PRESENT: Chairman Champaco, Councilor King, Councilor Hathaway and Councilor Perkins; Manager W. Reed; Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey; Office Administrator J. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Budget Committee Member Joan Perkins, Town Attorney Rick Violette, Penquis C.A.P Representatives Tom Lewis and Stephen Mooers, Members of the Public Julia Comeau, Donald MacKay and Jay Otis. Councilor Friedman was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The October 16, 2006 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor King —to accept the September 18, 2006 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 3-1-0 in favor. Councilor Hathaway abstained due to his absence.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Manager Reed stated that he would like to have an executive session under 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405-6 to discuss a personnel legal matter. This was added as item 7b.
Chairman Champaco stated that at a future meeting she would like to have the Council look at the Town Charter and consider incorporating rotating chairs.
ITEM 4. Public Hearing
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to enter into public hearing to hear public comments on the proposed ground lease agreement for affordable senior housing. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Member of the Public Donald MacKay outlined that in Ellsworth space was designated for senior housing however, all of the openings could not be filled so it was turned into low income housing. He was concerned that this might happen here.
Stephen Mooers stated that senior housing is the mission of this project. Manager Reed added that the draft lease agreement states that for 99 years the land is designated for senior housing and if it is not used for senior housing the Town may reclaim it.
Budget Committee Member Joan Perkins inquired what will be the cost to the Town to support this facility into the future, if any. Manager Reed outlined that it really will not be an additional burden for the Police and Fire Departments. Joan Perkins asked about the Public Works Department with mowing and plowing. Manager Reed outlined that the Town does not maintain the facility. Penquis C.A.P. takes care of the mowing and plowing.
Joan Perkins also inquired whether there would be an annual fee as there is for the current building. Manager Reed stated that the current fee is for the community room and there will not be another room in the new building so there will not be another fee.
Member of the Public Donald MacKay asked who would be paying for the trails to go by the tennis courts. Manager Reed stated that the Town will not have to pay to create the trails but the Town will maintain them once they are built.
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to close public hearing and reconvene regular session. Seconded: Councilor King. Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5a. Comeau Proposal
Manager Reed outlined that included in the Councilors’ last packet was an option letter from the Comeaus. The Comeau’s property abuts the municipal building on the Police Department’s side. Manager Reed explained that currently the Comeaus allow the Town to plow snow on their property and have allowed use of the property when required.
Councilor Perkins inquired on how the purchase of this land would benefit the Town. Manager Reed outlined that currently the Town has storm water drainage through their property. Also, if the Comeaus cut off access to the property the Town would have to haul snow to another location.
Councilor Hathaway stated that he thought it was a reasonable proposal, however he had a problem with how it would be funded. He outlined that he would like to have the citizens vote its approval at a Town Meeting. Currently the Town carries no budget specific to this item.
Julia Comeau outlined that she will be retiring soon and they plan on selling both parcels. It could sell in the next few months but definitely by next summer.
Chairman Champaco stated that she had “a hard time swallowing” a price of $35,000 for a parcel that is only .2 acres. She thought that putting the item before the Town to vote on as suggested by Councilor Hathaway was a good idea. She added that entering into an option to purchase binds future councilors. Town Attorney Rick Violette explained that an option is just that, an option. Future Councilors would not be obligated to purchase the parcel, they would just have the option to purchase it if they so chose.
Councilor Hathaway stated that the Town Charter does not allow for the Town to purchase land. He outlined that the Town has to go before the people and ask them to fund this. Manager Reed clarified that the Charter does allow for the purchase and sale of land. He also outlined that staff is not saying to purchase this parcel today but just to enter into an option to purchase.
Councilor Perkins stated that he was in agreement with Councilor Hathaway and Chairman Champaco in regards to bringing this item before the people at Town Meeting for them to vote on.
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to authorize the Town Staff to negotiate a purchase sale agreement to purchase said property which the purchase and sale agreement would be subject to approval by voters as a warrant article at Town Meeting. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6a. Senior Housing Update
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—that the Town of Veazie hereby ordains an ordinance authorizing the Town Manager to execute on behalf of the Town the following agreement to enter into a lease entitled “Option to Enter into a Lease between the Veazie Village Senior Housing Associates Limited Partnership and the Town of Veazie, Maine. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6b. CityplaceDavis Family, LLC Update
Manager Reed outlined communication between the Town and Tom Davis has been informal. The subdivision has been moving along slowly. Manager Reed stated that due to it being harvest time it has been hard to set up a meeting.
ITEM 7. Comments from the Public
Member of the public Julia Comeau stated that the flower box on the Town sign on State Street is rotten and was wondering if it could be fixed.
ITEM 7b. Executive Session
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to go into executive session under 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405-6 for a personnel legal matter. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor King—to close the executive session and return to regular session: Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report
b. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a letter regarding a grant received by the Bangor Area Storm Water Group.
c. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the Town’s investment portfolios.
d. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the School Committee’s minutes and agenda.
Assessor/CEO Allan Thomas stated that there is a purchase sale agreement on the Maxell house.
ITEM 9. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor Perkins inquired whether there have been any complaints about dirt on the roads in front of the Lou Silver, Inc. pit. He pointed out that when the area gets wet it is slippery. CEO Allan Thomas stated that he could contact MDOT regarding it since State Street is a State maintained roadway.
Chairman Champaco asked how property tax collection was going. Deputy Tax Collector Julie Reed stated that she has about three pages of unpaid taxes which is about standard.
ITEM 10. Town Warrant 8 & 8A, Town Payroll 8, School Warrant 8 & 8A, School Lunch Warrant 8 and School Payroll 8 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King —to adjourn the October 16, 2006 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway—there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:42p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of CityplaceVeazie
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