Town of Northport

Select Board Meeting Minutes

June 19, 2008

PRESENT:  Craig Poulin, Chairman; Paul Rooney; Denise Lindahl; Jack Driscoll, Town Administrator; Amon Morse, Road Commissioner; Peter Allen, NVC Representative; Barbara O’Leary, Town Clerk

Citizen Concerns:  None

Bids:

Snow Plowing: MoPa Plowing and Sanding                  First Year:        $110,000

                                                                                                Second Year:   $113,000

                                                                                                Third Year:       $116,000

                                                                                                Total:              $339,000

                                    Morse’s Plowing                               First Year:        $120,000

                                                                                               Second Year:   $125,000

                                                                                                Third Year:       $130,000

                                                                                                Total:              $375,000

                                    Wayne ’s Landscaping                                              $126,816*

Discussion followed:

*It was unclear if this price was per year, or the total bid price.  With no representative present, the Board felt the price lacked detail and believed it to be a per year price for a total of $380,448.

Both MoPa and Morse’s Plowing included a fuel addendum.  MoPa has an addendum for fuel at $6.10 and Morse’s Plowing at $4.25 for gas and $5.00 for diesel.  Wayne ’s Landscaping did not include a fuel addendum.

Discussion ended.

Under motion of Paul Rooney, second by Craig Poulin, the Board voted 3-0 to accept the bid of MoPa for a three year plowing contract at the price of $339,000.

Paving Bids:

Lane Construction:                Beech Hill Base         $173,841.15               

                                                Option #1                     $ 51,389.45

                                                Total:                            $225,230.6

                                                Option #2                     $ 68,413.10

Vaughan Thibodeau & Sons     Beech Hill Base           $178,315.20

                                                     Option #1                      $  35,728.00

                                                      Total:                            $214,043.20

                                                Option #2                             $ 68,944.00

Discussion followed.  It was agreed to eliminate Option #2, Knights Pond Road.  Also noted was the unit pricing is the same but the tonnage is unclear with Thibodeau.

Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Denise Lindahl, the Board voted 3-0 to accept the bid of Lane Construction of $225,230.60.

NVC:

Peter Allen asked when the roadside mowing would be done.  There are intersections, especially at George and Griffin that you cannot see clearly and is dangerous.  Mr. Allen will contact the owner and ask to have the brush cut back.  If not done, the Town will cut the brush back since this is a safety issue.

Stop signs in the Village will be surveyed to determine where they should be placed and the Town will be notified.

Road & Bridges:

Amon Morse reported the bamboo at the entrance to Saturday Cove has been cut down.

The road sign for Pitcher Pond Road has been replaced.

Roadside mowing will take place this week weather permitting.

Cliff Street – Mike Brown asked if sweeping would be done on this street, it has not been done in several years.  Amon reported this road needs work, which hopefully will be done next year.  He will add it to the sweeping list.

Jack Driscoll received a call from Iva Hudson on Priest Road asking that a culvert at her driveway be put back in.  This is a piece of land only that had a driveway onto the property.  When work was done on the road the culvert was taken out, place on the property but never replaced.  The Road Commissioner would need to see a driveway permit to be sure there was a driveway there years ago.  Paul Rooney did not think permits were required back then.  Amon will speak with John Larson, Code Officer, and Denise Lindahl will take a ride by the property to see if a driveway was there.

Administrator’s Report:

Jack Driscoll received a complaint from Bill Magruder regarding the ditching on Cross Street .  The Road Commissioner reported the ditching was done properly.  No action was taken.

Temple Heights watershed project:  Jack spoke with Charlie Dhyse regarding the project.  Mr. Dhyse will contact Bill Kelly, Town Attorney, to set up an appointment to discuss the project.

Stop Work Order:  Code Officer, John Larson, issued a stop work order to Michael Vellaro at Twin Maples Motel for 10 unauthorized campsites with plumbing and electrical at the motel location.  Mr. Vellaro was instructed to get a Site Plan Review Ordinance and application for this new business. 

Marilyn D’Agostino:  Mrs. D’Agostino would like to speak with the Board regarding several outstanding legal issues she has with the Town.  The Administrator gave a background on these issues.  Attempts have been made to serve legal papers to Mrs.

D’Agostino and her son, Gregory, with no effect.  Mr. Driscoll recommended he be appointed Constable so that when they are here for the summer he could serve the notice.  Discussion followed.  It was agreed not to appoint the Administrator Constable, as it may be a conflict of interest since he is a neighbor.   The Board agreed Mrs. D’Agostino should come to a Board meeting and discuss her issues.  Craig Poulin asked Jack Driscoll to outline the problems with this property for the next Board meeting.  The Administrator was also asked to have Bill Kelly attend the July 7, 2008 meeting.

Erickson Foundation:

At this time representatives of the Erickson Foundation were introduced to the Board:  Mark Blair, Operations Manager, and Mike Wilson, Attorney at Pierce Atwood.

Mark Blair began by stating he and Mr. Wilson were present to update the Board on the Erickson Foundation and its plans for Point Lookout.  The mission statement has not changed since they first spoke to the Board a few months ago.  The vision is to develop the property as a leading center for education and wellness with seniors, as well as financial planning.  They have contacted most aging agencies and gerontologists in Maine in regards to the Erickson Foundation’s mission.  The Foundation expects it could take up to three years to develop these programs.

