Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Room January 24, 2006
6:00 P.M.
Board Members Present:
Robert F. Woodward, Chairman; Earl M. Cash, Sr., Vice-Chairman; Arthur D. Triglione, Sr.; Robert J. McHatton, Sr.; Robert C. Bell
1. Call to Order
The Board of Selectmen’s Meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Robert F. Woodward, Chairman of the Board.
2. Approval of Minutes – January 10, 2006 and January 23, 2006
Motion made by Mr. Triglione for approval of the minutes of January 10, 2006 and January 23, 2006; 2nd from Mr. Cash. 5 approve/0 oppose
3. Public Participation
Bernie King, President of the Bridgton Federation of Public Employees, read the following aloud:
Chairman Woodward replied that he talked with the two veteran police officers that recently resigned and both confirmed that the major part of their resignation was due to non-rotating shifts. The statements made at the last Board meeting were not intended to offend the union in any way. Chairman Woodward thanked Mr. King for his comments.
Daniel Nowell said that the other two police officers that recently left the department were not asked why. He added that he dedicated seventeen years of service to the Town of Bridgton (Public Works Department) and when he was pulled from the Police Academy, the Board made no inquiries of him. Chairman Woodward replied that it is not the Boards position to deal with personnel issues; that issue was handled by the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
4. Personnel Coverage
Chairman Woodward reported that Town Manager Ronnie Belanger is in the intensive care unit at Maine Medical Center. He is in stable condition and the town is looking forward to communication with him. Any cards and thoughts for Mr. Belanger would be appreciated and should be sent to the Town Office, 3 Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, ME 04009.
The Board held a meeting on Monday, January 23, 2005 and voted unanimously to appoint the following: Interim Treasurer: Laurie L. Chadbourne; Interim Deputy Treasurer: Patti A. Meehan; Interim Tax Collector: Laurie L. Chadbourne; Interim Deputy Tax Collector: Patti A. Meehan; Interim Acting Town Manager: Georgiann M. Fleck; Interim Road Commissioner: Jim Kidder. The Board will be meeting on a more regular basis to handle policy concerns and other administration concerns. A bookkeeper will be hired to fill the vacancy. Chairman Woodward thanked the department heads and employees for pulling together during this transitional time.
5. Financial
a. Town Budget Schedule
The Board received the 2006 Budget and ATM Schedule for their review.
b. School Budget Schedule
The Board received the 2006 School Budget Schedule for their review.
c. Donation in lieu of taxes
Motion made by Mr. Cash to accept the $800.00 donation in lieu of taxes from the Masons Oriental Lodge; 2nd from Mr. Triglione.
5 approve/0 oppose
6. Municipal Recycling Speakers
a. Hank Tyler, State Planning Office
Hank Tyler from the State Planning Office provided the Board with information regarding recycling. He said that Bridgton has a good program and the Transfer Station currently runs very efficiently. Discussion ensued.
b. Patrick Corcoran, Corcoran Environmental
Patrick Corcoran from Corcoran Environmental has a contract with the Town to transport demolition, wood and municipal solid waste to Regional Waste Systems. He said that if the town chooses to implement single stream recycling, the transportation costs would be significant and would not be offset by the revenue. Discussion ensued.
7. Unfinished Business
a. Timber Harvesting – Clarification of Parcels
The timber harvesters will be sent maps and acreage amounts for their review. The Board tabled this item until their next meeting.
b. Public Easement Update
Rob Baker, Code Enforcement Officer, contacted the town’s attorney for a legal opinion on the public easement. The attorney is reviewing the documents and will submit a legal opinion.
c. Bridgton Academy
Selectman McHatton contacted Bridgton Academy regarding “free ice-time” for Bridgton residents and is awaiting a response.
8. Economic Development Committee
Peter Lowell and Mike Tarantino were present representing the Economic Development Committee. Mr. Lowell asked the Board for a budget commitment for a full time economic development director. The Committee will submit a formal request for consideration and the Board will consider that request during the budget process.
9. Bridgton Groundwater Committee
Sharon Abbott, Marita Wiser, Bridie McGreavey and Joshua Chessman, representing the Bridgton Groundwater Committee were present. The Committee presented the following voter consideration at a Special Town Meeting:
MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER EXTRACTION FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES:
Shall the Town adopt a Moratorium pursuant to 30-A MRSA §4356 on the issuance of permits for the establishment of any activities related to large scale water extraction for commercial purposes in the Town of Bridgton for a period of 180 days. Large scale water extraction is to be understood as the removal of more than 100,000 gallons per day from the Town of Bridgton aquifers, excluding municipal uses. This Moratorium is necessary to prevent an overburdening of public facilities that would otherwise occur during the effective period of the moratorium and that is reasonable foreseeable as a result of any proposed or anticipated development, and especially because the application of existing comprehensive plans, land use ordinances and other applicable laws are inadequate to prevent serious public harm from such commercial or industrial development in the affected geographic area.
