Town Council Meeting=

September 1, 2009

Open Town Meeting: Councilor Oscar Emerson opened = the Town Council Meeting at 6:32 pm. Town Council present included, Nicholas Wo= od, Lillian Coulter, Audrey Wilcox, Fred Gifford and Oscar Emerson. Office staff present was Town Manager M= elissa Doane.

Review of Minutes:   <= /b>Councilor Gifford made a motion= to accept the 8-18-09 minutes as presented, Councilor Wilcox seconded, Council= or Emerson requested minor changes to page 3 sentence 2 and 3, so noted, no further discussion, vote 5/0..

Citizens Request: Betty Agrell opened the discussion, askin= g if there was a consistent and equality of the re-evaluation. Is there anything that the Town Council= could tell them, as it does not appear to be consistent and f= air. Councilor Emerson stated that it was Ma= rk Gibson’s the assessing agent forte; however he will forward his understandi= ng of the evaluation. Number 1 with s= hore land zoning lake, river or stream they are going to have higher value. In addition, the new construction that = had taken place in the past 10 to 15 years was assessed at 1990 constructions standards, to keep a decree of level playing field. When the new assessment was done proper= ties were assessed at a higher value. B= etty Agrell asked why Mr. Gibson wasn’t here; Manager Doane stated that the rumors circulating were budget concerns, not assessments; s= he further stated there were no formal requests made for tonight’s meeting.   Mrs. Agrell stated her value when up 40% another property was 50%, and the change isn’t always= on properties that have changed. Mana= ger Doane explained that the last time the Town went through a re-evaluation wa= s in 1991, therefore all the new construction that came into the Town over the l= ast 18 years were assessed as if it were a home that were built in 1991. She further explained that her house di= dn’t necessary have to change, the market had changed. What Mr. Gibson is saying is that the valuation, is based on the current market and everyone is on the same playi= ng field. For example taxpayers have = come in and stated they received a recent appraisal due to a re-finance which is lower than the town valuation, unless he goes to the home and can see that = the appraisal is true and see what the difference is he cannot just make the ch= ange. She stated that tonight the Council wil= l be asked to grant abatements on homes that he thought had full basements, in w= hich they did not, some homes had fake brick siding he thought it was real and so on. Those changes he can make, how= ever to just state your home is not valued at the Town value is not adequate bec= ause taxpayers need to on the same formula. Manager Doane stated that he has meet with several people, she stated between herse= lf and he, there have probably been over a 100 conversations regarding the valuation.

Jeff Labre= e stated that he was told that Mr. Gibson is going on 2006 markets, when the market was higher. Manager Doane s= tated she she thought these discussions needed to be = with Mr. Gibson and would like to invite him to the next Council meeting to disc= uss these issues with the audience. She further stated she did not want to put these people off, however she doesn’t have these specific answers and the knowledge, and she would like the taxpa= yers to get the correct answers. Manager Doane stated that before he completed the re-evaluation, Town Council did m= eet with Mr. Gibson and asked him how the current market was going to affect the process and he assured them that he had made allowances, and had the “comps= ” to support his numbers. Mr. Labree stated that he had come to his home over the s= pring and asked him a few questions regarding the inside; however Mr. Gibson didn= ’t want to go in. <= /p>

Jason Richards stated that rega= rdless of what the re-assessments came in at the budget came in $300,000 higher th= an last year causing the increase in taxes. Manager Doane agreed stating she heard Mr. Gibson explain to a taxpa= yer, that if for some reason found that his values were adjusted 20% too high, a= nd he lowered everyone’s value by that amount, the Town still needs to raise t= he additional $300,000 therefore everyone’s valuation would go down, however t= he mill rate would go up, and the tax bills would be exactly the same. Mr. Richards asked about the notices th= at were sent out in July providing the new values and estimated tax amounts, he understood that it used last year’s budget; however the 2009 budget figures were available. Manager Doane stat= ed that the notices were sent out as that was a requirement of his contract. The requirement was that notices would = be sent to residents using the current budget figures which were the 2008 budget. She further stated she understood the confusion and noted that it caused a lot of work for herself= and the staff to field questions after the real tax bills was sent out, however= it was a contracted agreement.    As an assessing agent, Mr. Gibson wanted the taxpayers to compare apples to apple= s, the reason that the tax amounts increased was due to the budget not the re-evaluation. If the budget had s= tayed the same the tax amounts the mill rate would have gone sustainably.

