Veazie Town Council Meeting

September 23rd, 2013

Members Present: Chairman Tammy Perry, Councilor Chris Bagley, Councilor Joseph Friedman, Councilor Karen Walker and Councilor Robert Rice, Manager Mark Leonard, Secretary Julie Strout, Town Attorney Thomas Russell, Capt Pete Metcalf, Fire Chief of Bangor Fire Dept. Scott Lucas and various members of the public.

Members Absent: None

ITEM 1: Call to order

Chairman Tammy Perry called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.

ITEM 2: Secretary to do the roll call:

All present

ITEM 3: Pledge of the allegiance:

ITEM 4: Consideration of the Agenda

Councilor Karen Walker made a motion, seconded by Chris Bagley to add both public comments back on the agenda starting next meeting. Voted 5-0-0. Motion carried.

Chairman Tammy Perry wanted to add 7b as MMA voting credentials, 8b as Fire Dept. proposal discussion, 8A as Executive session – Legal Council and 8c as Fire Dept. car sale. Item 13 add Prior year town warrant #6a.

ITEM 5: Approval of the August 26th 2013 Council Meeting Minutes and September 16th2013 Council Workshop Minutes.

Councilor Joseph Friedman made a motion, seconded by Councilor Robert Rice to accept the August 26th, 2013 Meeting Minutes and the September 16th 2013 Council Workshop Minutes as written. Voted 5-0-0. Motion carried.

New Business:

ITEM 6: MRC Board of Directors Election – Candidate Nomination Form

No nominations were brought forward.

ITEM 7: Discussion on upcoming Council Meeting dates.

The Council agreed to change the October 14th Council meeting to Oct 8th, the Nov 11th Council meeting to Nov 12th and they decided to cancel the Dec 23rd all together.

Old Business:

ITEM 7b: MMA Voting Credentials

Councilor Robert Rice made a motion, seconded by Councilor Joseph Friedman to nominate Councilor Karen Walker as a voting delegate for the MMA Annual Business Meeting that will take place Oct. 2nd, 2013 in Augusta. Voted 5-0-0. Motion carried.

ITEM 8a: Executive Session – 1 MRSA 405(6)E – Legal Counsel

Councilor Chris Bagley made a motion, seconded by Councilor Karen Walker to enter into Executive Session – 1 MRSA 405(6) E at 6:41pm. Voted 5-0-0. Motion carried. Councilor Joseph Friedman made a motion, seconded by Robert Rice to exit Executive Session - 1 MRSA 405(6)E at 7:12pm. Voted 5-0-0. Motion carried.

ITEM 8b: Fire Department proposal discussion

Bangor Fire Chief Scott Lucas updated the Council on his proposal. Chief Lucas wanted it to be on record that right from the beginning they were happy to entertain the idea and only if we could go into a collaborative environment with not only Veazie but with our close mutual aide partner Orono. They wanted to avoid any hurt feelings or feelings that they were stepping over where they shouldn’t. They were asked to make a proposal and they were happy too. He stated that if Veazie needs Bangor they will come regardless so this will not affect future relationships in any way shape or form, no matter what the Council decides.

The Council discussed the Orono proposal. Councilor Walker had some concerns with the proposal and felt that we should have more details. A lot of unknowns.

The Council reviewed the internal proposals from Capt. Pete Metcalf and the Call Department. The Council would like Capt. Metcalf to come up with a future budget for them to review in order to make a decision.

The Council reviewed the Call Departments proposal. Councilor Walker made a motion to accept the Call Departments proposal excluding #3 so that Manager Leonard could enter into negotiations with other entities. This motion was not seconded. Motion failed.

The Council would like a broader current budget from the Call Department first in order for the Council to be able to make a decision.

Councilor Rice stated that if we were to reconfigure our call fire group we might be able, if the writers of this proposal #5 were willing to propose a way that we could have essentially 24/7 coverage. That would be very helpful in terms of how the citizens of Veazie are protected.

Fire fighter Dave Hjorth asked when you say 24/7, do you want someone at the station 24/7?

Councilor Rice stated no he wanted call availability and a commitment from those who are on a roster and that say they will be there. Right now we have nothing that says if we have a call for a fire, the call firemen need to come out, no commitment from them in writing.

The Councilor’s would like Manager Leonard to get figures for the next meeting on Oct. 8th and to invite Orono Fire Dept., Bangor Fire Dept. and Attorney Thomas Russell to the meeting again.

ITEM 8c: Fire Dept. Car Sale

Councilor Joseph Friedman made a motion, seconded by Councilor Robert Rice to sell the Fire Dept. car for $800.00 as is. Voted 5-0-0 Motion carried.

ITEM 9: Manager’s Report

Manager Mark Leonard reviewed his report with the Councilor’s.

ITEM 10: Comments from the Public

None

ITEM 11: Executive Session – 1 MRSA 405(6)A – Personnel matter

Councilor Robert Rice made a motion, seconded by Councilor Joseph Friedman to enter into Executive Session 1 MRSA 405(6)A at 8:05 pm. Voted 5-0-0. Motion carried. Councilor Joseph Friedman made a motion, seconded by Councilor Karen Walker to exit Executive Session 1 MRSA 405 (6)A at 8:16pm. Voted 5-0-0. Motion carried.

ITEM 12: Requests for information and Town Council Comments

None

ITEM 13: Review & Sign of AP Town Warrant # 5, #5a, #6 and Prior Year Town Warrant #6a & Town Payroll # 5, #6 and Veazie School Payroll Warrant #5 & #6 and Veazie School Warrant #5, #6

The warrant was circulated and signed.

ITEM 17: Adjournment

Councilor Joseph Friedman motioned to adjourn

Councilor Chris Bagley seconded. No discussion. Voted 5-0-0

Motion carried.

Adjourned at 8:18pm

A True Copy Attest:

Julie L Strout

Deputy Town Clerk