11/26 -
To be approved at the 12/4/07 Town Council Meeting:
MINUTES
ORGANIZATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING #17-07
FREEPORT TOWN HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
NOVEMBER 13, 2007 – 7 P.M.
CHAIRPERSON’S CALL TO ORDER PRESENT ABSENT EXCUSED
Genie Beaulieu, P.O. Box 74 x
Charlotte Bishop, Maquoit Drive x
James Cassida, 5 Timber Ridge Road x
Rich DeGrandpre, Timber Ridge Road x
Joe Migliaccio, 2 Vinmar Lane x
Frederick White, 45 Pleasant Hill Road x
Chair Cassida called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and took roll call.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: To waive the reading of the Minutes of Meeting #18-2006 held on October 16, 2007 and accept the Minutes as printed.
MOVED AND SECONDED: To waive the reading of the Minutes of Meeting #18-2006 held on October 16, 2007 and accept the Minutes as printed. (Migliaccio & White) VOTE: (6 Ayes)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chair Cassida announced that if anyone needs help understanding their Medicare prescription drug coverage, they could schedule an appointment with a professional from the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. The meetings will be held at the Freeport Library. Appointments are necessary and residents should call 1 877 353-3771 or 396-6500. These numbers are posted on the Town’s website.
Chair Cassida noted that the Town is accepting nominations for CITIZEN OF THE YEAR. This annual award is given to an individual that has contributed to the quality of the Town, the well being of its citizens and the reputation of Freeport. Nominations should be sent to Town Hall before November 26. Application forms are available at Town Hall.
The Azure Café will be providing Freeport citizens with a Thanksgiving Dinner at the Freeport Community Center on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is necessary to call Sue Mack at 869-1055 to reserve a seat. There is no charge for the meal. Chair Cassida thanked the Azure Café for providing this meal to the citizens of Freeport.
SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS: That the Town Clerk report on the returns of the November 6, 2007 Election.
Bev Curry, Town Clerk, reported:
Total number of registered voters at the start of voting—5,964
Number of voters who registered on Election Day—35
Total number of State ballots cast—1,978
Total percentage of voters who cast ballots—33%
Number of Absentee Ballots requested—248 (12.5% of votes cast)
Voters elected the following candidates to Municipal Office:
District I Councilor (3 Year-Term) Genie Beaulieu—316 votes
Councilor-at-Large (3 Year-Term) William Muldoon—1,552 votes
School Committee (3 Year-Terms)
Sean Crean—1,279 votes
John Morang—1,426 votes
Sewer District Trustees (3 Year-Terms)
Donald Dorsey—1,139 votes
Edward Hindley—829 votes
Water District Trustee (3 Year-Term)
John Karp—1,186 votes
Question 1: Bond Issue (Shall the issuance of general obligation bonds of the County of Cumberland be authorized in an amount not to exceed $1,700,000 to fund the costs of an upgraded radio and data transmission system for County law enforcement and emergency response purposes?)
Yes—1.190
No—711
Question 2: Bond Issue (Shall the issuance of general obligation bonds of the County of Cumberland be authorized in an amount not to exceed $1,100,000 for the construction of an expanded medical facility at the Cumberland County Jail?)
Yes—859
No—990
Question 3: County Commissioner Redistrict (Do you favor the Maine State Legislature increasing the number of Cumberland County Commissioner Districts from three (3) to seven (7)?)
Yes—422
No—848
Question 1: Citizen Initiative (Do you want to allow a Maine tribe to run a harness racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano games in Washington County?)
Yes—781
No—1,165
Question 2: Bond Issue (Do you favor a bond issue to stimulate economic development and job creation that would provide $5,000,000 in loans and grant funds and would provide $50,000,000 in research, development and commercialization funds for targeted technology sectors, awarded after a competitive process administered by the Maine Technology Institute, and will leverage at least $50,000,000 in other funds?)
