SOUTH BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL
OCTOBER 13, 2009
Chairman Jean Demetracopoulos called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. Those present included Councilors Michelle Kareckas, David Burke. Gerald MacPherson, Sr. arrived at 6:03pm. Town Manager John B. Schempf was also in attendance.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to enter executive session at 6:01pm pursuant to 1MRSA §405.6E to consult with legal counsel.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to end the executive session at 6:09pm.
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to enter executive session at 6:20pm pursuant to 1MRSA §405.6A to interview a committee applicant.
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to end the executive session at 6:27pm.
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to recess the Council meeting to accommodate a scheduled Board of Assessors meeting at 6:30pm.
The Council meeting reconvened at 6:36pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Town Council 9-28-09: On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Macpherson, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes after correcting new business #2C to include that the appointments were to the Community Development Committee.
2. Special Town Council 10-5-09: On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to adopt the minutes as written.
SIGNING OF TREASURER'S WARRANT – October 13, 2009
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to sign the warrant.
REPORTS & CORRESPONDENCE
1. York County EMA Director Robert Bohlmann presented South Berwick EMA Director Blain Cote with a certificate for completing his Level 2 training. Level 2 is the highest certification in the state for emergency management.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
-Met with the SAD Board regarding the path from the Young Street property to Central School.
-The open houses for the fire department and the Young Street property went well.
-Welcomed Deb McDermott from the Portsmouth Herald. She is the bureau chief and has been interviewing local residents to become the South Berwick correspondent.
-Met with officials from Berwick to discuss a joint transfer station.
-Information regarding the cemetery workshop will be forthcoming.
-Attended the MMA convention. Attended a session where 3 towns have begun to share resources and have found it more cost effective than operating individually.
-Attended the shipyard change in command last Friday. A tentative meeting has been scheduled with him to discuss a more regional approach to commuter problems and community support issues.
-Listed the meetings and workshops on the Council calendar for the next several weeks.
-There is a joint energy proposal in the works. It includes the KEYS community and Wells. More information may be available at the next meeting.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Cliff Cleary, Spillane’s Hill Rd, asked what is happening with the backhoe that was scheduled to be replaced. He also asked if the old cruiser will be sold when the new one arrives.
2. Karen Webster, Tamarack Dr, asked if the new back-up server, phone system, and photocopier have been purchased yet. The back-up server and phone system have not been purchased, but the copier has. She also asked if an inventory of AED’s has been done. Mr. Schempf stated that currently only the police cruisers are equipped with AED’s.
3. David Webster, Tamarack Dr, asked how many meeting rooms are available at the town hall and community center. He commented that spending money for additional meeting rooms in the proposed library is unnecessary.
4. Nora Irvine, Bennett Lot Rd, informed those present that on Saturday the 31st Green-Up will be holding a house warming project to identify households needing energy efficient upgrades.
5. Eric Pelchat, Front St, commented that the York Hospital building also has 2 meeting rooms available for groups to use.
6. Richard Clough, Academy St, asked when the next Vaughan Fund meeting is. None scheduled at this time. He also asked for the status on Comcast. Mr. Schempf explained that the Town has ‘called’ the Performance Bond. Comcast has 90 days to respond. There has been no response to date.
7. Ruth Boston, Emery’s Bridge Rd, asked for the status on Balancing Rock. She also asked if the Town was hiring 2 new people to administer the General Assistance program. Mr. Schempf stated that there are no new hires. Existing employees are being designated and trained.
8. Paul Steinhauer, Hill Dr, commended the PWD for their work on the Vine Street intersection. He also asked if we have an Adopt-An-Island program.
9. Audrey Fortier, Rodier Rd, thanked Blain Cote for all of his hard work as the Emergency Management Director. Mrs. Fortier also asked about liability issues at the Youth Center.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1A. The Council discussed the Day property (corner of Agamenticus Rd). Mr. Schempf explained that the building has been condemned and should come down. Members of the public expressed their concerns that a real estate professional was not consulted for an opinion and whether the property was worth more with or without the house.
Mrs. Kareckas made a motion to retain the property until the real estate market improves and revisit the issue in one year. Mr. MacPherson seconded for discussion. After a brief discussion the motion and second were withdrawn.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to remove the building (funding of approximately $3000 to come from the Public Works Facilities Capital account) and restore the site.
