Town Council Meeting

2/6/08

 

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

 

STAFF PRESENT: Melissa Doane, Virginia Oakes, note taker and Eric Gifford

 

Chairperson Strout opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

CITIZENS PRESENT: Chad Smith, Kevin Phinney and Dean Bennett

 

DLB CONSULTING: Dean Bennett of DLB Consulting, presented Subdivision Ordinance. Manager Doane addressed areas of the ordinance that she wanted clarification. The Council proceeded to asked questions they had. Mr. Bennett will make changes and revisions discussed and get final copy to Manager Doane.

The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Subdivision Ordinance on February 20th at 6:00p.m. The public hearing for the Dog Ordinance will be the same night.

 

Mr. Bennett proposed revising the Land Use Ordinance for the Town of Bradley. He presented an example of a table of contents to Council and explained what it would entail, as well as a proposed cost to the Town of around $8000. The estimated timeline for the revision will be about 15 meetings. Manager Doane suggested Mr. Bennett  meet with the Town Council a few times so questions and comments may be addressed as the process goes. Manager Doane has budgeted $6000 for the 2008-2009 year for these services. She further reported that there were monies left this budget year. Chairperson Strout motioned that the Town hire Dean Bennett of DLB Consulting to revise the Land Use Ordinance upon receipt of his proposal. Motion seconded by Councilor Gifford. Vote 5-0. Motion carried.

 

REVIEW OF MINUTES: Councilor Gifford motioned to accept the 1-22-08 minutes as presented. Motion seconded by Councilor Coulter. Vote 3-0.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST: None

 

MANAGERS REPORT:

  1. Manager Doane reported that on January 31st Jill Callella called her reporting that she had soot on her front lawn. Manager Doane investigated different areas of the town. She saw particles on the snow but could not determine the origin of them. Manager Doane contacted DEP to come look at it, which they did but Manager Doane has not yet received a report. Manager Doane is also trying to contact Donna Loring, who represents Penobscot Indian Nation. Ms. Loring stated previously that Indian Island wanted to work with Bradley regarding air monitoring. She is waiting for a return call.
  2. The Town’s attorneys, Rudman and Winchell, sent letters to Matt Michaud and Frank and Sue Blake stating that they had until February 15 to pay their personal property taxes or they would proceed to small claims court. Matt Michaud contacted Manager Doane explaining that he is in the process of selling a parcel and the sale should be this month. When the sale is final Matt stated he would come in a pay the balance due.
  3. Manager Doane provided Council with a request for abatement from PPL Enterprises regarding the Great Works Dam. They are requesting an abatement of $1,418,200. Manager Doane spoke with Attorney Edmund Bearer who explained that it will cost between $10-15 thousand to fight the abatement. The Town would be loosing approximately $25,000 in revenue if abatement is granted as requested. The Town has 60 days to respond to the application or it is deemed denied then it would go to the State of Maine Property Tax Review Board. Manager Doane confirmed that Milford and Old Town have received request for abatements also. Mr. Bearor recommended he draft a letter to PPL asking them to renegotiate their abatement request and split the difference. Manager Doane asked Council how they would like to proceed. Councilor Emerson motioned to secure Ed Bearor’s services to prepare a proposal to PPL with a figure of approximately 75% of the assessed value. Motion seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 5-0. Motion carried.
  4. Recently Manager Doane spoke to Chuck Simpson, from Department of Conservation informing him that Town Council asked that they submit a formal Tree Growth Plan in order for the land to be accepted as tree growth parcel. He told Manager Doane that it should not be a problem and he would get back to her. Later Mr. Simpson referred Manager Doane to Tom Morrison who is the Director for the Department of Conservation. Mr. Morrison reported that he asked the Attorney General’s office their opinion as to whether the Department of Conservation has to submit a Tree Growth Plan. The Attorney General’s office does not concur that they need to submit a Tree Growth Plan. Manager Doane spoke to Mark Gibson who told her he had what he needs for evaluation purposes. Manager Doane reminded Council that Edmund Bearer would be willing to represent the Town in this matter for approximately $7000 or the Council could accept what Department of Conservation is stating. She further asked how Council would like to proceed. Councilor Emerson motioned that they accept the payment in lieu of taxes for $11,572.71. Motion seconded by Councilor Gifford. Vote 5-0. Motion carried.
  5. Manager Doane spoke to Councilor Emerson about surveying the school property. He does not believe surveying is needed as he could use Councilor Coulter’s surveying maps which show school property. Manager Doane asked about subdividing the land before the RSU takes possession. Councilor Emerson suggested that Manager Doane contact CEO Charles Norburg about starting the process.
  6. The rubbish and recycling contract with Maine Waste Systems is ending in June of this year. Manager Doane asked if Council would like the contract to go out for bid or to offer Maine Waste Systems another year. Councilor Wilcox motioned that Maine Waste Systems be offered the contract for trash pick up. Motion was seconded by Councilor Gifford. Vote 5-0. Motion carried.
  7. Manager Doane updated Council on the property that the Town foreclosed on. Manager Doane has heard from four of the owners with promises that they will be paid by March. One parcel holds and IRS lien. Manager Doane has sent notice to the IRS that they have until May 15, 2008 to pay the lien. Then the Town may place parcel for bid. Attorney Ed Bearer suggests waiting until then.

 

NEW BUSINESS: None

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The streetlight requested in November of 2007 by Roger Desrosiers was brought before Council to finalize. Councilor Wilcox stated that at the time of the request she misunderstood the location of the request. After examining the location the streetlight was requested for, Councilor Wilcox asked that the streetlight request be readdressed as she felt it wasn’t needed. Councilor Wilcox motioned to rescind the motion to grant a streetlight at the beginning of Pine Street due to new circumstances brought to Council’s attention. Motion was seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 4-1. Councilor Emerson nay. Motion carried.

Chairperson Strout wanted to address the section of the budget for Manager’s salary and office staff wages while there was a full Council. An increase of 5% was budgeted for the Manager and office staff. Chairperson Strout motioned to increase the Manager’s salary by $1,400, which is approximately 3%. Councilor Emerson seconded the motion. Vote 5-0 motion carried.

Council approved Managers Retirement for $850.

Councilor Wilcox motioned to give the office staff a 3% raise. Councilor Gifford seconded the motion. Vote 5-0. Motion carried.

Councilor Emerson motioned that Virginia Oakes receive additional .25 pending Manager’s evaluation. Councilor Gifford seconded the motion. 5-0. Motion carried.

 

MUNICIPAL WARRANTS: Councilor Coulter motioned to accept municipal warrant #61 for $3646.14, warrant #62 for $2998.50 and warrant #63 for 8141.64. Councilor Wilcox seconded motion. Vote 5-0 motion carried.

 

Next Budget Workshop will be held February 12th at 4p.m.

 

NEXT MEETING: February 20th

 

ADJOURN: Councilor Wilcox motioned to adjourn. Councilor Emerson seconded the motion. Vote 5-0. Motion carried.