Yes—1,097
No—840
Question 3. Bond Issue (Do you favor a $43,500,000 bond issue for interior and exterior building renovations, improvements and additions at all campuses of the Maine Community College System, the Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine System; to replenish the School Revolving Renovation Fund for school repairs and renovations; and to support capital improvements for cultural and educational assets such as museums, historical facilities and libraries?)
Yes—1,132
No—814
Question 4: Bond Issue (Do you favor a $35,500,000 bond issue to invest in land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, farmland and working waterfront and to invest in state parks, historic sites and riverfront, community and farm infrastructure to be matched by at least $21,875,000 in private and public contributions?)
Yes—1,407
No—558
Question 5: Referendum Question (Do you favor extending term limits for Legislators from 4 to 6 terms?)
Yes—772
No—1,155
Ms. Curry thanked all the election workers for carrying out their jobs with competence, sensitivity and good humor. She answered questions for Councilors.
MOVED AND SECONDED: That the Town Clerk’s Report be accepted. (Migliaccio & Bishop) VOTE: (6 Ayes)
SWEARING IN OF NEW COUNCILORS:
Town Clerk Curry swore in Genie Beaulieu and Bill Muldoon. Applause followed.
ROLL CALL OF NEW MEMBERS: PRESENT ABSENT EXCUSED
James Cassida, 5 Timber Ridge Road x
Charlotte Bishop, Maquoit Drive x
Rich DeGrandpre, Timber Ridge Road x
Frederick White, 45 Pleasant Hill Road x
Genie Beaulieu, PO Box 74 x
Joe Migliaccio, 2 Vin Mar Lane x
William Muldoon, 2 Roos Hill Drive x
THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS: Public Comment Period 30 Minutes (Non-Agenda Items Only)
MOVED AND SECONDED: To open the Public Comment Period. (White & DeGrandpre) VOTE: (6 Ayes)
John Jaques of Wolfe Neck Road requested that the Town Council begin to engage in conversations with L.L. Bean to swap the Morse Street School property and the high school property for a larger property on Desert Road.
MOVED AND SECONDED: To close the Public Comment Period. (White & Bishop) VOTE: (6 Ayes)
FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS: To take action on the following items of business as read by the Council Chairperson.
ITEM #166-07 To consider action relative to the electing of a chairperson and a vice-chairperson for the Town Council.
MOVED AND SECONDED: That the nominations for the position of Council Chairperson be accepted. (White & Migliaccio) VOTE: (7 Ayes)
MOVED AND SECONDED: To nominate Richard DeGrandpre to serve as Chairperson of the Town Council. (Bishop & Migliaccio)
MOVED AND SECONDED: That the nominations cease. (Beaulieu & White)
VOTE: (7 Ayes)
BE IT ORDERED: That Richard DeGrandpre be elected Chairperson of the Town Council. (White & Migliaccio) ROLL CALL VOTE: (7 Ayes)
Former Chair Cassida turned over the gavel to Chair DeGrandpre.
MOVED AND SECONDED: That the nominations for the position of Council Vice Chairperson be accepted. (Migliaccio & White) VOTE: (7 Ayes)
MOVED AND SECONDED: To nominate Charlotte Bishop for the position of Vice Chairperson of the Town Council. (White & Migliaccio)
MOVED AND SECONDED: That the nominations cease. (Beaulieu & White)
VOTE: (7 Ayes)
BE IT ORDERED: That Charlotte Bishop be elected Vice Chairperson of the Town Council. (White & Migliaccio) ROLL CALL VOTE: (7 Ayes)
Chair DeGrandpre thanked former Chair Cassida for all his hard work and presented him with a gift.
Former Chair Cassida thanked him and encouraged everyone to continue to work together. Chair
DeGrandpre also thanked John Arsenault for his many years of service to the Town of Freeport.
ITEM #167-07 To consider action relative to amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Section 409,104,514,201 and 427), Zoning Map, and Comprehensive Plan (Sections VI and VII) concerning the Route One South Corridor. Chapter 21.
