Board Members Present:    Robert J. McHatton, Sr., Chairman; Robert C. Bell, Vice-Chairman;

                                              Robert F. Woodward; Arthur D. Triglione, Sr.; Joan M. Gardner

 

Town Manager, Mitchell A. Berkowitz was also present.

 

1.         Call to Order

            The Board of Selectmen’s Meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Chairman McHatton.

 

2.         Presentations:

            a. Recommendations regarding hydro geological study and engineering proposal from the

            Sewer Committee

            This item was tabled until the next Board meeting.

 

            b. Review of Alarm Report with Chief Lyons

            Town Manager Berkowitz reported that he has been working with Police Chief David Lyons and Selectman Woodward on amending the Alarm Systems Ordinance.  Chief Lyons said that the proposed amendments reflect an even and fair assessment of fees.  The new fees were determined by the cost of operation; he added that having a medical alert alarm monitored by the Police Department should not be cost prohibitive.  Selectman Woodward said that the amended proposal reduces the annual fees and has a provision for penalties if the records are not kept up to date.  Chief Lyons added that revising the Ordinance will not impact response time; all calls will continue to be answered.  Chief Lyons will prepare two separate Ordinances for the Board to review and the Board will select one for voter consideration at Annual Town Meeting. 

 

            c. Discussion regarding Town involvement in tax reform efforts

            The Board agreed that the Town Manager should be actively involved with the legislation regarding tax reform issues.  The Town Manager will attend the next tax reform meeting and will advise the Board as to the time requirements involved with this effort.

 

            d. Discussion regarding membership to the coalition of service center communities

            The Town Manager received information regarding membership to the coalition of service center communities.  The annual fee to join this coalition is $586.00.  The Town Manager will gather additional information regarding this coalition for Board review at their next meeting.

 

3.         Approval of Minutes; December 12, 2006

            Motion was made by Mr. Woodward for approval of the minutes of December 12, 2006; 2nd from Mr. Triglione. 5 approve/0 oppose

 

4.         Public Comments; Non-Agenda Items

            Earl Cash, Sr. encouraged the Board to consider charging a service fee to tax exempt organizations, more specifically for use of the Transfer Station.  The Town Manager will gather additional information for the Board to review.

 

 

 

 

5.         Correspondence and Other Pertinent Information

            a. Howell Laboratories, Inc.

            Town Manager Berkowitz reported that he met with representatives from Howell Laboratories and was very impressed by their organization.  He thanked Howell Laboratories for their contribution and noted that their organization is an important part of the commerce mix that makes the Town of Bridgton so special.   

 

            b. Board and Committee Training Session; January 16, 2007

            A training session involving the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Appeals Board is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.  The training session is for the purpose of discussing legal requirements and procedures per state statutes.

 

            c. Revised Salmon Point Debt Service

            Town Manager Berkowitz provided the Board with information regarding Salmon Point Debt Service.  He noted that the initial number of years for payback has been adjusted downward to 17.6 years.  This presumes that 50% of the debt service came from other tax related sources. 

 

            Chairman McHatton suggested that the salary for the recreation director be paid out of Salmon Point revenue rather than from the general tax fund.

 

6.         Town Manager’s Report

            Town Manager Berkowitz reported the following in part:

Sewer Line Repair:

The Sewer Line on Main Street has been repaired.  The asphalt was replaced with a plastic impregnated cold patch since the contractor could not locate the hot mix.  In the spring we will remove this temporary pavement and complete the work in accordance with MDOT. We are awaiting the invoice from Bob Hatch, Contractor.

 

Correspondence Regarding the Baseball Field Septic System:

A resident at Forest Ave near the Ball field delivered a letter of concern to this office through Board member Art Triglione.  She had represented concerns about the personal items found in the field and thought these might indicate the field was leaching to the surface.  Jim Kidder and Art went and walked the site.  No leaching was found.  My subsequent discussion with the resident clarified several important points about the field’s integrity.  She indicated she would like to start a neighborhood clean up group.  It was suggested she work through our police department who may also have an interest in the personal items left at the field as well as develop this group into a neighborhood group to improve their area further.  She appreciated the responses and will pursue this with the Police Department and neighbors.

 

Depot Bridge Replacement:

We have sent a copy of the plated arch bridge information to the MDOT for their review.  It may fit into the span we are seeking to fill when they shut down our bridge.

