Town Council Minutes 4/28/2003

Engineers and the consultant is "confident they will sample out in a favorable manner. He attended the fire training exercise put on by the town"s three public safety departments, describing it as an amazing thing to watch&my hats off to these folks, theres an awful lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes. They deserve a lot of credit. In response to a request from Mr. Couillard, Manager Shane investigated the issue of multiple poles being placed along Blanchard Road. He learned that whenever a major project is ongoing, the utilities are required to relocate poles to one line. Maine DOT will work with us to move these lines. In response to Councilor Moriartys request for an update regarding the Blanchard Lot taking, he explained the Maine State Claims Commission has produced a finding for a value of $900,000 for the lot. Both parties have 30 days to appeal. After that, we are responsible for 20% of that additional cost. This money is budgeted. Councilor Moriarty recommended the Council take this and run with Councilors Damon, Kuntz and Storey expressing agreement.

03 - 041. To set date for budget workshop(s).

meetings each felt was necessary to provide sufficient review time. Councilor Moriarty believes we can accomplish a good deal tomorrow night and suggested a meeting be scheduled for May 12^th rather than May 8^th, and set aside May 20^th as the public hearing date. Councilors Stiles and Damon expressed support.

03  042. To set date for public hearing on the FY 2003-04 Municipal budget.

at 7:00 p.m.;
Seconded by Councilor Kuntz.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6-0

03  043. Nominating Committee appointment.

Chairman Porter explained that a number of candidates were considered for the Planning Board vacancy. The Nominating Committee has forwarded a recommendation of Steven Whipple, 3 Heritage Lane, as their nominee to fill the unexpired term of Steven Sloan. Mr. Whipple is a long-time resident of the community and as an environmental engineer brings a wealth of experience to his appointment.

Seconded by Councilor Kuntz.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6-0

*Councilor Damon  received a call regarding an injury at Cousins Island; stated more holes have appeared since the last rain. and is concerned with the surface of the ramp, especially down near the bottom. Manager Shane responded that he will meet with the MDOT Commissioner and Nat Tupper on May 9 to talk about what we can do now that theres no money in the BTIP for the program we were originally looking at. At the meeting, they hope to convince MDOT to make lighting, pathway and safety improvements. Im confident we can do something, but it will not prevent the bus from backing down the hill. Before we go too far we need to see if we can use that pot of money (DOT funds for the parking lot improvements are in the 94-95 BTIP program). Councilor Damon announced she received a letter from Sam Ballard indicating his acceptance of appointment to the Islands Committee.
*Councilor Storey  none
*Councilor Kuntz  none
*Chairman Porter  received a letter from the Harbor Master re: new mooring rates; received information that the Lions Club has offered their labor services at the Congregational and Moss Side Cemetery; pleasantly surprised to see all 100 compost bins sold.
*Councilor Moriarty  mentioned a letter from MDOT addressed to Carla Nixon regarding a determination not to pave the shoulders on Route 88  requested it be pursued further. Manager Shane responded we are now a member of PACTS, competing with 20 other communities for a block of money dedicated to our region. Feels we may have a little bit more clout by combining with Yarmouth and Falmouth.
*Councilor Stiles  Planning Board is conducting a site walk at 12 Foreside Road on May 1^st; invitation in packets to meeting hosted by Coastal Enterprises to be held at the St. Paul Center in Augusta, May 15^th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

*Councilor Damon  the Maine Memory Network is working with town hall and the Cumberland Historical Society to copy and scan original documents as resources for SAD 51 educational purposes. They will train volunteers and students for this and future projects.
*Councilor Storey  raised safety concerns at the Tuttle Road intersection where it
into the Kings Highway/Route 88. When striped they made it look like the Kings Highway was part of the Tuttle Road. Can something be done; left turn yield or something? Manager Shane will look at the situation with Councilor Storey.
*Councilor Kuntz  none
*Chairman Porter  Suggested a study to look at selling Sunset Landing. He inquired whether other councilors wished to talk about it tonight or put it on a future agenda. Several councilors expressed opinions regarding selling the site versus improving the Stone Wharf. A request for an inventory of vacant and town-owned land on the mainland and Chebeague Island was suggested as important information. Councilor Damon expressed strong reservations with the idea of selling this property, stating its the last piece of undeveloped deep water on the whole of Chebeague that is accessible. We would kill for something like that on the mainland. It would be a major mistake, once its gone, we can never get it back. Councilor Moriarty suggested its probably a good idea to look at this and other properties periodically to see where they fit into the towns long range needs. Chairman Porter recommended the issue be brought back at a later date (possibly the second meeting in May) for the council to decide at that point how to proceed. Manager Shane will prepare for that meeting an inventory as discussed.

*Councilor Moriarty  reminded the Council of the States deadline for town action on the issue of acquiring the development rights at the Sally Merrill Farm at the corner of Range and Winn Roads. He explained the State needs to have the Town Council take a position on this by June 5^th.

*Councilor Stiles  none.
*Manager Shane  he is looking to change the format of the councils monthly meetings, proposing the first meeting be utilized as workshops, and action and votes taken at the second monthly meeting. He proposes this format due to his sense that some items arent fully flushed out under the current system. Staff has suggested forming three new advisory committees, namely, the CATV committee, an Ordinance Review committee, and a Parks Committee to deal with issues at the Twin Brook facility. Manager Shane will prepare a 'white paper for these two items at a future date.

Motion by Councilor Stiles to move into Executive Session to discuss a
Personnel matter;
Seconded by Councilor Kuntz.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6-0
TIME: 8:08 p.m.

Motion by Councilor Kuntz to come out of Executive Session;
Seconded by Councilor Stiles.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
TIME: 8:49 p.m.

Motion by Councilor Moriarty to Adjourn;
Seconded by Councilor Stiles.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
TIME: 8:50 p.m.