SELECT BOARD

SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

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

Citizen Concerns: 

Jim Hanson was present to ask when the roadside brush cutting will be finished.  He stated there are intersections that have not been touched and are becoming dangerous. He recommended larger sections be dug up to save on cost.  Amon Morse stated the contractor had started the cutting but has not finished.  Jack Driscoll will contact him to come back and finish the work.

NVC:

NVC Representative is on vacation, no issues.

Roads & Bridges:

Sheldon Curtis, Lane Construction Plant Manager, was present to address the paving contract with the Town and the price increase in asphalt.  A letter, and chart, regarding the price increase was submitted.  Mr. Curtis is asking for some kind of relief for Lane Construction for the increase in their cost to the paving contract.  He stated they will be losing about $49,000 on the agreed upon contract.

Paul Rooney, expressed concern about modifying the agreed upon paving contract.  He believed this would set a bad example for future contracts with all contractors.  Although he could sympathize with the contractor, he felt the work could have been done in June or July when prices were not as high as they are now, and this would have reduced their loss.  Mr. Curtis stated Lane is looking for any kind of relief the Town would give them.  This issue applies to all their contracts and they have approached other Towns as well as Northport.

Mr. Curtis noted the State has backed off some its projects due to the high increase in asphalt.  The State, however, has an escalated clause they can fall back on.  Craig Poulin asked if the price had dropped drastically, rather than increased, would the Town have seen a reduction in the contract?  Mr. Curtis stated there is no reduction clause in the contract.  Craig also asked what other Towns are doing with this relief request.  Mr. Curtis stated Lincolnville is meeting tonight.  Some have agreed to a reduction and others will push the work back to the spring.  He noted with Lincolnville, Lane is the subcontractor, not the main contractor.

Paul Rooney also stated we are losing the window of opportunity to do the paving for this year.  Due to problems in the past, the Town does not pave past the end of September.  Mr. Curtis stated they could begin the end of next week and the work will be done in a week’s time.  He also stated Lane would honor their contract, but would like any relief the Town could give.  He pointed out the good relationship that has been between the Town and Lane over the years and hoped that it would continue.

Denise Lindahl also stated the Board would need to see where we stand within the Roads & Bridges budget before making a decision.

Craig Poulin stated the Board would discuss the matter and make a decision on one of the following:      No change, keep status quo

                        Wait till spring

                        Reduce the contract amount

Mr. Curtis thanked the Board for its time.

Roofing Bids:

The Clerk presented five bids for review.  There was also one insulation quote.  The Board opened the following roof bids:

            A. A. Randall & Sons                           $6987.00

            Warren Ard                                            6200.00

            Brian Porter Construction                       7625.00

            Generation Construction                         7000.00

            Harville Roofing & Painting                     7990.00

Denise Lindahl asked how the specs were determined.  Jack Driscoll stated he and Jamie Drinkwater, of Generation Construction, came up with the specs.  The specs stated measuring is the responsibility of the contractor.  Jack also noted Brian Porter stated there are no soffit vents and holes would need to be drilled.  The soffits were not part of the specs and if needed would be extra work on the contract.

Under motion of Denise Lindahl, second by Craig Poulin, the Board voted 3-0 to award the roofing contract to Generation Construction for a price of $7000.00.  

Discussion resumed on the request from Lane Construction:

Jack Driscoll had spoken with Town Administrator Dave Kinney of Lincolnville, who said this is a problem throughout the State.  Lincolnville will make their determination at their Board meeting tonight.  Some towns are splitting the loss with Lane, others no change and others are waiting till spring.

Craig Poulin stated the Board could see what prices are by the next meeting and make a determination at that time.  Paul Rooney felt putting off the work until next year runs the risk of even higher prices.  Rocky Road should be done this year, but if not it must be done next year.  He also said the Temple Heights project will not go forward this year and those monies could be used if the Board decides to split the loss with Lane. 

Denise Lindale would agree with splitting the difference with Lane up to a certain amount.  As Paul stated the work could have been done before now at less of a loss to Lane.  She would agree with splitting the estimated $49,000 mentioned tonight or less, but not if it goes up.  Both Craig Poulin and Paul Rooney agreed.  Lane Construction must show what their actual loss is up to $49,000, and the Board will then determine the split.

Craig Poulin made the following motion:

MOVED:  To go forward with the paving project for this year by amending the paving contract with Lane Construction by splitting the lowest loss to Lane, and not going beyond the highest loss stated today of $49,306.00, and should materials increase the Town of Northport will pay no more than half the $49,306, which will be $24,653.00.

Discussion followed.  Craig Poulin instructed Jack Driscoll to get in writing from Lane Construction their lowest loss figures with a purchase date of the materials, with the highest loss being the estimated $49,000.

Under motion of Craig Poulin, Second by Denise Lindale, the motion passed 3-0.

Roof Insulation Estimate:

1 estimate received:                  Brian Porter Construction         $27,500.00

It was noted, Jamie Drinkwater of Generation Construction, would like to put in an estimate, but he was not aware of the insulation quote.  Jack Driscoll was instructed to use Brian Porter unless other estimates come in under this amount and the work can get done quickly.