 

Up Coming Meetings and Hearings:

 

      Public Hearing-Rt. 302 TIF                 January 16, 2007 at 6:00 PM

      Training with Town Attorney                            January 16, 2007 at 7:00 PM

      Police Department Negotiations                        January 18, 2007 at 8:30 AM

      Loan Advisory Committee                                 January 18, 2007 at 2:00 PM

      Lake’s Region Transportation                           January 22, 2007 in Denmark

      Select Board Meeting                                          January 23, 2007 at 6:00 PM

      Harbor Master Mooring Committee January 24, 2007 at 3:00 PM

      Bridgton Crime Watch Committee                     January 24, 2007 at 6:00 PM

6.         Town Manager’s Report (continued)

Web Site:

The Web Site Team is pleased to announce that the Bridgton Website is now re-designed and functioning.  The team, working with the Web Mistress Karen Hawkins made several changes including format and style which should continue to allow easier navigation in the site as well as providing timely and accurate information.  Many of the original pages have been reviewed but work is still proceeding. We would appreciate being contacted if you find an item for correction.

 

Budget Development:

The Departments are all working on the proposed budget for next year.  This is consuming a great amount of their time since they are being asked to start from a point that addresses whether the services they provide are needed and if so can any be redesigned for cost savings. I will be involved over the next several weeks and therefore may not be able to return calls immediately.

 

            ŸChairman McHatton asked Board Members to restrict visits with Department Heads as they are very busy with budget development. 

 

Community and Economic Development:

Working with the Economic Development and Sewer Committees, one joint effort has been the proposal to develop a Tax Increment Financing District for the Rt. 302 South corridor. What makes this proposal more dynamic is the realization by the Committees that it also presents a unique opportunity now to develop this into one of the Town’s major Gateways that would have basic sewer and water infrastructure. This will be the subject of the two public hearings the first is for next Tuesday starting at 6:00 PM and then the second on the 23rd starting at 5:30 PM.

 

Ice Rink News:

While the work on the rink is complete for this season, Mother Nature has yet to deliver the cold we need to make ice.  Phil Gutekunst will keep the public informed as to when the rink will open.

 

Legal Issues and Code Enforcement Training:

On Thursday, January 4, 2007, Rob and Georgiann attended the first day of a two day seminar regarding legal issues and enforcement techniques in Code Enforcement and Boards.

 

Durward Parkinson of Bergen & Parkinson conducted the seminar and covered a variety of issues.  The seminar was well attended and there was a lot of input and questions from everyone there.   Because most everyone that attended the seminar is currently employed in municipal government there was a lot of interaction with everyday issues we all face or have faced.  This allowed for lively discussion on the situation and how it might best have been solved or could/should be solved. 

 

The second day is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2007 and will cover actual case laws and how they pertain to CEO and Boards.    

 

7.         Old Business

            The Board of Selectmen will hold a workshop session on January 18, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. with Fire Chief Glen Garland and members of the fire department to review the fire suppression plan.

 

8.         MSAD 61

            There was no MSAD #61 items for review or discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

9.         New Business

            a. Permits/Documents Requiring Board Approval

                        1. Confirmation of Appointments by Town Manager

                                    ŸMicah Niemy; Assistant Economic Development Director

                                    ŸPhil A. Jones; Full Time Police Officer

                                    ŸChristopher DeCapua; Part Time Police Officer

 

            Chairman McHatton asked why Micah Niemy was appointed as Assistant Economic Development Director.  Town Manager Berkowitz replied that the position requires the Director to be certified in CDBG grant administration; since Mr. Berkowitz has that certification, he also holds the title of Economic Development Director.  Mr. Niemy is not certified and was therefore appointed as an assistant. Motion was made by Mr. Woodward to confirm the Town Manager’s appointments; 2nd from Ms. Gardner.

