PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor King, Councilor Parker, Councilor Hathaway, Councilor Perkins, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Police Chief M. Leonard, Parks & Recreation Director R. Young.
ITEM 1. The September 2, 2008 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 18, 2008 meeting minutes as revised. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway, Voted 4-0-1 in favor. Chairman Friedman abstained due to his absence.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
There were no additions made to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Parks & Recreation Update
Recreation Director Rob Young was present to give an update on the department and current fee schedule. Currently the After-School Program is $7 a day and $35 a week. There is also a $10 fee for half days and $15 fee for full days. He is recommending that it be raised to $40 a week, $9 per day, $12 for half days and $18 for full days.
The Summer Program is $18 per day for residents, $20 for non-residents; $45 for three days, $50 for non-residents; $70 per week, $90 for non-residents.
Councilor Parker inquired on how many non-residents attended the summer program this summer. Director R. Young stated he had five non-residents, two that came full-time and three part-timers.
There was discussion on having the fee be $40 a week only if the parent pays ahead otherwise they will pay $45 a week.
A letter will be drafted and sent out to parents letting them know of the new policy.
Director R. Young also wanted to talk to the Council about the teen center. He had heard that it may not make sense to invest money into the community center if the building wasn’t in sound condition.
There was discussion on the condition of the community center. It was noted that the structure of the building was fine however it was cosmetic items such as the roof and exterior that needed work.
Director R. Young stated that he will have free labor from the Pre-Release Center for Women to paint and fix up the area.
Councilor Hathaway outlined that down the road the Town will need to set aside some money to fix up the exterior and the parking lot.
ITEM 5a. Police Cruiser Discussion
Chairman Friedman stated that he, Councilor King and Councilor Parker know how important it is to make sure that people have the right equipment to do their job, specifically public safety. He outlined that he has personal experience from delivering newspapers in town in the winter. No matter how hard the Public Works Department works to keep the roads cleared, sometimes during heavy snow storms it is almost impossible. He would hate for the Police Department to get a call and not be able to respond
Councilor Perkins stated that he didn’t think it would cost any more in gas or maintenance to have an SUV. He was concerned however with the current replacement schedule and the size of engines in the Town’s cruisers. Chief Leonard stated that the department tried the V6 engine however they were not reliable. He also noted that the resale value of a V8 engine is also better.
Councilor King inquired whether Chief Leonard would consider going to an 18 month replacement schedule for the main cruiser. Chief Leonard stated that he would be willing to try it.
The Council took a vote on supporting the purchase of an SUV for the Police Department. It was voted 4-1 in favor of purchasing one. Councilor Hathaway opposed but outlined that he supports the purchase of a car just not an SUV.
Councilor Perkins recommended putting something in the newsletter about the purchase of an SUV that way residents are not taken by surprise when they see it around town.
Chairman Friedman congratulated Chief Leonard on becoming the president of the Police Chief’s Association.
ITEM 6. Comments From The Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
Manager Reed outlined that he met with Jim Parker of CES and discussed the roadways. He stated that Hobson Avenue has an asbestos pipe where the Town wanted to put a drainage pipe. He provided the Council with a list of roadways and recommended work with prices. There was discussion on using bonding to do the Town’s pavement projects. Manager Reed will provide numbers at the next Council meeting. It was also noted that it may be worth the Town purchasing a crack sealer.
a. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the assessor’s return. It was noted that taxes have gone down nearly 5% this year.
b. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the Penquis CAP lease agreement and invoice.
c. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the letter sent to CBEC that outlines the taxes due and the TIF reimbursement.
d. The Town Council reviewed a copy of the informational article that the Fire Chief discussed at the last Council meeting regarding controlled burns.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor King inquired on whether there are sensors at the traffic light on State Street. Manager Reed stated the sensors were located up on a pole. They use to have sensors in the ground however they kept getting damaged.
Councilor Hathaway inquired on the status of Gagne Precast. CEO Thomas stated that he had not heard anything on it yet. Councilor Hathaway wondered if the Town had anything to be concerned about as far as something else going in there. CEO Thomas stated that it is industrial use on the back of the property and it has limited use.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 5 & 5A, Town Payroll Warrant 5, School Warrant 5 and School Payroll Warrant 5 were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the September 2, 2008 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Hathaway—there was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned 8:00 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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