TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 31, 2007

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sally Strout, Audrey Wilcox, Oscar Emerson, Lillian Coulter and Fredrick Gifford.

STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager, Melissa Doane

OPEN MEETING: Council chair Strout opened the Town Council meeting at 6:32 p.m.

REVIEW OF MINUTES: Councilor Emerson made a motion to accept the 10/16/07 minutes as presented. Seconded by Councilor Coulter, vote 5-0 motion carries.

CITIZENS REQUEST: None

MANAGERS REPORT:

  1. Manager Doane reported that she had attended a workshop in Ellsworth on October 18, 2007, which was hosted by FEMA and MEMA. The workshop was based on completing a grant application for mitigation and performing a cost benefit analysis. Joanne Mooney with MEMA felt that the Town of Bradley could very easily get a minimum of $100,000. The Town would be essentially be asking for money to remove the fire station from the flood plain. The building would be removed and the land would be returned to open space permanently. Manager Doane is asking for Council’s thoughts regarding demolishing the building, as she does not want to proceed with the work involved with the grant if the decision will be to not remove the building. Council agreed that the Manager should proceed with the grant and if approved the building will be removed.
  2. Manager Doane stated that there is one outstanding personal property tax amount from 2006. She would like to proceed to notify the property owner, Frank and Sue Blake of the tax due and give them 45 days to pay or proceed with small claims proceedings. Council agreed.
  3. A thank you note was sent to the Bradley Town Council from Troop 767 for the donation of $100.00. Manager Doane reminded Council that a donation of $200.00 was given to the Bradley girl scouts and divided between 2 troops.
  4. Charles Norburg, CEO reported to Manager Doane that he has reviewed the property at the junkyard abutting to Reggie Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell had cut out an area directly on the property line of the two properties. Mr. Mitchell was notified that the fill needed to be placed back in the area as it is against the Bradley land use ordinance to excavate that closely to a property line. Mr. Norburg is satisfied with the way that Mr. Mitchell replaced the fill, he has built a rock wall with a 2/1 slope. If Council is not satisfied with the area, he can force him to do a larger slope. It was Councils thoughts that if the CEO is ok with the area then it can be left as is.
  5. Manger Doane reported to Council that the Planning Board will be having a workshop on November 1, 2007 regarding the subdivision ordinance.
  6. Manager Doane has spoken with Maine Municipal Association and Fire Chief Eric Gifford regarding his request to start a junior firefighter program. The junior firefighters will be protected by our insurance if the fire department follows the standards established by the Maine Department of Labor. Councilor Gifford made a motion to support the organization of a Bradley Junior Firefighter Program, seconded by Councilor Strout. Vote 5-0, motion carries.
  7. Manager Doane reported that she will be in Augusta all day for a Maine Municipal Training on Personnel Practices.
  8. Viola Rand School has made a request to the Town to sponsor a basket for their basket bingo they will be hosting. It was Councils thoughts that the Town should not make such a donation.
  9. Manager Doane received an e-mail from Brik Hamiltion of Vaughn Thibodeau on October 29, 2007 stating that Brown Street will be done this week. In the e-mail Mr. Hamiliton also stated he would grant the same price in the spring of May 2008. Manager Doane and Council agreed that it needs to be done this year as promised and offering the same price at a delayed time was not an offer they wish to take.
  10. Wendy Hayes, a resident of Bradley is interested in starting a 3rd and 4th grade Bradley Boys Basketball team, in which the boys will play in area tournaments. Ms. Hayes did this last year and was able to raise the monies from sponsors. Manager Doane reported that the Council has budged $2000 for recreation this year. Councilor Emerson made a motion to donate $200.00 to start the 3rd and 4th grade boys basketball team, seconded by Councilor Gifford, vote 5/0 motion carries. Discussion was that the donations should be kept even as the Council donated $200.00 to the boy scouts and $200.00 to the girl scouts.

