SOUTH BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL
APRIL 14, 2008
Chairman Suzanne Roberge called the meeting to order at 8:42pm. Those present included Councilors Robert Gagne, Michelle Kareckas, Jean Demetracopoulos, and David Burke. Acting Interim Town Manager Roberta Orsini was also in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Special Council 3-21-08, Council 3-24-08, Special Council 3-26-08, Special Council 3-31-08, Special Council 4-2-08, Special Council 4-4-08, Special Council 4-7-08: On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes as written.
SIGNING OF TREASURER'S WARRANT – April 14, 2008
On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mr. Gagne, it was unanimously voted to sign the warrant.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Each of the Councilors expressed sadness at the loss of Dennis Smith. He will be missed by family, friends, and the Town.
1. Ms. Roberge:
-Informed everyone that she met with Terry Oliver and asked him to reconsider leaving the Town. She announced that Mr. Oliver agreed to stay on as Public Works Director.
-Asked that there be an organizational session at the beginning of the next meeting. She announced that at the end of tonight’s meeting she is stepping down as chair.
2. Mr. Gagne:
-Stated that he was sorry to hear that Councilor Roberge was stepping down as chair and added that it will be a hard slot to fill.
-Stated that he was glad to hear that Terry Oliver was staying on.
3. Mr. Burke:
-Congratulated the JEM Committee on their new walking tour brochure.
-Expressed his thanks for the article in the Globe. He added that it was nice to see positive input on South Berwick.
-Thanked Terry Oliver for agreeing to stay.
-Stated he would try to use his powers of persuasion to convince Ms. Roberge to remain as chair.
4. Mrs. Kareckas:
-Stated she was relieved that Terry Oliver was staying on.
-Asked about the workshop to be scheduled with Powderhouse Hill Ski Club.
-Asked that the Comprehensive Plan be on the next agenda.
-Asked that the Healthy Maine Partnership be placed on the May 12th agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Cliff Cleary, Spillane’s Hill, stated that it has been customary to hold public hearings on big issues, and asked if there would be a public hearing on the change to pay-per-bag. Ms. Roberge stated there would only be informational meetings.
2. George Muller read a section of the Maine statutes regarding the authority to recall an elected municipal official. He stated that Maine law does not provide for the recall of officials on the local level. However, it can be added through a charter.
3. Bill Page, Wild Rose Ln, asked if pay-per-bag would reduce the tax rate. Ms. Roberge stated that the goal/intent is to reduce the operating costs. She added that the informational meetings will be eye opening for people.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
1. Mrs. Orsini expressed her condolences to friends and family of Dennis Smith.
2. Informed everyone that she has received an updated agreement from Comcast. It has been sent for legal review due a number of discrepancies.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Mr. Gagne made a motion to award the VFW $500 from the undesignated fund. Mr. Burke seconded the motion. Mrs. Kareckas moved to amend the motion by changing the amount to $400. No one seconded the amendment. Mr. Burke asked that councilors try to raise the funds personally.
The original motion to award the VFW $500 passed with a vote of 4-1 (Mr. Burke opposed).
2. Comprehensive Plan Update. Mrs. Orsini gave an overview of what still needs to be done. Fiscal capacity chapter needs to be updated, a Council vote is needed to remove the 5 acre density requirement (2 places in plan), suggest taking action in May, and the Council needs to decide how it will address the over 500 goals and strategies. Mrs. Orsini also stated that the decision will have to be made on how to proceed once the Plan is adopted.
-Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that as part of the Steering Committee she supports the creation of the vision committee. She added that she would like to see someone from the economic development committee on the vision committee.
-Jack Shipley, Comp Plan Update Committee Chair, stated that the Committee unanimously supports the appointment of a vision committee. He went on to say that the vision committee would prioritize and refer items to the appropriate boards for discussion and action.
-Rheinhold Holton, Emery’s Bridge Rd, expressed his concerns that changes will be made without residents being notified. It was explained that if any specific zoning changes are made, directly effected residents would be sent notification by mail.