Reggie Coulombe asked if the va= lues went up 30% across the board? Manager Doane stated she had not looked= at the percentages however could get that information together easily and woul= d do so for the next meeting. Mr. Coulombe stated he thought more people would be in attendance. A member from the audi= ence stated that nobody knew about it. Councilor Wilcox asked “knew about what”? The resident stated the Town Council me= eting and not everyone knowing what was going on.   Councilor Wilcox stated that there is a Council meeting every two weeks. Manager Doane stated that t= his meeting is a regularly scheduled Town Council meeting and each meeting ther= e is an agenda item for citizen’s request. Manager Doane encouraged residents to go to townofbradley.net, there= is a calendar listing every meeting, she further stated that if a resident wan= ted to place on the agenda that is always welcomed. Manager Doane stated she doesn’t post the agenda, however could do so easily. She stated the agenda is typically very general, and that is why there is an open citizen’s request. Manager Doane stated that= the minutes are always posted on the website, and she would hope that those wou= ld encourage citizens to make comments.

Councilor Wilcox asked that in = the spring when the Town Council was working on the Town’s budget, the school amount was an unknown; Manager Doane confirmed that was true.   Councilor Wilcox stated that if there = is questions’ regarding the assessment then they need to speak to Mark Gibson. Mrs. Agrell= stated some of us have done that in the past, and he is not an easy person to talk to. Councilor Wilcox stated that i= n his position, he has to take a stand. Manager Doane asked if the citizens would like to have Mr. Gibson co= me to the next Council meeting. =

Ronald Cote stated that the bud= get now and in the future will continually rise because of the fire barn being added on. A member from the audien= ce asked if that could be changed? Councilor Wilcox asked if they voted. Heather Richards stated that 100 people= voted and 910 tax bills are mailed out. = She further added that 100 people approved a 900,000 building; she stated that = she did not know that there was a building committee until she read the ballot. Councilor Wilcox stated th= at there were meetings after meetings regarding the fire station. Mrs. Richards stated it isn’t posted. Manager Doane stated that there were. Brian O’Clair stated that it wasn’t out there enough.

Wendy Hayes stated she has a co= mment on the ballot that she didn’t think that it was right that the Town Council recommend a yes or no vote. Mrs. H= ayes stated she understood that it was in the Town Charter that it is a requirem= ent; however she doesn’t think it is right. Mrs. Hayes felt that she understood the intent on the wording because not a lot of people come to the meetings, however in here opinion it was swaying the vote. Councilor Emerson stated he had heard that statement before. Mrs. Hayes stated that she felt that even if you knew what you were voting on; because of the wording you would not be able to get the vote you wanted.

Councilor Wilcox asked Manager = Doane what the payment for the fire station was going to be. Manager Doane reported that it would $5= 9,000 based on the $900,000. Manager Doane asked if that was a mill, she stated t= hat it was three quarters of a mill.

Richard Ca= rlow asked if it would be fair to say that when the market drops, every house dr= ops an equal percentage, and when the market goes up the valuation goes up. Councilor Emerson stated for the most p= art, Mr. Gibson made a valuable point regarding the $150,000 being more marketable. Mr. Carlow s= tated that he was not sure of everyone’s percentage increase; he heard through the grapevine that one home increased 31%; his went up 51%, which is a huge difference. Mr. Carlow stated that when he got the card in the mail it indicated that his bill was going up $100, and he did not fight the value then, however when it goes up $800 that is a drastic change. Councilor Emerson stated he did not have an answer and that this silicified that Mr. Gibson needs to be present for the next meeting. Mr. Carlow stated he doesn’t mind the 51% if everyone went up the 51%, because he beli= eves in the schools and paying teachers good wages.

Mrs. Agrel= l asked if Manager Doane had what the town was valued at before and what it is valued at now. Manager Doane state= d she did, however that figure included new construction and new lots over the ye= ar and would not be fair representation of the re-evaluation. Mrs. Agrell = further stated that she would like to make the point of the fact that when a reside= nt speaks of 100 people voting on a fire barn, sadder than that is that 25 peo= ple voted on the RSU. Manager Doane st= ated 10 people voted on the RSU budget.

Wendy Hayes stated that the sch= ool budget went up and municipal budget went up to. Manager Doane the municipal expenditures went down $6999. Mrs. Hayes stated confirmed that the to= wn lost money (revenues), Manager Doane confirmed yes. Mrs. Hayes then asked if it made since = for the Town to spend another $900,000. Manager Doane stated that the voters approved the article.

