PRESENT: Chairman Friedman, Councilor Perkins, Councilor Olson, Councilor Parker, Town Manager J. Hayes, Deputy Clerk K. Morin, Police Chief M. Leonard, Recreation Director R. Young, Fire Chief G. Martin, Public Works Director B. Stoyell, Members of the Public.
ITEM 1. The April 23, 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. Consideration of the Agenda
Manager Hayes outlined that Code Enforcement Officer John Larson was present to discuss some issues with the Council. This was added as item 7a.
Chairman Friedman stated that at the next meeting he would like just the budget on the agenda and no other items.
ITEM 5. Approval of the April 9, 2012 Council Meeting Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Perkins–to approve the April 9, 2012 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Olson, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 6. Public Comments
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 7. Request by Tax Assessor Ben Birch that the Town set up a Committee called the Veazie Board of Assessment Review
Manager Hayes outlined that Assessor Ben Birch in preparing for the revaluation discovered in the Town’s charter that the Board of Assessment Review is also the Board of Appeals. He is recommending a separate board for the assessment review.
Manager Hayes also outlined that the charter delegates the responsibility of several items to the Board of Appeals, one being fair hearings for General Assistance. He stated that General Assistance is a confidential matter and he is not comfortable with the Board of Appeals doing it. Manager Hayes stated that from a practical point of view responsibilities should be re-delegated which means that the charter would have to be changed. He added that currently there are only two members on the Board of Appeals.
Councilor Perkins inquired on how many members Mr. Birch was looking for. Manager Hayes stated five. Councilor Perkins also inquired on who the current members were. Manager Hayes stated Travis Noyes and Robert Rice.
There was discussion on getting the Board of Appeals filled first. Manager Hayes stated that if there is an assessment review this September and the Board of Appeals is not filled the Penobscot County Commissioners would have to handle it.
It was decided to advertise for the openings and set a deadline.
ITEM 7a. Code Enforcement Officer
CEO John Larson outlined that he has received some complaints and wanted to get the Council’s consensus on some of the issues. He outlined that there was a Main Street residence that could be considered a nuisance under State statute. Chairman Friedman outlined that the Town has talked to that person before to clean it up and it hasn’t happened. CEO Larson outlined that they can be taken to court on it if it came to that.
There was discussion on the Town’s fee schedule and that it was “way behind the times”. He outlined that the Town charges 2/3 less than other municipalities. There was also discussion on the building codes. The only code allowed now is MOBEC. We have less than 4000 in population so the Town is not required to adopt it but people have to build by it. The Town’s current building code ordinance calls for BOCA. If the Town does adopt MOBEC there is already a fee schedule set in the code.
CEO Larson stated that he was not qualified in his opinion to be the electrical inspector. He suggested hiring a master electrician to be inspector and pay them through the fees.
ITEM 8. Authorize the Town Manager or his Designee to Sign an Agreement with Skye Washington to Provide Zumba Classes Under the Town of Veazie Recreation Department
Chairman Friedman inquired whether Ms. Washington had provided proof of insurance. Manager Hayes stated that she had. Councilor Perkins inquired on who was collecting the money. Recreation Director Rob Young stated that he was.
Councilor Perkins inquired on how many people participate. Recreation Director Rob Young stated that classes average around 18-23 people. He has seen as low as 12 and as many as 28.
It was outlined that the school has top priority on using the gym, then the recreation department followed by Zumba.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to authorize the Town Manager to sign an agreement with Skye Washington to provide Zumba classes under the Town of Veazie Recreation Department. Seconded: Councilor Olson, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 9. Presentation and Recommendations of the Municipal Budget by the Budget Committee
Budget Committee member John Manter provided a list of recommendations to the Town Council. The Town Council thanked the Budget Committee for all of their hard work. Chairman Friedman outlined that he needed time to digest and look over the budget.
ITEM 9a. Set Public Hearing for Budget
It was outlined that the public hearing for the budget is typically held on the first Council meeting in May. This allows the budget and Town Warrant to be printed in the annual report. It was decided to hold a special budget workshop on Monday, April 30th at 6:00pm so that the public hearing could take place on May 7th.
ITEM 10. Appointments to the RSU Withdrawal Committee
There were two residents who had applied for the committee. Janine Raquet outlined that she has lived in Veazie for five years and has a son that attends the Veazie Community School. She outlined that she has no real position on whether the RSU is a good idea or bad idea but feels its an important issue and is happy to help out. James Killarney outlined that he was interested in serving on the committee because he has two kids in school. As a resident and tax payer who doesn’t know the outcome it is an important issue to he and his family. He outlined that he has never been part of a town this small and feels it is important to be civically engaged. He is currently on the Conservation Commission and he would now like to be part of this.
Councilor Perkins outlined that he knew both applicants personally and thanked both of them for volunteering. He wished they could appoint both. Member of the public Cathy Brooks inquired why the Council couldn’t appoint both. Councilor Parker outlined that the State statute only calls for a four member committee.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to nominate Janine Raquet to serve as the member of the public on the RSU Withdrawal Committee. Seconded: Councilor Olson. Voted 3-1 in favor. Councilor Parker was opposed.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to nominate Councilor Olson for the municipal officers position on the RSU Withdrawal Committee. Seconded: Chairman Friedman. Councilor Parker outlined that he would be interested in serving on the committee as well. Voted 2-1 in favor. Councilor Parker was opposed and Councilor Olson abstained.
Robert Tomilson outlined that he had spearheaded the petitions and signature gathering. When the petition group met and polled the group he was selected to represent their group.
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to nominate Robert Tomilson to represent the petitioners committee on the RSU Withdrawal Committee. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 11. Manager’s Report
Manager Hayes went over his manager’s report.
ITEM 12. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
ITEM 13. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
There were no requests for information or Town Council comments
ITEM 14. Review and sign off Town Warrant 22 and Payroll 22
ITEM 15. Authorize the Transfer of $1420 from CBE TIF and TIF Agency Fund for RM Davis for Fund Management Fees for the Period April 1 to September 30, 2012
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to authorize the transfer of $1,420 from the CBE TIF and TIF Agency Fund for RM Davis for fund management fees for the period of April 1st, 2012 to September 2012. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 16. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 MRSA 405 (6) D – Discussion of Labor Contracts – Fire Department
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to enter into an executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA 405 (6) D – discussion of labor contracts. Seconded: Councilor Olson, Voted 4-0 in favor.
Motion By: Councilor Perkins—to close the executive session. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 17. Act on the Proposed Fire Department Contract
Motion By: Councilor Olson—to table this item. Seconded: Councilor Parker, Voted 4-0 in favor.
ITEM 18. Adjournment
Motion By: Councilor Olson—to adjourn the April 23, 2012 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Perkins. There was no further discussion. Voted 4-0 in favor. Meeting adjourned 8:24pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Morin
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
| 
