PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Hathaway, Councilor King, Councilor Parker, Councilor Perkins, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Assessor A. Thomas, Police Chief M. Leonard, Auditor Charemon Willey-Staples.
ITEM 1. The June 23, 2008 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Election of a Chair
Motion by: Councilor Perkins—to nominate Councilor Friedman as Council Chair. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 4-0-1 in favor. Councilor Friedman abstained.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor King —to accept the June 10, 2008 meeting minutes as revised. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 4. Consideration of the Agenda
CEO Allan Thomas stated that his annual appointments needed to be done. This was added as item 5b.
ITEM 5a. Tax Bidders Prospectus
Manager Reed provided the Council with a draft of the prospectus with comments from the Town Attorney. Manager Reed outlined that the Town can ask what the bidder plans on doing with the buildings, however, they cannot be bound to that.
Manager Reed stated that if there is a tie bid, there will be an additional week to submit “rebids”.
Councilor Hathaway stated that he would like to know what the bidders plan to use the buildings for. He outlined that he would like to see them give a narrative.
Councilor Hathaway also suggested having the bids submitted in an envelope and announced at the Town Office.
Chairman Friedman inquired on what the time line was for putting the prospectus out. Manager Reed stated staff should be able to get it right out and have it out for four to six weeks. The Council discussed possible avenues to place ads for it including the Bangor Daily news and the Maine Business Magazine. It was the consensus to put a six week time line on the prospectus.
ITEM 5b. Appointments
Motion By: Councilor Hathaway—to appoint Allan Thomas as Tax Assessor, Code Enforcement Officer, Plumbing Inspector, Electrical Inspector, E-911 Addressing Officer, Pole Permit Authority and Storm Water Administrator. To also appoint Brian Stoyell as Alternate Code Enforcement Officer and John Manter as Alternate Code Enforcement Officer for Shoreland Zoning only. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 6a. Audit Overview
Auditor Charemon Willey-Staples was present and stated that she will be coming in July to do some pre-audit preparation and then coming back again in August to do the actual audit.
She was curious to see where the Town was with school consolidation. Councilor Hathaway stated that they should be having the public hearing in August, a vote in January and hopefully hand things off July 1st, 2009.
ITEM 6b. Bonding Discussion
There was discussion on using bonding for highway projects. Manager Reed outlined that in the 70’s and 80’s did a large number of projects. He stated that its looking like a lot of the roads might be suffering fatigue that were built 30-40 years ago and they may be at the end of their design life.
Councilor Perkins stated that the Town has great infrastructure. He inquired about the pavement study the Town had done and thought it showed that the Town didn’t have any roads that needed to be replaced. There was discussion on Wedgewood Drive and Riverview Street needing big repairs.
Manager Reed outlined that the Town has paved over pavement so many times that it is starting to act like concrete.
Councilor Hathaway stated that he would like to see the Town engage in a professional study for analysis and presentation. Main Street up to the bridge, Wedgewood Drive and the railroad crossing are all places of concern.
Manager Reed stated that Superintendent Free contacted someone regarding the bridge and they will be taking a look at it. He also outlined that the Town has put in for a safety grant to repair the railroad crossing.
ITEM 7. Comments From The Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report
a. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a proposal summary of the best energy rates that Constellation New Energy could find for the Town. It was noted that our current standard offer is better than any of the rates found.
b. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the Transit Bonus Award being made to the Town from the State. The BAT budget will exceed our original budgeted figure by several thousand dollars due to the huge rise in diesel fuel costs. The award will be used to offset the costs.
c. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the Regionalization Planning Committee’s meeting minutes.
d. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a letter from Maine Municipal Assocation awarding the Town a safety grant for the Fire Department.
e. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the Fire Department’s monthly report.
f. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the School Committee’s meeting minutes.
g. The Town Council reviewed a copy of a thank you card from Vincie Lynch thanking staff for dedicating the Town Report to her late husband, Raymond Lynch.
Councilor Hathaway suggested having a meeting with Joe McNeil on the BAT.
ITEM 9. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor King state that the area by the cemetery fence where Public Works pulled out a stump needed to be reloamed.
Councilor Hathaway inquired on the pathway behind the new Senior Housing building. He’d like to see the pathway finished at both ends and promote the walking trails.
Councilor Hathaway also inquired about a bus shelter and what happened to the one the Town had. Manager Reed stated that the Town’s was taken when something happened to one in Bangor, so the Town is owed a shelter. Councilor Hathaway stated that he would like to see it put by the Town Hall.
Councilor Hathaway also inquired on the exterior of the Town Hall and whether any work was planned on being done. Manager Reed stated that Recreation Director Rob Young had spoken with resident Tony Michaud regarding some community service work on the Town Hall. It was noted that the building is in need of a new roof.
Councilor Hathaway inquired about the government channel. Manager Reed stated that staff is trying to work with Time Warner to get new equipment. The whole system is outdated and non-functional and would take a lot of money to replace.
Councilor Parker stated that he has received comments on the lack of mowing at the school and town triangle. Councilor King inquired on who maintained the front of the municipal building. Manager Reed stated no one right now, however staff has been looking into two vendors.
Councilor Hathaway commented on the sidewalk by Flaggs. He outlined that the pavement was uneven and dangerous.
Councilor Perkins brought up a suggestion made by former Councilor Champaco in the past. That was to put a Councilor Corner in the newsletter for Councilors to introduce themselves.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 26, Town Payroll Warrant 26, School Warrant 26, School Lunch Warrant 26 and School Payroll Warrant 26 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Hathaway—to adjourn the June 23, 2008 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor King —there was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned 8:45 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
| 
