Town of Brooklin
Select Board Meetings
May 2010
APPROVED SELECTBOARD MINUTES
May 4, 2010
May 4, 2010
Gray and Freethey present.
The meeting was called to order at 5:10 PM.
Freethey discussed the preliminary kick off meeting he had just attended with the Hancock County Planning Commission, 2 School Board members, the school principal, and others regarding bike/pedestrian safe routes. There were several different funding possibilities including Safe Routes to School. Since this was a preliminary meeting, no action was taken, and it was mostly an informational meeting.
Freethey stated he had received a flyer from MMA regarding the elected officials workshop. The next session is in Machias in early May. He recommended to the prospective select board member, Mike Roy, who was present that he attend this session because it served as training for the Right to Know laws. It was noted the next session on Bangor was in October.
The process for the lottery for non resident peck licenses, and the registration and drawing for potential non-resident commercial licenses was discussed by Freethey, who oversaw the process with the Shellfish Committee earlier in the day. All other licenses went on sale at 2:00 PM this afternoon
Warrant: $ 10,468.50
Receipts: $ 4,607.10
Approved: May 11, 2010
Selectboard Minutes
May 11, 2010
Adopted at May 18, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting
May 11, 2010
Gray and Freethey present.
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM
The first item was a meeting of the Select board with the Veteran’s Memorial Committee. The discussion centered on the final agreement for the size of the plaque, the stone, and the flags and flagpoles. The memorial itself will be 3 feet high in front, 4 feet in the rear and 2 ½ feet deep, and 3 feet wide. The first step will be to procure the plaque, which will measure 30 inches by 12 inches. Once that has been done the plaque will be provided to the stone contractor. The flags are as follows: US flag 4' x 6' with a 25 foot pole. The state and MIA flags will be 3' x 5' with 20 foot poles.
The Selectboard voted 2-0 to approve the committee to purchase all materials flags and flag poles in order to construct the memorial.
The committee then reconvened at the front of the town office to pick the appropriate place for placement of the memorial. It was found that the most appropriate placement would require that the small maple tree, the tree nearest the town office on the North side of the driveway, will be cut down. This was brought to the Selectboard who voted 2-0 to approve cutting the trees.
There being no further business on the agenda, the Selectboard voted to adjourn at 4:50.
Warrant: $ 111,052.72
Receipts: $ 8,992.45
Selectman’s Meeting MINUTES
Approved June 1, Moved by Roy w/second by Eaton Vote 3-0 aye.
May 18, 2010, 2 p.m. at the Brooklin Town House, Brooklin Maine
Selectmen: Mike Roy, George Eaton, Albie Smith
Attendees at the 4:10 pm portion of the Agenda meeting: Jon Thomas, Weekly Packet; Jane Thomas; Marsha Eaton, Treasurer of Keeping Society; Tammy Andrews, Town Treasurer; GiGi Hardy, Town Clerk; Hendrick Gideonse; Lori Gallo; Mary Cummins; Neil Allen, Road Commissioner; Joyce Barr, Recording Secretary.
The meeting opened at 2 p.m. The three new members of the Select Board were sworn in by Town Clerk, Gigi Hardy. The floor was opened for nominations for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen; Albie Smith was elected Chairman. The Board then accepted the resignations of the previous Select Board. The meeting was adjourned until the Agenda Meeting at 4:10 PM.
During the Open Board hours: The Board met with Scott Tierney, Clam Warden discussing items not yet received from previous Clam Warden i.e. Badge, Binoculars and Camcorder.
Ron Fowle came in to discuss plans for the Veterans Memorial that will be placed in front of the Town Office. Plans are to move forward on construction this summer with dedication on Veterans Day.
Two property issues were discussed. Both individuals’ questions need to be discussed with Assessors to be resolved. Each person was advised the Board would get back to them with information.
At 4:10 p.m. the Chair called the Agenda portion of the Select Board’s meeting to order.
Item 1: Introduction of Recording Secretary: Joyce Barr will take Minutes of the Agenda portion of the Select Board meetings presently scheduled for every other week. The meetings will be recorded.
Item 2: Action on Minutes of last meeting(s) of Select board (Vote needed): The Chair read the Minutes for the May 11, 2010 meeting. Eaton moved and Roy seconded to accept the Minutes as read. Vote: 3-0 aye.
Item 3: Old Business:
A. Dow Property:
The Board will renew conversations with Wade and Forrest Dow and the attorneys on their gift of shore access at Bridges Point. Hopefully there will soon be a successful conclusion to the benefit of the town.B. Center Harbor – launching ramp and parking:
The Board intends to pick up this project once again and try to move it ahead to conclusion.C. Record Vault –Shelving and door lock: The Board will work with the Keeping Society on shelving needs for the Vault. Marsha Eaton asked for a key to the vault and was informed that the BKS now has a key. Gigi Hardy said the broken lock on the vault has now been fixed.
