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MINUTES - TO BE APPROVED AT THE NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
FREEPORT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING #2-06
TOWN HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
January 17, 2006 – 7 p.m.


CHAIRPERSON’S CALL TO ORDER PRESENT ABSENT EXCUSED

John Arsenault, Prout Road x
Genie Beaulieu, P.O. Box 74 x (late)
Charlotte Bishop, Maquoit Drive x
James Cassida, 5 Timber Ridge Road x
Rich DeGrandpre, Timber Ridge Road x
Joe Migliaccio, 2 Vinmar Lane x (late)
Frederick White, 45 Pleasant Hill Road x

Chair Cassida called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and noted that Councilors Beaulieu and Migliaccio would be arriving later.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: To waive the reading of the Minutes of Meeting #1-06 held on January 3, 2005 and accept the Minutes as printed.

MOVED AND SECONDED: To waive the reading of the Minutes of Meeting #1-06 held on January 3, 2006 and accept the Minutes as printed (White & Arsenault) VOTE: (5 Ayes) (2 Excused—Beaulieu & Migliaccio)


NOTE: Councilor Beaulieu arrived at 7:03 p.m.


SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS: Announcements

Between February 1 and April 12, there will be free tax help available for low income and elderly residents at the Town Hall. If anyone would like some assistance preparing their tax returns, they should contact Johanna Hanselman at Town Hall for an appointment.

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS: Public Comment Period – 30 Minutes (Non-Agenda Items Only)

MOVED AND SECONDED: To open the Public Comment Period. (Arsenault and DeGrandpre) VOTE: (6 Ayes) (1 Excused—Migliaccio)

There were none.

MOVED AND SECONDED: To close the Public Comment Period. (White & Bishop) VOTE: (6 Ayes) (1 Excused—Migliaccio)








FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS: To take action on the following items of business as read by the Council Chairperson.

ITEM #9-06 To consider action relative to the adoption of the January 17, 2006 Consent Agenda

BE IT ORDERED: That the January 17, 2006 Consent Agenda be adopted. (Beaulieu
& Bishop)

Chair Cassida reviewed the items that were on the Consent Agenda for members of the public. Mr. Olmstead advised that all taxes are current.

. ROLL CALL VOTE: (6 Ayes) (1 Excused—Migliaccio)


ITEM #10-06 To consider action relative to proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance concerning Space Standards in the Industrial District II Zone. (Chapter 21).
BE IT ORDERED: That a Public Hearing be scheduled for February 7, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers to discuss proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance concerning Space Standards in the Industrial District II Zone.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED: That copies be distributed equally between the Town Clerk’s Office, the Town Manager’s Office and the Freeport Community Library for inspection by citizens during normal business hours and the notice be placed on Freeport’s local cable channel 7 and the Town’s website. (Arsenault & Bishop)


Mr. Olmstead explained the proposed amendments.

ROLL CALL VOTE: (6 Ayes) (1 Excused—Migliaccio)
OTHER BUSINESS:

1. Presentation by Ralph Turner on Alternative Fuel Project at Laughing Stock Farm

Mr. Turner provided printouts of a Power Point presentation he has made all over the Northeast. He and his wife collect used cooking oil locally and use it as an alternative fuel to heat their greenhouses on the Wardtown Road. They are currently using half of the oil generated in Freeport and they are hoping to expand. He invited anyone in Freeport that is interested to come to their farm to see exactly what is involved in making it work. He suggested calling first to make sure they are there. He answered questions for Councilors.

NOTE: Councilor Migliaccio arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Mr. Turner recommended that Councilors not sign the letter of interest requested by the Maine Energy Investment Corporation at the last Council meeting in their effort to get a Biodiesel manufacturing plant in Maine. He is not enthusiastic about Biodiesel being made in Maine. He feels that environmental solutions will succeed best when they succeed economically. More discussion followed.

Chair Cassida thanked Mr. Turner for coming in this evening. He is confident that Councilors will take him up on his offer to visit the farm.


2. Update on discussion with DMR concerning clam flats

Rod Regier gave a brief history on the clam flat closure area in the Harraseeket River. He attended a meeting last Friday with Chair Cassida, Mr. Olmstead, Dan Brown, Tom Rumpf, members of the EPA as well as members of the DMR regarding analyzing the results of the Harraseeket River Dye Studies. He came away cautiously optimistic that the DMR is seriously considering some of the objections raised by the Town through the years. For the first time, DMR is genuinely trying to formulate a solution for the Harraseeket, which is specific to Freeport and not a one size, fits all answer. There is an area close to the sewer plant discharge that has to be closed all the time but his goal is to minimize the closure area that is closed permanently. Flats could also be closed when rain forces sewage treatment plant malfunctions, there are migrating geese or moored boats. A human being staffs the sewer treatment plant at the time fishermen are digging for shellfish so that the DMR can be contacted immediately if there is a malfunction. He considers this to be a work in progress at this time.