BE IT ORDERED: That a Public Hearing be scheduled for December 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers to discuss the amendments regarding the Route One South Corridor.
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 3 and the Town’s website. (White & Bishop)
Councilor Beaulieu mentioned that she has questions regarding some of the proposed changes. She asked if she should e-mail her questions to Donna Larson so that she can get the answers. Ms. Larson could e-mail her reply back to all Councilors. Mr. Olmstead suggested that she e-mail her questions to Donna and copy the entire Council. Chair DeGrandpre urged Councilors to read through the amendments carefully. He read the highlights of the amendments into the public record. Councilor Migliaccio pointed out that the zoning changes for Route One South are not just for commercial development. He urged people to get out and speak to it at the Public Hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE: (7 Ayes)
OTHER BUSINESS:
Request by FMA for Town to sponsor Sparkle Parade.
Chair DeGrandpre explained that the Freeport Merchants Association is requesting the Town to participate in producing the Sparkle Weekend Parade for November 30 under the umbrella of the Town’s insurance policy in the same manner as the Fourth of July Parade. Mr. Olmstead noted that there are restrictions that the Town’s insurance carrier requires that were placed upon the Fourth of July Parade. Chair DeGrandpre read through the guidelines:
1. No child under 12 on a float without parent supervision.
2. No child under the age of 6 unless the supervising parent signs a waiver of liability in favor of the Town.
3. No throwing candy from floats
4. No horses.
5. Utilize experienced public safety personnel to line up floats and direct traffic.
6. Set up/line up of floats to occur on Town and not private property.
7. Each organization involved in the parade to sign a waiver of liability.
Councilor Beaulieu shared her concerns and pointed out potential problems. Dick Collins answered
questions for Councilors. Discussion followed.
MOVED AND SECONDED: To sponsor the parade with the following amendments:
1. No child under 12 on a float without parent supervision on the float.
3. No throwing of candy during parade. (Cassida & Bishop) ROLL CALL VOTE: (7 Ayes)
Discussion on Harraseeket River Dye Study.
Councilor Cassida updated the Council on the Dye Study. He has not had any additional contact with the
DMR on this issue since the last Council meeting. He asked Rod Regier to report on the progress
he has made in identifying possible independent peer reviewers. He also has preliminary figures on what
the cost structure may look like and has some conversations with DMR. Mr. Regier first explained that he
participated a few weeks ago when three outside reviewers were in Maine spending time in labs, on the
coast and on the clam flats. He is comfortable that people that have something to say will listen to them.
He is confident that the response to the State Legislature will be in within two months. It looks like an
honest process. He noted how important David Webster’s role has been to this matter.
He explained that regarding the Dye Study; he is hoping to receive the Council’s blessing to work with
Tim Bridges and DMR representatives to resolve the analytical problems in the data internally. If that
doesn’t happen, he asked the Council to formulate a RFQ for independent peer reviewers with
qualifications that are acceptable to DMR. He has spoken to people that have the expertise necessary and
estimates it will cost between $5,000-$8,000 for the pair of them. He has a rough outline, which needs to
be flushed out with the Town Manager and Council leadership and asked for Council consensus.
Discussion followed.
There was Council consensus to go with the first request. If Mr. Regier is successful, he won’t have to do
the second. Councilor Cassida is confident that an RFQ for independent peer reviewers can be drafted to
hit the target and is comfortable authorizing Mr. Regier, Mr. Olmstead and Council leadership to develop
the RFQ together. Before any money is spent, it will have to come back to the Council. Councilor White
would appreciate seeing the RFQ in his packet. Chair DeGrandpre noted that everybody will get a copy.
Councilor Cassida offered to place a call to the Deputy Commissioner tomorrow and will try to confirm a
meeting time for Mr. Regier. He will let Mr. Regier know what transpires.
School Consolidation update.