D. Establish date for Special Town Meeting (Vote required):
Roy moved and Eaton Seconded to set the date of Saturday, June 19th at 9 a.m. at the Brooklin School for the Special Town Meeting with a Vote 3-0 aye. Lori Gallo stated that Paul Gallo would not be available to be Moderator on that date. Hardy mentioned that David Tarr might be available. The Selectmen asked Hardy to call Tarr to request his services as Moderator. The Special Town Meeting is being held to discuss the few Articles that were passed over at the regular Town Meeting in April. Following the meeting the Selectmen will hold an Open Forum to discuss any items of interest to the Town.
Item 4: New Business:
A. Property Liens:
The Treasurer felt a letter should go to all taxpayers with liens giving info on the procedures that will be instituted unless arrangements are made for payment of their taxes. Selectmen will work with Andrews on the content of the letter at upcoming meetings.B. Old Town Office and Town Green needs:
Selectmen toured the property and agree the building is not in that bad shape but needs attention. The Board will identify the needed repairs and obtain quotes for repair. The Board will review and discuss options with the Town before taking action.C. Present Town Office needs:
Previous Boards addressed some issues; however upgrades and repairs are needed especially to the interior doors and bathroom which are not handicap accessible as required by the American Disabilities Act. It was also felt that with the new Veterans Memorial on the front lawn, the whole building and area should be improved.D. Future agenda meeting dates and Selectmen’s hours: Tuesday, May 25th is the next meeting. The plan is to have Agenda meetings at 4:10 p.m. every other week so the next agenda meeting will be on June 1st. Gideonse asked there be advance notice of the agenda. The hope is to have it in advance and post at Store, Post Office, Library, and possibly on the website. Smith said that the plan is to have the agenda meeting start on time and be a formal meeting. Other activities such as phone calls and non agenda items will be off limits during this portion of the meeting so the Selectmen can accomplish the agenda in a timely manner.
E. Warrant: Town Payroll Warrant: $5,680.61; Receipts: $18,173.03
F. Other: The Chair acknowledged a letter from Mike Roy resigning from the Zoning Board of Appeals because he is now elected as Selectman. The Board accepted his resignation asking for recommendations for his replacement on that Board. Roy suggested Lori Gallo. Roy moved and Eaton Seconded to appoint Lori Gallo to the Zoning Appeals Board for the term of three years. The Vote was 3-0 aye.
- Porta- Potties for the summer have been ordered. One will be at Naskeag and one at the General Store from Memorial Weekend until after Labor Day.
- The Board received a letter from the Planning Board asking to meet with the Board about Wind Turbine and Communications towers. The Selectmen agreed to meet with the Planning Board at a time most convenient to that Board.
- Sharon Freethey will do the regular cleaning of the offices with pay.
- Paving of Flye Point Road will continue this year. The current prices for this work by Lane were discussed. The Board was definite that the escalator price of $86.30 was the best deal as prices of oil/gas seem steady these days. This was the price used last year also. The work should be done before September. Selectmen will get a contract from them. When Road Commissioner Allen arrived he concurred with the decision of the Board on price choices.
- Lori Gallo asked if there is a Fourth of July committee. The Board said that Robin Sealander will head Memorial Day events and Mike Sealander will take care of the Fourth of July Celebrations. Fourth of July is on Sunday, so the town celebration will be on Saturday.
- Thomas asked about the Selectman’s Trio training yesterday. The whole staff was trained on the budgetary application, and they felt it went well. The potential of buying another computer was discussed but the Board felt money will be needed for more urgent updates of the building and that they can do without that expenditure at this time.
- Mary Cummins of School Travel Plan Project, is working on a grant for bicycle paths and would like to discuss this with Selectmen who suggested June 8th at 3pm.
Item 5: Adjournment:
Roy moved to adjourn at 4:58 p.m. and Eaton seconded with a Vote of 3-0, ayah.
Submitted by: Joyce Barr, Recording Secretary
Meeting of Selectmen
and the Brooklin Planning Board
Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 4:30 pm, Brooklin Town House, Brooklin, Maine
Present: Selectmen: Smith, Eaton and Roy; Bill Hanley, Chair of BPB; Richard Hero; Pip Wick; Tad Goodale of the Planning Board
Attendees: Hendrick Gideonse; Jon Thomas, Weekly Packet; Jane Thomas; Joyce Barr, Recording Secretary.
