PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Hathaway, Councilor King and Councilor Parker; Manager W. Reed; Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, CEO A. Thomas, Office Administrator J. Reed, Police Chief M. Leonard, Chief G. Martin, Auditor Charemon Willey-Staples.
ITEM 1. The August 6, 2007 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor King—to accept the July 9, 2007 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Tax Commitment Update
Assessor Allan Thomas outlined that he committed taxes on Friday, August 3rd, however the tax bills did not go out until today. He stated that the community value went up due to the sale of the Casco Bay energy plant. Assessor Allan Thomas stated that the mill rate is exactly what was predicted in the Town Report.
ITEM 4b. Audit Update
Town Auditor Charemon was present to go over a draft audit with the Town Council. She outlined that the Town’s designated and undesignated funds are very healthy. She added that there was only one department that was overdrawn and that was Public Works for about $8,000, but some of that would be offset with personnel cost transfers.
Chairman Friedman outlined that he thought the Council had already addressed the issue with Public Works. Manager Reed explained that this overage was salt related, not overtime and that the Executive Department owed the department for some funds for code enforcement coverage.
Town Auditor Charemon outlined that the school lunch transfer came out of the school’s fund balance this year. She added that the program still owed the Town cash which they have in their checking account.
Town Auditor Charemon will have the final copies at the next meeting.
There was discussion on the Chart of Accounts and the requirement of it being uploaded by August 15th. Town Auditor Charemon stated that the Superintendents Office stated that once they finished Orono’s and got it approved they would start working on Veazie’s.
ITEM 4c. Police Department Designation
Chief Mark Leonard requested to carry forward $20,000 from his FY 06-07 budget to the current budget. $5,000 would be used to purchase new radar units for the cruisers. The remaining $15,000 would potentially be used towards the 25% matching monies required for the Mobile Data Terminal Project Grant. He outlined that other departments such as Fire, Public Works and Code Enforcement could benefit from the project.
There was discussion on the Chief keeping his whole carryforward and putting some of the monies toward a police cruiser. It was decided that $30,000 would be rededicated to the Police Capital Account ($25,000 for the grant and $5,000 for the radar replacement) and $10,000 to the Police Cruiser Reserve.
Motion By: Councilor King—to rededicate from the lapsed police fund; $25,000 for the Mobile Data Terminal Project Grant, $5,000 for the radar replacement and $10,000 for the cruiser reserve for a total of $40,000. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Manager Reed stated that there was extra investment income of $90,000 and he would like to recommend using some of that money to catch up on paving projects.
Councilor Hathaway wondered whether painting the speed limit on the Chase Road would get people’s attention.
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to carry from the excess revenue line to the highway projects reserve account under capital projects, $70,000 to do Hobson Avenue, Olive Street, Lemon Street and Chase Road. The Town will also paint the speed limit on the Chase Road. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 5a. School Consolidation Update
Manager Reed outlined that the next Council meeting will be held at the school with the School Committee on Monday, August 20th.
Councilor Hathaway outlined that he had read an article in the Bangor Daily News about Bangor and how they had only been approached by Glenburn.
Manager Reed outlined that it is still unclear whether the Bangor School system will be a department of the City or a regional school unit. He recommended having the Planning Committee send a letter of intent to Bangor, Glenburn and VOOT (Old Town & Orono). A letter should also be sent to the Department of Education stating that these are the three options the Town is looking at along with copies of the three letters.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
a. Manager Reed gave an update on the ball fields. The Town ordered 120 tons of infield material and 2 tons of turface. There was discussion on running water to the fields. An estimate from Lou Silver, Inc. came in around the $12,000 - $15,000 range. Councilor Parker made some suggestions and Manager Reed stated that he would look into it. Copies of emails from Principal Nichols and Manager Reed were enclosed.
b. Manager Reed outlined that the Public Works Department installed a drain tile system at the playground “deck” area.
c. Manager Reed outlined that the Public Works Department also installed a drain tile system at the tennis court area.
d. Manager Reed stated that a new fence is being installed at the cemetery by the Public Works Department.
e. The Town Council reviewed a copy of an article from the Bangor Daily News regarding home sales and home prices.
f. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the School Committee’s meeting minutes and agenda.
g. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the BACTS newsletter.
h. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the Town’s quarterly financial reports.
i. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a thank you note to Officer Angelo.
j. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a citizen comment card.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor King inquired whether the new cruiser had come in yet. Chief Mark Leonard stated that it has but the department has not yet taken delivery of it.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 3 & 3A, Town Payroll Warrant 3, School Warrant 3 and School Payroll Warrant 3 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the August 6, 2007 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway—there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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