Troy Spencer stated that the vo= ters voted on that using last year’s budget. Manager Doane stated that the voters voted on this year’s budget at = the same time. Mr. Spencer stated that= a lot has changed since then, and he further stated he was not saying that the To= wn doesn’t need a fire station, he is saying that possibly cost should be cutt= ing costs. Mr. Spencer stated that his= tax bills went up $1000 and other did to, what would happen next year when they want to put purchase a new truck? Manager Doane stated the voters would hav= e to approve that. Manager Doane stated she did not know the answer as to if we = do it right now; however she did know that the building committee had meetings every month.   She further stated t= hat the meetings were posted on the sign, on the website and even in the Penobs= cot Times. The purpose of the committee meetings was to see what the Town needed for a fire station. Mr. Spencer st= ated that everyone wants a nice new building, however is it appropriate? Councilor Emerson stated that he posed a question to the people and the Council, as the Town Council goes to a commi= ttee which was formed and a need established. Councilor Emerson stated because the need was demonstrated, and the public support was established through referendum. As a Council there is no other process but to proceed.

Wendy Hayes asked how much mone= y the Town hoped to get through the State. Manager Doane stated the Grant was through FEMA and was made availab= le through the stimulus package created by President Obama. The Town applied f= or 50% funding.

Reggie Cou= lombe asked if there was a way to re-vote on the issue. Manager Doane stated that she posed the question to the Town attorney, because she had heard rumors of the question. In his opinion, no it ca= nnot be re-voted because the tax commitment has been done. Mr. Coulombe asked what would happen if the RSU vote was changed? Manager Doane stated she had absolutely no idea.

Troy Spencer asked how much of = the work would be going out to local contractors. Manager Doane stated that they had not even gotten close to that yet. She further added that the or= iginal schedule was if the project got voter approval that the Town would start building soon after. However becau= se of the grant opportunity that schedule was put on hold. Mr. Spencer asked how the numbers were established. Manager Doane stated = that it was part of the engineer contract that a cost estimate would be provided, she further added that the cost estimate was actually $965,000, however the committee lowered the borrowing question to $900,000 mark. The $900,000 mark is what was brought t= o the people at the meetings. Mr. Spencer asked who would manage the project; Manager Doane stated it would be the engineer. Mr. Spencer stated that = was not good business practice. Manager Doane stated that the Town Council would be approving the expenditures. Mr. Spencer stated that the engineer ca= n get whomever he wanted to build the project. Manager Doane stated the entire package would go out to bid. Councilor Emerson stated that it would = all go out to bid, however the engineer would be involved in the process.

Councilor Wilcox stated that th= e fire station is not the big impact on the budget. Wendy Hayes added that was because the payment was not in the budget. Manager Doane stated that = the budget did include a payment of $37,600; the actual payment will be $59,000= . Wendy Hayes asked what would happen whe= n the Town needed to fill the 3 bays, there will be a new fire station with no equipment. Manager Doane stated th= at there is equipment to fill the bays now. Wendy Hayes asked what they were doing with the equipment now. Manager Doane stated it was stuffed in = the fire station, that there were trucks behind trucks there now.

Heather Richards stated that she didn’t think anyone felt that the Town didn’t need a new fire station. She further stated that in the grand sc= heme of things we are looking at it as do we really need to spend that much mone= y, is there a way to downsize. Mrs. Richards stated that she could feel the tension that people that our fire department doesn’t deserve it, she did not feel that was the case, it is a matter the economy and looking at the next 30 years. Mrs. Richards stated that if the Town h= as a new fire station, nobody is going to get her house any faster. Mrs. Richards asked if we needed someth= ing that elaborate for our community. Councilor Emerson stated that nothing is impossible, we be scraping a lot of the work and money = that has been done already to des= ign and the same procedure as we have done thus far. Manager Doane stated that her frustrati= on comes from the point for the year or two years that we have been asking for public input from the building committee there has been none, she further stated that she knows how hard the committee worked to make sure the station was appropriate for the Town of Bradley. The committee toured fire stations, meet with the architect cutting unnecessary items and so on. =

Jason Richards asked if there w= as a plan to have full time fireman at some point. Chief Gifford stated, not at this time, but there is opportunity to = do so and not have to pay for it. He explained that Milford, Old Town and Eddington have live in students that m= an the station. The Town provides the person with living quarters. Mr. Richards asked if they could be first responders, Chief Gifford stated they could.

Councilor Wilcox stated that wh= en we were working on the project, she struggled with the size and the amount. It was decided to put it out to the cit= izens and if they wanted it they would vote for it.

