parking spaces.
Chairman Champaco inquired on whether there was anything the Town could do to help the Longmeadow Drive sewer project along. Manager Reed explained that the Town does not have any rights or responsibilities as far as that issue goes. The Sewer District is the one who creates and plans the infrastructure in Town. He outlined that the ball is in their court and the Town cannot be the driving force behind it.
Councilor King outlined that residents have to petition the Sewer District to put sewer on the street and the residents would also have to pick up half the cost of the project.
ITEM 9. Town Warrant 4 & 4A, Town Payroll 4, School Warrant 4 and School Payroll 4 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the August 21, 2006 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Friedman —there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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