SOUTH BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL
JUNE 29, 2009
Chairman Jean Demetracopoulos called the meeting to order at 6:38pm. Those present included Councilors Michelle Kareckas, David Burke, David E. Webster, and Gerald W. MacPherson, Sr. Town Manager John B. Schempf was also in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Board of Assessors 6-15-09: On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes as written.
2. Town Council 6-15-09: On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes as written.
SIGNING OF TREASURER'S WARRANT – June 29, 2009
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to sign the warrant.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
1. Mrs. Demetracopoulos:
-Attended the recent EMA appreciation dinner. Commended Blain Cote for completing his Level 1 EMA Certification.
-Hasn’t completed the letter regarding the saltwater fishing registry. Mr. Schempf stated that the letter may not be necessary because the legislation was tabled until the next session.
-Attended the Tri-Berwick meeting and stated that there was definite interest expressed for co-operation amongst towns. A regional transfer station was discussed.
-Stated that she may be late for the workshop with the HDC on July 14th.
-The Town has locked in its fuel oil price at $2.04 per gallon.
-Thanked John and Karen Schempf for their active participation at the Strawberry Festival.
2. Mr. MacPherson:
-Stated that the Strawberry Festival was well attended. He added that that is what South Berwick is all about.
3. Mr. Burke:
-Expressed his thanks to all the volunteers for their hard work on the Festival.
4. Mr. Webster:
-Commended the Police Dept. for their “handling of a sticky situation” on Saturday with no disruption to the festival.
-Asked for a couple of agenda items: a) discuss rescue and the number of calls transferred to York Hospital vs. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. b) discuss transfer station fees & revenues.
-Expressed his concerns that wrong information is being circulated regarding maintenance of the recreation fields. He stated that money was cut from the article at town meeting, but the decision to decrease the funds for field/facility maintenance was made by management.
5. Mrs. Kareckas:
-Invited Audrey Fortier to help put out the flags for July 4th. There are 110 flags; they go up about 5:30am and are taken down about 6:00pm.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
-Stated that staff made the decision where to cut the budget as a result of the votes at town meeting. Resident comments and concerns were taken into consideration, especially regarding the recreation fields. He added that several comments were made including the implementation of user or rental fees.
-Stated that the Grant House is not owned by the Town.
-FEMA funds for the ice storm total $111,000. We have received the federal funds, but not the state.
-The Great Works Regional Land Trust has agreed to report back to the Town in 30 days to clear up the Balancing Rock issue.
-Stated that since we have been posting the supporting agenda documents to the website the 1st week had 13 hits, 2nd week had 26 hits, and this week had 17 hits.
-Attended a vital economy session with the Chairman funded by Fairpoint Communications. He added that Fairpoint has collected significant data on a town/county/and state level for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is a step toward working with other communities across borders. He also stated that it may provide an opportunity to join a new group, “divorce” ourselves from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, and move forward with economic planning. Also, southern York County towns are still struggling to find ways that the towns can work together to try to save money.
-Attended the new managers’ workshop last week. He added that concerns were expressed regarding the November ballot question that would change the calculation of excise taxes. If the legislation passes South Berwick stands to lose between $400,000 and $500,000 in revenues.
-The traffic meeting went well. He encouraged everyone to look at the proposed maps.
-Stated that the Strawberry Festival was amazing. He was impressed with the level of organization. He added that he, his wife, and mother-in-law all enjoyed participating.
-Reported that he is still working on the list of Town owned properties. There are still a fair number that require more research.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Pat Robinson, Brattle St, commended the manager and his wife for participating in the festival.
2. Norma Tutelian, Butler St, urged the Council to post the list of Town owned properties. She added that any that can be sold (for revenue purposes) should be. She asked who brought up the issue of the ACO taking home a vehicle. Mr. Schempf stated that it was brought forward by the Police Dept. and himself. Mrs. Tutelian added that a prior Council voted to not allow the ACO to take the vehicle home. Mrs. Tutelian went on to express her concerns with the lack of movement for increased industry in town. Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that work is progressing by discussing TIF’s, working with landowners in the Industrial zone, and the EDC is currently reviewing the results of the survey they had done.
3. Laura Leber, Black Swan Dr, encouraged the Council to include the school district in regional purchases.
4. Karen Webster, Tamarack Dr, asked the Manager if he had inventoried the town buildings for the existence of any AED’s. He stated he had not.
5. Cliff Cleary, Spillane’s Hill Rd, stated that with no set plan for the use of the recreation field/facility capital fund the money should be used toward the recreation programs.
6. Richard Clough, Academy St, asked if there would be a public hearing prior to making any traffic changes. Mr. Schempf stated that if Council action is required there would be public notice. Mr. Clough stated that he recommended at town meeting that a special town meeting be held to move the funds from the recreational fields/facilities capital account to the operating budget. Mr. Clough asked if the town has set up the state mandated tax relief fund as authorized in 30A MRSA §5721A. Mr. Clough also commented on setting the tax rate and the overlay in the new budget. He stated that according to 36MRSA §710, the overlay can not be used to increase the undesignated fund.