Brian O’Cl= air stated that unfortunately, any building contractor is going to know the amount. Manager Doane stated that anything that is done within the Town Office except for general assistance = is public information. Mr. O’Clair stated that if the budget came in $850,000 ev= eryone will feel warm and fuzzy, even though it could be built for $500,000. Mr. O’Clair= stated the valuation was not fair, Mr. Gibson has his home as having radiant heat = and he has hot water base board. Counc= ilor Wilcox stated she could go in and see him to make the change. Mr. O’Clair= stated he had. Manager Doane asked if he = had gotten an abatement, Mr. O’= Clair stated he had not yet. =

Councilor Wilcox asked Mr. Walk= er to speak to the audience regarding the school budget. Wendy Hayes stated before we talked about the school budget if she could discuss = the bus situation. She stated that she= had 3 kids, they have sit 3 wide for 50 minutes and her opinion is that there will be trouble. Mrs. Agrell stated before Mr. Walker tal= ked, she thinks it is interesting that people are having a nervous breakdown regarding 59,000 for a fire station, but 10 people voted to increase our sc= hool budget by $182,000 and nobody is flipping about that.    Mrs. Agrell stated that when her kids were in school she didn’t think it was a good idea for high school students to be with elementary school kids together, becaus= e of what they hear and see, High School kids are not a good example for element= ary schools.

Mr. David Walker stated that wh= en the RSU was formed, a cost sharing formula was necessary. The formula for year one (the first yea= r), is based on what the Town spend over EPS the previous year. He quickly explained that EPS is figure= d by the State on how much Towns should be paying for essential programs. Bradley was spending way above EPS befo= re the RSU was formed. These decisions we= re made by the voters, regarding the small school with a full time principal a= ffected the formula. The Town of Bradley w= as spending a great deal more money than the other towns that you were looking= to join. The above EPS money this year based on your prior spending you had to expend 22%, which is a lot of money. After the first year, the cost formula is based on a 50/50 formula which is= 50% number of students compared to the total and 50% valuation compared to the total valuation of the RSU. Using = the second year formula the Town would have funded 15% instead of 22%; it would have been $150,000 less. Mr. Walker stated that the State economy is not getting any better; the amount the Sta= te funds for education is much like the municipal revenue sharing it is going = to decrease. Mr. Walker stated that t= he Town’s and the Schools will be faced with some very difficult decisions.   Oscar Emerson asked why there were dif= ferent formulas. Mr. Walker stated when t= he plan was be formed they a formula that was fair, the building debt for Old = Town and Alton was backed out of the RSU assessment. Next year the debt comes in because the percentage will drop based on the number of students and the valuation. Mrs. Agrell asked for clarification on t= he valuation, Mr. Walker stated that was Total valuation. Mrs. Agrell= stated that sense the value had just gone “through the roof”, our percentage would= be higher. Manager Doane explained th= at the RSU uses the valuation, provided by State. She further explained that each year the State of Maine comes to Town and looks at real estate and deed transfers and assigns an appropriate valuation. That is actually what s= parked the re-evaluation, because the Town of Bradley was 70% lower than what the = State valued the Town, the State required a new valuation. Manager Doane explained the Town’s valu= ation is actually much closer to the State valuation than before.   Councilor Emerson explained that the Town was actually getting penalized on our State Subsidy.

Reggie Col= umbe asked how it was working out sending our 5^th graders to Old Town. Mr. Walker explained that it= was cost neutral no cuts were made. Mr= . Columbe asked if there was any chance for 4^{th
grade going to Old Town. Mr. Walker
stated there isn’t currently any capacity in other RSU schools to close the
Bradley School. He stated that the=
5^th
graders were in a portable classroom behind the school, as superintendent of
schools it is his responsibility to look out for the best interests of all =
the
students. There was an empty class=
room
in Old Town and thought that the discussion should at least take place. Mr. Columbe=
stated
that it may benefit the 4^th graders because they would have 2 ye=
ars
at the new school, not 1 then be forced to move
again.   Mr. Walker state he would =
like
to see the 4^th graders there, however for a different reason.}He stated there is a demand for pre-K in Bradley and moving the 4^th graders would provide the room.

