PRESENT: Chairman Champaco, Councilor Friedman, Councilor Hathaway and Councilor Perkins; Manager W. Reed; Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey; Office Administrator J. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Police Chief M. Leonard, Budget Committee Members Suzanne Hart, Bill Hogan, and John Manter; Principal Scott Nichols, Town Auditor Charemon Willey-Staples. Councilor King was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The January 8, 2007 Veazie Town Council was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to accept the December 11, 2006 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Chairman Champaco asked Manager Reed to give an update on the progress of the Parks & Recreation Director search.
ITEM 4a. Draft Audit Report
Town Auditor Charemon Willey-Staples was present to go over the audit with the Council. She outlined that everything is going very well for the Town. The only continuing item that seems to be a problem is the school lunch program. Manager Reed stated that the issue will be resolved in the coming year when the school lunch program is placed in the school budget and will no longer be an enterprise account.
The Auditor outlined that it was apparent that the program was never going to be self-sufficient so it only made sense to bring it under the umbrella of the school budget.
She went on to state that the Town has increased its assets. Capital assets went down but that was because the Town has not made any major capital asset purchases and there has been depreciation on the current assets.
Budget Committee Member Bill Hogan outlined that a couple of years ago the Town funded the loss from the School Lunch Program and was wondering if the Town will be called upon to do that again. Manager Reed stated that the school lunch program would be budgeted for under the school’s budget from now.
ITEM 4b. Wood Boiler Ordinance - Discussion
The Council was provided a copy of Millinocket’s wood boiler ordinance.
Chairman Champaco thought she had heard at the last Council meeting that there were property owners in Veazie that had wood boilers and wanted to verify that. CEO Allan Thomas clarified that he doesn’t know of any in Veazie but a Veazie resident has one in Bangor.
Manager Reed explained that the specific requirements can be modified to address the Town’s dense housing areas.
CEO Allan Thomas stated that if it was the consensus of the Council, he, Manager Reed and the Town Attorney could modify the ordinance to fit Veazie and bring it back to a future meeting. It was the consensus of the Council to do so.
ITEM 4c. Illicit Discharge Ordinance - Discussion
CEO Allan Thomas stated that this ordinance had already been modified for Veazie. He explained that this ordinance is part of the storm water agreement and has to be adopted by June 3rd of this year. He stated that he thought it would be easier to just have the public hearing for both of them at the same time.
There was discussion on not being able to wash your car in your driveway, however you can wash it on the grass.
The consensus was to proceed with the ordinance.
ITEM 4d. BASWG Regionalization Grant Acceptance
CEO Allan Thomas went over the grant schedule and milestones chart with the Council.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to authorize Allan Thomas, Veazie Storm Water Coordinator and BASWG Chair, to sign on the Town’s behalf the acceptance of the $75,459 grant awarded under the terms and conditions as outlined by the State of Maine’s Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) and State Planning Office (SPO). Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5a. Budget Schedule
The Budget Committee members in attendance were fine with the proposed budget schedule. Copies will be mailed to everyone.
ITEM 5b. Recreation Director Update
Manager Reed stated that the hiring committee got together and interviewed five candidates. The list has now been narrowed down to two and those two will be invited back for another interview.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
a. The Council reviewed a copy of a thank you letter from Stephen Mooers to Councilor Hathaway for his congratulations letter sent to Stephen. Stephen thanked everyone and the Staff for their hard work and commitment to the project.
b. The Council reviewed a copy of a memo from Office Administrator Julie Reed regarding budget reports and outstanding taxes.
c. The Council reviewed a copy of the Fire Department’s monthly report.
d. The Council reviewed a copy of the School Committee’s agenda and meeting minutes.
e. The Council reviewed a copy of a letter from Maine Municipal Association regarding dues and services provided.
f. The Council reviewed a copy of the BACTS newsletter.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor Friedman inquired on how the Superintendent took Governor Baldacci’s recommendation about reducing the number of school districts. Manager Reed stated that he has not been able to speak with Kelly about it yet. He added that an official “blueprint” of the plan hasn’t been released yet so he is curious how they will handle such issues as local board members and union contracts.
Councilor Perkins mentioned the property valuation freeze. Manager Reed stated that he didn’t think that initiative would go through due to the impacts that the real estate market would face on new sales of older homes.
ITEM 10. Town Warrant 14, 14A & 14B, Town Payroll 14, School Warrant 14 & 14A, School Payroll 14 and School Lunch Warrant 14 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman—to adjourn the January 8, 2007 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway—there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:26p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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