Town Council Meeting

May 26, 2009

 

Open Town Meeting:  Councilor Chair Strout opened the Town Meeting at 6:30 pm, Town Council present was Sally Strout, Lillian Coulter, Audrey Wilcox, and Fred Gifford.  Office staff present was Town Manager Melissa Doane.

 

Review of Minutes:  Motion made by Councilor Gifford to accept the May 12, 2009 minutes as present, seconded by Councilor Coulter, no discussion vote 4/0.

 

Citizens Request:  None

 

Managers Report:  Manager Doane reported that the 2009-2010 town reports became available on May 18, 2009. 

 

Manager Doane met with Susanne Bell the executive director of the Bangor Human Society on May 13, 2009.  She was able to verify that the contract includes Bradley residents having the ability to take Bradley stray domestic animals to the shelter.  The contract is due to start on June 1, 2009.

 

On May 19, 2009 Manager Doane attended an all day workshop at EMDC regarding PVCOG and its future at EMDC or within the area.  EMDC has been going through some very tough changes over the last two years and it has affected PVCOG greatly.  PVCOG president Michael Crooker organized the workshop to allow members communities an opportunity to address EMDC staff and the concerns that they may have.  The obvious concern was “what does PVCOG do for our Community”.  Manager Doane volunteered to sit on the committee that will hopefully assist the reconstruction of PVCOG.

 

At the last Council meeting, Manager Doane was asked to look into gravel for the 686 Main Street Property to help out with the mud during the clean ups.  Manager Doane is able to get bank run gravel for 6.50 per yard and one inch minus gravel for 8.50 per yard.  It was suggested that the area where the mud is be scrapped down before laying the gravel.  Manager Doane reported that the Council has not spent any of their $5000 un-appropriated surplus money.  Town Council asked that possible Peter Currier look at the area and give an estimate on how much would be needed etc. 

 

Manager Doane reported that there is a school board meeting scheduled from June 9, 2009 at 6:00, agendas were placed in Town Council boxes.

 

Manager Doane has confirmed that the RSU budget open meeting will be held on June 10, 2009 at 7:00 at Old Town High School.  The RSU budget validation referendum will be held on June 23, 2009 at the Bradley Municipal Building.  Manager Doane would like to have the polls open from 3-8.

 

Manager Doane has placed information in Town Council boxes as it becomes available regarding the Chemo Pond Dumpster issue.  Manager Doane received an opinion from Jeff Lounder, executive director of Municipal Review Committee that the Clifton Selectman’s proposal is not in accordance with either of the towns PERC contract.  Because of the opinion the Ed Bearor, Bradley’s municipal attorney suggested not moving forward with the Clifton Proposal.  Manager Doane had forward all the information on to the Clifton Selectman for their review at the May 20, 2009 selectman meeting.  Manager Doane spoke with Audrey from the Clifton town office and selectman have agreed to allow Maine Waste Systems to place a dumpster at the Clifton Town Office, though no key will be provided.  The fee for rental is $100.00 per month, proof of insurance must be provided by the Town of Bradley and Maine Waste Systems.  Manager Doane stated she knows that Town Council was leery about the $100 fee however because Maine Waste is doing it the dumpster and pick up fee will only be less than $50.00 per month and the tipping fees will be charged directly to Bradley upon Maine Waste Declaration’s the charge to provide this service to Chemo Pond Residents will be minimal. She further added that with this proposal this service can be offered to the Chemo Pond Residents for not much more than the fees granted to their yearly association donation which will obviously not be given to them at this time.  Councilor Strout stated it would just about wash, Manager Doane stated the $1200 would be sent to the Town of Clifton for land rental, the additional fee of $50.00 to Maine Waste Systems would be an increase, however the declaration of trash will be less because Eddingtion is not going to make us set a tonnage amount, it will be what is actually in the dumpster.  Manager Doane added that there will be a small amount over, but not substantial.  Councilor Strout state that she felt the $100.00 was very expensive, but would not shoot the proposal down.  Councilor Strout made a motion to accept the $100.00 land rent at the Clifton Town Office, with Neil providing the dumpster and picking up the trash and declaring it to Bradley, Councilor Gifford seconded.  Councilor Strout stated she was glad that we could offer this additional service to the residents of Chemo Pond Bradley, it would more convenient.   Councilor Wilcox asked if Manager Doane was comfortable with doing this at Clifton and not pursing any more with Eddington.  Manager Doane stated she would like to try it at Clifton because of the convenience; if it doesn’t work then Eddington would be the next step.  Councilor Wilcox asked when they could take their trash in.  Manager Doane stated the residents will have a combination lock like what is here; they will be able to dispose of their trash if they have the combination.  Councilor Wilcox asked about the cleanup of the area.  Manager Doane stated she will be attending the Chemo Pond North annual meeting on June 27 and will address that issue with them.  Obviously Manager Doane cannot monitor the area, and will be asking Chemo Pond North residents to assist in that.  Councilor Wilcox asked how long the trail basis was going to be.  Manager Doane stated when she does the contract she will be talking the Town Attorney about that, he didn’t seem to think that an agreement between two municipalities be too formal and six months was not appropriate.  Town Council asked Manager Doane to look into a six month trial basis.  A resident from the audience asked what would stop other residents or people from placing trash around the dumpster.  Manager Doane there is nothing to stop this, it is a risk associated with any dumpster.  Councilor Strout stated that she thought the area was going to be gated.  Manager Doane stated the gate is for the Town of Clifton’s municipal facility, as in trash contractors, snow plowing, salt storage; there is not gate for entrance to the dumpsters.  Councilor Strout stated all we could do is see what happens, Manager Doane agreed adding she would like to try it.   Jeff Labree stated that he pays $4.00 a day for a dumpster so the rental is fair.  Councilor Strout stated the $100 a month fee to the Town of Clifton is what she thought was high.  A resident in the audience asked if the amount was set due to expenses such as plowing and maintenance.  Manager Doane stated she did not know how they came up with that figure.  Resident Sterling Delaware asked if there was another area that the dumpster could be placed for free or a lower amount, such as closer to the camps.  Manager Doane stated it is not lawful for a trash truck paid for my municipal dollars (public funds) to go on a private road; therefore the Clifton Town Office seems to be the closest area.  Councilor Strout asked for a vote regarding the motion to accept, vote 4/0.

