PRESENT: Chairman Champaco, Councilor Friedman, 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, School Committee Chair D. Hayman, Superintendent K. Clenchy and a U.M. student reporter. Principal S. Nichols arrived late.
ITEM 1. The March 19, 2007 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to accept the March 5, 2007 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 3-0-2 in favor. Councilor King and Councilor Friedman abstained due to their absence.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Chairman Champaco stated that she would like to have an update on the RedZone Wireless Broadband. This was added as item 5b under unfinished business.
ITEM 4a. Conservation Commission Appointment
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to appoint Donald MacKay to a vacant three year position on the Veazie Conservation Commission expiring on June 30, 2009. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 5a. School Department Update
Superintendent Clenchy was present to give an update on the School Department. Included in the Councilor’s packets was a copy of a letter from Superintendent Clenchy regarding the tuition student shortfall. Manager Reed stated that Superintendent Clenchy would also like to discuss the School Lunch Program as well. He outlined that currently staff does not know which way they should proceed. If schools districts are consolidated he is not sure how enterprise accounts will be handled.
Superintendent Clenchy stated that the department budgeted for 95 tuition students for the current year and also carried a budget for an additional four. However, this year through the second quarter, Veazie has 108 tuition students. The department has taken the time to verify that they are indeed Veazie students. Superintendent Clenchy stated that the school is $68,000 short in terms of tuition. He outlined that they do have contingency money set aside and would like to use that to cover the costs.
Councilor Hathaway inquired whether Superintendent Clenchy had looked at the makeup of the students, whether they were firmly implanted or “mobile.” Superintendent Clenchy stated that about 70% of the students are in stabilized settings.
It was the consensus of the Council to support the School Department in using their carry over funds to cover the additional cost of tuition.
ITEM 5b. Update on RedZone Wireless
Manager Reed stated that Skypilot has not completed the RF study. It will probably be three weeks before they are able to come to the Town to complete it. He also talked to them about developing a form letter to businesses located in Town and to see what their needs were.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
Manager Reed outlined that the Maine Department of Transportation is having a substantial cash flow problem. A former commissioner, John Melrose, of DOT is going to be submitting a bill to legislature that proposes that 10% of excise tax be sent to the State. A lobbyist at Maine Municipal has come up with a lockbox idea. The 10% would go into a lockbox and the Town could use it for local roads, however, Manager Reed stated that he was concerned that the funds may not be available in a timely fashion which has seemed to happen to the Federal funds that the State receives. The MDOT Commissioner will be meeting with local officials in April.
a. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a letter from CEO Allan Thomas regarding some violations at a residence in Town.
b. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a letter from the Maine Department of Transportation regarding a deferral of state highway and bridge projects.
c. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a memo from Deputy Treasurer Julie Reed regarding an upcoming budget meeting. Also attached were the most updated financial statements.
d. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the School Committee’s minutes and agenda.
Councilor Friedman stated that he would like to have an updated list of people who owe taxes.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
There were no comments or requests for information.
ITEM 9. Town Warrant 19, Town Payroll 18A & 19, School Warrant 19 and School Payroll 19 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman—to adjourn the March 19, 2007 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Perkins —there was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town ofVeazie
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