Mr. Olmstead suggested that the Council reconfirm the staffing issue with the Sewer District Trustees in a workshop next month. Mr. Regier noted that there has been pretty good cooperation between the Council and the Trustees during the past few years but the levers the Council has to pull are somewhat limited. Councilor Migliaccio brought up the issue of long-range planning because any number of things can change. Chair Cassida agreed that it is important that the Council be mindful of what its input is into the Harraseeket River from all sources and that it is a delicate resource and one that could be severely limited or lost if things are not done correctly.

Councilors thanked Mr. Regier for all his hard work.


3. Discussion on Maine Fire Commission Award

Mr. Olmstead explained that the Maine Fire Commission awarded Freeport Fire Rescue a Best Practice Award for 2005 for its Non-Emergency Transport Program, billing program and birthday party program. The Governor will be making a formal presentation on March 21 at Noon at the Augusta Civic Center. The Fire Chief will be unable to accept the award and recommended that Mr. Olmstead do so. Mr. Olmstead noted that this will be a well-publicized event and he hoped that Councilors would also be present to accept the award from the Governor. Chair Cassida noted that he should be able to attend and encouraged other Councilors to make an effort to be there as well.

4. Discussion on Homeland Security Grant

Mr. Olmstead noted that he wanted the Council to know that Freeport was granted $26,910 from the State of Maine Homeland Security Grants to fit out the Emergency Operations Center. This is the last piece to complete the project.


5. Discussion on Aqua Maine Rate Increases

Mr. Olmstead explained that he received a call last week from the General Manager of the system that they are ready to file two petitions with the PUC for rate increases. One will be a rate increase on hook-up charges and fees. It will affect construction costs. The estimate on the increase could raise between $2,000-$4,000 in Freeport. The other petition about to be filed is a petition to change the way they allocate their administrative fees. They are hoping to make the system simple. For Freeport this could result in a 1.5% decrease in our water rates. Freeport will be asked by the PUC if we want to intervene in this process and we may need to participate in order to protect our interests. He will be following this along with Pat Scully and if he determines that Freeport should intervene, he will come back to the Council.

6. Informational Exchange

Councilor DeGrandpre asked about the letter received from the MDOT regarding the Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay Project proposed on the section of road from West Street to Mallet Drive. He noted there is some work that really needs to be done in this section before they do that so that it is not “just putting lipstick on a pig”. The letter states that they don’t want us opening this road for five more years. Mr. Olmstead explained that the MDOT was notified that the entire drain system from West Street to Mallet Drive is failing. Unfortunately, the State has no money and the drainage system will have to remain as is. Freeport will be asking the State that when the bids go out, should the project come in under bid, we will be asking the State to use any monies between the budget amount and the bid amount to make some drainage improvements, especially the cross culverts in 3 or 4 locations on Main Street. Those culverts are failing. He estimates that with the cost of oil, the bids will come in higher than the budget estimates and none of the drainage work will be done. Mr. Olmstead is not happy that the drainage work is simply being ignored.

Councilor Bishop asked for clarification on birthday parties at the Public Safety Building. Mr. Olmstead explained that if a child would like to have a party at the Public Safety Building, it is possible to schedule it for a small fee. It builds good community will and provides an opportunity to offer some training to youngsters.

Councilor Migliaccio noted that he received a notice that Representative David Webster will be hosting the Speaker of the Maine House on February 8 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Freeport Community Library to provide a forum on the needs of Maine’s small businesses and what the Legislature has done and will attempt to do. Business owners and anyone interested in small business issues are encouraged to attend.

Councilor Migliaccio noted that he has questions to provide to Chair Cassida following up on the Council’s workshop with the School Committee last week. Chair Cassida mentioned that the Council will be workshopping with the School Committee again and will make every effort to get answers to those questions.

Councilor DeGrandpre pointed out that he would be attending a Facilities Committee meeting for the schools tomorrow morning. He is assuming that they will be discussing capital budget items, etc. He will bring back information as it becomes available.

Chair Cassida advised that the first meeting of the Legislative Policy Commission for the Maine Municipal Association will be held tomorrow and as the Town’s representative, he will be attending it. He intends to provide a brief update at the next Council meeting on the issues discussed under “Other Business”. He was remiss last year in keeping the Council formally updated on these meetings.

Councilor White asked for an update on the Community Center. Chair Cassida advised that the foundation is more or less in the ground now. They are hoping to have all of the foundation work poured by the end of this week except the pit for the elevator. Things are moving along but the project is behind schedule because of the weather. There have not been any construction issues and the number of change orders executed is showing a positive impact on the cost of the project. He will be attending a fundraising meeting tomorrow morning and will give a presentation at the next Council meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED AND SECONDED: To adjourn at 8:35 p.m. (Beaulieu & Bishop)
VOTE: (7 Ayes)


Respectfully Submitted,



Sharon Coffin
Council Secretary