SELECTMEN’S MEETING

JANUARY 23, 2006

PRESENT:  Denise Lindahl; Dee Reid; Ed Moran; Mike Brown, Harbor Master; Bill Magruder, Road Commissioner; Bill Kelly, Legal Counsel; Barbara O’Leary

Roads & Bridges

Bill Magruder began his report asking for a wheeler load of hot top for patching the worst potholes in the roads.

Bill mentioned he has received many complaints on the plowing of the roads.  Denise said she had a letter from the Fein’s also complaining about the condition of their road.  Bill quoted from the plowing and sanding specs which state a ½” of snow should be on the ground for plowing.  He felt this was not being followed and the sand being put down sits on the snow and is then plowed away.  Ed Moran said he had heard complaints of lack of sand also.  Dee Reid had not had any complaints and Barbara reported there had not been complaints coming into the office, except after one of the sleet storms, complaints came in on Shore Road .  The Morse’s were called and it was taken care of.

Dee asked Bill if he had talked to the Morse’s about these concerns, but he had not.  Ed agreed Bill needed to bring these complaints to the attention to the plowing contractors.  Ed further stated that Bill as Road Commissioner, oversees the roads and is within his responsibilities to mention the complaints without any confrontation.  Bill said he would talk to the Morses.

Hart Road – Bill also mentioned he received a complaint from Tori Sprague on the Hart Road about the terrible condition of the road.  Bill noted a new house is being built and the large trucks have destroyed the road.  He did not feel repairs should be done as long as these trucks are going in and out.  He plans on posting the road to prevent any further deterioration.  He also noted the bus takes a toll on this road as well.  Denise stated she received a call from Ms. Sprague also concerning the road.  Denise also said the road could be posted and would be worked on in the spring.

Dee asked Bill if he had looked into renting the leaf sucker from Belfast .  Bill said he had not.  Since Denise was not at that meeting, Bill explained the cost of man-hours spent getting leaves out of the ditches.  Bill will look into renting a leaf sucker or buying one to see if either would be more cost effective.

Lane bill – Since Bill had not been at the previous meetings, Ed explained to Bill that the Selectmen held back 10% retainage from the paving invoice.   Ed felt the work was not finished and the work was not done satisfactorily.  Lane has since sent a letter asking for payment in full, but no representative from Lane has contacted the Selectmen.  Ed sent a letter to Lane last week, with the payment, expressing concern over the workmanship.  No reply has come as of this date. 

Dee asked if Ed had set a date for the Village Roads Advisory Committee.  Ed stated a date has not yet been set.

Harbor Master

Mike Brown reported the appeal phase of the Richie Taylor case has lapsed.  Bill Kelly was present and stated a letter has been sent to Mr. Taylor’s attorney asking for payment in full before a lien is placed on Mr. Taylor’s home.

Mike reported on a case regarding a bill making Harbor Masters optional on coastal Towns.  An amendment was filed changing this to inland Town’s, however it was then determined that some coastal Towns also have water inland and another amendment will be filed.

Mike and Barbara have been working on the Mooring List database.  They ran into trouble when Mike’s computer did not have Excel and the data was not compatible.  Mike will buy the Excel program to correct this.  Mike reported the 2006 Mooring Applications would be mailed out in April.

At this time it was MOVED:  To go into Executive Session to discuss two legal matters of the Town.  Second and so moved.

Out of Executive Session.  It was MOVED:  To have Bill Kelly send a letter to Mr. Santoro’s attorney in response to his most recent letter.  Second and so moved.

MOVED:  No action will be taken in the Dhyse/Landry issue until the Town determines who owns and is responsible for High Street.

Other Business:

Denise asked Barbara to invited Vicki Eugley to the 2/20 meeting to discuss the upcoming budget.

Special Amusement Permits – a hearing will take place at the 2/6 meeting concerning the application of Hellen’s Kitchen for a Special Amusement Hearing.  Barbara will place an ad in the paper notifying residents of the hearing.

Banking – Bangor Savings Bank had presented information on their services as compared to the current bank of the Town, Key Bank.  Camden National Bank had sent a letter outlining their services.  Denise felt both CNB should compare their services to Key Bank as Bangor Savings did.  Barbara will send the same information to CNB and wait their response.  Denise asked that St. Croix be checked on with MMA to see if a municipality can use a credit union.

TRIO – the Overseers of the Village have agreed to buy the TRIO program to set Villages taxes up separately.  Barbara has spoken with Ron of TRIO and a representative will be coming in February to set up the program at the Northport Town Office.

Emergency Plan – Dee noted Robin Coombs found the Emergency Management Plan and it is out of date.  She asked if the Board should get going on updating it, but Denise felt the Town should wait and give the new Director a chance to settle in.

Job Descriptions – Dee will call MMA for guidelines on writing these job descriptions.

Oldest Resident -  Ed reported he will invite Rachelle Bonin to the Hideaway Diner for lunch and the Boston Post Cane will be presented at that time.  He will notify Denise and Dee when this will happen.

Easement- Barbara had a copy of an easement from Earle Wallace of the Temple Heights Association.  Mr. Wallace feels the Town does not have an easement or right of way on this small piece of land.  Denise asked Barbara to give the document to Frank Therio, CEO, and ask if he is familiar with the situation.

Denise had to leave the meeting and was excused.

Old Minutes:

12-5-2006 approved with grammatical changes, 2-0

12-21-2005  Approved with grammatical changes, 2-0

Dee asked that Peter Simpson be asked to fix the bathroom fan as previously discussed.

Ed and Dee felt the Site Plan Review and Subdivision Ordinance update be discussed at the next meeting. 

Next meeting 2-6-2006

ADJ