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, Police Chief M. Leonard, Members of the Public.
ITEM 1. The January 31, 2011 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor King—to accept the January 3, 2011 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Discussion on a letter from the Sewer District was added as item 5c.
ITEM 4. Comments from the Public
Pat Rice asked for an update on consultant George Harris and his study. Manager Reed stated that Mr. Harris had to meet with various people and is reviewing his information and hopefully will have a submittal in the next two weeks.
ITEM 5a. Departmental Budget Review & Updates
Chairman Hathaway inquired on outstanding taxes. Manager Reed outlined that the Town has collected around 97 percent.
Chairman Hathaway inquired about winter maintenance and general assistance, two items that frequently go over budget. Manager Reed outlined that the Town has gone over on salt, however, the Town also took over maintaining Route 2 which uses a lot of salt. Manager Reed stated that as of December 31st the Town had used $6,800 of the budgeted $10,000 for general assistance and the Town might be hit hard in February for oil assistance.
ITEM 5b. Marijuana Dispensaries and Site Cultivation
Manager Reed stated that the Planning Board’s draft provisions include the requirement for an annual license for any such facility. The Town Attorney asked that staff discuss the concept with the Town Council and get some input on whether an annual license should be required and if so which official or entity should be the licensing authority. Manager Reed stated that staff’s recommendation would be that it be designated to the Police Chief.
It was the consensus of the Council to have an annual license and to have the licensing authority be the Police Chief.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to schedule a public hearing on the proposed Moratorium on Marijuana Dispensaries and Marijuana Site of Cultivation for February 28th, 2011 as required under the Veazie Town Charter. Seconded: Councilor Perkins. Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 5c. Letter from Sewer District Trustees
Chairman Hathaway outlined that the Sewer District sent a letter requesting the Town Council’s attendance at a meeting. Chairman Hathaway outlined that he thought it would be inappropriate for the Council to meet at an offsite location at another board’s meeting. He thought it would be better to invite them here to a workshop.
There was discussion on when and where a meeting could be held. Superintendent Gary Brooks will check with trustees to see if they want to move their February 9th meeting to the Council Chambers or perhaps the school and get back to Manager Reed.
ITEM 6a. Solid Waste Discussion
Chairman Hathaway outlined that he received a call from Geoff Gratwick from Bangor who is working with Orono on a regional effort for solid waste. It was the consensus of the Council to hold off on any decisions on a contract until more discussions were had with Bangor and Orono.
ITEM 6b. Town Services Review & Departmental Restructure Plan
Councilor Perkins inquired whether Manager Reed was looking at the entire town or just one department in particular. Manager Reed stated the entire town.
Manager Reed mentioned a consultant that the City of Old Town used.
It was the consensus of the Town Council to extend an invitation to the consultant to have him come to a future Council meeting and see what he can do for the Town.
ITEM 7a. Proclamation – Boston Post Cane
Chairman Hathaway stated that he would like to resurrect the tradition of giving a Boston Post Cane to the eldest resident. The Town Council wished to invite the eldest resident to the next meeting so that they may present them with the proclamation and cane.
ITEM 7b. Lou Silver Inc. Update
Manager Reed stated that the number one complaint is mailboxes being hit. Barney Silver has been notified of all mailbox damage to address. He has also taken out snow banks for sight distance. Chairman Hathaway inquired on how the mailboxes are being addressed. Manager Reed stated that the names and addresses of damaged mailboxes are given to Mr. Silver and he sends a crew out to fix them. Councilor Parker thought it would be a good idea to list the Town’s priority streets like Milford did in the Penobscot Times. Member of the public Travis Noyes inquired on who was responsible for things like curbing and sod. Manager Reed stated it depended on the amount of damage.
ITEM 7c. BAT Update
Joe McNeil from the BAT was here to give an update on the bus. Ridership has dropped down a little. The BAT will be receiving a new bus for the VOOT route. It will be wider to accommodate wheel chairs better and will have additional space on the bicycle rack to hold more bicycles. Councilor Friedman stated that the buses are always on time, they are clean and the drivers are friendly.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report
The Councilors reviewed the following items:
a. a letter from Time Warner pertaining to the cable franchise renewal.
b. a letter from the Sewer District pertaining to the proposed rate increase.
c. copies of emails pertaining to snow plowing comments
d. a statement from WBRC displaying the inkind contribution that they made.
e. maps developed by the Conservation Commission of walking trails
f. the Water District’s meeting minutes
g. an invitation from the Bangor City Council on the “Community Reads” Program.
h. the Regional Assessors Plan Report.
i. the Water District’s meeting minutes
j. comments received from the website about snow plowing.
ITEM 9. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor King inquired whether the Water District had gotten back to staff on their hydrant rental rates. Manager Reed said they have not yet. Councilor King also inquired on the purchase of the Comeau property. Manager Reed stated that it was coming along slowly. Information has been sent to the Town Attorney but staff has not received any final documentation back from him
Councilor Perkins inquired on the Town Manager’s contract. Chairman Hathaway stated that he will be bringing that forward and contacting each of the Councilors.
Chairman Hathaway inquired if there was any update from the State on the tower. CEO Allan Thomas stated that he has not heard anything.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 15, 16, 16A & 16B and Town Payroll 15 & 16 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman—to adjourn the January 31, 2011 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor King. 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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