PRESENT: Chairman Hathaway, Councilor Friedman, Councilor Perkins, Councilor King, Councilor Parker, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Office Administrator J. Reed, Assessor/CEO A. Thomas, Public Works Superintendent B. Stoyell, Parks & Recreation Director R. Young, Fire Chief G. Martin, Police Chief M. Leonard, Members of the Public.
ITEM 1. The December 13, 2010 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 6:40PM.
Executive Department Workshop
Chairman Hathaway discussed benchmarking and comparing Veazie to other towns. Manager Reed outlined that the Town keeps the minimum staff to make sure there is a separation of duties.
Councilor Perkins inquired on how much time staff spent working with the school department compared to what they will do in the future with the RSU. Manager Reed stated about 5 hours.
Councilor Friedman inquired about the training budget and meals and travel budget. Manager Reed outlined that they will be used for the Deputy Code Enforcement Officer to attend trainings. Councilor Friedman asked inquired on what assessing expenses covered. It was outlined that it covered manuals, required classes and the Town’s assessing software.
The Council requested to see statistical information on workload and transactions compared to other towns in the future.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to accept the November 22, 2010 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
ITEM 4. Comments from the Public
Member of the public Robert Rice outlined that at a prior meeting it was discussed about putting out the council packet information so the public could see it. Manager Reed outlined that the size of the document is too large for the list serve and staff would have to find another way, possibly making it a link instead.
Member of the public Todd Lynch suggested posting unofficial minutes so that members of the public could see them before they are approved.
Member of the public Travis Noyes outlined his concerns with plowing and how his street was plowed. Chairman Hathaway stated that everything is being documented and discussed with the Town Manager.
ITEM 5a. Sewer District Update
Sewer District Trustees Steven Thebarge, Esther Bushway and Gary Brown were present. Trustee Steven Thebarge gave the Council an update on the Sewer District. They are proposing a rate increase in the coming calendar year. There will be a public meeting before they finalize the increase. An information letter is planned to go out to residents in January. The Sewer District is willing to come back to a future meeting when they have a more developed plan in place.
ITEM 5b. Property Abutter Matter
Scott Hall was present and representing his in-laws that formally lived next door to the Town Office and still own a parcel of land abutting the Town’s property. Before selling the property they would like to see if there is any interest from the Town in purchasing the parcel.
It was noted that a house could not be built on the lot.
Manager Reed will report back to the Council on the useable portion, value and any and all easements as well as utilities that run through the property.
ITEM 5c. Public Works Report & Discussion
Public Works Director Brian Stoyell outlined that it has been a very positive experience working with Bangor’s fleet maintenance.
Director Brian Stoyell outlined that their current work truck has had a lot of issues with it. He proposed the purchase of a new ¾ ton pickup truck with plow and sander. There was discussion on saving the money that was made from the sale of the plow truck and other items and putting it into the reserve rather than spending it on a new truck.
Councilor Parker stated that he felt the Town did need a new salt/sander. He feels it is a liability the way the parking lots are being salted right now. The current sander is not meant for parking lots. The good thing about the sander is that it will go into any truck and should the department get another pickup truck down the road it would fit.
Water District Trustee Jim Parker outlined that the Water District puts a truck up for auction every few years when they purchase a new one. They are in good shape and usually get around $7,000 for them. They have always made them available for purchase to governmental agencies and such.
It was the consensus of the Council to hold off on the purchase of a truck. Director Brian Stoyell will come back to the next meeting with a spreadsheet on possible sanders for purchase.
ITEM 5d. MRC Ballot
Motion By: Chairman Hathaway—to nominate Charles (Chip) Reeves as the Town’s vote on the ballot for the Municipal Review Committee Board of Directors. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 6a. Amendment to Veazie Land Use Ordinance – Telecommunications Towers
As of late a few issues had come up and Attorney Eric Stumpfel was there to go over it with the Council. One item is that the Council needs to hold an additional public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment. Another item was questions asked by the Planning Board Chair regarding the Board’s waiver authority on tower height and site plan provisions.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—it is hereby ordered that the Veazie Town Council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Veazie Land Use Ordinance concerning Telecommunications Towers as presented to the Veazie Town Council on December 13, 2010. The hearing shall be held January 3rd, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Veazie Town Council Chambers located at 1084 Main Street, Veazie, Maine. Seconded: Councilor King. Member of the public Robert Rice inquired whether the Council should address the State’s requests regarding their proposed tower. Attorney Eric Stumpfel outlined that the Council could address it now or at after the public hearing they can revise it before adopting if they so wish. There was no further discussion. Voted 5-0 in favor.
It was duly noted by Attorney Eric Stumpfel that the Federal Act of 1996 prohibits towns from banning towers from the entire town and that it must provide some location in town that a tower can be placed and will be functional.
ITEM 6b. Assessing Resolve – Regional Update
It was outlined that the City of Bangor, Town of Orono and Veazie have been meeting together to look at ways the municipalities could work together to share costs. They have talked about every aspect of municipal government. Right now the municipalities have been working on assessing.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to approve the Resolution and Order entitled “An Order Authorizing and Directing a Collaborative Effort Regarding the Assessing Function in the Town of Veazie’s, and Orono and the City of Bangor. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 6c. Local Communications Update
Manager Reed updated the Council on the study that Consultant George Harris will be conducting on the Town’s local communications problems. A prior commitment and the holiday has caused a slight delay but he will be working on the project in the coming week.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
The Town Council reviewed the following items:
a. a planning board question and follow-up.
b. a letter outlining the Town’s workers compensation benefit and dividend.
c. a memo from Chief Leonard commending Officer Justin Angelo.
d. a Bangor Daily News article on positive revenue projections by the State.
e. a copy of the Mobilize Maine meeting agenda that Manager Reed attended.
f. an outline of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Listening Event that Manager Reed was invited to and attended.
g. a Bangor Daily News article on Rail Safety for Emergency Responders that the Town participated in.
h. a draft community center design plan.
i. a copy of the invoice sent to MDOT for the plowing contract.
j. two emails pertaining to snow plowing.
The Council was given a copy of the proposed Penobscot County Budget.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
It was the consensus of the Council to meet on December 20, 2010.
Councilor Parker inquired on whether the Budget Committee needs to be told when to meet or if they can meet on their own. Manager Reed outlined that they may meet whenever they wish.
Councilor Parker also inquired whether Public Works has any policies or procedures in place for working on private property. Manager Reed outlined that it did not and that staff will need to create one.
Councilor Parker inquired whether Public Works will utilize the wash station located at Lou Silvers, Inc. which was offered to them. Public Works Superintendent Brian Stoyell stated that he will. Councilor Perkins inquired about the fire trucks. Captain Metcalf stated that they can wash their trucks in their bay because they do not have all the salt and sand that the Public Works vehicles have.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 12, 12A and Town Payroll 12 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King —to adjourn the December 13, 2010 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Friedman —there was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned 8:41 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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