Councilor White provided an update to Councilors. They have had one meeting since the last update. This has become a complex process. There is a very structured process that they are following and they will be at it for some time. They held one public meeting and had 60-80 people in attendance and Superintendent Elaine Tomaszewski provided an overview of options available to Freeport. A second community gathering will be structured soon. They have formed a new Education Committee to examine the strengths, opportunities and threats that accompany consolidation. Discussion followed. Towns that currently have choice, will have choice in the new RSU. If the towns make a decision to not relinquish choice, that decision is protected. A workshop is going to be set up for school finance with the State Facilitator. An important piece is that the best plan for consolidation will be placed before the voters.
David Webster explained that Legislature leadership is sponsoring a new bill that will bundle all the proposals into one legislation. He has no sense of where choice is on the Legislature’s radar. He offered to download the e-mail from the Commissioner regarding tuition for sending a student out of the RSP. Councilor White noted that Durham is going to have a public meeting next week to discuss consolidation and school choice and determine where they are.
Councilor Cassida noted that the public will have a say in authorizing the School budget after the Council approves it. The Municipal budget will most likely have to be approved 30 days earlier, probably in April. Councilors shared their concerns. More discussion followed. Chair DeGrandpre mentioned that this is the most important decision we will make in our lifetimes.
Councilor Beaulieu feels that the committee is representing the citizens of Freeport and any concerns should be addressed to committee members. Chair DeGrandpre thanked Councilor White and Representative Webster for their input.
Report from Municipal Facilities Committee on the disposition of Tax Acquired Property. Councilor DeGrandpre mentioned that the Committee made some decisions at its last meeting. They decided to enter into a payment agreement with Caroline Faulkner and Mr. Olmstead indicated that this has been done.
On the Curtis property on South Street, the committee recommends the Town clear the title, purchase title insurance and hold onto the land. The building can be offered to anyone willing to pay the expense of moving it. If there are no takers, the house should be burned by the Fire Department. There is an outstanding $25,000 sewer bill on this property and this needs to be dealt with before clearing the title. Mr. Olmstead suggested taking the money from the sale of the Desert Road property. The family has chosen not to redeem the property. Councilor Cassida wanted some provision that if the property is sold, the money should be repaid.
MOVED AND SECONDED: To authorize the Town Manager to advertise the Curtis house to be donated for the cost of moving and authority to pay the outstanding sewer bill out of the Desert Road property sale. The money will be repaid in the event the property is sold in the future. (Beaulieu & Migliaccio) ROLL CALL VOTE: (7 Ayes)
Chair DeGrandpre is trying to schedule a meeting with Mr. Randall and his attorney to discuss the Cove
Road property. He is hoping to meet with them before the next Council meeting.
Informational Exchange
Mr. Olmstead passed out the usual paperwork for committee assignments and goals and asked everyone to review their information on Page 1 and make any changes. This information goes on the Town’s website. If anyone doesn’t want their phone number or e-mail address included, they should strike it out. Councilor Cassida indicated that a separate list of these numbers could be provided to fellow Councilors. He noted his phone number is shown incorrectly.
Chair DeGrandpre mentioned that he included last year’s goals to give everyone an idea what they were and perhaps get a grade. Mr. Olmstead explained that Councilors should provide their goals on this list and the Council leadership will adopt 3-5 from the 7 lists as Council goals and then the other goals will become individual goals. Councilor Migliaccio would like to set some time aside to review last year’s goals and see how the Council did. Chair DeGrandpre explained current appointments. He urged Councilors to call Mr. Olmstead or him if there are any questions. These need to be back by November 21.
Councilor Migliaccio mentioned the survey that should be in the mail to Freeport residents. Chair DeGrandpre mentioned that if anyone has not received one, they should notify the Town. It should be returned by November 20. Councilor Migliaccio urged residents to complete the survey and return it promptly. If anyone needs help, they can contact the Town Planner’s office. He also asked if a slide could be put on cable reminding residents to fill out their surveys.
MOVED AND SECONDED To adjourn at 9:15 p.m. (Beaulieu & White) VOTE: (7 Ayes)
Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon Coffin
Council Secretary
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