Wendy Hayes stated that even th= at the school budget went up only $100.00 of her tax bill went to school budget and she was OK with that. Mr. Walker s= tated that there is a bus issues and that he has been working on resolving them.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> He assured that the board will be looki= ng at the issue. Mrs. Hayes stated that = only a small amount of the tax increase is going to the school budget and the rest towards the municipal budget. Mana= ger Doane stated she looked at the figures provided on the tax bill because, Ms. Hayes as brought that up to her previously. Manager Doane stated that last year the amounts of distributions were wrong: the 2008 tax bills reported= 3% to County, 22% municipal 75% school actually it was 6% to County, 42% to munic= ipal and 52% to school. Julie Columbe asked why that wasn’t caught earlier. Manager Doane stated she was unaware of= the problem until Ms. Hayes mentioned it to her, the distribution figures are d= one by the company that prints the tax bills. Ms. Columbe stated that it caused a lot = of confusion due to the re-evaluation and the increase in the budget. Jason Richards agreed and asked if this= year was correct. Manager Doane stated = this was correct with 6% County, 37% Municipal, and School 57%.

Mrs. Agrel= l asked if there was any way change the way that the buses run and allowing t= he older children to be with the elementary. Mr. Walker stated he would look at the issue and he would like to add more buses, however it is a budget issue. Jason Richards asked if the change was because of the change from sh= ort to long runs. Mr. Walker stated th= at the bus company does work for the RSU and a change may be available. Mr. Walker would like to have a little = more control over how the bus drivers act while driving.

Jason Richards stated that he s= poke with the Mark Gibson today and he answered all of his questions. Regardless of the percentage issues the= Town still has to raise the same amount of money. The budget increase of $300,000 is the issue and if the Town can get= by with spending a little bit less. Councilor Emerson stated that budget workshops will be starting shor= tly, generally in February. He explaine= d that there are workshops almost every week, if there are citizens here to offer = guidance it is well received. The public he= aring meeting that is held before the referendum is actually a mini town hall meeting. Mr. Richards asked where = could there be changes, as most of the budget is fixed costs. Councilor Emerson stated that he was co= rrect; the most lee way was in capital improvements and road repair. Councilor Wilcox stated that if the exc= ise tax referendum is passed there will be more revenue lost.   She further stated the excise tax revenue stays in the town.<= /p>

Jason Richards asked if it were= fair to state that next few years’ things will be more difficult. Councilor Wilcox stated if the towns lo= ose excise tax the difference will come from property tax. Manager Doane stated that hopefully the economy will turn around; she stated that the Town lost $55,000 in investme= nt income because the rate on investments is so low.

Jason Richards asked how many properties there were in Town. Man= ager Doane stated that 910 tax bills were mailed. Mr. Richards asked if there would be room for 1500 people in the new fire station.

A member from the audience stat= ed that he could foresee the State Revenue sharing to continue to go down. Manager Doane agreed, explained that sh= e was told this week that the $112,000 that they anticipating giving to the Town = of Bradley has now gone down to $89,000, therefore it will already be necessary for the Town Council to cut the budget that the voters approved by $22,000. Mr. Walker stated that the State is now curtailing their revenues, and he is also in the process of looking at their approved budget to see where cuts can be made.

Councilor Wilcox asked how Mr. = Walker thought the vote was going to go in November regarding the RSU. He stated that a big part of the State = is unaffected. Southern Maine where most of the votes = come from have been unaffected by the regionalization piece, and they are under = the impression that rural Northern Maine is inefficient, therefore they think t= he effort is the best thing “since sliced bread”. Mr. Walker stated that long term as a group the costs can be shared,= there are not huge cost savings yet. He = further explained that regardless if the school joined the RSU or standalone unit, = the cost would increase because of the State Subsidy will decline and the cost = will increase, it is his thought that the RSU can control those costs better. He stated he would hope that the RSU do= esn’t go backwards; it would put Towns in a difficult spot to operate their own s= chool systems.

Brad Goody stated that the State voted on giving us $112,000 now they have decreased it to $89,000. He asked= if they changed a vote why couldn’t the voters of Bradley. Manager Doane explained that the decrea= se in revenue sharing is due to the decline in State revenue sharing that was received, in short the State has not received as much as originally anticipated. Manager Doane further= stated she never said they couldn’t reverse the vote; it would be up the citizens = to do. She stated that it is the Town attorney’s opinion that it can’t be done because the tax commitment has been made and would not be warranted by a judge. She added if residents want to look into on how to do reverse the vo= te they should. Mr. Goody asked how m= any signatures would be needed. Manager Doane stated she did not know that would be part of the citizen’s research.

Troy Spencer stated that didn’t= the fire station only cost $50.00 more per home. Manager Doane stated it was anticipated to be $75.00 for a $100,000 home, originally stating it was $75.00 per thousand and correcting that statement to .75 per thousand dollar valuation.

Brian O’Cl= air asked what was going to be done with the old fire station. A member from the audience stated that = it should be sold for $1.00 and the Town should not heat the building. Both Manager Doane and Councilor Emerson stated that the Council has yet to get to that point.