Audrey Fortier, Rodier Rd, asked if the Council is going to change the wet land setbacks. Mrs. Demetracopoulos explained that the Plan only calls for the consideration of increasing setbacks. She added that the State has now recognized vernal pools. Mrs. Fortier stated that the 500 goals in the ‘Incomprehensible’ Plan are a bit much.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules and continue the meeting after 9:30pm.
Mrs. Kareckas questioned whether the Plan can be adopted if there is no vision committee in place.
Mr. Gagne stated that the Plan is a tool, not an ordinance. He cautioned that without a watchful eye it has the potential to be used as a weapon. He added that he is in favor of the vision committee.
Mr. Burke also stated that he was in favor of the vision committee. He added that it is up to the Council and residents to stay informed and involved to keep the Plan from being used as a weapon.
Ms. Roberge stated that the public should expect action on May 12th.
NEW BUSINESS
1. On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, it was voted 4-1 (Mr. Burke opposed) to donate $400 from the undesignated fund to the Lion’s Club for last years Christmas parade.
2. On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mr. Gagne, it was unanimously voted to remove Adam Hollick as Emergency Management Director. It was explained that Mr. Hollick is unable to continue due to his military service. Blain Cote has been Acting EMD.
On a motion by Mr. Gagne, seconded by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, it was unanimously voted to appoint Blain Cote as Emergency Management Director.
On a motion by Mr. Gagne, seconded by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, it was unanimously voted to appoint Adam Hollick as Deputy Emergency Management Director.
On a motion by Mr. Gagne, seconded by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, it was unanimously voted to appoint Mark Leach as Deputy Emergency Management Director.
3. Mrs. Demetracopoulos made a motion to accept the $3000 ATV Enforcement Grant. Mr. Gagne seconded the motion.
Mrs. Kareckas asked if the match was in kind. Chief Lajoie stated that no additional funding is required; the salary line could be used as the match. A brief discussion ensued regarding the inclusion of benefits when billing the time for patrols.
Mrs. Kareckas made a motion to amend to include the proviso that it be accepted w/patrol time to include the cost of benefits. Mrs. Demetracopoulos seconded. Motion to amend passed 4-1 (Mr. Gagne opposed).
The original motion as amended, to accept the $3000 ATV Enforcement Grant with patrol time to include the cost of benefits passed 4-1 (Mr. Gagne opposed).
4. On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mr. Gagne, it was unanimously voted to authorize the Chief to apply for speed enforcement and seatbelt safety grants.
5. Gary Bouchard, Transfer Station Attendant, presented the Council with recommendations for amending the transfer station fee schedule. His recommendations include lowering the fee for TVs, computer monitors, & faxes, instituting a $2 fee for 20# LP bottles and a $20 fee for bottles over 20#s, and instituting a $10 fee for anyone disposing of household trash in the construction bin.
On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mr. Gagne, it was unanimously voted to adopt the new fee schedule as presented, effective April 29, 2008.
6. Mrs. Demetracopoulos asked if a public hearing was necessary prior to the election. A brief discussion ensued.
On a motion by Mr. Gagne, seconded by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, it was unanimously voted to hold a referendum election on June 10, 2008, pursuant to the certification of a petition calling for a charter amendment.
7. The Council discussed the acquisition of the St. Michael’s property. Mrs. Orsini explained that the Council allowed the purchase option to expire as a result of the appraisal. A new price has been arrived at ($875,000). The new option contains the same provisions as the first other than price, the Town will waive conditions of fees, closing date would be May 1st, the church will remain in the building until September 1st, and the original $20,000 option payment is valid for the new option. One new item is the provision that if the Council approves the new option and then doesn’t proceed, another $10,000 would be forfeited.
Ms. Roberge stated that the Town began looking at the property when Jon St. Pierre was the Manager several years ago. The purchase will not add to the tax rate; future operating costs will.
On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to authorize the Manager to sign the purchase option.
On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to authorize the obtaining of a bond anticipation note from Kennebunk Savings Bank in the amount of $600,000 understanding the Council will waive the bid procedure to procure the note. This note will be paid off with a bond offered through the fall issue with MMA.
On a motion by Mr. Gagne, seconded by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, it was unanimously voted to authorize the use of the library reserve fund for the balance of the purchase.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mrs. Demetracopoulos, seconded by Mr. Gagne, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:28pm.
Attest:
| 