7. Audrey Fortier, Rodier Rd, thanked Councilor Kareckas for inviting her to help put out the flags on July 4th. She encouraged the posting of a sign-up list for volunteers.
8. Eric Pelchat, Front St, stated that he was glad the town locked-in its oil price. He then asked the Manager if he had looked into why the ACO wasn’t allowed to take the vehicle home before recommending the change to allow it. Mr. Schempf responded “No”.
9. Virginia Jennings, Earls Rd, expressed her thanks for the email list. She also stated that she was glad to hear that the Council voted to not support the saltwater fishing registry. Note was made that the legislation has been tabled.
10. Paul Steinhauer, Hill Dr, stated that he and others present at the town meeting of June 1st were under the impression that at tonight’s meeting money would be moved from the recreation fields capital account to cover the $15,000 cut in the operating budget. He added that some groups pay for additional mowing of the fields for their use.
11. Malcolm Kenney, Agamenticus Rd, asked for the 2009 revenues and expenses for the transfer station.
NEW BUSINESS
1A. The Council discussed the purchase of an excavator and backhoe. The PWD has researched numerous machines and have found the best deal through Caterpillar for a combined purchase of the excavator & backhoe. The purchase is eligible for a factory municipal discount of $25,000 through August 1st.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was voted 4-1 (Mr. Webster opposed) to waive the formal bidding requirement for the purchase of a used excavator and backhoe for the purchase price of $106,000 to be taken from the CIP account.
1B. On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mr. Webster, it was unanimously voted to sign the construction overlimit permit for the Great Works Bridge replacement for the MDOT.
1C. The Council discussed the budget overages for 2008/09 requiring transfers. The transfers represent approximately 0.2% of the total budget. Combined with the $60,000 for the overage in Highway, these transfers would be off-set by other department budgets that are under budget by about $105,000.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to make the following transfers totaling $21,000 from the undesignated fund:
To acct # Dept Amount Reason
4170 Planning $6,500 Professional Services – mapping
4240 Dispatch $9,500 Overtime, Equip Repairs, Phone (PSAP fees)
4315 Public Facilities $2,500 Contracts
4325 Town Garage $1,000 Operating Supplies
4510 Social Services $1,500 General Assistance
1D. The Council discussed the necessity of making changes to the personnel policy in light of the budget adopted for the 2009/2010 fiscal year.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to adopted the changes to the Personnel Policy §31-72A & C: Hospital, Surgical & Major Medical Insurance, §31-77C: Retirement, §31-78.1D: Retirement Health Savings Plan, and §31-78.2: Longevity.
1E. The Council discussed the Deputy Tax Collector’s request to write-off uncollectible taxes. Note was made that we can’t collect beyond 3 years per state statute. On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to write-off the following taxes:
O0008R, Owner Unknown, Map 5, Lot 58, in the amount of $254.03 for 2005/2006.
O1920R, Owner Unknown, Map 2, Lot 62, in the amount of $267.33 for 2005/2006.
L5083P, Gary’s Auto Detailing (Gary Lontine II), in the amount of $21.28 for 2005/2006, $14.76 for 2006/2007, $18.69 for 2007/2008, and $20.86 for 2008/2009.
1F. The Council discussed the disposition of the funds in the special revenue account established in September 2008 for fuel assistance. Those involved have not completed the task of forming a non-profit (under 501.C3) to accept the funds. The proposed recommendation is to turn the funds over to Our Ladies of the Angels Parish until the non-profit is finalized.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Webster, it was voted 3-2 (Mr. Burke & Mr. MacPherson opposed) to table the item until the next meeting. [At that time we should know if the church is willing to handle the funds]
1G. On a motion by Mr. Webster, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to accept Greg Hellyer’s resignation from the Conservation Commission and to accept Thomas B. Johnsons’ resignation from the Historic District Commission.
1H. On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to re-appoint the following board/committee members until June 30, 2012:
Board of Assessment Review Historic District Commission
Richard Currier Richard Coughlin
Nora Irvine Mary Vaughn
Building Committee Library Advisory Board
Tom Harmon Sandy Agrafiotis
Fred Wildnauer
Conservation Commission Planning Board
Patricia Robinson Cheryl Dionne
Dolores Leonard Marian “Mimi” Demers
Economic Development Committee Zoning Board of Appeals
Clifford Cleary Fred Wildnauer
Anthony Lemmo
1I. The Council discussed the appointment of a subcommittee to review and present nominations to the full council for prospective board & committee members.
Richard Clough and Eric Pelchat both expressed their concerns with an interview process. Virginia Jennings and Molly Colman spoke in favor of the proposed process.
Mrs. Kareckas and Mr. MacPherson spoke in favor of the proposal. Mr. Burke stated that he would prefer a less formal process. Mr. Webster suggested that if councilors were aware of the applicants earlier in the process they could call the applicants and speak with them individually. Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that the interview process might help with obtaining information about the applicant as well as inform the applicant about the time and level of commitment involved. She added that the chair of the board in question could be part of the subcommittee.
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Webster, it was voted 4-1 (Mrs. Kareckas opposed) to table the issue.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:28pm.
Attest:
Barbara Bennett, CCM
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