Wendy Hayes stated that the new= fire station should be used to be rent out, to offset the cost. Councilor Emerson entertained having a function room, however it was carved out.

Chief Gifford stated that at the current fire station there is no parking and that is necessary to drive on someone else’s property to get out back to park on the septic system.<= /o:p>

Jason Richards stated that the Council keeps referring to the committee, who is the committee. Councilor Wilcox stated that there was a building committee. Mr. Richards a= sked if the committee meets to see what building needs there are or if it was project based. Councilor Emerson s= tated it was specific to the project. Mr. Richards asked if it was put out to individuals and citizens. Councilor Emerson stated absolutely. Councilor Wilcox stated there were 10 p= eople on the committee. Manager Doane st= ated there were generally 10-15 people in attendance depending on who came. Mr. Richards stated that there were onl= y 5 people listed in the Town Report. Manager Doane stated it reads Town Council which is 5 members, Fire Department officers which is 5 members, two citizens that expressed interested. She also added that it= read in the Town report that members were needed.

Brian O’Cl= air suggested that there be an e-mail listing of citizens that are interested in upcoming events. Manager Doane sta= ted that staff member Virginia had mentioned that to her today, and Manager Doa= ne directed her to start looking into getting that in motion. Julie Columbe stated that a resident mailing should have been done for something that large. Manager Doane stated that t= he fire station project was front page on the Bradley Broadcast and a section = of the Town Report was dedicated to the project.

Jason Richards agreed that it w= as partially/big part of those that have issues with the budget, they know the= two times a year that they come in vote, however it is unfortunate that three months time would have caused a larger turn out, given what the budget looks like. Mr. Richards stated that it = is the culture of Town Government people don’t come out to vote and unfortunately people were not aware that it was time to vote nay or yeah on the fire station.

Wendy Hayes stated that it did = not state that on the ballot. Manager = Doane stated that the question asked “do you authorize the Town Council to borrow $900,000 to fund the fire station project”, yes or no. Councilor Wilcox stated there was 80, y= es and 40 no.

Chief Gifford stated that most = of the people in the room live out of hydrant district. He stated that if they lose the current tanker he would not send any fireman into the fire.   He added that the current fire station= will not house a replacement tanker. Andrea Gifford pointed out that there was an opportunity for the Town to get a fire truck through grants, however becaus= e of the limited size the Town could not take advantage of that.

Julie Colu= mbe stated that Milford and Old Town 3 miles down the road, with full-time departments. Chief Gifford stated = that he has beaten them to fires, or they only send one person and truck. Jason Richards asked if 911 is called w= ho is dispatched. Chief Gifford stated B= radley was. A member from the resident as= ked if there was a fire a noon time tomorrow, the Bradley Department would beat them? Chief Gifford stated he coul= d not answer that, he added that this Town has an excellent fire department. Heather Ric= hards stated that we know we have one, and we deserve fire barn that will fit fir= e trucks, because we all want water if our houses burn, the bigger issue is if it can= be scaled back to the minimum. She ad= ded she did not want people to take this personally because it is a lot of time= and dedication and it is appreciated, we are just looking at the fact that our taxes are going up regardless if we have a fire station or not. She asked if there was any way to scale= it back so it doesn’t cost that price. Councilor Emerson stated that is duly noted, that scaling down is desirable. Councilor Wilcox stated she is hopeful = that stimulus money will come through.

Troy Spencer stated that they w= e know that it the future equipment will be needed. If it is not scaled back now, there will be no money in the future to get equipment. Brian O’Clair asked if the grant funds are still available. Chief Gifford stated he wasn’t sure. Manager Doane stated that Old Town and Orono share a ladder truck and Greenbush got a fire vehicle last year. Chief Gifford stated we would obviously be applying for the grants, = he further added that the fire department has received grant money for a repea= ter and forestry equipment, adding opportunities are always searched out.

Jeff Labre= e stated that the building committee did come down from the original cost estimate of $965,000, adding the committee will be looking at materials that were used and possibly scaling back on those items, such as siding grade, m= asonry etc.

