Public Hearing

Dog Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance

2/20/08

 

COUNCIL PRESENT: Sally Strout, Oscar Emerson, Fred Gifford, and Lillian Coulter. Audrey Wilcox excused

 

PUBLIC PRESENT: Brian Wilcox, Peter Currier, Thomas Merchant, Zachary Merchant, Kevin Phinney, and Mike Larrabee

 

STAFF PRESENT: Manager Melissa Doane, Virginia Oakes, note taker, Dean Bennett, Planning Consultant and Charles Norburg, CEO

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

A.    Proposed Dog Ordinance. Brian Wilcox stated that he had researched other Dog Ordinances from various towns and wanted Council to consider a section from Hermon’s Ordinance, which has time limits on barking dogs. Manager Doane explained that since there is no law enforcement in Bradley, it would very difficult to set time limits. She also feels it is inappropriate to ask the ACO to sit at a residents property for an extended time, as the ACO has limited pay. The Ordinance was reviewed by the Town Attorney who made suggestions based on the Town’s ability to enforce it.

Thomas Merchant, Peter Currier, and Brian Wilcox expressed concern about the barking dogs belonging to Kevin Phinney. They shared with Council that the long periods of barking were unacceptable in their opinion. Kevin Phinney ensured Council and the public present that he has taken many measures to reduce the barking, including special collars and removing dogs with more barking tendencies.

Council and Manager Doane expressed that this ordinance was not for only his sake, but as a result of many incidents occurring in the past.

B.     Proposed Subdivision Ordinance. Manager Doane recently discussed with MMA the article in the Subdivision Ordinance discussing donated land to the Town. MMA revealed that the Town Council does not have authority to accept donated land. Manager Doane replaced the wording to read “according to the Town Charter”. Brain Wilcox asked about the roads sections. It was explained to him that the Town Council does not have the authority to accept roads. The Town Council establishes the specifications and then it goes to referendum, which means there is no guarantee that the road will be accepted. This is according to the Town Charter.

 

CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING: Chairperson Strout closed Public Hearing at 6:30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Town Council Meeting

2/20/2008

 

COUNCIL PRESENT: Sally Strout, Oscar Emerson, Fred Gifford, and Lillian Coulter. Audrey Wilcox excused

 

PUBLIC PRESENT: Brian Wilcox, Peter Currier, Thomas Merchant, and Zachary Merchant

 

STAFF PRESENT: Manager Melissa Doane, Charles Norburg, CEO and Virginia Oakes as note taker

 

OPEN MEETING: Council Chairperson Strout opened the Town Council meeting at 6:33 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF ORDINANCE PRESENTED:

Chairperson Strout motioned to accept Dog Ordinance as discussed in the public hearing of February 20, 2008. Motion was seconded by Council Gifford. Discussion by Councilor Emerson regarding the need for time constraints. Manager Doane explained recommendations from attorney as she discussed at the public hearing. Vote 3-1, Emerson nay. Motion carried.

Chairperson Strout motioned to accept the proposed Subdivision Ordinance as discussed in the public hearing of February 20, 2008. Motion seconded by Councilor Gifford. Councilor Emerson and Manager Doane reviewed specific changes that were made by Council, Mr. Bennett and Manager Doane at the 2/6/08 Town Council meeting. Vote 4-0. Motion carried.

 

REVIEW OF MINUTES: Councilor Gifford motioned to accept the 11/28/07 minutes as presented. Motion seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 3-0. Motion carried.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST: None

 

MANAGERS REPORT:

1.      Manager Doane asked Charles Norburg to speak regarding the school property. Charles reported that he has been speaking to Mike Stolz at MMA regarding this. It was explained to him that the RSU would only be interested in the portion of land designated for school use. The rest could be retained by the Town. Charles further inquired about the Town using the right of way that services the back lot. Mr. Stolz stated that the right of way is the property of the owner of that back property, but where it is in the deed for the use of the back lot, it’s questionable whether or not it could be used by the Town to service their lot. Charles asked about moving the right of way. Mr. Stolz stated it would have to meet the present ordinance. Charles wondered if the Town could get an easement from the owners of the back property. Manager Doane will draft a letter to the family owning the back property requesting an easement.

  1. Manager Doane spoke to MMA regarding the Town Charter amendment and Charter revision. If the change is deemed an amendment, the Municipal officers first need to establish that they want to make the Charter change. This requires the establishment of a Charter Commission which would be made up of citizens. They have 90 days before the next election to establish that Commission. Three members are appointed by the municipal officers and have 30 days to start their work. After they start the work, they have 12 months to prepare the revision and then it gets sent back to the voters. Brian Wilcox volunteered to be on Charter Commission. Manager Doane will pursue this, as it will be necessary to confirm with the Town Attorney if the changes desired are revisions or amendments as revisions are a simple process
  2. Manager Doane reported that the personal property taxes for Matt Michaud and Frank and Sue Blake have been paid. The Town will not have to pursue with small claims.
  3. Manager Doane had a meeting today with the Town of Milford regarding single stream recycling. The City of Old Town has leased their transfer station to a company named Casella to act as a materials recovery facility. They are proposing that recycling be changed from the way it is done now. Single stream recycling was explained as having one bin and all of your recyclables would go into bin after you cleaned them. The contractor picks up that one bin and takes it to the facility in Old Town. The recycling is then taken to Alburn, Massachusetts where they have a single stream facility and is processed and separated. Manager Doane explained the differences in the proposed way of recycling and the present way it is done. The cost is not yet known but it is thought that the proposed recycling would save the Town money, as the cost of solid waste taken to PERC would be reduced. At Council’s request, Manager Doane will pursue this further.
  4. Councilor Gifford motioned to approve issuing a municipal warrant for prosecuting owners of unlicensed dogs. Motion was seconded by Councilor Emerson. Vote 4-0. Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Chairperson Strout motioned to grant Quitclaim Deed regarding Map 14 Lot 22 77 Main Street to Frank & Susan Blake to release 2005 tax lien Book 10543 Page 277. Motion was seconded by Councilor Coulter. Vote 4-0. Motion carried

Chairperson Strout motioned to grant Quitclaim Deeds for items 7b-7g as noted on the attached agenda. Motion was seconded by Councilor Gifford. Vote 4-0. Motion carried.

Manager Doane was contacted by a cell phone company asking about any property for sale in the town. This inquiry made Manager Doane start thinking about what could be done with the junkyard property. Some ideas she brought before Council were a cell phone tower, a transfer station, or a commercial business. Town Council approved Manager Doane pursuing development of that parcel of land.

Councilor Gifford asked what Council will not let the RSU take possession of. Council agreed that the Town would retain 6 acres which will be the “back lot” of the school and pictures within the school.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

 

MUNICIPAL WARRANTS: Councilor Coulter motioned to accept warrant 65 for $3,563.01 and warrant 66 for $18,010.37. Motion was seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 4-0. Motion carried.

 

NEXT MEETING: March 5th

 

ADJOURN: Councilor Coulter motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Chairperson Emerson. Vote 4-0. Motion carried.