SOUTH BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
Chairman Jean Demetracopoulos called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Those present included Councilors Michelle Kareckas, David Burke, and Gerald W. MacPherson, Sr. Town Manager John B. Schempf was also in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Town Council 9-14-09: On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes as written.
2. Special Council 9-21-09: On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes as written.
Special Council 9-23-09: On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes as written.
SIGNING OF TREASURER'S WARRANT – September 28, 2009
On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to sign the warrant.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Cliff Cleary, Spillane’s Hill Rd, asked if anyone had checked with MMA legal to see if the funds voted at town meeting for the Economic Development Committee revert to the general fund. No.
2. Richard Clough, Academy St, asked about the workshop for the Day property. Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that it was scheduled for October 5th.
3. Audrey Fortier, Rodier Rd, asked several questions:
-Status of Balancing Rock.
-Will the rectory be open for viewing during the library open house at the Young Street property? Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that it is not part of the library and will not be open.
-Will the reduction in Zoning Board of Appeals membership be problematic?
-Have charges been drafted for the new committees?
-Will the EDC budget carry over to the new committee or will it go back to the general fund?
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
-Stated that the Portsmouth Herald has a one year contract with Bournival to subsidize a page on Thursdays for coverage in South Berwick.
-Calendar items:
-Friday workshop with School Board to view traffic issue at Central School,
-Sunday 2 open houses one at the Fire Dept. 10-2 and the Library 3-7,
-Monday workshop on Day property and cemeteries.
-Informed everyone that the TULIP program is available through MMA for groups needing liability insurance when using town facilities.
-Received a letter from the Land Trust regarding Balancing Rock. Significant progress has been made and things should be wrapped up in a month.
-Mentioned the Silver Star Families Day program for injured vets. The day takes place in May.
-Mentioned 2 letters received commending employees. Dispatcher Sandra Clark was very helpful to a resident in a difficult situation. And the second congratulated the Public Works Dept. and Roberta Orsini for their work in seeing that the intersection at Liberty & Vine Street was completed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1A. Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that the Zoning Board of Appeals is a seven member board being reduced to 5 regular members with 2 alternates. This will reduce the required quorum for conducting meetings.
TC 9-28-09
On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to hold a public hearing on Monday, October 26, 2009 to receive public comment on the proposed amendment to section 140-76 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding the Appeals Board membership.
NEW BUSINESS
1A. The Council briefly discussed the purchase of a new SUV for the Police Dept. Mr. Schempf explained that there are a limited number of models that are converted for police use.
On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to authorize the purchase of a 2010 Ford Explorer from Irwin Motors of Laconia, NH in an amount not to exceed $25,224. Note was made that this amount was lower than the state bid.
2A. On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to confirm the meeting date change from Monday, October 12th to Tuesday, October 13th because of Columbus Day.
2B. On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to appoint the following applicants to the new Recreation Committee: Tracy LaPointe June 2010, Michael Anderson June 2011, Bill Page June 2011, Len Bogh June 2012, and Gina Brackett June 2012.
2C. Mr. Burke made a motion to appoint Virginia Jennings June 2011, Brian Kunkel June 2011, Tony Lemmo June 2012, Paul Schumacher June 2012, and Smilie G. Rogers June 2013 to the Community Development Committee. Mr. MacPherson seconded the motion. The Council briefly discussed the term for Mr. Rogers and agreed that it should not go more than three years.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to amend the motion by changing the term for Smilie Rogers to June 2010.
The original motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
2D. On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to appoint John Klossner to the Conservation Commission with a term to expire June 30, 2011.
2E. The Council discussed the changes in the state law (2005) regarding Junkyard Permits and the required fees. Public hearings for renewals continue to be optional and it was found that they may now be issued for a 5 year period. The Code Enforcement Officer has confirmed that they are both currently in compliance.
Mr. MacPherson made a motion to amend Emery’s Junkyard permit by adjusting the expiration date to September 30, 2013 pending receipt of an additional fee required if necessary. Mr. Burke seconded the motion. The state statute calls for a $250 fee for a 5 year permit. The applicants have been paying $100 per year therefore, additional fees may not be necessary. Motion and second were withdrawn.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Macpherson, it was unanimously voted to amend Emery’s Junkyard permit to expire September 30, 2013, pending receipt of the additional fee if required.
Mrs. Demetracopoulos made note that Emery’s has been out of compliance in the past. She also questioned whether the CEO would be conducting an annual inspection.
On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to amend Lynch’s Junkyard permit to expire September 30, 2013, pending receipt of the additional fee if required.
2F. On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to sign the warrant calling the SAD #35 referendum election on November 3, 2009.
TC 9-28-09
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
1. Mr. Burke:
-Attended a York County Advocacy Group meeting with the Manager. The group is comprised of municipal officials, various elected officials, and southern Maine state representatives. The group is working toward better representation at the State House for York County. Mr. Schempf explained that the current focus is on the Great Works School (a voc tech school in Sanford), petition to separate from the Southern Maine Economic Development District which includes Cumberland County, Lyme disease and the controversy over various treatments, DOT issues, and FEMA flood map changes.
2. Mrs. Demetracopoulos:
-Asked if there were any issues anyone wanted mentioned at her upcoming lunch with Eliot and SAD #35. None
3. Mrs. Kareckas:
-Stated that she would like to look into the Silver Star Families.
-Asked that there be no public comment at the end of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:30pm.
Attest:
Barbara Bennett, CCM
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