SELECTMEN’S  MEETING

2-7-2005

PRESENT:

Denise Lindahl; Ed Moran; Paul Rooney; Mike Brown; Larry Doucette; Barbara O’Leary

Harbor Master:

Mike Brown gave a part payment check from Richie Taylor for mooring fines he had incurred.  The money will go toward lawyer fees and the Harbor Fund.

New members for the Harbor Committee are still being sought.  There maybe more of an interest in the spring, but Mike will keep looking.  The new mooring applications have been printed with the new fee schedule.  They will be sent out in March with a cover letter explaining the fee increase.

Richie Taylor will be back in court on 2-15-2005 for the trap violation cited by the Marine Patrol.  Mike will report back on the outcome.

School Director:

Larry Doucette reported on items within the school district.  The funding formula revision was held up due to changes in the Legislature and the State making changes.  Denise stated MSAD 34 has ignored Northport and its request to look at funding long before the issues came up with the Legislature and the State.  Ed Moran is chairing a Committee to look at withdrawing from the district.  They will be meeting 2-22-2005 at 7:00pm at the Town Hall.

Mr. Doucette stated that 50% of Northport children in the district receive reduced meals; meaning Northport is a rural, poor town, yet we pay the highest education cost after Belfast .  He reminded the Selectmen, the other towns in the district would have to vote to let us leave the district.  If the first vote is no, then Northport can request arbitration.  Northport will continue to look at options other than the MSAD 34 School District.  There are currently 3 people on the Committee and they are looking for more.

Mr. Doucette also reminded the Board, the Legislature would like to see consolidation within the different school districts, rather than Towns leaving.  Also the Department of Education will have to vote on Northport leaving the District.  Withdrawal is a set process that must be followed and will take time.  It was AGREED  to bring this matter up at Town Meeting and take a straw vote as to whether the committee should go forward with the process.  As a final note, Mr. Doucette stated the State Valuation for next year would raise our cost to the District tremendously.

OTHER:

Northport has entered into a one-year contract with End of Life Electronics, who will remove and dispose of electronics from the transfer station.  They also haul for the School District and other nearby Towns and will give us a better rate since they  service this area.

Denise stated the contract with Eric Gallant is up for renewal.  He has been working on the land use ordinances.  It was unanimously AGREED to renew his contract.

At the 2-21-2005 Selectmen’s Meeting the DOT will be present to give a presentation and up date on the Gateway 1 Project.  They were to attend a previous meeting but a storm kept them away.

There was no response to the notice in the paper concerning the renewal of a liquor license for the Hideaway Diner.  Denise and Paul voted to renew the license; Ed excused himself.

Barbara O’Leary reported she meet with members of MMA’s Risk Management who reviewed the Town’s insurance coverage.  They have made recommendations and the Town can switch to MMA for insurance when the policies are up for renewal in April, if we so choose.  One recommendation made was the ACO and the Harbor Master be put on the payroll as employees of the Town with deductions taken.  This will be put into effect as soon as they are notified of this change.  Additional coverage should be put in place for  equipment the fire department and the first responders use.  Mike Alley, Fire Chief will see if this is already covered although a policy was not found.

The bill for the extra sand that was purchased was discussed.  Although it was to be delivered after 2/2/2005 but was delivered the end of January, it will need to be paid with money from this year’s budget.  Paul stated he received a letter from a resident on Hart Road concerning drainage.  He will meet with the Road Commissioner to address this.

The Auditors will be coming March 15-17^th.  The Selectmen will be working on the GASBY requirements.  The audit by the State has been put off until April.  This is not mandatory, but more of a review of practices with recommendations made.

John Fancy has submitted the final request for CDBG money.  The Town will receive a $1500 planning/maintenance fee.  The question of the Town paying for work on Bluff Road has not been cleared up.  Bill Magruder is to talk with John Fancy to determine just what the work was and if the Town is responsible for payment.

The Assessing Agent continues to come once a month.  The Select Board DENIED the Belfast Water District request for abatement.  Roger Peppard of RJD Appraisal will send the appropriate letter to the Water District.  Their next step is to appeal to the County Commissioners if they wish.

It was determined the Town’s Boston Post Cane should be presented to Rachel Bonin.  Denise will try to present the cane this week.

NEXT MEETING:  2-21-2005  8:00am Town Hall

ADJ