Town of Brooklin
Select Board Meetings
March/April 2009

Approved Minutes -------March 3, 2009

(Approved March 17, 2009)
Present: Gray & Grant
Sam Friend

No minutes were read.

Hendrik Gideonse brought in a letter to the Board expressing his interest and the interest of other tax payers from the Old County Road as to the work being done on this road. He requested this concern be added to our next agenda meeting so an open discussion can be held.

Jerry Poole came in to discuss the boundary lines of his property. Jerry Gray recommended he talk with the CEO when she is in Brooklin on Thursdays.

30 Day Notices for Tax Liens have been mailed out certified mail with return receipt requested. The cost of mailing these notices is over $960.00.

A petition was presented to the Select Board from Sharon Freethey to place an article in the town warrant changing the term of office from 1 year to 3 years for the Tax Collector, Treasurer and Clerk. The petition has 66 signatures of registered voters.

Meeting adjourned at 6 PM
Warrant #35: $204,856.81
Receipts: $40,919.58

Approved Minutes -------March 10, 2009

(Approved on March 17, 2009)

Present: Gray, Grant and Smith, David & Susan Rielley, Hendrik Gideonse, Richard Freethey, Rich & Cherly Boulet, Keith & Amee Claybaugh, Virginia Budish, Tim Gott, Sam Friend.

Sam Friend, Fire Chief, came in to discuss creating a Policy and Procedure Manual for Tuition Reimbursement and Loan Program for members of the Fire Dept. who wish to be trained as a Basic Emergency Medical Tech or First Responder. Sam also explained the Fire Dept. has established an “Executive Board” with the following members: Tom Morris, Chairman, Paul Gallo, Rob Shillady, Peter Gray, Mike Schneider, & Ed Holden. This board will meet the 1st Monday of each month. Sam has certainly put some time into our Fire Department, making improvements, documenting and meeting standards that are required for volunteer fire departments.

Polling hours were voted on by the select board for the upcoming town meeting. Voting will be at the Fire Station from 2 pm to 8 pm. Voted in favor 3-0. Voting for elective officers will be on Friday, April 3rd.

The Tax Collector and Town Clerk requested copies of the auditor’s comments after he had completed the auditing of the town records. Each received a copy along with the Treasurer.

Moose Permits Applications will be available with the town clerk this year. The state will not be mailing them out to save some costs.

Reconstruction on Old County Road was discussed by the board and residents on this road. Hendrik Gideonse commented that the “road was great” compared to a week ago. All his concerns in a letter to the board ( 4 major concerns) had been fixed. The ditching had been done, culverts were in, and materials used for making improvements to this section of road was very good material. These improvements are no expense to the town. The expense is being paid for by the company installing the cell tower on the Old County Road on land owner by Eric Allen, Tim Gott, the road contractor, explained what had been done so far to make this improvements and what the end results would be to finish up the road improvements when his job is done. The residents were not unhappy with the construction of this road. They were unhappy not to have been notified of the road improvements that were going to take place, of the extra traffic on the road, was the road going to be opened all the way to High Street, and they did not want the Old Country Road to be a thruway. The Planning Board granted permission for the cell tower construction and the select board had been notified of its’ construction. NO ONE gave a thought of notifying the residents. An error created by both boards. The board certainly appreciated the residents on Old County Road bringing their concerns and questions to the board. We are not always aware of an issue if no one brings it to our attention. Thank you very much.

It was also discussed on improvements to the first section of the Old County Road to prevent mud holes and large ice spots in the future. The school bus got stuck this winter and could there be some crushed rock laid on the road to mix with the gravel to make a stronger base for the road. This will be discussed with the road commissioner.

It was voted by the board (3-0) to proclaim May 1st, 2009 as the Town of Brooklin Silver Star Banner Day. Silver Star families of America want to honor our wounded military veterans by showing appreciation for their sacrifices. Over the last couple of years, this was done on a small scale as a day remembering the wounded and ill of our Armed Forces. The not for profit 501c3 organization supports and recognized the wounded and ill veterans. Following May 1st, the proclamations will be donated to the Stars and Stripes Museum where the original Silver Star Flag is on display for all to see. A copy of this proclamation is on file at the town office signed by the three select board.

