Town Council Meeting

10/02/07

 

Town Council Present: Sally Strout, Audrey Wilcox, and Frederick Gifford. Lillian Coulter and Oscar Emerson excused.

Municipal Staff: Town Manager, Melissa Doane, Eric Gifford and Virginia Oakes as note taker

Public Present: None

Review of Minutes: No quorum to review minutes of last meeting

Citizens Request: None

Manager Report:

  1. Juniper Ridge will take the Town’s solid waste from the fall clean up for $50.00 per ton. This Saturday, October 6th is the household hazardous clean up in Bangor.
  2. On September 20th Manager Doane attended a river coordinator planning meeting at Eastern Maine Development Corporation. The purpose of this meeting was to try to get some of the money that the Governor promised when he agreed to fund the removal of the dam. The last three meetings have centered on environmental issues. Manager Doane was asked to speak at the meeting and push for more economic development instead of environmental issues. Chris Shum met with Manager Doane today. They walked the ball field area and the PPL property over on Brown St. They discussed ways to get funding for the Town and talked about many different scenarios of what they could do with the land once the Town owns it.
  3. Dean Bennett has been working on the subdivision ordinance. He and the Planning Board will be discussing a large part of the ordinance at the Planning Board meeting 10/18/2007. He plans on having the ordinance finished by December 31, 2007. Manager Doane and Mr. Bennett went over what the comprehensive plan to review section that address subdivision ordinance.
  4. Town maps are now available on the Town’s web site.
  5. Saturday October 6th there will be a benefit supper for Ben Bartlett.
  6. October 4th Manager Doane will be in Ellsworth attending a Maine Emergency Management workshop and FEMA. This is regarding the grant for the fire department.
  7. Charles Norburg agreed to be Health Officer for the Town. Councilor Gifford motioned to appoint Charles Norburg the new Health Officer. Motion seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 3-0. Motion carried.
  8. Manager Doane pointed out that there were new laws that came into effect September 20, 2007. There was one law that needed to be discussed. If an excise credit is available when a vehicle is transferred, a municipality may choose, but is not required to refund the excess amount. Manager Doane’s opinion is that that excess stay in the Town. Council was not ready to make a decision so it was tabled until the next meeting.
  9. A public hearing needs to be set for the General Assistance appendixes and parking bans. The date will be October 16, 2007 at 6:15.
  10. A Cemetery Committee meeting needs to be set up. The Manager Doane would like to have more accurate records for the cemeteries in Bradley as well as possible bylaws. Manager Doane will talk to Ed to find out when he is available. Council members Strout, Gifford, and Wilcox will also attend.
  11. Friday at 9:30 a.m. Manager Doane has a meeting with Red Shield regarding the stock testing that took place 2 weeks ago. Council is invited to come. There will be a report provided.
  12. Today the RFPs were due for the junkyard. There were no bids that came in. Manager Doane will check with a few more people.

New Business: None

Unfinished Business: The RFP for the culverts on Boynton St. has been finished, however, Manager Doane is not comfortable with it because she is not familiar with road work and the RFP she drew up is vague. Manager Doane asked if the Town could hire Randy Bragg of Carpenter Associates to draw up a RFP and help with bid process. They would do it for under $500.00. Councilor Gifford motioned to hire Carpenter Associates to put together a RFP for Boynton St. culverts not to exceed $500.00. Motion seconded by Chairperson Strout. Vote 3-0 motion carried.

Six streetlights were reported to be out. Manager Doane will contact Bangor Hydro about this.

Municipal Warrants:

Chairperson Strout motioned to accept Warrant #26 for $1768.70, Warrant #27 for $3406.81,Warrant #28 for $2081.84 and Warrant #29 for $46,414.28 and was seconded by Councilor Gifford. Vote 3-0. Motion carried.

Next Meeting: October 16th, 2007 @ 6:15 p.m.

Poverty Abatement:

10a. Chairperson Strout motioned to enter into executive session to discuss poverty abatements according to Title 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405 subsection 6F. Motion seconded by Councilor Wilcox. Vote 3-0. Motion carried.

10b. Chairperson Strout motioned to come out of executive session according to Title 1 M.R.S.A. Section 405 subsection 6f. Motion seconded by Councilor Wilcox. Vote 3-0. Motion carried.

10c. Councilor Gifford motioned to grant abatement #07-02 request made pursuant to Title 36 M.R.S.A. Section 841 subsection 2 for the taxes due for 2006. Motion seconded by Councilor Wilcox. Vote 3-0. Motion carried.

Adjourn: Councilor Gifford motioned to adjourn and seconded by Councilor Wilcox. Vote 3-0. Motion carried.