Selectman Chair, Albie Smith opened the meeting explaining it was called at the request of the Planning Board, by letter, to discuss several issues needing attention as well as getting the Selectmen up to date on the new Shoreland Zone map.
Item 1: Hanley explained that apparently the Town’s Book of Terms of Appointment cannot be located. He suggested that each member of the Planning Board be reappointed and sworn in so that things will be legally set and recorded in a new record book.
Item 2: There are 5 members and two Alternates. The question is which term the Alternate takes when moved into regular member status. Roy said to keep the term rotation steady, the Alternate takes on the term to be completed and the new Alternate then completes the original Alternate’s term.
Motion was made by Roy and seconded by Eaton to have the Planning Board re-appointed and sworn in by the Town Clerk to their terms that begin on May first of succeeding years as outlined in the BPB’s letter to the Selectmen. Vote: 3-0 aye. Thomas, of the Packet, asked the letter be made available to the Press.
Item 3: Hanley asked who would be the Selectman to attend the BPB meetings. Smith will be the liaison for the Selectmen.
Item 4: The Shoreland Zone ordinance has been made law by the Town Meeting. A new map has had to be drawn. The major change includes the Tributary Stream Zones. Hanley said that all affected property owners had been notified by letter; and hearings were held. The next step is for the town now to approve this new map prepared by the Hancock County Planning Commission to make it the official ordinance’s map. The Planning Board requested the next Special Town Meeting include the adoption of the map as a Warrant article. The necessary public hearings have already been held by the Planning Board. Smith said the Selectmen would let the Planning Board know shortly about inclusion of this Warrant article.
Item 5: Regulation of Wind Turbines and Communications towers: Hanley related the history of the issue as it has come to the attention of the Planning Board. Our CEO has worked with surrounding towns on this issue. The MMA has a template of an ordinance. Deer Isle, this week, opted to not do a moratorium and found there were three applications the next day. The CEO has advised that we have a moratorium and then develop the ordinance. Hanley said the town has two applicable ordinances that apply to these sites; but our Site Plan Review has no height regulation and no bond for the removal of the structure at the end of its useable life, etc.. Hanley feels that the moratorium route may be counterproductive. He suggested the direct route of creating the ordinance itself, following the State’s pattern for uniformity in the statute. Goodale asked could the BPB or selectman make the site plan review more restrictive. Judy Jenkins, our CEO, had said (earlier at Planning Board meetings) that she thought there needed to be a specific ordinance. Our Site Plan review has different categories of uses. Perhaps another category could be added; but if it needs to be an amendment or a stand-alone ordinance is the question. Hero said there was a Public Hearing here on this earlier this spring and no one showed up. The Board had its own discussion at that time; and the word ‘moratorium’ was the sensitive issue. Roy asked if there is any way to stop something right now. Hanley said that with every application there is a little give and take but if someone comes in and goes by the book, they may have a winning argument as there are some unregulated areas as stated above. The attempt is not to ‘prevent’ it but to create responsible parameters for the oversight of these structures.
Smith suggested the open forum after the meeting in June might be a good time to bring it up and get some town thoughts before proceeding. Hanley agreed and Eaton suggested a one page hand out to outline the issues; and that it point out that the moratorium and/or the suggestion of an Ordinance would not prohibit such structures but just regulate. Gideonse told of the problems on Vinalhaven with noise issues. Eaton asked if the generic moratorium ordinance had been reviewed by the Board. Hero had copies. They are patterned after surrounding towns’ moratoriums. The BPB has not yet reviewed the actual regulatory ordinance suggested by the MMA. Roy felt there should be a moratorium. Eaton thought the Selectmen should not make that decision on its own but put it to the townspeople June 19th as a discussion topic to get a sense of the course to take. Goodale said having a handout at this next Town Meeting would be very helpful. Smith said he was keeping an open mind until the June 19th meeting of the town. Hero felt that the creation of the ordinance should be by a committee that includes people of the town as well as the Selectmen and Planning Board. Hero also reminded the risk that should an application be submitted to the Planning Board, they would be obligated to consider it. Gideonse asked what happens if the town proposes a moratorium, yet has not voted on a moratorium. Hanley said that you cannot apply the law that has yet to be created. When an application has been submitted, it has to be acted upon. Thomas thought that copies of the moratorium had not been seen by all. ‘Moratorium’ ,as a word, is objectionable. Thomas asked what word can replace it. Hanley explained that compliance with the statutory language is necessary in such an ordinance. Selectmen will put the BPB request onto the Special Town Meeting Forum agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Submitted by Joyce Barr, Recording Secretary