Selectmen Meeting Minutes

Town of Mount Desert

Board of Selectmen

Agenda

Selectman present were Chairman John Macauley, Selectmen Dennis Shubert, Brian Reilly, Matt Hart, and Martha Dudman.

Harbormaster John Lemoine, Public Works Director Tony Smith, Assessor Kyle Avila, CEO Kimberly Keene, Officer Kevin Edgecomb, Town Clerk Claire Woolfolk, Treasurer Kathy Mahar, Police Chief Jim Willis, Officer Dave Kerns, and Town Manager Durlin Lunt were in attendance.  Members of the public were also in attendance.

        

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to go into Executive Session.  Motion approved 5-0.  

The Board entered Executive Session at 6:03 pm.

MOTION:  Selectman Reilly moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to leave Executive Session.  Motion approved 5-0.

The Board ended their Executive Session at 6:45 pm.

Chairman Macauley reconvened the regular meeting at 6:49pm.  

MOTION:  Selectman Hart moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to approve the Minutes as presented.  Motion approved 3-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Shubert moved, with Selectman Reilly seconding, to approve the Minutes as presented.  Motion approved 3-0-2, Macauley and Dudman abstained.

MOTION:  Selectman Shubert moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to confirm the appointment of Claire Woolfolk as Registrar of Voters effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.  Motion approved 5-0.

V.      Consent Agenda (These items are considered routine, and therefore, may be passed by the Selectmen in one blanket motion.  Board members may remove any item for discussion by requesting such action prior to consideration of that portion of the agenda.)

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Reilly seconding, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  Motion approved 5-0.

Chairman Macauley thanked the Public Works Department for the new basketball hoop in Otter Creek.

Selectman Reilly asked whether anything had come from the economic development discussions that occurred during the cruise ship discussions.  Boardmembers reported they had not been approached.  Selectman Hart stated the Economic Development group reached out people interested in the issue, however there has been no official response.  It was hoped there would be outreach after the holidays.

Selectman Hart thanked the Police and Fire Departments for assisting with a recent locked door incident at the Neighborhood House.  

Todd Richardson of Richardson Associates presented the proposed Village Center Plan to the Board.  Discussion ensued regarding the plan.  

Mr. Richardson gave an overview of the process:  it consisted of working internally with Town employees and the Northeast Harbor Village Center Plan Committee.  The work was predicated on outreach, surveys, and information gathering from the community.  Two public meetings were held as well.  Included in the report is a site inventory analysis and a series of maps that look at pedestrian infrastructure/circulation and vehicular infrastructure/circulation, views and character, parking analysis, and building space and use.  Suggestions for the village include both public areas and areas owned privately, however this should not be presumed that agreements with private owners have been discussed or reached.  The plan includes economic, engineering, and site and landscaping recommendations.  

The prioritized plan presented includes the following phases:

Priority One A – Main St. corridor

Priority One B – Summit St. connector and Neighborhood Road

Priority One C – Connectors

Priority Two – Sea Street and east

Priority Three – Tracy Road changes

        Some, but not all, of the improvements presented include:

Cost projections were included in the plan.  It was estimated that the work for all the priorities would total approximately three million.  The cost estimates were broken out into engineering costs, infrastructure costs, and landscape and site improvements.  

Previous studies have indicated that parking capacity is not a problem for the Town.  The plan itself did not focus on detailed parking analysis.  The proposed plans will result in a re-distribution of parking already in place.  There is no pressure at this time to replace the sewer mains or water lines in the areas of focus.  Selectman Shubert voiced support of the plan.  He wondered about the economic demand for the changes.  

Business owner Sam Shaw stated the need for attracting and keeping the summer community interested in the Town of Mount Desert.  If the Town does not meet the needs of this community, there is no certainty they will remain.  This plan addresses deficiencies on Main St.  The Town should be improving itself to maintain the visitors we receive.  There are no additional spaces for new businesses.  Infilling the buildings destroyed in the fires would add areas for growth.  Additional businesses would result in more stability for Mount Desert.  Mr. Shaw voiced support for the plan in its entirety.  He felt the improvements were logical and would fit the Town as it currently stands.  If residents show pride in the Town it sends a message that will encourage more growth.  He pointed out the fire was a number of years ago, yet most of the buildings destroyed have never been rebuilt.

Public Works Director Smith noted that part of the rationale for phasing was cost.  The town is asking for $274k to begin the design for Option One A.  Director Smith felt this was a high-range estimate.  Selectman Reilly voiced his support for the plan. He cautioned the Town settling with feeling the first priority was enough; the other phases were just as important.  The additional phases expand the Town center and improve the access and connection to the harbor.  

Discussion of the island near Neighborhood House ensued.  It was Mr. Richardson’s belief that moving the center island to the side would create green space that is more attractive than the space currently sitting in the middle of the traffic flow.

Selectman Dudman voiced her support for the project.  She pointed out the village will be more attractive to the summer residents; however, it will also be an improvement for those year-round residents as well.  

MOTION:  Selectman Shubert moved, with Selectman Reilly seconding, to authorize the Small Animal Clinic Contract for 2017.  Motion approved 5-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Shubert moved that the issue of Private Use of Public Space be discussed next on the Agenda.  Selectman Reilly seconded the Motion.  Motion approved 5-0.