The select board voted to approve and signed the town warrant at 2:30 pm and given to the town clerk to attest. The clerk returned the warrant to Grant as she walked by her desk explaining there were a couple of questions marked in red and were the select board members aware this warrant had to have public notice of signing the warrant. The clerk did not attest the warrant.

The Tax Collector wanted to know where the dollar amount collected from Auto Excise came from on a report the State of Maine was questioning. Gray asked the tax collector to get better information from the State so we could investigate this problem.

Meeting adjourned at 6 PM
Warrant #36: $6,482.89
Receipts: $46,497.65

March 17th, 2009

Present: Gray and Smith
Grant out of Town, Wade Dow, Rob Clapp

Wade Dow and Rob Clapp were in the office to discuss various issues of insurance on the shore property Wade & Forest Dow would like to give the town of Brooklin. The Town Attorney had questions on the liability insurance covering this property and a letter was faxed to the attorney from The Grindle Agency. Jerry will request the Town Attorney to draft a lease agreement between the Town and the Dow’s for review.

Sharon Freethey and Jerry discovered the assessor had made an error in reporting the excise taxes received by the Town on the Municipal Valuation report for the 07-08 year. The assessor did not report the full amount rec’d for the year. The select board will double check any reports for accuracy in the future.

Some individuals requested their properties be combined into one property to receive one tax bill rather than 2 or more.

Meeting adjourned at 6 PM

Warrant #37: $83,758.15
Receipts: $39,479.72

March 24th, 2009

 

Present: Gray, Grant & Smith,
Gigi Hardy, Sharon Freethey, Tammy Andrews

A staff meeting was held for a few minutes to go over recent items and to be ready for the town meeting coming right up. Some items on the Town Warrant were flagged by the Clerk and they needed to be explained and edited. The clerk could not open the Town Warrant file from word perfect and neither could the printer for the town report. Grant will transfer the warrant from Word Perfert into Microsoft Word for future use. There are 3 ordinances that need to be posted with the Town Warrant this year. (1) Shellfish Ordinance (2) Naskeag Parking Ordinance (3) Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. The date set to vote on the school budget (after town meeting) is April 10th and the Clerk approved of this date set by the Supt. of Schools.

Tax collector attended a Tax Lien Seminar last Thursday, April 19th which she attends every other year. The seminar goes over changes and updates in the law for processing tax liens. Jerry Gray and Neil Allen attended a Paving Seminar in Ellsworth. Gray said it was very informative and felt like the price of asphalt will follow gas prices.

Shelving is needed in the Fire Proof Vault. Gigi needs some locked files for her records and she will look at shelving and locked cabinets and get back to the board. The treasurer and select board agreed to work on improving the bookkeeping systems and try to end up with one set of books for the auditor.

The board voted 3-0 to certify the language of the proposed ordinances with changes and give to the Clerk to post with the Town Warrant.

Two abatements were approved (3-0) by the board to be issued for (1) Rae Jesseman 2006 $18.52 (2) Wm. & Gertrude Hinckley 1996 $9.38

Meeting Adjourned at 6 PM
Warrant #38: $4,727.16 Receipts: $53,441.56

PUBLIC MEETING AT 6:30 PM to review the changes to three (3) town ordinances that will be voted on at Town Meeting.

Present: David Tarr, Chairman of Shellfish Conservation Comm., Christ Pitman, Clam Warden Ron & Mary Fowle, Deborah Lothrop, Cecil Holden, Wes Flye, Joyce Barr, Jim Morse, Tom Hardy, Packet Report, Ben.

Ron & Mary Fowle were unhappy that the cove across from their house had been closed by the Shellfish Conservation Committee and they were not notified of the closing. The Ordinance specifies an area to be closed for conservation each year, and Wells Cove was chosen by the committee. Ron would like to see the members on the shellfish committee be elected rather than appointed and he would like to have two people certified as a Warden rather than one. David Tarr, Chairman, agreed with Ron and it is something the Shellfish Committee have been discussing.

Naskeag Parking Ordinance was tabled. Some changes need to be made and researched and these cannot be done in time for Town Meeting. This article in the Town Warrant will not be acted on. There were no questions on the changes for the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance.

Meeting adjourned at 7PM

MARCH 31, 2009 (Approved April 7, 2009)

Present: Gray, Grant and Smith

Minutes were read and approved. Voted to accept with changes (3-0).