5 approve/0 oppose

 

                        2. Sewer Commitment #20

            Motion was made by Mr. Woodward for approval of Sewer Commitment #20; 2nd from Ms. Gardner. 5 approve/0 oppose

 

                        3. Road Name; Sophies Way for Everett & Dorothy Snow

            Motion was made by Mr. Woodward for approval of the road name “Sophies Way”; 2nd from Mr. Bell. 5 approve/0 oppose

 

                        4. BYOB Permit Applications Lakes Environmental Association

                                    January 20, 2007 @ Town Hall; Blue Grass Dance

                                    February 3, 2007 @ Town Hall; World 4-Square Championships

            Motion was made by Mr. Bell for approval of the BYOB Permit applications; 2nd from Mr. Triglione. 5 approve/0 oppose

 

            b. Legal Matters

                        Status of Snapdragon Appeal

            On December 28, 2006, the Board of Appeals of the Town of Bridgton, after conducting a de novo review denied the administrative appeal filed by Connie Scott, thereby approving Snapdragon, LLC’s amended site plan application.

 

                        Status of Marina Appeal

            The Board of Appeals will consider the Administrative Appeal submitted by David Randall on January 25, 2007.

 

            c. Selectmen’s Concerns

            Selectman Woodward said that he continues to receive calls from residents regarding water discoloration.  The Town Manager will schedule a workshop session with Trustees of the Water District for review of these ongoing issues.

 

            Selectman Woodward asked what the Town is doing regarding conflicting Town Ordinances.  The Town’s Attorney is in the process of making recommendations for Ordinance amendments for the Board to review. 

9.         New Business

            c. Selectmen’s Concerns (continued)

            Selectman Triglione asked for an update of the status of a town wide map.  Town Manager Berkowitz replied that the map has been completed by Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) and it is in the process of being reproduced.

 

            Selectman Gardner had no concerns.

 

            Vice-Chairman Bell asked if the Transfer Station stickers must be affixed to the vehicle before entering the Transfer Station.  The sticker plate number on the sticker must match the license plate number of the vehicle; but is not required to be permanently affixed.

 

            Chairman McHatton asked the Board to appoint a Board liaison to a newly formed “building committee;” the purpose of the committee is to conduct a total building evaluation to determine better utilization and allocation of space.  Motion was made by Mr. Bell to appoint Selectman Triglione to this committee; 2nd from Mr. Woodward. 5 approve/0 oppose  Other committee members include:  Mitchell Berkowitz, Town Manager; Micah Niemy, Asst. Economic Development Director; Jim Kidder, Public Works Director; Laurie Chadbourne, Town Clerk; Rob Baker, Code Enforcement Officer; David Lyons, Police Chief.

 

            Chairman McHatton asked the Board to consider making a policy for authorization to release accounts payable checks when there is a large amount of time between meetings.  Motion was made by Mr. Woodward to implement a policy that states “if there are more than three (3) weeks between Board Meetings, accounts payable checks may be released after the warrants are reviewed by the Board Member assigned to that time period;” 2nd from Ms. Gardner. 5 approve/0 oppose

 

            Chairman McHatton noted that Selectman Woodward and Selectman Gardner are both active members of the DARE Committee.  Motion was made by Mr. Triglione to formally appoint Mr. Woodward and Ms. Gardner as Board liaisons to the DARE Committee; 2nd from Mr. Bell.

5 approve/0 oppose 

            Chief Lyons will provide the Board with a list of additional committee members to be officially appointed.

 

            Chief Lyons reported that the DARE basketball game between the Police/Fire Department vs. the Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for January 18, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.

 

            d. Other Matters

            The Annual Town Reports are now available.  The report covers July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. 

 

10.       Agendas for the next Board of Selectmen’s Meeting/Workshop

            The Board reviewed the preliminary agenda for their January 23, 2007 meeting.

 

 

 

 

11.       Treasurer’s Warrants

            Motion was made by Ms. Gardner for approval of Treasurer’s Warrants numbered 625, 626, 627, 734, 739, 740, 741 & 742; 2nd from Mr. Woodward. 5 approve/0 oppose

 

            Motion was made by Mr. Woodward for approval of Treasurer’s Warrants numbered 628, 743 & 744; 2nd from Mr. Triglione. 5 approve/0 oppose

 

 

Public Hearing Notification (TIF District)

            Town Manager Berkowitz announced that the Town of Bridgton will be holding two public hearings regarding the proposed Portland Road Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District.  The first public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 6:00 P.M., the second will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 5:30 P.M.  All members of the community are invited to attend and provide written and/or oral comments.

 

 

12.       Adjourn

            The meeting was adjourned 7:45 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Laurie L. Chadbourne

Town Clerk

 

 

Next Regular Meeting:  January 23, 2007