NEW BUSINESS:

Councilor Gifford made a motion to accept the contract for municipal parking lot snow removal with P.S. Currier Construction for the amount of $3000 for the 2007-2008 Winter Season, Councilor Coulter seconded the motion vote 5/0, motion carries.

Councilor Gifford made a motion to accept the contract for roadway snow removal with D.H Construction in the amount of $34,000 for the 2007-2008 Winter Season, seconded by Councilor Strout seconded the motion vote 5/0, motion carries.

Councilor Gifford made a request that the Town Council invite Senator Rosen and Representative Pratt to a Council meeting to discuss a monitor system regarding Red Shield emissions. Councilor Emerson stated that he felt it was warranted as there is concern from the citizens, and the Council represents the citizens. It was agreed by Council to host a meeting, inviting legislatures, Maine DEP and Red Shield. It was also noted that it should be advertised with the local media.

Councilor Wilcox asked about other ordinance and if Dean Bennett was working on those. Manager Doane explained that Mr. Bennett was hired to do the subdivision ordinance and have it completed and ready for Council review by December 31, 2007. If Council is happy with his work with the subdivision ordinance, then they have the option of hiring him for additional time in which the Council can discuss with Mr. Bennett which ordinances need to be revised. Councilor Wilcox mentioned that the Town of Lincoln, adopted a blight ordinance, which gives some teeth for the code enforcement officer to enforce areas in town that do not constitute a junkyard however are a problem. Manager Doane did not know the specifics regarding this issue, however it can be mentioned to Mr. Bennett, if it is decided to move forward with more ordinance revisions.

Councilor Wilcox also stated that she had received complaints regarding barking dogs, Councilor Emerson stated he had also. Manager Doane stated that according to the Town Charter, the Town Council could adopt ordinances. If Council wishes, Manager Doane will look into dog ordinances and get opinions from Maine Municipal and the Town attorney. Councilor Wilcox asked if there was anything we could do right away, Manager Doane, the Town has no enforcement, however she will have the animal control officer look into and issue a letter. Manager Doane also reported the ACO had written a letter to a resident recently, asking to be considerate of other residents.

There was discussion regarding Carter Woods, that one of the grates that were placed were coming out, Manager Doane reported that she would have Mr. Dill look at, he typically goes to Carter Woods during the weekend and cleans the leaves from the ditches. Manager Doane also stated she had written a letter to 39 Carter Woods explaining that it is unlawful to obstruct the Town drainage. They removed the leaves that they had blown into the ditch.

UNFINSHED BUSINESS

Manager Doane stated that she had received prices with the assistance of Carpenter Associates regarding the replacement of the culverts on Boynton Street. The prices are from Lane Development LLC for $27,900, Contractor Supply Incorporated from Bangor in the amount of $39,466 the last was from Maine Earth in the amount of $44,762. Councilor Gifford made a motion that the Town of Bradley contract with Lane Development LLC in the amount of $27,900. Councilor Emerson seconded. Manager Doane reported that the budget was to do reclaim Penney Lane, shim and overlay Boynton Street and Baker Lane. If Council decides to at least overlay Boynton Street , Baker Lane and replace the culverts it would be estimated at $95,000, in which we have approximately $104,000.00. The other road issues identified in the SW Cole Pavement Management Plan can be addressed in the spring and at budget time. Vote 5-0, motion carries.

MUNICIPAL WARRANTS

Councilor Coulter made a motion to accept the municipal warrant #34 in the amount of $3823.38 and warrant #35 in the amount of $10634.10, seconded by Councilor Gifford. Vote 5/0, motion carries.

NEXT MEETING:

Next meeting set for November 13, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Fire Chief Eric Gifford stated that the Bradley Volunteer Fire Department is hosting NMIS 300 training at the Viola Rand School. Penobscot Emergency Management will be teaching the class.

ADJOURN

Motion made by Councilor Wilcox to adjourn and seconded by Councilor Coulter, vote 5/0, motion carries.