MINUTES
   CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Chebeague Island Community Hall
Monday, April 5, 2004

7:00 P.M. - Call To Order

Motion by Councilor Moriarty to approve the minutes as amended
under Item 04-027;
VOTE    Unanimous 4-0

Vice Chairman Stiles deferred to Councilor Moriarty who offered background information regarding this project before opening it to public discussion.  Councilor Moriarty explained this process began just over three years ago in June, 2001 when the Council advertised for the development of a new town committee. As such, the Stone Wharf Committee was established in September, 2001 to consider and act on such issues as construction, protection of smaller boats and parking. Councilor Moriarty recognized and thanked the members of that committee.  

In the Fall of 2001, Councilors Donna Damon, Peter Bingham and Steve Moriarty, along with the help from Harbormaster, Ted Curtis, served on the committee.  Since its inception, the policy of the committee has been to encourage public involvement.  Issues discussed during their 18 meetings to date include: parking, lack of space for small-boat tie-up, lack of protected areas, as well as the integrity of the wharf itself. The first priority of the committee was to tackle the issues of the integrity of the wharf. On May 9, 2002 the committee held a public hearing which included a presentation by Steve Durrell, Prock Marine, discussing a wave break and other options.  The committee agreed that a wave break in some form would be a positive option and voted to recommend up to $250,000 for the structure, among other things. On August 26, 2002 the town council held a meeting on Chebeague to discuss the issue for a second time and concluded that three things were necessary: (1)  5 basic areas of structural repair to the wharf; (2) dredging for the CTC berth with concerns regarding money and disposal; and (3) added floats and wave break.  Concerns and reservations were noted that evening, and the council took no action.

In the Fall of 2002 the town hired consultant Kleinschmit to conduct a wind and wave study in order to report to both the Committee and Prock Marine regarding the conceptualized wave break. On May 29, 2003 the Council once again held a public hearing to discuss the proposal of constructing a wave break and the need to charge some sort of tie-up fee in order to generate revenue for that portion of the project. The Town Council then met again on June 2, 2003 and voted unanimously in support of the entire project as proposed. The project went before the Planning Board on June 17, 2003 and received approval.  

As of the present time, the structural repairs to the wharf are nearly completed. The next step in the process is to enact a process for storing new boats. A subcommittee of the Stone Wharf Committee was established to discuss the marine use of the wharf and the council requested the committee establish a fee structure to partially defer the cost of construction.

This meeting has been scheduled to consider a proposed fee schedule for the installation of additional floats.  Going into the project, the cost was estimated at over $600,000 for the entire project; $250,000 of that for the wave break alone.  The committee anticipates $12,000-$16,000 in revenues generated from Stone Wharf floats throughout the year. One reason that this project is possible is due to the fact that the town has paid off the Sunset Landing bond valued at $30,000 per year. This

money will continue to be budgeted for the use of Stone Wharf construction, resulting in no added tax impact.

Councilor Moriarty described the business at hand to include the adoption of a fee schedule, proposed areas for tie-ups, and a system for a lottery. He noted that all topics were detailed in the handouts available this evening. The discussion was then opened for public comments.  The following attendees addressed the council:  Ernest
Burgess, Patty Rich, Kim Bane, Leon Hamilton, Leland Hamilton, Beverly Johnson, John Komlosy, Andrew Todd, Nathan Doughty, Mark Dyer, Rich Brewer, Barry Riddle, Bruce Riddle, Emery Doughty, Bob Putnam, and Jim Ross.  Statements made during the public participation included comments regarding a lottery system.  Rather than a lottery, some felt that year-round residents, fishermen, workers, etcetera should be offered spaces before they were offered to others.  Others felt that user fees were not a positive option for funding this project. It was remarked that other town areas such as Twin Brooks are used for free and that projects like these should be funded by tax money.  The issue of enforcement was mentioned. It was explained that the Harbormaster would be in charge of enforcement. The availability of handicapped spaces and liability for the new construction was questioned and the town manager offered reassurance that the Kleinschmit study accounted for such issues to determine the best possible positioning for a wave-break. The number of spaces and the number of moorings listed with the harbormaster were addressed, as well as the possibility for boats from other islands to utilize this facility.  A request for some sort of light fixture at the end of the ramp, an infrared light for security purposes, and a power source on the commercial float were noted.  

Motion by Councilor Moriarty to table this item;
Seconded by Councilor Damon
VOTE:          UNANIMOUS 4-0

None

The Manager gave a brief update regarding rumors of a phantom LNG plant in the Town of Cumberland.

Motion by Councilor Moriarty to adjourn;
Seconded by Councilor Damon
VOTE:          UNANIMOUS 4-0
TIME:          9:13 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Nadeen Daniels, CMC
Town Clerk