Councilor Emerson stated that t= he Town Council will have the tax assessor here for the next meeting and focus= on the re-evaluation. A member of the audience asked how we could get the word out. Councilor Emerson stated they could put an advertisement in the Penobscot Times; however that would cost additional revenue.   Councilor Emerson stated the agenda wi= ll be posted on the website. Heather Ric= hards asked if something could be put down at the fire station. Manager Doane reported that they have a= small soapbox type sign similar to the recycling that states Town Council Meeting tonight, she can put that up. Bett= y Agrell asked if that would be after the taxes are due= . Manager Doane stated he would be here t= he 15^th and tax bills are due on the 25^th. Councilor Wilcox added that the tax bills would not change, Councilor Emerson agreed stating that if an abatement is needed an appointment needs = to be set up directly with Mark. Coun= cilor Emerson stated the questions that need to be answered, such as percentages,= comparisons to other appraisals. Brian O’Clair stated that there is a large difference in ba= nk appraisals and Marks appraisal. Councilor Emerson stated there would be differences in appraisals; he added that the residents deserve an explanation on the mythology, procedure= and assumptions on how he accomplished the re-evaluation.

Raymond Ha= nnington asked if he gets paid enough to visit every property. Councilor Emerson stated he believed he visited every property. Mr. Hannington stated he was only there when he built. Jason Richards stated that Mark Gibson = stated he did not go to each home that he went to homes with new building since his last visit; he changed from the 1991 scheduled to the 2006 market. Councilor Wilcox stated that each home = has a picture and sketch on property cards.

Heather Richards stated her val= uation has changed 3 times in 6 years, he had never stepped foot inside. Manager Doane asked if they had done any changes, Mrs. Richards stated no. Manager Doane explained that the first would be when the building was complete, the land re-evaluation was completed last year (Jason Richards corrected that it was 2 years), then the buildin= gs were completed this year. Manager = Doane stated that was part of the re-evaluation process, the first year he would complete the land and the next two years he would work on the buildings.

Mrs. Agrel= l stated that shore land value increased again this year. Manager Doane was not aware that that l= and had increased again. Councilor Eme= rson stated that he would welcome everyone back for September 15 to ask Mr. Gibs= on those questions.

Manager’s Report: Manager Doane announced that sh= e received the Rookie of the Year award presented by the Maine Town and City Management. She thanked the Town C= ouncil that came to Lincolnville to see the presentation of the award.<= /span>

The Planning Board has schedule= d a joint meeting at 6:30 pm October 15, 2009 to begin the review and discussion regarding the proposed land use ordinance.

Kevin Phin= ney court date is scheduled for September 29, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. at the Maine District Court, 73 Hammond Street, Bangor Maine.

The Town of Bradley received an= invoice in the amount of $1584.44 from the Town of Milford regarding outstanding de= bt for the 2008-2009 hot lunch programs.    The Town of Bradley received a check in the amount of 1284.75 from t= he State of Maine, which according to Kelly Theriault, Business Manager for Un= ion 90 and now Milford School Department, is an amount the Town has always received. This amount however is d= ue to the Town of Milford for reimbursement, as they provided the hot lunch progr= am to Bradley students. Manager Doane= has placed that amount in the warrant that was presented tonight.   Manager Doane is looking for guidance = from the Town Council for the remaining $300.02 which represents outstanding stu= dent balances. Manager Doane added that= Kelly Theriault no longer works for Union 90 as there is no Union 90 and will not= be doing any collection, Mr. Walker has stated that he will have Mrs. Leonard,= Viola Rand principal, attempt to collect some of the debt. Mr. Walker stated that there was apparently agreement between Milford and Bradley, that they would provide the hot lunch and would receive the state subsidy check, however the balances owed that were not collected upon before school closed. Mr. Walker recommendation would be that Milford provided the hot lunch program and it is there debt to collect addi= ng that the RSU will do what they can to assist in collection; however that is not Bradley’s debt. Mr. Walker stated = that the debt is not the RSU’s. Council= or Emerson asked if it was Bradley school, Mr. Walker stated yes, adding that = the Town of Milford was operating the lunch program. Councilor Wilcox stated that the collec= tion of 300.02 is going to create more aggravation and paperwork. Manager Doane added that parents may co= me to the town stating that X parent didn’t pay why were they= required to, it doesn’t seem fair. Councilor Emerson stated he did not want= any bad feelings with Milford, as they helped Bradley out by providing the program. Mr. Walker understood and possibly the collection process could start by sending a notice home with t= he children. Mr. Walker added that the RSU cannot pa= y any more than he could ask the RSU to pay a bad debt of Old Town or Alton. Councilor Wilcox asked if the amount sh= ould have been collected before the end of the school year further adding if Bra= dley didn’t collect the debt it is not Milford’s fault. Mr. Walker stated he did not know enoug= h about the previous process to provide an answer. Councilor Emerson asked Council for further thoughts. Councilor Coulter stated that notices s= hould be sent home with kids, Councilor Gifford stated the Town Council should ju= st pay the amount, Councilor Wood stated that a collection attempt should be m= ade. Councilor Emerson stated it seemed that= a collection attempt should be made. Chad Smith= asked what happened in the years past. Councilor Emerson stated without a school board member here he could= not answer. Motion made by Councilor E= merson that Town of Bradley reimburse the Town of Milfo= rd the State Subsidy amount, and let the Town of Milford and the RSU make collecti= on attempts. The remaining amount be = discussed at a further time, Councilor Gifford seconded no discussion vote 5/0. Manager Doane stated that Town Council = will re-visit in October.