Mr. Burke made a motion to obtain a market analysis and place a for sale sign on the acre house lot for $170,000. Mr. MacPherson seconded for discussion. Motion failed with a vote of 1-3 (Mr. Burke in favor).
Mr. MacPherson made a motion to obtain a market analysis and place a for sale sign on the property. Mr. Burke seconded. Motion failed 2-2.
On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to obtain a market analysis.
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1B. The Town Manager explained that after meeting with the SAD Board to discuss the issue of a connector road from the Young Street property to Central School, it was agreed that a walking path might be a better fit. Members of the public expressed their concerns about the cost and were not in favor of taking the money from the road budget. Council consensus was that the project would need to be scaled back.
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to table the item until the next meeting.
1C. The Council discussed the Forest Management Plan and harvesting of timber in the Town Forest. Current figures project that the Town could harvest 40% of the timber and realize approximately $60,000 in revenue. More information should be available for the next meeting.
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to table the item until the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
1A. The Council discussed two of the citizen initiatives that will appear on the November ballot. LD 974 An Act to decrease the auto excise tax & promote energy efficiency and TABOR II. Several members of the public spoke in favor of the initiatives; and questioned why the excise tax collected is not designated solely for roads. Councilors expressed concerns with the importance of having educated voters and the appropriateness for the Council to take a stand. Mrs. Demetracopoulos explained that the loss of excise tax will result in cuts and property tax increases. Current figures indicate that South Berwick could lose up about $400,000, which would result in a tax rate increase of $.70. No action was taken.
1B. On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to sign the warrant calling the municipal election on November 3rd.
1C. On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. MacPherson, it was unanimously voted to make the following appointments for the November 3rd election:
Election Warden: Robert Wickstrom
Ballot Clerks: Robert Doyle, Aime Duclos, Anita Gagne, Elita Galvin, Geraldine Hilton, David Stansfield, E. Rachel Stevens, Priscilla Warren, and Barbara Wickstrom.
2A. The Council discussed the issues with the Town’s tax maps and the proposal to move to a GIS based system.
On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was voted 3-1 (Mrs. Kareckas opposed) to authorize an expense of $4000 from the undesignated surplus for a GIS update of the tax maps.
Mrs. Kareckas made note that the Council removed the funds from the budget requested by the departments.
2B. On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to hold a public hearing on November 23, 2009 at 6:30pm to discuss the Petition of Discontinuance of a section of the town way being the former location of Route 91 (between Route 236 and Brattle St) with the caveat that the applicant pay all fees associated with the public hearing and relating to the discontinuance regardless of whether it passes or not.
On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules and continue after 9:30pm.
2C. On a motion by Mr. MacPherson, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to hold a public hearing on Monday, October 26th at 6:45pm to receive comment on the annual update to the General Assistance Ordinance Appendices.
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2D. On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Kareckas, it was unanimously voted to make the following appointments:
-Conservation Commission: Maya Bogh term expires June 30, 2010.
-Historic District Commission: Virginia Jennings term expires June 30, 2010
-Library Advisory Board: Tim Benoit term expires June 30, 2010
AND the following appointments to be made pending the appropriate changes to governing regulations have been made,
-Board of Assessment Review alternate: Smilie G. Rogers term to expire June 30, 2011
-Board of Assessment Review alternate: Brian Kunkel term to expire June 30, 2011
-Zoning Board of Appeals alternate: John Klossner term to expire June 30, 2011.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
1. Mrs. Kareckas:
-Asked that no further public comments be taken.
-Asked for a future agenda item to discuss a sub-committee to conduct a historical review of capital improvement plans and to track how they are followed.
2. Mr. Burke thanked the remaining public audience members for staying through the entire meeting.
3. Mrs. Demetracopoulos:
-Asked if we had a buyer for the old fire truck. Mr. Schempf stated that there is a buyer. However, the other town has to go to a special town meeting for approval.
-Commented that the Burleigh family reunion brings many people to town and they are encouraged to support local businesses.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mrs. Kareckas, seconded by Mr. Burke, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:41pm.
Attest:
Barbara Bennett, CCM
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