Jack Driscoll stated the marketing seems to be geared towards use of the facility year round and not education.  Mr. Blair responded the marketing is to get the name of Erickson out here so people will come to the facility.  The Erickson Foundation wants to be community minded, and is therefore, opening the campus up to the public.  The gym, bowling alley, and cabins are available for use.  Mr. Wilson stated the focus is still on geriatric education and wellness.

Denise Lindahl recommended Mr. Blair contact Mary Frenning of Northport.  She is well known among area agencies for the elderly and would be a great resource person for the Foundation.

Mr. Wilson also stated the assessment was based on six month use, but a comparable was used for year round.  He then asked if the Town Assessors had completed their review of the assessed value of the property.  Craig Poulin stated this was not complete and the Assessor, Ellery Bane, was still looking for the personal property list.  It was agreed Mark Blair would contact the assessor to complete the personal property list. 

Mr. Blair and Mr. Wilson thanked the Board for their time and ended saying the Foundation wants to be a good member of the Northport community.

Administrator’s Report (con’t)

Floats:  the floats at Saturday Cove have been repaired by Ryan Parsloe

Cemetery:  the inmate work crew working on the fence is making slow progress and has not been back in a few weeks.  Paul Rooney asked if the two-tone color would remain.  This will be all black when the fence is finished.

Landscaping issues at the two of the cemeteries have been resolved.

General Assistance:  one new applicant who was ineligible.

Town Hall:Roof bid will be going out soon

                    Oil buying group was disbanded

                    Health insurance will begin for the two Clerks beginning July 1, 2008.

                    Drinkwater School 3^rd graders visited the Town Office

Transfer Station:  Wind power research is ongoing.  Katahdin Energy visited the site.  The best spot would be on top of the landfill but this is not allowed by the DEP.  The next site would be past the brush pile.  A higher tower would be needed, the pile pushed back and some trees cut.  Paul Rooney stated any work would need to be done next year since no money has been allocated for the project. 

Craig Poulin asked the cost of a larger, 100’ tower and if any dollar amounts have been discussed.  They have not, and Jack will look into this for the next meeting.  Craig also asked if solar energy has been investigated.  Jack reported the problem with solar energy is seagulls like to sit on them and deface the panels.  He will get figures for this as well as the wind power.

Summer Staffing:  Richard Nealey has asked if will be working Saturdays this summer at the transfer station.  The need for three people was discussed.  Jack reported the Transfer Station Supervisor did not feel there was a need for three people on Saturday at this time.  The Board agreed to leave this at the discretion of the Supervisor.  If the need arises for a third person, he may use Richard Nealey.

Chairman’s Report:

Craig Poulin asked in follow up with prioritizing goals and tasks of the Board, to get started with the fiscal year change.  He asked if we could move up the tax due date.  The Clerk stated that the interest due date was approved at Town meeting and could not be changed.  The tax date is known to be 11-30 of each year and with no notice of this change she felt it would be difficult to get the word out taxes would be due sooner.  Paul Rooney agreed and thought it best to make residents aware of upcoming changes and make the due date change, as well as two tax payments yearly, when the fiscal year change goes into effect.  The Clerk will place a notice on the tax bills this year stating the fiscal year change and the change in the tax due date.  The Budget Committee will also be convened to begin the process for the extended budget year when changing the fiscal year.

Craig Poulin outlined three items to be discussed with Town Attorney at the next meeting:

Clerk’s Report:

Barbara O’Leary presented a liquor license renewal application for the Northport Music Theater.  Also presented was a Special Amusement Permit for the Music Theater.  Since the Theater has not had a liquor license for five years, a hearing was scheduled for the next Board meeting on Monday, July 7, 2008. 

Letters of interest for the Deputy Code Enforcement Officer, the Addressing Agent and Planning Board Alternate were presented.

Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Paul Rooney, the Board voted 2-0 with Paul Rooney abstaining, to appoint Toupie Rooney Deputy Code Enforcement Officer and Addressing Agent.

Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Paul Rooney, the Board voted 3-0 to appoint Rick Pierson as Alternate Planning Board Member.

The Clerk noted there are still positions that have not had appointments made.  Paul Rooney spoke with the Animal Control Officer who was going to submit his letter.  No letter has been received.  The Clerk reported letters of intent are still needed for the Budget Committee, Emergency Management Director, Code Enforcement Officer, LPI, Transfer Station Supervisor, and Health Officer. The Administrator was instructed to follow up on these.

Concealed Weapon Permit:  presented for review. 

Property Tax Abatement due to Poverty:  Two requests for abatement were presented.

Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Paul Rooney, the Board voted 3-0 to enter Executive Session to discuss poverty tax abatement at 8:05pm.  Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Paul Rooney, the Board voted 3-0 to return to regular session at 8:15pm.

Under motion of Denise Lindahl, second by Paul Rooney, the voted 3-0 to have the Clerk contact the resident requesting an abatement of property taxes due to poverty and have the resident set up a payment plan.

Transfer Station:  Barbara reported changes made in 2006 with Pine Tree Waste showed a $12,441 savings in 2007. Year to date savings are just under $1,000.  Denise Lindahl asked for a copy of the latest Pine Tree bill to review their services and charges.

Minute Approval:  May 5, 2008 and June 2, 2008

Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Paul Rooney, the Board voted 2-0 with Denise Lindahl abstaining, to approve the minutes of May 5, 2008 with grammatical changes.

Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Denise Lindahl, the Board voted 3-0 to approve the minutes of June 2, 2008 as presented.

With no further business, Paul Rooney moved to adjourn.  Second by Craig Poulin, voted 3-0.

Adjourned 8:40pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Barbara O’Leary, Town Clerk