 

New Business:  Chief Gifford asked for permission to have a controlled burn at Camp Molly.  He received a request from the Bangor Brewer YWCA to burn two buildings.  The fire department can use  the control burn for training.  Councilor Wilcox asked if the same procedure will be followed as before, Chief Gifford stated that he had received a copy of the deeds.  Councilor Strout made a motion to allow the Bradley Fire Department to perform a control burn as requested, seconded by Councilor Gifford, vote 4/0.  Manager Doane asked when they plan on doing the burn, Chief Gifford stated this weekend.  Manager Doane will make contact with the appropriate people and get the paperwork completed.

 

Councilor Gifford stated that at the intersection of Baker Lane and Cram Street there is a large amount of gravel on the road.  Manager Doane stated she can have it sweep back into the shoulder, she added last year she was asked to have the gravel placed there, however people continually drive through the shoulder and disturb the gravel. 

 

Councilor Wilcox asked if Manager Doane had heard anything further from Reggie Mitchell regarding the Elm Street work he was going to fix up.  She stated she had not, however she knew he was going to be having back surgery soon.  Manager Doane will try to make contact with him.  Councilor Wilcox suggested having Mr. Dill seed the area and maybe put back loam in the ditch area.  Manager Doane stated she would contact Reggie and see what his suggestion is, the seeding is not a big deal, however the ditch area should be repaired by Reggie as he is the one who did the original work. 

 

Councilor Strout stated she would like to have Charles Norburg review the property of Gerald Roy on Main Street, there appears to be several old cars and junk on the property.  Councilor Wilcox asked if Manager Doane had looked at the purple house on Cram Street.  She stated she had it while it looks very messy it is all construction material they seem to be using, she will have Charles review.  Councilor Wilcox stated that possibility a friendly reminder be sent to the landowners who received letters from Charles get a friendly reminder 3 weeks before the clean up deadline.  Manager Doane stated she was planning on doing so.  Councilor Wilcox asked if the Town Office has heard from any of the landowners, Manager Doane reported Dale Beal had asked that the Code Enforcement officer look at the property with him to let him know exactly what needed to be cleaned up. 

 

Unfinished Business:  Town Council signature was needed on the Return of Notice regarding the verification that appropriate notice was given regarding the public hearing held earlier in the evening.

 

Town Council signature was needed on the municipal warrant for the June 9, 2009 annual referendum.

 

Municipal Warrants:  Councilor Coulter made a motion to accept municipal warrant #88 in the amount of $3874.17and municipal warrant # 89 in the amount of $ 15,235.83, no discussion, vote 4/0.

 

Next Meeting:  Next meeting was set for June 11, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Adjourn:   Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Gifford seconded by Councilor Coulter, no discussion vote 4/0.