Manager Doane spoke with Robert Fenney, architect for the fire station project regarding the proposed schedule. At the last Council meet= ing there was discussion regarding the Maine Department of Environmental Protec= tion permit fees. Mr. Fenney and Randy = Bragg will have established a meeting with DEP to establish what if any permitting will be needed. Mr. Fenney will co= me back with a more definitive answer on what if any permits will be needed and what the fee will be. <= /span>

Manager Doane spoke with Edmond Bearor regarding the fence on 114 Cram Street. He stated that historically there has been no success in municipalit= ies winning cases regarding “spite fences”. He stated the most a judge could do would be to require the property= owners to lower the fence 2 feet, and historically municipalities have never been considered a neighbor regarding a roadway.

The annual fall clean up is sch= eduled for October 17, 2009, with the times being from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Manager Doane gave Town Council members information regarding a presentation that will be taking place on September 3, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Bangor Public Library regarding Motor Vehicle Excise Tax and TABOR II citizen initiatives that wi= ll be on the November 3, 2009 referendum. This presentation is being put on my Maine Municipal Association.

Councilor Coulter asked if perm= its were needed for the October 17 clean up. Manager Doane reported that it was a regular clean up and that no permits were needed unless there is an item containing Freon, it is necessa= ry to pay $15.00 to dispose the item.

New Business: Manager Doane was in need of motions to accept property abatement requests as recommended by Mark Gibson. Motion= to accept property abatements for Clarence Binette Bradley property map 16 lot= 21 in the amount of$ 6900, Gerald Richards Bradley property map 14 lot 43 in t= he amount of $11,700,           Wayne Levesque Bradley property map 14 lot 40 in the amount of $2400, Wayne Leves= que Bradley property map 14 lot 42 in the amount of $7300, James & Patricia= Labree Bradley property map 11 lot 20-50 in the amoun= t of $29,800, Stephen Roy map 24 lot 8-1 Bradley Property map 24 lot 8-1 in the amount of $40,000, Joseph and Elaine Pelletier Bradley Property map 7 Lot 16-l12 in the amount of $4300, Gordon and Belinda Moff= att Bradley Property map 11 Lot 18-1 in the amount of $5900, Darren Clukey Brad= ley Property map 11 Lot 20-43 in the amount of $16,700 made by Councilor Emerso= n seconded by Councilor Gifford , Councilor Gifford asked what the total amount of tax dollars was, Manager Doane ans= wered $1726.80, vote 5/0.   Councilor Emerson asked if this was the extent of the abatements, Manager Doane stated she thought there would be more. Manager Doane added that Mar= k has done a really good job explaining the process to the people.

Councilor Emerson asked if Char= les Norburg was going to give the Town Council and update on the clean up properties. Manager Doane stated t= hat the only ones she believed needed to be checked into was Ricky Page and she will follow up with him.

Councilor Coulter stated she had heard recently that the Town would be paying for the plowing to be done at = the school. Manager Doane stated that = was not true that the school was the property of the RSU.

Unfinished Business:

Motion to accept the new roadwa= y of Highpoint Place Extension made by Councilor Coulter seconded by Councilor G= ifford, no discussion vote 3/0 (Emerson and Wilcox abstained).

Councilor Emerson discussed the= land use ordinance and the huge impact that it will have on the municipal budget= and staff, he suggest that as much advertising that can be done it is recommend= ed, he also added that it be placed on the website. He believes it is very important that citizens are aware of what is going on.

Municipal Warrants: <= /b>Councilor Coulter made a motion= to accept municipal warrant #19 in the amount of $9839.10 warrant #20 in the amount of $4086.75 and warrant #21 in the amount $1670.00 seconded by Counc= ilor Gifford no discussion, vote 5/0.

Next Meeting: Next meeting was set for Septem= ber 15, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Adjourn: Councilor Wilcox made a motion = to adjourn seconded by Councilor Wood, seconded, no discussion, and vote 5/0.