Roads & Bridges:

Temple Heights :  Paul Rooney reported he is waiting for the Dirigo Engineering revised study.  They are still working on re-doing the plans with the drainage going down the side of the road rather than across Ashley Landry’s land.  This project will not get done this year.  Jack Driscoll asked if we could use the land of the Wilkinson’s.  They are not here but he could contact them.  It was agreed to wait to see the revised plans and go from there.

Paul also reported the Northport and Lincolnville Fire Departments will do a controlled burn at the former Ames property, now owned by the Erickson Foundation, on Rt 1 for training purposes. 

Amon Morse reported an erosion problem at a section of Park Street and 282 Shore Road had cold patch applied to correct the problem.

A clogged culvert at the Abercrombie property was cleared; another culvert thought to be crushed was clogged and cleared.

62 Broadway, the Burbank property, had complaints of water coming down the property and undermining their barn.  Paul, Amon and Jack looked at the property and the barn sits in a natural low spot on the property.  The owner has diverted the water onto the adjacent property to a stream.  No action required.

The Jane Ames property at Saturday Cove has the brush and shrubs growing out into the road.  This was an issue last year as well.  Amon has been unable to locate the owner, as the house is up for sale.  He stated this is becoming a safety issue for vehicles.  The Clerk reported she has an address for the son and will get this to the Road Commissioner.

The 5” of rain over the weekend caused no problems.

Administrator’s Report:

Code Officer’s update:  a 10-day notice was issued to the Carnahan residence on the septic violation.  The letter was sent certified but has not been returned as received.  Craig Poulin stated since this is a health issue, it must be moved on and not linger.  Paul Rooney stated the other residence with a septic violation, Durkee, is working with the Code Officer.  The monthly plumbing report was submitted.

The Planning Board will be meeting Tuesday night to address the Mike Vellaro new businesses that fall under the new Site Plan Review approved at Town Meeting.

D’Agostino:  The summons was served to Gregory D’Agostino with a court date of 9-18-08, however no correction plan has been received by the CEO for the driveway violation.

Larry Baggett had other property damage to the shrubs planted on his property.  Craig Poulin stated this is a civil issue between neighbors and does not involve the Town.  The Board agreed.

Cemetery Fence:  it does not look like the inmate work crew will return this year.  Only a few sections of the fence have been sanded and none painted.  Craig questioned if we should leave this for next year.  Paul Rooney stated if left as is, the rust would get worse and damage the fence.  Jack Driscoll reported he spoke with Basil Littlefield, who has been submitting estimates to scrape and paint the fence for the last two years.  He has given an estimate of $2600 to finish this work.  Jack has also spoken with Tim Patten to do the work.  He would do this for $15 an hour.  Jack was instructed to speak with Tim and see how long he thinks this will take.  Based on that estimate Jack will decide who will finish the fence.

Alarm System:  Jack presented a quote for an alarm system for the Town Hall.  The system will cost $1,360 with extra money for a panic button and low heat alarms, plus $66 per quarter for security.  Craig Poulin asked if this would lower our insurance rates.  Jack will look into this.

Under motion of Craig Poulin, second by Denise Lindale, the Board voted 3-0 to accept the quote for a security system.

Oil contract:  The Town entered into a fuel contract with Consumers Fuel with a cap of $3.89 for oil and $4.74 for K-1.  Should the price go below these amounts, the Town will pay the lower amount.

GA: one applicant ineligible

Harbor Master:  Drexell White has been trying to get a boater to move his mooring, which was placed incorrectly.  Mr. Brigham refuses to move the mooring and is appealing to the Harbor Committee.

Transfer Station:  the large potholes have been filled in and the brush pile moved by Jim Hanson.

Clerk’s Report:

A relative of resident Leon C. Barton, who is having medical issues, asked if he Town could help in any way with the cost of bringing Mr. Barton from NY back to Northport by ambulance.  It was noted a potluck supper is being planned and the family should submit paperwork showing their need.

Abatements: 5 abatements were submitted and approved.

Supplements: 2 supplements were submitted and approved.

A complaint has come to the office regarding barking dogs of Bob Metcalf on Knights Pond Road .  The animal control officer was called but not reached.  Paul Rooney stated he received a call about the barking dogs and Barbara reported she heard from former Board member Dee Reid who received a call at midnight about the barking dogs.  It was noted the Sheriffs Department should not have her on the call list.  Also noted was the inability to reach ACO, Jerry Tucker.  The Clerk reported Jerry Tucker came to the office on Friday and had spoken with Mr. Metcalf who said the Barking Dog Ordinance did not apply to his dogs because they were used to keep coyotes away from his sheep.  No action was taken.

The Town received a $277 refund from its Worker’s Comp.  Fund due to our low claim

Experience.

The CEO submitted a copy of a response letter to Greg D’Agostino, which had been addressed to Craig Poulin, addressing various code requests.

Beverly Crofoot has given a copy of her book “If The Cottages Could Talk” to the Town.  The Board expressed their thanks to Mrs. Crofoot for the book and the wonderful job she did putting it together.

Warrants were presented for approval.

Minutes review and approval was postponed to the September 22 meeting.

Jack Driscoll reminded the Board there is a scheduled Executive Session with Town Attorney Bill Kelly to discuss a legal matter at 5pm.

With no further business, Paul Rooney moved to adjourn at 8:10pm, second by Denise Lindale.

ADJOURNED

Respectfully Submitted,

Barbara O’Leary