Neil Allen had done work on the Old County Road for the new cell tower and his hours were to be billed to Doug Gott for reimbursement. It was moved and seconded and approved (voted 3-0) to bill Mr. Gott $4053.00. Jerry made up an invoice and it will go out in today’s mail.

A final bill from Ray’s Plumbing & Heating was received for work done on the climate control unit for the fire proof Vault. The balance due on this contract was $592.47 and it was voted 3-0 to pay.

It was voted 3-0 to adopt the General Assistance Ordinance Appendix B for changes in food maximum amounts for guidelines with GA. The board adopted the MMA Model ordinance GA Appendix (B) for the period of April 1, 2009 to Sept 1, 2009. The appendix will be filed with the Dept of Health & Human Services in compliance with Title 22 MRSA 4305(4).

It was voted and approved (3-0) to issue a Concealed Weapon Permit.

Received $10,000.00 from the Brooklin Keeping Society for the balance needed to finish the fire proof vault. The Board would like to express their appreciation again to the Keeper’s for supporting this project.

The board voted 3-0 to approve the allocation and price of clam licenses for the coming year. These licenses will be available to buy the first Tuesday in May. The board filled out the Annual Allocation Report for the Dept. of Marine Resources and mailed the report to Hannah Annis as she had requested.

A huge THANK YOU was given to Albie Smith for working with the board this past year. This was his last Tuesday as an active selectboard member. He gave a lot, we learned a lot, and there is no doubt how much Albie cares about his Town.

Meeting adjourned at 6 PM
Warrant #39: $43,654.03
Receipts: $30,045.15

April 7, 2009

(Approved on April 14, 2009)

Present: Gray, Grant and Freethey Welcome!! To Richard Freethey as the new Select Board Member on his first day in the Town Office.

Minutes were read and approved from the March 31st meeting. (Voted 3-0)

Gray reviews some of the articles from the annual Town Meeting that need attention from the Select Board:

Contact MMA on Article M3

Appoint a committee for M6

Set up dates for staggered terms M10

Increase budget for M13 ($39,000 + $1525)

S/be Road Equip Reserve Account

List number of years and balance due for M24

Call MMA – can we remove M27

Clean up overgrown bushes M38

M40 – town wishes the board to move forward On the Center Harbor Landing & to check on Available grants for this

A bus schedule for M49. Some one is bringing this into the office.

Gray will set up a meeting with the Town Attorney to discuss the gift of the Dow Property and to discuss Center Harbor Landing. Jerry will try to schedule an appointment with the Attorney to come to Brooklin on Wednesday, April 15th.

Chris Pitman, Clam Warden, is taking the Shellfish Warden Certification Course on April 7th, 8th and 9th. Chris stopped by the office to encourage the Select Board to approve the “Landlord’s Affidavit” from the Shellfish Conservation Committee. The board voted (3-0) to adopt this “Landlord’s Affidavit”. Chris will give a copy to the Town Clerk.

Rich Freethey will draft up a purpose statement for the Committee who will be appointed by the Board to review the flow of work at the Town Office. This was Article M6 in the warrant. Rich will also draft a purpose statement for Article M8 to form a committee to draw up a plan for a Veterans Memorial.

Gray will ask Paul Gallo to look over the lighting fixtures in the back room that will be used by the Keepers again. Susan Noessel asked about some bulks missing and how to get them fixed. Gallo will be asked to give the board a quote to fix or improve the lights.

The board went into Executive Session at 5:40 PM to discuss confidential records.

Out of Executive Session at 5:45 PM. The board voted 3-0 to approve $115.66 for a poverty abatement.

April 10th will be the school budget Validation Referendum town meeting to approve the school budget adopted at Town Meeting on April 4, 2009. This meeting will be at the Fire Station at 2 PM.

On April 21st there will be a Public Hearing on the Parking & Public Land Use Ordinance for Naskeag Point and other town properties at the town office at 6 PM. A notice will be in the Weekly Packet.

