SELECTMEN’S MEETING

FEBRUARY 20, 2006

Present:  Dee Reid, Ed Moran, Denise Lindahl, Mike Brown, Raymond Tucker, and Barbara O’Leary

Harbor Master:

Dee asked Mike Brown to give her an update of harbor issues in Town.  Mike began by stating Northport has 9 miles of shoreline with moorings.  He explained that the State law states if anyone requests a mooring; the Town is required to have a Harbor Master.  A Northport resident is charged $20 for the mooring fee and out of State is $100, which can be up to five times the resident fee.  Northport has six commercial fishermen and 5,000 traps with three floats in Saturday Cove.  The Northport Village Corporation waters are open to the public, but hey restrict commercial fishermen.  Saturday Cove is restricted to Northport residents.

Dee felt the mooring fee for non-residents was too low and thought it should be increased.  She felt they should cover the fee should cover the cost of operating expenses and harbor services.  Mike stated the mooring applications have already been printed for 2006 with the $20 fee, noting the out of State fee went up last year.  The resident fee can be increased for the 2007 season.

Mike gave an estimate for replacement of one of the floats in Saturday Cove.  He stated there are two funds, the Harbor Fund, which is a working fund and the Marine Reserve Fund, which is for disasters.  The Harbor Fund has about $13,000 and the Marine Reserve Fund has about $30,000.  Each year the Town appropriates $10,000 for each of these funds.  The cost to replace the float would be around $11,000. 

Mike mentioned moorings not being used this year would be pulled.  In the future, all moorings will need to be certified with an inspection every three years.  This is at the expense of the mooring owner.  Mike presented a breakdown of the cost to replace the float to be used for the budget process for next year.  The judgment in the Town’s favor of a recent court case could have that money awarded go towards this cost.  Denise stated this would be changed at this year’s Town Meeting, with a warrant article asking all fines and fees of money judgments going to the legal account.

Dee asked who is eligible to be a Harbor Master.  Mike replied you must be certified and there is a course given each year.  The course is over three days and give by the Maine Criminal Justice System.  He also noted the Harbor Ordinance states the Harbor Master must be certified.  Under the new Administrative Ordinance, the Selectmen appoints the Harbor Master for one year, but the Harbor Committee can make recommendations.  The appointment must be made within 30 days of the Town Meeting.

DOGS:

Miriam Newman was present to discuss the pit bulls near her home.  She has spoken with Augusta and they sent her a manual on Animal Welfare.  She has given pictures to Raymond and has the letter he asked her to write outlining the behavior of the dogs.  She thought he was coming to pick it up but has not seen him.  She has checked with Robin Coombs and only one dog is licensed to Elaine Carnahan.  Ed will contact Raymond and let him know she has the letter and he can go forward with the DA and the summons. 

Denise reported she had a call from Kevin Howard regarding the barking dogs near him.  He has given the necessary documents to Raymond.  The warmer weather has the dogs outside and barking.  Barbara will check to see if the Paige dogs are licensed.

Nomination Papers:

Denise asked who has taken out Nomination papers.  Barbara stated the following people have taken out papers for Selectman:  Jeanine Tucker, Ritchie Taylor, and Larry Doucette.  No one has taken out papers for Road commissioner.  Dee asked if Larry’s position was up on the school board.  Barbara stated Larry had said this was his last year, but the school district says he has another year to go.  If he is elected Selectman, he would have to resign and the Selectmen would appoint someone to fill the remainder of his term until elections in 2007.

Letter to Northport Residents

The letter addressing the school budget and upcoming referendum from the Selectmen to the residents of Northport was reviewed.  After minor changes it was AGREED to send the letter to the newspapers.

Transfer Station

It was noted the recent ad in the paper was confusing to some people, thinking there was an immediate position open.  Barbara stated one person has come in and filled out an application.  Denise asked Barbara to have Tim Patten come to the next Selectmen’s meeting to discuss staffing at the transfer station.

Planning Board

Dee stated the new Dale Nealey subdivision had not been approved by the CEO but went before the Planning Board.  It was then put on hold.  Denise mentioned the Site Review Plan should have gone before the Town last year for approval but did not.  The Planning Board was to review the Site Plan, make suggestions, and have it ready to present at Town Meeting.  No changes have been made and it needs to come back to the Selectmen by the March meeting, as stated in the letter sent to Chairman, Jim Nealey.

Denise recommended placing a warrant article specifying the pay for Planning Board members.  It was AGREED to specify the pay in the warrant article.  Dee also asked for clarification on the Comprehensive Plan and the Site Review Plan.  Denise explained the Comprehensive Plan was approved in 2000 with an addendum approved in 2002.  The Site Review Plan is part of the Land Use Ordinance, which also has the Shore land Zoning and Subdivision Plan.  The Site Review Plan will be presented for approval at the May Town meeting.

Ed recommended outsourcing making copies of the Site Plan for the different Boards and residents.  Both Denise and Dee AGREED.

Other Business

GA Workshop.  Dee asked to attend a workshop on general assistance.  Ed and Denise approved this.

Foreclosure:  Barbara asked to send a letter to residents before starting the foreclosure process.  She guessed there were 5 or 6 residents that fall into this process with non-payment of taxes from 2000 back.  It was AGREED to send the letter notifying residents of the upcoming foreclosure process.

Legal:  Bill Kelly will be coming to the March 6 meeting to discuss roads in Town.

First Responders:  The First Responders have purchased an ambulance and would like to sell the old one.  Searsmont may be interested in purchasing the old ambulance.  Denise felt this would not be a problem and the responders can sell the ambulance on their own without going through a bid process.   Denise asked Barbara to check with the Auditors to be sure the Town does not have to handle the sale of the ambulance or put it out to bid.

Payroll Taxes:  Barbara asked for a motion to allow payroll taxes to be paid prior to a signed warrant, like the motor vehicle payment.  Ed made the following MOTION:  MOVED to allow the Treasurer to pay payroll taxes without being a signed warrant.  Second and AGREED 3-0.  PASSED

Budget session immediately following meeting.

Next Meeting:  March 6, 2006

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