It is to be noted by the voters and all persons concerned that this moratorium shall apply to any pending applications for such permits.
The Selectmen may extend the Moratorium for additional 180 day periods, after notice and hearing, if the Selectmen find that the issues giving rise to the need for the moratorium still exist and that reasonable progress is being made to alleviate those issues.
Motion made by Mr. McHatton to submit the Moratorium to the Town’s attorney to obtain a legal opinion regarding the form and content; 2nd from Mr. Cash. 5 approve/0 oppose
10. Water Quality Protection Program; Letter of Support
Motion made by Mr. McHatton for approval of the following letter of support:
MDOT, Surface Water Quality Protection Program:
This letter is in support of LEA’s efforts to correct the erosion problems at Woods Pond boat launch adjacent to Route 117 in Bridgton.
The lakes and ponds of Bridgton are important natural resources to the Town and preserving their character and water quality is essential to maintaining the economic value of surrounding property as well as recreational opportunities for the citizens and visitors of Bridgton.
In addition, the Town’s Public Works Department is willing and able to assist the DOT in the construction portion of the project.
2nd from Mr. Triglione. 5 aprove/0 oppose
11. Clarification of Transfer Station Stickers
The Board clarified that any vehicle entering the Transfer Station must display a sticker, the cost for each sticker is $5.00. It was the Board’s intent to charge a sticker fee to offset the cost of hiring an employee to check the stickers upon entering the station. The Board will review the sticker fee policy for the next year.
12. Road Postings
Jim Kidder, Public Works Director, requested approval in accordance with MRSA Title 29A, §2395 to post the following public ways for load limits on or about the first of March through May 1:
South Bridgton: Burnham Road, Willis Park Road, Ingalls Road, Fosterville Road (to end), Winn Road, Swamp Road, North Road, Raspberry Lane, Camp Pondicherry Road, Wildwood, Moose Cove Lodge
West Bridgton: Mountain Road, Hio Ridge Road, Sam Ingalls Road, Whitney Road, Highland Pines Road, Millbrook Road, Harmon Road, Issac Stevens Road, Kilgore Road, Cedar Drive
North Bridgton: Highland Road, Chadbourne Hill Road, Upper Ridge Road, Middle Ridge Road, Monk Road, Kimball Road, Highland Point Development
Village Area: Kansas Road, Pond Road, Dugway Road
Motion made by Mr. McHatton for approval of the road postings as requested by the Public Works Director; 2nd from Mr. Bell. 5 approve/0 oppose
13. Board of Appeals; Request for Appointment
Motion made by Mr. McHatton to appoint Bob Mawhinney as an Alternate Member to the Appeals Board; 2nd from Mr. Triglione. 5 approve/0 oppose
The Board opted to advertise for interested candidates for the second vacancy for and alternate member.
14. Permits Requiring Board Approval
Pole Permit; Central Maine Power
Relocating Pole 24 ½ on Hio Ridge Road
Motion made by Mr. Bell for approval of the Pole Permit; 2nd from Mr. Triglione. 5 approve/0 oppose
15. Documents Requiring Board Signature
None
16. Other Matters
RWS Representative
Motion made by Mr. Triglione to appoint Mahlon Johnson as RWS Representative (contingent upon his acceptance) for the Town of Bridgton; 2nd from Mr. Cash. 5 approve/0 oppose
17. Correspondence and Other Pertinent Information
The Board received various items of correspondence and other pertinent information. The following were included:
Newspaper article regarding business equipment tax
Notification of Workshop; Affordable Housing TIF
Correspondence from Bob Macdonald regarding marinas in Bridgton
Request from Fire Department for workshop session with Board
Correspondence from RWS
18. Selectmen’s Concerns
Selectman McHatton informed the Board that he will be out of town for the next three (3) days.
Selectmen Bell had no concerns.
Selectman Triglione had no concerns.
Vice-Chairman Cash had no concerns.
Chairman Woodward voiced concern for the Town Manager and wished him well. He again thanked the department heads and employees for their hard work and dedication.
19. Treasurer’s Warrants
Motion made by Mr. Triglione for approval of the Accounts Payable and Payroll Warrants dated January 12, 2006 and January 19, 2006; 2nd from Mr. Cash. 5 approve/0 oppose
20. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.
Next Regular Meeting: February 14, 2006
Respectfully Submitted,
Laurie L. Chadbourne
Town Clerk