PRESENT: Chairman Hathaway, Councilor Parker, Councilor Friedman, Councilor Perkins, Councilor King, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Office Administrator J. Reed, Assessor/CEO A. Thomas, Fire Chief G. Martin, Public Works Superintendent B. Stoyell, Police Chief M. Leonard, Town Attorney T. Russell, Don Jutton of Municipal Resources Inc., Members of the Public.
ITEM 1. The March 14, 2011 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Friedman —to accept the February 14, 2011 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 3-0 in favor. Chairman Hathaway and Councilor Parker abstained.
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to accept the February 17, 2011 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Chairman Hathaway, Voted 3-0 in favor. Councilor Perkins and Councilor King abstained.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Councilor Parker stated he would like to talk about bids for lawn care at this meeting or next. This was added as item 7b.
ITEM 4. Comments from the Public
Member of the public Todd Lynch inquired about a policy that was suppose to be created regarding town vehicles on private property. Manager Reed stated that it had already been implemented. Mr. Lynch also inquired about a policy for notifying the Sewer District about liens and foreclosures. Manager Reed stated that the Sewer District had been added to the Town’s notification list. Mr. Lynch also inquired about past discussion on finding a cost for the ambulance. Councilor Parker outlined that he had requested the information from Captain Metcalf and that Captain Metcalf had not got the information back to them yet.
Member of the public Gary Brown inquired if the Town Manager was still working without a contract. It was outlined that he was indeed working without a contract. Mr. Brown inquired why the Town wasn’t interviewing others for the position. Town Attorney Tom Russell outlined that there is no vacancy to be filled. Manager Reed is still an employee of the Town.
ITEM 5a. Public Hearing – Moratorium Marijuana Dispensaries & Site Cultivation
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to open a public hearing to receive comments and written submissions on the proposed Moratorium Ordinance – Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Site of Marijuana Cultivation. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
Manager Reed outlined that the Planning Board has been working diligently on the ordinance and should be finished up in the next month or two. Allan Thomas stated that the Planning Board is having a public hearing on March 15th on the ordinance.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to close the public hearing on the proposed Moratorium Ordinance – Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Site Marijuana Cultivation. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 5-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to hereby ordain that the ordinance entitled Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Site of Cultivation be enacted as submitted by staff and legal advisors. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 5b. Town Services Reviews & Restructuring Study Presentation
Manager Reed stated that Old Town’s City Manager had given him info on the RFP, bid process and the notice of winning consultant which was Municipal Resources, Inc.
Don Jutton of Municipal Resources was present to discuss his company and what it can do. He is the president of the company and they have been in business for twenty years providing services to municipalities and school districts. All of the employees have experience in public administration. Mr. Jutton outlined that when they look at a municipality they look at median family income, demographics, school students, miles of road, tax base, etc. They need to be comparing apples to apples when comparing to other municipalities.
Councilor Friedman stated that he would like more time to look over the proposal.
Member of the public Todd Lynch inquired whether the goal of doing something like this was cost savings. Mr. Jutton said it is cost avoidance, most municipalities are 15 years behind on technology.
ITEM 6a. Waste Management Extension Agreement
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to authorize the Town Manager to execute the “Amendment Two – Curbside Recycling and Solid Waste Collection Service Contract between Waste Management of Maine, Inc. and the Town of Veazie, Maine. Seconded: Councilor Parker. Chairman Hathaway stated that he would like to see the board have discussion on the pay as you throw concept in an effort to tone down trash and amp up recycling in the near future. Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 7a. Hammond Street Seniors Center Donation Request(taken before 6b)
Councilor Friedman outlined that there are fifty-five senior citizens from Veazie that go to the Hammond Street Senior Center. The center is asking for a donation of $35 per person. He outlined that the Town gave a donation once in the past. Councilor Parker mentioned that he thought this had been passed to the Recreation Director in the past. It was the consent of the Council to pass this item on to the Recreation Director.
ITEM 7b. Lawn Care
Councilor Parker outlined he would like to have Public Works Superintendent Brian Stoyell put together some rough numbers on what it costs the town to provide lawn care. He’d also like to know the condition of the Town’s equipment.
ITEM 6b. Town Attorney Consultation
Motion By: Chairman Hathaway—to move into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA 405(6) D – Attorney/Client Consultation. Seconded: Councilor Friedman, Voted 5-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Friedman—to move out of executive session and resume regular session. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
Motion By: Chairman Hathaway—to move into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA 405 (6) D – Discussion of Labor Contracts – Fire Department. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor King—to move out of executive session and resume regular session. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report
The Town Council reviewed the following items:
a. copies of emails pertaining to the follow up of the joint meeting with the Veazie Sewer District
b. a copy of the January Fire Department report which Manager Reed noted had the estimated local costs for ambulance service
c. copies of new bonding estimates for the community center
d. a copy of a memo from MMA pertaining to the State budget
e. a copy of a public hearing notice on Municipal Revenue Sharing to be held in Augusta on March 1st
f. a copy of the Legislative Bulletin
g. copies of email comments pertaining to snow plowing and removal
h. a copy of the Water District’s minutes
i. a copy of the PERC recycling credit notice
j. a draft report submitted from Micronetixx on the communications problems
k. a copy of a thank you letter from the Veazie Congregational Church to the Veazie Police Department
l. copies of emails and updates on LD 762
m. a copy of the Penobscot County Tax memo and spreadsheet of community assessments and valuation
n. copies of emails and requested information pertaining to the Veazie Sewer District including a copy of a salary survey
o. a copy of a legal costs update
p. a community center rent update memo
q. an update on salt use
r. a copy of the legislative update provided by Dave Little
s. copies of two emails from citizens on snowplowing and an email follow up from Barney Silver
t. a draft of the Medical Marijuana Ordinance
u. a copy of Year in Review by MMA
v. a copy of a temporary work permit approved by the Town Attorney and implemented by the Public Works Department
ITEM 9. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
Councilor King inquired whether the Town was responsible for pot holes on State Street. Manager Reed outlined that the State is responsible for State Street.
Councilor Parker outlined that he was confused by the memo regarding rent on the community center. Deputy Treasurer Julie Reed outlined that the tenant is paid up but has been paying late.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 18, 18A, 19 and Town Payrolls 18 & 19 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Friedman —to adjourn the March 14, 2011 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor King There was no further discussion. Voted 5-0. Meeting adjourned 9:42 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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