Meeting adjourned at 6 PM
Warrant #43 $ 30,512.20
Receipts: $44,230.08

April 14, 2009

(Approved on April 21, 2009)

Present: Gray, Grant and Freethey

Julie Wang was present and presented the board with a drawing of a Master Landscape Plan as a guide in creating and maintaining a beautiful village center as part of the Brooklin Beautification Project. She had a letter of intent to be sent prior to an application for grant money which outlined a 5 step / 5 year development plan to be in line with the governor’s Quality of Place Initiative program. It was an excellent landscape plan and the select board was very impressed. Thanks Julie, to you and to all the other group of local residents who helped accomplish this layout.

The proposed Shoreland Zoning Ordinance and the Shellfish Conservation Ordinance that was approved at Town Meeting, were signed and given to the clerk to certify and send to the State.

Chris Pitman and the select board were discussing duties of a town constable and further researching will be done.

The Board renewed a conceal weapon permit and received an application for a new conceal weapon permit. This new application was reviewed and the board voted (3-0) to approve the permit. The applicant will return next week for our decision.

MINUTES were read and approved from the meeting of April 7th, 2009 with some changes. Voted 3-0.

Reviewed the lease agreement drawn up by the town attorney for the gift of the Dow Property. One selectman will meet with the town attorney and the Dow’s on Wednesday, April 15th.

Rich Freethey drafted two project charters as purpose statements for the Town Office Operations Committee and for the Veteran’s Memorial Committee. Will be reviewed again next week.

Meeting adjourned at 6 PM
Warrant #41: $114,359.58 Receipts: $37,521.25

April 21, 2009

(Approved on April 28, 2009)

Present: Gray, Grant and Freethey

MINUTES were read and approved from the meeting of April 14th. Voted 3-0 to accept.

Jerry Poole came in to see the board about a speeding issue on his road. He asked if speed bumps could be used. This issue was discussed with the road commissioner and he will contact Jerry Poole.

Two renewals for gun permits were issued.

Two town reports were sent to Fogler Library at University of Maine as requested.

Gray discussed his meeting with the town attorney, Patterson, and the Dow’s here at the town office on April 15th. It was approximately a 2 ½ hour meeting and Patterson is redrafting another lease agreement to be reviewed. Center Harbor Landing was discussed and Patterson recommended the board pursue getting the abutters on the roadway to sign the deeds needed as access to the landing. Some abutters have signed deeds and some have not. Next meeting with the Dow’s will be publicized and all three select board members will be present.

On April 16th, the assessor worked on deed work and other property changes and will be returning on May 14th.

The “Town of Brooklin Parking and Public Land Use Ordinace” was given to the town attorney to review and make recommendations. There will be future public meetings for this ordinace.

The board signed a permit application for power line poles to be installed leading to the cell tower property on the Old County Road.

Bill Hanley was in the office to discuss term of office for the planning board members. Who was the next member up for appointment, etc.

The Brooklin Keeping Society has requested a meeting with the select board for next week and anytime would be find with the select board.

Rich Freethey will contact the members to be appointed to the “Town Office Operations Improvement Committee” and set up a date to meet with these members. Residents to be appointed to this committee are Lori Gallo, Lauren Allen, Judith Fuller, Frank Bianco, Sr., Jim Cummins and Ron Fowle.

Sam Friend, Fire Chief, came in with copies of new guidelines that had been voted and adopted by the fire department members on April 7th, ‘09 monthly meeting for the following:

A) Standard Operating Guidelines – Traffic

B) Standard Operating Guidelines – Minimum Officer Qualifications

Copies of these guidelines are available at the town office or from the fire department.

Meeting adjourned at 6 PM
Warrant #42: $52,699.83
Receipts: $18,246.31

6 PM PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED PARKING ORDINANCE

Present: Gray, Grant & Freethey
Paula Dougherty, Peter Sly, Richard Hero, Jon Thomas for Penobscot Bay Press and his wife.

General discussion was held on the proposed ordinance and managing dog waste on town owned public property. Who would enforce this ordinance? Peter Sly had drafted a similar ordinance which he felt was more in line with the needs of Brooklin and no as lengthy as the ordinance we were reviewing. Chris Pitman volunteered to draft an ordinance for the parking and dog waste problems with the idea in mind, he may be the person to enforce this ordinance. All ideas are welcome and the need for this type of ordinance is certainly evident and more public hearings will be held for all opinions to be heard.

Public Hearing was over at 7 PM