PRESENT: Chairman Champaco, Councilor Friedman, Councilor Hathaway and Councilor Perkins; Manager W. Reed; Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey; Office Administrator J. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Member of the Public Donald MacKay. Councilor King was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The October 30, 2006 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to accept the October 30, 2006 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 3-0-1 in favor. Councilor Friedman abstained due to his absence.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Public Hearing
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway —to enter into public hearing to hear public comments on the proposed G.A. Ordinance Revisions. Seconded: Councilor Friedman , Voted 4-0 in favor.
Chairman Champaco inquired whether people who were eligible for General Assistance applied for it. Manager Reed stated that there are quite a few people who apply for assistance. There is a four page application which Deputy Clerk Karen Humphrey goes over with them. Everything is formulary and based on income, receipts of income spent, expenses and number in household.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to close public hearing and reconvene regular session. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—that the Town of Veazie formally adopts the MMA Model Ordinance General Assistance Appendixes (A-C) for the period of October 1, 2006 through October 1, 2007. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 4b. Discussion of Rotation of Chairs
Chairman Champaco stated that there were several reasons it might be useful to have rotating chairs. She outlined that the Council has five different people with five different opinions and five different ways of doing things. This would be a way to be expressive of their feelings and opinions. Chairman Champaco stated that this would be a way to have diversity. It would make things stronger to some degree. As times change, needs may change, it could add or improve the way the Council runs the Town’s government.
Councilor Friedman outlined to Chairman Champaco that she accepted the position of Chair for the year. After her year has expired ,she may step down. He outlined that Chairman Champaco needed to be neutral and suggested she get information before meetings instead of asking a lot of questions at the meetings.
Councilor Friedman stated that the position of Chair is a one year term and that it would be a ‘nightmare’ to rotate.
Chairman Champaco outlined that she didn’t think that it said anywhere in the Charter that the Chairman needs to be neutral. She stated that her primary job is to run down the items on the agenda.
Councilor Perkins stated that he liked the pros of the idea. It gives another Councilor an opportunity to interact with staff and the Town Manager.
Councilor Hathaway stated that he agreed with Councilor Friedman. He outlined that if the Council rotated, the Chairman position it would lose continuity. He added that there haven’t been any big issues arise where the Chairman has had to step up and play a big role. Councilor Hathaway stated that if Chairman Champaco thought her role was to just come to the meetings and run down through the agenda, then that was a very laid back approach. He outlined that the role of the Chairman is to interact with the Manager 2-3 times a week and to work with the Manager on the agenda and to understand the agenda. Councilor Hathaway again reiterated the importance of continuity.
Chairman Champaco stated that she just wanted to put the idea out for discussion and see what people’s thoughts were on it.
ITEM 5a. Senior Housing TIF Follow-up
Manager Reed stated that at the last meeting he passed out the TIF Development Program and Credit Enhancement Agreement. He outlined that the proposed TIF district is going to be the footprint of the building. He added that the CAV formula has been very problematic and they are still trying to “get their arms around it”. The Credit Enhancement Agreement will determine if taxes are accessed and if so, how they will be collected and distributed back.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to authorize a Public Hearing at the November 13th Town Council meeting on the Senior Citizen Affordable Housing TIF District and Program and the Credit Enhancement Agreement associated with said district. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
Manager Reed wanted to follow-up on the confusion which seemed to exist at the last Town Council meeting. He outlined that staff was not trying to buy the property (Comeau property adjacent to Municipal Building) they were just trying to get the option to buy it. He also added that every time the Town has bought land it has always had a town meeting on it to approve the funding.
b. The Council reviewed a copy of a memo from the Executive Director of MMA regarding an alternative proposal to TABOR.
c. The Council reviewed a copy of the Town’s Pavement Management Study prepared by Susan Morse. There was discussion that the report should be just one of several tools to use to decide what roads need to be addressed.
d. The Council reviewed a copy of a memo from MDEP thanking Allan Thomas and the Bangor Area Storm Water Group for participating in this year’s Northern Maine Children’s Water Festival.
e. The Council reviewed a copy of the BACTS newsletter.
Councilor Hathaway outlined that the bridge is deteriorated and will need to be addressed eventually. It has been there twenty years and the Town has never done any maintenance to it.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor Friedman stated that he read the Maine Townsman and it had some really good information on TABOR and the candidates for election.
ITEM 10. Town Warrant 9, 9A & 9B, Town Payroll 9, School Warrant 9, School Lunch Warrant 9 and School Payroll 9 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman—to adjourn the October 30, 2006 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway—there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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