PRESENT: Chairman Perkins, Councilor King, Councilor Parker, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Public Works Superintendent B. Free, Fire Chief G. Martin, and Members of the Public. Councilor Hathaway and Councilor Friedman were absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The August 3, 2009 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Councilor King outlined that “Chairman” needed to be added before Perkins in the last sentence of item 5a.
Motion By: Councilor King—to accept the July 6, 2009 meeting minutes as amended. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
ITEM 4a. Goals & Objectives List
Manager Reed outlined that Councilor Hathaway would like to see a River Restoration Committee added to the list to look at redevelopment options. Manager Reed had sent out blank list.
Councilor Parker stated that he would like to see something done on economic development. He noted that Gagne is still sitting vacant.
ITEM 4b. Public Works Capital Request
Superintendent Free stated that he had tested out several machines to replace the current bobcat. He would like to purchase the ASV compact track loader. The $8000 trade in value for the Bobcat and a $3,000 municipal discount drops the price to $30,000.
Councilor King inquired on how many years of use the Town got out of the Bobcat. Superintendent Free stated about nine years. He also asked if they thought they could get just as much use out of this new machine. Superintendent Butch stated that they should be able to get more use out of it.
Councilor Parker suggested holding off on the blade attachment.
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to authorize Public Works to purchase a new ASV compact Track Loader for the price of $30,000 and to hold off on the purchase of the attachment blade. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 4c. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Update
It was noted that this is a mandated system. Chiefs, managers, public works, sewer districts, etc., all have to take these courses. If they do not, the entity will not be entitled to federal grants or disaster money. Currently the Town of Veazie is 95% in compliance. Chief Leonard stated that it would be recommended that the Water District and Sewer District have this certification. It was recommended that Manager Reed send a letter to the trustees recommending they do this. Their lack of certification could affect the Town getting funding.
ITEM 4d. MMA Annual Election Ballot
Motion By: Councilor King—to vote the MMA ballot as proposed by MMA. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 4e. Financial Transfers for Fiscal Year 2008-2009
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to
Transfer $100,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Municipal Credit Reserve which is used to reduce the property tax rate.
Transfer $20,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Public Works Capital Fund.
Transfer for prior fiscal year 2008-2009 $33,800 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Public Works Department.
Transfer for prior fiscal year 2008-2009 $16,900 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Parks & Recreation Department
Seconded: Councilor King. Chairman Perkins inquired whether the Parks & Recreation overage was just a one time issue. Recreation Director Rob Young outlined that the department will now be receiving funds to offset the cost of an additional person needed for a special needs child. Chairman Perkins asked what kind of position the Town would be left in by moving $100,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance. Manager Reed stated that the Town will still be within policy. Chairman Perkins asked what the most the Town has carried in that fund. Manager Reed stated that it was in the $300,000s this past year. There was no further discussion. Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 5a. Committee Appointments
Motion By: Councilor King—to appoint the slate of Community Center Redevelopment Advisory Committee applicants as submitted in the memo dated July 31, 2009 to full membership for a three year term. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 3-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor King—to appoint the slate of Budget Committee applicants as submitted in the memo dated July 31, 2009 to associate members for a one year term. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 3-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor King—to appoint the slate of Conservation Commission applicants as submitted in the memo dated July 31, 2009 to full members for a three year term. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 3-0 in favor.
It was the consensus to invite the applicants for Planning Board and Board of Appeals to the next meeting to learn a little bit more about them before appointing anyone. It was noted that an applicant for both the Planning Board and Board of Appeals could not serve on both.
ITEM 5b. Planning Updates
Manager Reed stated that included in their packets was a copy of two contracts that EMDC/PVCOG had drafted up to provide the Town with on call staff support for the Community Center Development Committee and general community planning assistance. It was noted that the Land Use Ordinance needs works and the Comprehensive Plan needs to be updated.
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to authorize the Town Manager to execute the two contracts as submitted. Councilor King, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 5c. Municipal Calendar
The Councilors were provided with a calendar of meetings and events for the Town. It was noted that the Water District had moved their monthly meetings to the first Tuesday of the month.
ITEM 6. Comments from the Public
Member of the Public Janine Raquet mentioned that Manager Reed had outlined there would be room for one more person on the Community Center Redevelopment Advisory Committee and wondered what a person would have to do to get on the committee. Manager Reed said they would just need to fill out a Citizen Involvement application and submit it to the Town Office.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
The Town Council reviewed the following items:
- two articles pertaining to the armed robbery incident in Town
- a letter to the Police Chief from the intern thanking him for the opportunity
- a letter to the Town thanking us for our support of the Newspapers in Education Program
- the Annual Employees Assistance Program report
- a discussion sheet on the excise tax question
- a copy of an overview of TABOR II
- a copy of the Urban Transportation Finance and Jurisdictional Responsibilities in Maine: Review and Recommendations
- a MS4 permit and plan approval for the Town from MDEP
- a letter from the Hammond Street Seniors Center thanking the Town for its support.
- a letter from MDOT pertaining to the Town’s application and approval for bonus funding
- a copy of an article on the Community Center Redevelopment Committee
- BACTS public notices
- a follow-up letter pertaining to our letter requesting the waiving of fines and penalties related to our Maine Department of Labor inspection
- a thank you note to the Police Department
- a copy of the Town’s financial investment reports
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor Parker inquired whether Recreation Director Rob Young had ever met with the representative from the Hammond Street Senior Center. Rob Young stated that he had and she would be attending a Veazie Seniors dinner to do a recruitment night.
Chairman Perkins stated he had the opportunity to go to a Bangor Council meeting where they voted a resolution against the excise initiative and the TABOR II initiative and wondered if the Council would like to do the same.
Chief Leonard stated that the department received a grant from Bangor Health and Wellbeing for juvenile alcohol enforcement. Also, the department received a grant for $4,100 to replace their firearms. The department did not receive funding for the full time officer they applied for.
Recreation Director Rob Young asked whether it would be okay if he attended the Community Center Redevelopment Advisory Committee meetings.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 2 & 3, Town Payroll Warrant 2 & 3 and two prior year warrants were circulated and signed.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the August 3, 2009 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Parker—there was no further discussion. Voted 3-0. Meeting adjourned 8:29 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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