PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Perkins, Councilor King, Councilor Parker, Councilor Olson, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Office Administrator J. Reed, Fire Chief G. Martin, Public Works Director B. Stoyell. Don Jutton, Joe Lessard of MRI. Members of the Public.
ITEM 1. The July 6, 2011 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Councilor Olson outlined in the June 20, 2011 meeting minutes that under item 8 that it was Travis Noyes that said the last statement, not Manager Reed.
Motion By: Councilor King to accept the June 20, 2011 meeting minutes as amended. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0 in favor. Councilor Parker abstained.
Motion By: Councilor King—to accept the June 27, 2011 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0 in favor. Councilor Parker abstained.
ITEM 3. Municipal Resources Inc. – Presentation on Assessing
Joe Lessard of Municipal Resources Inc. outlined that they came and looked to see where things were at. He outlined that there were quite a few properties that had overridden values in the TRIO software. It appears the quality of assessments are decent however. There is a lack of descriptions for abatements and the last full revaluation was in 1981. He stated that he did not find anything significantly overwhelming to get the 2011 commitment done.
Councilor Perkins inquired on how common it was for that many land values to be overridden. Joe Lessard stated that he was not familiar with it being common at all. He outlined that typically when he has found that he has found notes on how and why but he did not find any. It appears however, that whatever the former assessor did he did right because values are in line where they should be, there is just a lack of documentation showing how he came to it. Tax maps were last updated in 2008 and it appears there is only one change that needs to be updated.
Don Jutton outlined to the Council that he did not think his first would be the best for the Town, they would be too expensive. He had recommended a person locally that is certified and would save the Town $300 a day. He did offer to help with the process of putting an RFQ/P out and finding someone.
Councilor Perkins stated that he liked the suggestion of using MRI to help the Council find an assessor. He inquired if tax maps should be updated every year. Don Jutton stated that it depends on the size of the community. Joe Lessard outlined that he only found one thing that needed to be updated since 2008. In his experience they are updated every year. Don Jutton pointed out that they don’t need to be updated if there is nothing to update.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to have MRI assist the Town in screening assessor RFQs. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
Don Jutton outlined that he was up earlier in the day working on strategic planning with the department heads but they are at a stand still. He would like the Council to participate in the process. He would like to interview each of them on the phone and turn it into some draft goals and objectives then come back up and hold a combined work session with the department heads and the Council. It was the consensus of the Council to participate.
ITEM 3a. Sewer Assessment Update
Chairman Friedman stated that at the last sewer meeting they voted to cut the Town’s assessment by $10,000.
ITEM 4. CEO Appointments
Manager Reed stated that he has talked with a couple code enforcement officers. He recommended reappointing Brian Stoyell as an alternative. Councilor Perkins asked how many hours a month staff was planning on having a CEO. Manager Reed stated 10 hours a week with Brian dealing with a lot of the simpler things. Councilor Perkins inquired what their duties would be. Manager Reed stated that it would be code and working with the Planning Board.
Chairman Friedman inquired whether they had to appoint Brian, or should they wait until they have info on the two candidates Manager Reed spoke with.
Town Attorney Tom Russell outlined that technically Brian’s term is expired and he cannot serve anymore. The state statute referred to at the last Council meeting only applies to shore land zoning. Councilor Perkins inquired whether the Town would be in trouble if it didn’t have code enforcement officer. Town Attorney Tom Russell stated yes, the Town would not have anyone to enforce codes.
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to appoint Brian Stoyell as alternative Code Enforcement Officer until June 30, 2012. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 5. Executive Session 1 MRSA 405(6) E Consultation with Town Attorney and Insurance Risk Consultant on Pending or Contemplated Litigation
Motion By: Councilor King—to enter into executive session under 1 M.R.S.A 405 (6)E consultation with Town Attorney and Insurance Risk Consultant on pending or contemplated litigation. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 5-0 in favor. Motion By: Councilor King—to close the executive session and resume in normal session. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 5-0 in favor.
ITEM 6. Warrants: Town Warrant 1, 1A and Town Payrolls 26A & 1 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 7. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the July 6, 2011 Town Council Meeting. Manager Reed inquired if it was still the Council’s wishes to meet on July 11th to do the Manager’s Review with Attorney Russell. The Council decided to do the Manager’s Review on August 8th and cancel the July 11th meeting. Seconded: Councilor Parker. 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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