A review was made of the 2017/18 FY Budget.  Town Manager Lunt presented an analysis.  

Selectman Dudman asked for clarification with regard to position and salary levels.  Town Manager Lunt noted that with various changes to the hierarchy and review structures in the past, the salary levels are not organized well.  He was in the process of making the salary levels more uniform.  When a new employee is hired at a certain level, the Town can expect a certain predictable pay level.

Cost levels for all departments, with the exception of the school, are a 2% rise over last year.  

Economic Development was currently under the Operational Budget, however it could be moved if the Board so desired.  

The Broadband Consultant is budgeted at $40,000.00.  And design of the Main Street improvements as presented are included in the budget as well.  A placeholder of $72,000.00 for a consultant is included.  This is more than double last year’s consultant budget.  Selectman Dudman noted there is a meeting to discuss this next week.  

Selectman Shubert hoped to receive an overview at budget time.  He wondered about the cost of broadband.  Town Manager Lunt hoped to put a figure in once a price is better determined.  A warrant article would be written for the broadband.  

Selectman Hart suggested considering bonding further phases of the village improvement.  Public Works Director cautioned keeping the phases separated, with the understood intent of not allowing the progress to stall.  Discussion regarding layering the designing and building of phases, as opposed to keeping each phase completely separate of the others ensued.  

Public Works Director Smith noted that so far, the consultants for the Village Center plans were within the budget for the work they’d done so far.

 

A review was made of the 2017/18 FY Budget.

Town Manager Lunt noted the adjustment made to the Worker’s Compensation line item was due to a simple raise in the estimate.  

Selectman Reilly asked about the rise in credit card fees.  Harbormaster Lemoine noted credit card usage is rising and the Town is charged for each time a card is used.  

Legal fees are up due to marine ordinance revision.  

Chief Willis submitted a goals report.  All goals from the last agreement were met.  He’s met with Bar Harbor Councilors as well.  Chief Willis suggested more clearly stating the ultimate goals and intent of this agreement.  He noted Officers Dave Kerns of Bar Harbor and Kevin Edgecomb of Mount Desert were present at the meeting.  They run much of the day to day operations in the Towns, while Chief Willis focuses on policy and paperwork.

Officers Kerns and Edgecomb reported on how the sharing agreement was working.  Both agreed the system works well.  Keeping the two Town’s operations separate is a lot of work.  It was noted all employees have been supportive of the sharing agreement.

Selectman Dudman asked why the recommendation was for another two years.  It was felt by the Bar Harbor Council that the system was working, and perhaps did not need to be reviewed yearly.  Selectman Shubert voiced his support for co-branding.  Dual Town decals on the police cars are a good example.  Chief Willis noted that currently the two departments try to keep the different cruisers in their own town, although police officers from both Towns may be on duty anywhere between the two.  The uniforms from the two Towns look very similar.  

Selectman Shubert asked if the funds were available to complete the issues noted in Chief Willis’ report.  Discussion ensued regarding dispatch, an upgrade in the radio system, and crime reporting systems and records management.

Additionally, Chief Willis cautioned the Board that the system needs to work beyond Chief Willis’ tenure as chief.  

MOTION:  Selectman Shubert moved, with Selectman Hart seconding, to approve the Police Chief Sharing Agreement with Bar Harbor as presented.  Motion approved 5-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Reilly seconding, to accept the OUI Grant Award of $10,347.64 ($,278.11 of Federal Funds and $2,069.53 local in-kind match) and approval to expend funds.  Motion approved 5-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Dudman moved, with Selectman Reilly seconding, approval to expend approximately $4,500.00 from the PD Capital Reserve account #4040100-24405 for the purchase of a Laptop Computer for the new cruiser.  Motion approved 5-0.

Private Use of Public Space:  Public Works Director Smith explained that resident Chris Busco has taken a job elsewhere and needs to pack and move quickly.  He has requested permission for a 9-foot by 7-foot by 4-foot container in a parking spot at the VIS parking near the bank.  The container would be gone by January 4 or 5.  

MOTION:  Selectman Shubert moved, with Selectman Dudman seconding, to approve the request for temporary use of public space for a private use as designated by Chris Busco, to be vacated on January 6, 2017 at the latest.  Motion approved 5-0.

Chairman Macauley inquired about the progress of the audit.  Town Manager Lunt stated the audit started that day.   Treasurer Mahar estimated it could be ready for review as early as the first week in February.

MOTION:  Selectman Hart moved, with Selectman Shubert seconding, to approve & Sign Treasurer’s Warrant AP1735 in the amount of $320,644.07, approve Signed Treasurer’s Payroll, State Fees, & PR Benefit Warrants AP1733, AP1734, and PR1715 in the amounts of $3,610.75, $61,268.21, and $88,458.23, respectively, acknowledge Treasurer’s School Board AP/Payroll Warrants 8 and 12 in the amounts of $35,850.56 and $65,675.45, respectively.  Motion approved 5-0.

MOTION:  Selectman Hart moved, with Selectman Shubert seconding, to adjourn the meeting.  Motion approved 5-0.  

        The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 PM.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in the Meeting Room, Town Hall, Northeast Harbor

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew J. Hart, Secretary