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, Parks & Recreation Director R. Young, Fire Chief G. Martin, Public Works Director B. Stoyell, Members of the Public.
ITEM 1. The September 13, 2010 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 30, 2010 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Councilor Friedman stated he would like to discuss how the Council would like proceed with interviewing auditors, this was added as item 6c.
ITEM 4. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 5a. Community Center Advisory Committee Workshop
Donald MacKay was present to give a presentation on the progress of the Community Center Advisory Committee. The committee’s work plan consisted to receiving public input, program prioritization, reporting/funding and final presentation. The Committee had public meetings and received input from the PTO, Senior Group, Garden Club, Planning Board, Ski Club and Recreation Department. There were a number of key things that people liked: teen center, rent out for yoga/zumba/dance, meeting place for Girl Scouts, book club, ski club and AA.
The Committee has received three grants to date: $3,000 from Maine Community Foundation for conceptual drawings; $8,583 from Commercial Project Grant for windows and lighting which requires a $9,000 match; $30,000 Block Grant focused on energy efficiency which requires a $5,000 match. The Committee is also looking at other sources such as Veazie Days, calendars and bottle drives.
The next steps the Committee needs to take is to create teams to implement grants, work with an architect and coordinate with grant teams, and continue fundraising.
The Council recognized the Committee for all of their work.
Chairman Hathaway questioned how long it would take for the Town to really develop the building into a reuseable condition. He outlined that perhaps the community needs to step forward with some sort of bond. It seems as though the community is behind some reuse of the building, perhaps the Town needs to make a long-term investment. Councilor Perkins agreed with Chairman Hathaway.
It was the consensus to figure out what is the minimum required to make the building reusable and to investigate bonding. Manager Reed, Chairman Hathaway and Donald MacKay will try to bring together some information to bring back at a future meeting.
ITEM 6a. Public Works Update
Manager Reed went over the current estimated cost of plowing from the Public Works Department budget with the Council.
Public Works Superintendent Brian Stoyell outlined all of the jobs/projects the department does.
It was outlined that salt would not be part of the bid. The Town would be providing salt as it is cheaper for the municipality to buy it.
Councilor Parker inquired on whether there was any more info on Bangor and having the Town’s trucks worked on there. Public Works Superintendent Brian Stoyell stated that they are moving forward with the process. Bangor has been working with their lawyer on a liability waiver and they have to bring it before their City Council for final approval.
ITEM 6b. Transfers
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to carry forward the following budget lines from the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year to the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year:
Planning Board Expense - $12,800
Legal Services - $3,000
PVCC Dues - $2,500
Training - $2,500
Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 6c. Auditor Interviews
Councilor Friedman stated he would like to invite a couple auditors in to interview. Chairman Hathaway stated that he would like to do interviews in October and award a contract by the first of the year. He suggested having the top three come in and give a thirty minute presentation. All of the Councilors will look over the bid packets and come back to the next meeting with who they would like to see come in.
ITEM 7. Manager’s Report
The Town Council reviewed the following items:
a. A copy of a letter that Chief Martin had sent to the Planning Board pertaining to his concerns with the proposed tower regulations.
b. A copy of a memo from Captain Metcalf pertaining to concerns with the proposed tower regulations.
c. A copy of the latest Time Warner revenue projects and an estimated statement of what local fees the Town will be sent.
ITEM 8. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor Perkins inquired on where the Planning Board was with a tower ordinance. CEO/Assessor Allan Thomas stated that they have a proposed ordinance submitted to the Town Attorney. The Planning Board has six months from August 16th to finish the ordinance.
Chairman Hathaway outlined that there are quality of service issues from Town departments, there is the direction of the Planning Board and the direction of the community; he’s not sure how it will all come together. Chairman Hathaway wondered if it would benefit the Town to hire a consultant to help the Town understand the issue.
There was discussion over the current draft of ordinance and how it would prohibit certain things like placing towers or moving antennas to help improve the communications for municipal public safety departments.
It was the consensus of the Council to have the Town Manager look into hiring a consultant.
ITEM 9. Warrants: Town Warrant 6, 6a and Town Payroll 6 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 10. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the September 13, 2010 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Friedman—there was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned 8:33 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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