Town Council Meeting

01/09/2008

 

COUNCIL PRESENT: Sally Strout, Fred Gifford, Oscar Emerson and Lilian Coulter

 

STAFF PRESENT: Melissa Doane and Virginia Oakes as note taker

 

OPEN MEETING: Council Chairperson Strout opened the Town Council meeting at 6:30 p.m.

 

REVIEW OF MINUTES:

Councilor Gifford made a motion to accept the 11/28/07 minutes as presented.  Motion seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 3-0, motion carried.

Councilor Gifford made a motion to accept the 12/12/07 minutes as presented.  Motion seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 3-0, motion carried.

Councilor Gifford made a motion to accept the 12/27/07 minutes as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Coulter. Vote 3-0, motion carried.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST: None

 

MANAGERS REPORT:

  1. The Community Forum, regarding Red Shield, will be on January 24, 2008. Manager Doane received a letter from Ed Logue, Regional Director for the Bangor office of DEP, informing her of who would be attending the forum. In a later conversation, Ed informed Manager Doane that in testing some ash from the boiler at Red Shield, high levels of lead were found, therefore they are not burning construction debris at this time. There will be a short article in the Penobscot Times this week and next week stating that Bradley is having this forum. Manager Doane reminded Council that Michael Crooker will be the moderator. This is to ensure only Bradley residents can ask questions. We The People have expressed disappointment that they can not ask questions. Councilor Emerson suggested they submit questions in writing to the board and they could take those questions into consideration when asking their questions. Manager Doane took this under advisement.
  2. A Cemetery Committee meeting was held on January 7, 2008 with focus on regulations and bylaws of the cemeteries. Chairperson Strout motioned to recognize the Cemetery Committee as an active committee, with current members being members of the Town Council, Ed and Ann Delaware, Paulette Gifford, Edward Buck and Betty Smart. Motion was seconded by Councilor Coulter. Vote 4-0, motion carried
  3. Manager Doane provided a performance review form of the Town Manager for each Council member to fill out and bring to the next meeting. The review will be held in executive session.
  4. Chuck Simpson from Department of Conservation contacted Manager Doane letting her know that they will be submitting a tree growth plan and the check in the amount requested.
  5. Manager Doane met with Joe Roy of Roy & Associates today. They set up the new accounts mentioned on the Managers letter. Mr. Roy believes that the work done today will eliminate the points that were in the letter this year.
  6. A representative from Paper Talks, which is a local magazine, approached Manager Doane asking if Bradley would like to place an advertisement. He explained that the focus of the next issue was going to feature veterans, some of which are from Bradley. There are different packages available. Council decided not to advertise at this time, but to honor our veterans in a different way, possibly in the next Bradley Broadcast.
  7. Chairperson Strout motioned to appoint the Town of Milford as a fair hearing authority in regards to General Assistance. Motion was seconded by Councilor Coulter. Vote 4-0, motion carried.  
  8. There will be a School Board meeting on January 15, 2008 at the Viola Rand School.
  9. Manager Doane reported that the first Building Committee meeting was held on January 8, 2008. There was discussion of a new fire station, community building, salt shed and road to the firestation. Jonathan Collen from Maine DEP attended. The Committee talked about the wetlands on the parcel of land that would be used. According to Jonathan and Oscar Emerson, they do not believe it is of any significance and therefore the Town may be able to fill in a portion of it for a driveway, an 80X100 fire station with a community building possibly attached, a road to the fire station and a salt shed. The next step is to put together a site plan which Oscar Emerson has agreed to do. Councilor Gifford expressed concern about bringing this package to the Town’s people as it would be costly. Manager Doane believes that these things should at least be in the site plan for future construction. Chairperson Strout shared she feels that because of the school consolidation, taxes will go up.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS: None

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Chairperson Strout updated Council on Consolidation meeting held January 8, 2008. Chairperson Strout is concerned Bradley, Milford, Alton, and Greenbush will be left behind as these towns are not as populated as Old Town and Orono therefore would not have as many votes on a board.

 

MUNICIPAL WARRANTS:

Councilor Coulter motioned to accept the municipal warrant # 54 for $3,430.05 and warrant # 55 for $26,577.39. Motion was seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 4-0, motion carried. 

 

NEXT MEETING: January 22, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

 

ADJOURN: Councilor Gifford motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 4-0, motion carried.