PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor King, Councilor Perkins and Councilor Parker; Councilor Hathaway was absent and excused. Manager W. Reed, CEO A. Thomas, Chief M. Leonard, Chief G. Martin, Public Works Director Free, and James Parker, Engineer.
ITEM 1. The September 17, 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 August 6, 2007 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Parker. It was noted that the minutes should reflect that Councilor Perkins was excused. Voted 3-0-1 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Parks and Recreation Update:
Robert Young, the Parks and Recreation Director, gave the Town Council an update on the status of the department. It was highlighted that revenues have exceeded projections and attendance to all programs is up. The discussion with the Town Council covered the following topics:
· The success of the extended summer program
· After-School Recreation pre-sign up
· Senior activities
· The coming fall soccer program
· A possible movie night with the PTO
· Halloween Carnival
· The parents’ night and the new Parks and Recreation website
· A ball field update
· Men’s basketball and open gym
Chairman Friedman discussed that the Parks and Recreation Director should handle the ball field concerns since it is related to the program and school activities.
Councilor Perkins asked questions pertaining to revenues and if the department was close to breaking even in costs.
Councilor Parker asked questions pertaining to number of children attending programs.
Chairman Friedman discussed the positive feedback he has received about the revitalized Parks and Recreation Program. It was noted that the goal of the program was to provide a good experience and program first and foremost.
ITEM 4b. Maine Municipal Association Voting Credentials:
The consensus of the Town Council was to have the Chairman and the Town Manager to serve as the voting representatives. It was also noted at this time that the Town Manager had been elected to the Maine Municipal Association’s Executive Committee. The MMA Nomination Committee had well over 20 individuals to nominate for election and the Town Manager was nominated and elected.
ITEM 5a. Roadway and Public Works Project Update:
Jim Parker reviewed all of the projects completed by Sunrise Materials. He outlined that he had authorized some overages to ensure that the paving projects came out to a standard that the Town would be happy with. He detailed that all of the projects came out very well and to an acceptable standard. Jim Parker then discussed the proposed revisions to the shim overlay project of the Buck Hill Extension. He detailed that it would exceed the budget but the revised fix should address all of the drainage concerns after the Town installed the last 900 feet of drain tile along the roadway this fall. It was noted that with all of the improvements that Lou Silver Inc. and the Town had completed over the past several seasons the drainage issues should be resolved. It was the consensus of the Town Council to allow for the overages
on the pavement projects in order to ensure that the projects met acceptable community pavement standards. It was noted that some of the projects were within the original estimated budgets and several were over by several thousand dollars, most notably Silver Ridge and Chase Road. Jim Parker concluded that he would review the Buck Hill Extension work to ensure that the swale is paved correctly.
Public Works Director Free updated the Town Council on the following projects:
· The cemetery fence project
· The topsoil project made and spread 500-600 yards
· The Buck Hill Extension drain tile project
· The school playground drain tile system
· The tennis court drain tile project
· Installation of new Hobson Ave. drainage project
· Salmon Club and Riverside Park improvements
· The catch basin repair projects
· The rebuild of the plow wings
· The overhaul of the older dump truck
· The rebuild of the Bobcat
· The Universal Waste Program and storm water management program assistance.
ITEM 5B. Ambulance Service Update:
The Fire Chief detailed some of the differences in the revised ambulance service agreement from the original one that the Town Manager was authorized to sign. The Town Manager outlined that since some of the differences had caused some concerns with the department’s staff that he felt it best to bring the revised agreement back to the Town Council for discussion and input. It was discussed that the two key ambulance personnel should work with the department’s staff members and Town Manager to address and resolve outstanding concerns. The Chair asked that this item be brought back to the Town Council in the middle of October.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
Jim Parker, Engineer, outlined that a sewer easement with the Davis Family, LLC. May be in the works. Jim Parker, who also serves as a Water District Trustee, reported that a regional treatment facility may be discussed in the future with the Town of Old Town. If not, the Water District may construct a new treatment facility due to the fact that the facility’s “medium” needs to be replaced and technology improvements should also be made at that time.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
The Town Manager updated the Town Council that he and Allan Thomas, Assessor, would be meeting with the new owners of the Casco Bay Energy power plant. The Manager outlined that he and the plant’s manager had met earlier in the week and that things seem to be going well at the facility.
The Town Council then reviewed the rest of the Manager’s report.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
There were no requests for information or Town Council comments
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 6, Town Payroll Warrant 6, School Warrant 6, School Lunch Warrant 6 and School Payroll Warrant 6 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the September 17, 2007 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Perkins —there was no further discussion. Voted 4-0.
A true record, Attest:
William Reed
Clerk
Town of Veazie
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