PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Perkins, Councilor Olson, Councilor Parker, Town Manager J. Hayes, Deputy Clerk K. Morin, Office Administrator J. Reed, Police Chief M. Leonard, Public Works Director B. Stoyell, Fire Chief G. Martin, Members of the Public. Councilor King was absent and excused.
ITEM 1. The February 27, 2012 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Roll Call
Councilor Olson, Chairman Friedman, Councilor Perkins and Councilor Parker were all present. Councilor King was absent and excused.
ITEM 3. Pledge of Allegiance
ITEM 4. Awards, Petitions and Public Comments
The presentation of the Boston Post Cane was postponed till the next Council meeting.
ITEM 6. Consideration of Agenda (taken out of order)
Councilor Olson stated that she would like to table item 12 until the next meeting when a full Council is present.
ITEM 5. Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinance Amendment Addition of Section 28 of the Veazie Ordinance Titled: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance
Manager Hayes explained that the ordinance needed to be adopted at a local level in order for residents to be able to participate in the Efficiency Maine Loan Program. One hundred and nine municipalities have adopted the ordinance. The loan monies come from federal stimulus money.
The public hearing was opened for public comments, however, there were none. The public hearing was then closed.
ITEM 7. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to accept the February 13, 2012 and February 15, 2012 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4 -0 in favor.
ITEM 8. Nominations, Appointments, Elections
Motion By: Councilor Olson—to appoint John Larson as Code Enforcement Officer, Local Plumbing Inspector, Electrical Inspector and Building Inspector. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 3-1 in favor. Councilor Parker was opposed.
ITEM 10. The Town of Veazie Hereby Ordains the Adoption of Section 28 to the Veazie Ordinances Titled: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to hereby ordain the adoption of Section 28 to the Veazie Ordinances Titled: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Ordinance. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Manager Hayes outlined that the ordinance will not go into effect for thirty days.
ITEM 11. Meeting & Discussion with John Holden Regarding Amending the TIF Agreement
John Holden of Eaton & Peabody was present to discuss TIFs with the Town Council.
Mr. Holden outlined that the allowable uses for TIFs have been changed since the adoption of the Casco Bay TIF. He is not proposing to change the agreement between the Town and Casco Bay because that is a set agreement.
Mr. Holden explained that a TIF allows a town to shelter new investment for the community. The new assessed value does not impact state revenue sharing, state aid to education or the county tax.
The current TIF ends in the year 2020 but can be extended for up to ten years longer. There are three tiers of allowable uses in a municipality. He explained that what brought this discussion about was the community center. Currently the community center is not in the district and the TIF would have to be amended to include it. The community center is eligible to receive TIF funds as long as the Town is renting out space in it.
Member of the public Gary Brooks inquired on what happens to money that is left in the TIF when the TIF expires. Mr. Holden explained that the Maine Revenue Service would have to get involved and the Town would have to be reassessed because it would owe money to county tax, etc.
Mr. Holden outlined that if the Town wishes to consider an amendment, it would need to finalize a list of projects, determine the term of extension and determine what values it wants to capture. That work could be done with the Town Manager and then brought back to the Council with recommendations. A public hearing would have to be held and then a special town meeting to finalize and accept the amendment. It would then be sent to the state for approval and then could move forward from there.
There was discussion on using TIF money for extending sewer lines, gas lines or improving roads. Mr. Holden outlined that it was possible if it were new infrastructure being put in for commercial purposes.
Councilor Parker inquired if there was a way to work with Bangor Gas to create a TIF to put natural gas lines in. Mr. Holden stated that the Town could if it can show it is for commercial improvement.
It was the consensus of the Council to explore the idea further for the sake of the community center and other items like a natural gas line. They would like Manager Hayes and the Community Center Community to work with John Holden on some ideas.
ITEM 12. Prioritize Goals for the Upcoming Year
The Town Council decided to hold a workshop on Wednesday, March 7th at 3:00pm if everyone can attend to go over their goals and objectives.
ITEM 13. Manager’s Report
Manager Hayes outlined that there are numerous committees that are in need of members. He outlined that the Charter calls for a five member Board of Appeals and outlined that it does not specify that they must be residents. In Caribou the Board of Appeals consists of five code enforcement officers.
Manager Hayes outlined that he met with Superintendent Doug Smith and the RSU Directors have decided to wait on taking any legal action on the transfer of the school property.
Assessor Ben Birch hosted his neighborhood meeting this past Wednesday and there were approximately six residents in attendance.
Manager Hayes included quotes on auditing services in the Councilor’s packets. There was also a copy of the proposed fireworks ordinance included.
Manager Hayes stated that the Town is currently getting quotes on converting the community center and municipal building furnaces to natural gas should a gas line eventually be placed on Main Street. The Town will also be having an audit done by Safety Works to make sure it is in compliance. He has also asked DEP to come do a class on Wednesday morning on how to handle universal waste.
ITEM 14. Comments from the Public
Member of the public Frank St. Louis inquired if a pipeline could be run under the railroad tracks where the water runs through. Manager Hayes could not answer that question. Mr. St. Louis also inquired with what happened to the trash and recycling contract. Chairman Friedman outlined that the contract had been extended for a year.
ITEM 15. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
There were no requests for information or Town Council comments.
ITEM 16. Warrants: Town Warrants 18, 18A and Town Payroll 18 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 17. Sign a Construction Overweight Agreement with MDOT Guardrail Installation and Replacement Contractor
The Town Council signed the agreement.
ITEM 18. Executive Session
There was no executive session
ITEM 19. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor Perkins—to adjourn the February 27, 2012 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Olson. There was no further discussion. Voted 4-0 in favor. Meeting adjourned 8:02pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Morin
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
| 
