Selectmen Meeting Minutes

Town of Mount Desert

Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held this date in the Meeting Room, Town Hall, Northeast Harbor, Maine.

Those present included:  Chairman John Macauley, Selectmen Brian Reilly, Matt Hart, and Martha Dudman, Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Treasurer Kathi Mahar, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Town Clerk Claire Woolfolk, Recording Secretary Heidi Smallidge, and members of the public. Selectman Shubert excused.

Chairman Macauley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

        There were no public hearings.

MOTION:  Selectman Hart moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to approve the Minutes as presented.  Motion approved 4-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Hart moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to approve the Minutes as presented.  Motion approved 3-0-1 (Reilly in Abstention).

The Board acknowledged Ben Jacobs’ receipt of the Maine “Roads Scholar” status and, realizing the time and training required, commended his effort and achievement.  

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to approve the appointment of Matt Lambert as a seasonal employee for the Public Works Department to provide services to the Sustainability Committee that include, but are not necessarily limited to, collecting street light data for them with an effective date of hire of June 20, 2016, ending on or before August 19, 2016 – a lump sum payment of $575 for wages and expenses to be paid from Street Lights – Technical Services (Account #1440600-54260) and to carry over sufficient funds to pay him through the summer.

Treasurer Mahar noted that funds would need to be carried over to pay the wages and expenses.  Selectman Dudman amended her motion to reflect that.  

Motion approved as amended 4-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with special thanks to the Summer Residents Association for their donation in support of the creation of an Economic Development Corporation for the Town of Mount Desert.  Motion approved 4-0.

Selectman Reilly asked about the status of the Otter Creek fire pond issue that had been discussed at the May 16 Meeting.  Town Manager Lunt had been waiting on findings regarding whether trout would affect the dredging.  Chairman Macauley noted an IF&W representative had mentioned the trout in the pond are a specific species, which would necessitate the same species being added to the pond.  

Selectman Reilly asked for a status report on the Munis situation and the hiring of consultants to look at the system.  Town Manager Lunt reported he had discussed with Munis the installation of the Human Resources component of the software this year.  Mr. Lunt noted he would like to have some more Munis components in place before he felt comfortable with providing a status report or recommendations on the system.  Mr. Lunt reported that financials and payroll are now in.  The revenue suites still needed to be added.  Mr. Lunt said Fall and Spring were the windows for installing new components, due to the Town’s schedule.  Treasurer Mahar asked about the hiring of consultants.  Mr. Lunt felt hiring consultants was premature at this point.  

Selectman Reilly reported that a resident asked about where the Otter Creek boat ramp was, and suggested putting up a sign.  It was noted kayaks and small boats could be launched from the site.  Selectman Dudman suggested a sign at the top of the hill.

Selectman Dudman inquired about Selectman Shubert’s absence.  Chairman Macauley reported that he had talked with Mr. Shubert who reported he was out for two weeks.  Additionally he is considering his increased winter work schedule and how it will affect his role with the Board of Selectmen.  Chairman Macauley suggested resuming the discussion once Selectman Shubert returns.

Selectman Dudman reported that a resident asked about the tennis courts at the harbor and noted the surfaces needed to be cleaned.  Public Works Director Smith planned to try cleaning the surfaces.  He mentioned the possibility that too much water could take the surface color out.

Chairman Macauley brought up the Oyster Farm near the airport in Trenton.  He asked if the Board had heard any concerns about its progress.  Discussion ensued.  Chairman Macauley noted the cormorants sit on cages that float on the water and feed off the cleanings.  This causes a possible hazard for air traffic due to the proximity of the airport.  Chairman Macauley thought there was a general rule against facilities that enhance bird density within two nautical miles of an airport.  Town Manager Lunt felt all the due diligence the Town could do has been done.  

Public Works Director Smith noted the Town Attorney has reviewed the joinder agreement and had no comments.  He is requesting the Board of Selectmen sign the document entitled “Town of Mount Desert Meeting of Board of Selectmen” which in turn will appoint the Town Manager to sign the joinder agreement.  

Selectman Reilly asked whether there was any concern regarding meeting requirements during the 15-year agreement term.  Director Smith reported there was a reserve fund to cover shortfalls.  However Mr. Smith did not anticipate shortfalls.  

Selectman Dudman inquired about the Town’s options should they feel they need to exit the agreement or if Fiberight defaults.  Director Smith noted that in the event of default, Fiberight will pay costs, and the towns will work together to find an alternative.  

Selectman Reilly asked what would happen if a town brought hazardous waste to the system, perhaps causing a Superfund site.  Director Smith noted it would have to be a substantial amount of hazardous waste to create a Superfund site.  However any unacceptable waste found, Fiberight would try to track down the perpetrator to share any penalties.  Director Smith noted the Town is contracting with the MRC who contracts with Fiberight, so there is a level of protection.    

Selectman Hart asked how close the town was to the estimated tonnage.  Director Smith noted the Town was in line with the estimates.

MOTION:  Selectman Reilly moved, with Selectman Dudman to sign the Document entitled “Town of Mount Desert Meeting of Board of Selectmen” and associated documents and to appoint Town Manager Lunt to sign the joinder agreement with the MRC.  Motion approved 4-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to confirm the rate of pay for Zachary Allen and Christopher Johannsen as Part-time Dispatchers and Part-time Patrol Officers at $16.00 per hour. Motion approved 4-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Reilly moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to confirm the rate of pay for the Appointment made by the Town Clerk of Ninette Ferm as Warden at $12.00 per hour.  Motion approved 4-0

MOTION:  Selectman Reilly moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to confirm the rate of pay for the Appointment made by the Town Clerk of Barbara Dickson as Deputy Registrar at $11.00 per hour.  Motion approved 4-0.

It was noted the signs would go on already existing posts.  

MOTION:  Selectman Reilly moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to approve the Colonels Restaurant signage request.  Motion approved 4-0.

Town Manager Lunt reported the current server is several years old.  Treasurer Mahar noted the Town’s IT administrator affirmed the current server was unable to keep up with the capacity, and could impede connectivity between the various offices within the Town.  It was noted the purchase price was within the purchasing policy amounts.  

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to authorize the replacement of the Town’s Network Server, taking the amount of $7,500.00 from Finance CIP#4020500-24206.  Motion approved 4-0.

The Farmer’s Market sent in an application for Public Space Special Event to hold the market weekly on Thursday mornings from June 30 through September 1, 2016.  Selectman Hart pointed out the application had not been sent with the 30-day lead-time required by the Town.  

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to approve the request, with a reminder that event requests must be in 60 days prior to a major event and 30 days prior a minor event; otherwise the organization runs the risk that the dates requested may be reserved by another group.  Motion approved 4-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Hart moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to approve and sign Treasurer’s Warrant AP1681 in the amount of $341,877.83, approve signed Treasurer’s Payroll, State Fees, & PR Benefit Warrants AP1679, AP1680, PR1650, and PR1651 in the amount(s) of $21,404.31, $2,800.00, $46,678.02, and $41,853.20, respectively, and acknowledge Treasurer’s School Board AP/Payroll Warrant(s) 26 in the amount of $108,871.92.  Motion approved 4-0.

None Scheduled.

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Reilly seconding, to adjourn the meeting.  Motion approved 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:05.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew J. Hart, Secretary