PRESENT: Chairman Perkins, , Councilor Friedman, Councilor Parker, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Office Administrator J. Reed, Parks & Recreation Director R. Young, Police Chief M. Leonard, Public Works Director B. Free, Assessor/CEO A. Thomas, Fire Chief G. Martin, Members of the Public. Councilor King and Councilor Hathaway was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The June 21, 2010 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:03PM.
ITEM 2a. Election of Chair
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to keep the current Council Chair until a full board is present to elect one for the new year. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 2-0 in favor. Chairman Perkins abstained.
ITEM 2b. Setting of Meeting Schedule
It was the consensus of the Council to table this item until a full board is present.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to accept the April 26, 2010 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 4. Consideration of the Agenda
Councilor Friedman stated that he would like to discuss the access route for the dam removal, this was added as item 5e. He would also like to discuss the next council meeting where it falls on a holiday. This was added as item 5f.
Councilor Parker stated he would like to talk about a Recreation Committee, this was added as item 5g.
ITEM 5a. Appointments
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to reappoint Allan Thomas as the Tax Assessor, Code Enforcement Officer, Plumbing Inspector, Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, E-911 Addressing Officer, Storm Water Administrator, and to grant Rule 80-K authorization and pole permit issuing authority until June 30, 2011 and to appoint Brian Stoyell as an alternate Code Enforcement until June 30, 2011. Seconded: Councilor Parker. Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 5b. Marijuana Moratorium
Manager Reed outlined that after their discussion at their last meeting regarding marijuana dispensaries and cultivation sites, Town Attorney Russell prepared a moratorium. Manager Reed outlined that there has been little interest, however there was one serious inquiry. He added that once the moratorium is passed it can be made retroactive to today’s date.
Councilor Friedman stated that he would like to have a moratorium in place, he does not want to see marijuana grown here in town whether it’s for medical purposes or not.
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to schedule a public hearing on the proposed Moratorium on Marijuana Dispensaries and Marijuana Site of Cultivation dated June 21, 2010 as required under the Veazie Town Charter. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 5c. Fire Department Grant Equipment Purchase
Chief Martin stated that the department received a grant for communications equipment and is looking for authorization of the grant purchase. The equipment will be installed here at the station and at Eastern Maine Medical Center and should help avoid communication breakup between the Fire Station and the hospital.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to authorize the Fire Chief to purchase the proposed communications equipment as outlined on the proposal submitted in the amount of $23,763.35. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 3-0 in favor.
ITEM 5d. Legislative Policy Committee Ballot
Manager Reed outlined that there are two openings on the committee, however, only one person is running.
The Council circulated the Legislative Policy Committee Ballot around for signature.
ITEM 5e. Dam Removal Route
CEO Allan Thomas passed out a memo regarding two possible routes for the dam removal. One is using the old road above the hydro-power plant to the end of School Street, then up School Street to State Street. The other option is Veazie Street to Olive Street and onto Main Street. CEO Allan Thomas outlined that the School Street option would cause less damage to Town roads.
Councilor Parker inquired whether the Town had the right to restrict hours that the trucks go through. Manager Reed stated that he would have to look into that option. Chairman Perkins inquired whether there was a weight limit in Town. Manager Reed stated that the Town did not have a weight limit for School Street because it is a State road. Olive Street also does not have a weight limit and the concern would be which way they would exit Olive Street onto Maine Street.
Councilor Parker mentioned the City of Brewer’s ordinance that requires any truck over 34,000lbs to get a permit to drive on city roads. It was the consensus of the Council to look into the permit requirement, whether the hours can be restricted and for Manager Reed to draft a letter to Laura Rose Day.
ITEM 5f. July 5th meeting discussion
Councilor Friedman outlined that since it was a holiday weekend he recommended canceling the July 5th meeting. It was the consensus of the Council to cancel the meeting.
ITEM 5g. Recreation Committee
Councilor Parker was curious if a recreation committee was going to be created. Recreation Director Rob Young outlined that he has four or five interested people. Chairman Perkins stated that a good number of people is good to have to be able to spread the load and help out. He suggested having interested people fill out a Citizen Involvement Form.
ITEM 6a. Highway Projects Discussion
It was the consensus to table this item. Manager Reed will have the Town’s engineer talk with the Sewer District and come back to the next meeting with all of the Councilors are present.
ITEM 7. Comments from the Public
Member of the Public Cathy Brooks outlined that she contacted the Town of Newburgh and found out that their auditor is RHR Smith, the same auditor that the Town of Veazie uses.
Manager Reed outlined that all auditing firms state that they cannot guard against theft. He added that in small towns where one person does all of the transactions and all of the bookkeeping it is easy to alter the books.
CEO Allan Thomas discussed having internal controls which the Town of Veazie currently does. He stated that just one person doesn’t do all of the work. He added that you see these thefts in small towns where one person does all of the work.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report
The Town Council reviewed:
A copy of an email sent out after last meeting pertaining to auditing standards.
A copy of the signed RSU funds transfer agreement.
A copy of a certificate of registration for the Fire Department apprentice program.
ITEM 9. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Chairman Perkins asked how things were coming with the tower ordinance. CEO Allan Thomas stated that the moratorium expires August 15th, however, the Council may extend it if the Planning Board is making significant progress, which they are.
Chairman Perkins inquired on what the Town’s policy was on animal enforcement. He had received a call from a citizen that was given a phone number to call. He wondered if it was normal practice for the citizen to have to call themselves. Office Administrator Julie Reed explained that the Animal Control Officer instructed office staff to give citizens Penobscot Dispatch’s number and have them call to contact him. Chairman Perkins requested that this information be put in the newsletter and on the town’s website.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 26 and Town Payroll 26 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman —to adjourn the June 21, 2010 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Parker—there was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned 7:50 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
| 
