CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance was recited and then a moment of silence was held for Ronald "Bud" Sawyer who recently passed away.
ROLL CALL
Councilors present: Christy, Hopkins. Lymburner, Pomerleau. Simpson and Spencer. Councilor Nesbitt was traveling from Massachusetts and arrived at 7:05pm.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (S)
Councilor Lymburner noted that on page 3 of the minutes it should cite the Public Safety Committee and asked that the minutes be amended. The minutes from the November 12 meeting were accepted as amended by unanimous consent.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
There were no petitions or communications presented at this meeting.
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Gordon Billington spoke on the following:
Recreation - 90 registrations for the ski program - down from last year -
60 Santa Calls from St Joseph's student volunteers, one young girls rang off with a "Santa, I love you"
Senior Newsletter - about 250 distributed to date, 50 by mail - social was not well attended; however, going forward with the book club and senior theater ensemble -- FMI -- Linda Brooks 642-2875
Skate Board Park planning meeting here Wed, January 14th
Ice skating rinks will be filled this week - probably best to wait until Thursday's rains fall
Assessing - Revaluation data collection still ongoing - about 1,300 so far - about 95% of the shorefront with a 25% interview rate
Public Works - Transfer Station- solid waste tonnage remains up over last year - about 15 tons more YTD
Winter residential sand/salt mix is in the building near the transfer station for individual resident use. Please no bulk use - five gallon buckets per person per time should be sufficient
Wood waste pile should be ground in a week or so
Fire/EMS -New paramedic on staff - Paul Hurley - one of ours that we sponsored into the training program
6 new members in FF1 training and 4 FF's cross training to EMT
Public Safety has been sending random surveys to individuals who use EMS services - good response rate with helpful comments from the initial dispatch receipt of the call for assistance through the call
Gordon Billington introduced Dan Hill the Code Enforcement Officer for presentation of the monthly report.
Dan Hill explained that in 2002 January to November we issued 811 permits. He said that during the same period this year we have issued 912 permits. He said that single-family residents are down due to the limited number of subdivision lots available. He went on to say that in 2002 in first eleven months we took in $166,566 for fees. In 2003 we have taken in $169,626. He said that a lot for permits have been of garages and additions. He said that we would also like to explain the process that he goes through when there is a report of a violation or complaint. He said that he gets the information in writing from the person making the complaint. He then tries to contact the person concerned by phone. If that doesn't work a letter is sent and it the issues isn't taken care of he then asks that the Council
steps in and forward the issue to the courts. He said that during the two and half years that he has worked for the Town having to come to the Council has only happened once.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
192-03 Amendments to the General Assistance Ordinance - Fee Schedule - Maximum Assistance Amount for Recipients [Simpson]
Chair Simpson said that this is a yearly process to update the General Assistance Ordinance.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or public input the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
194-03 Amendments to Standish Town Code, Chapter 181, Land Use, 181.73, Conditions for Approval [Spencer]
Councilor Spencer explained that the change would allow the Planning Board not to approve any additional plans is an applicant is default of a previously submitted plan.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or public input the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
195-03 Amendments to Standish Town Code, Chapter 1, General Provisions and Chapter 263, Vehicles and Traffic [Spencer]
Moved by Lymburner Seconded by Nesbitt and Voted to dispense with the Clerk's reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)
Councilor Spencer explained that this codifies the vehicle related ordinances.
Louis Stack said that 263-1.F talks about either side of White's Bridge and he wondered how we could control parking in Windham. He also stated that he whole length of the road now has a walking lanes that are adjacent to the road, he said that he thought that the no parking area should be the entire length of the road.
Chair Simpson said that he reads F to say either side of White's Bridge Road is talking about Standish only. He then said that the Public Safety Committee could take a look at this ordinance to see if the White's Bridge Road should have a no parking restriction for the entire length.
Councilor Lymburner asked of this was only existing ordinances or is there new information included?
Councilor Spencer said that there is no new information included in this.
Councilor Pomerleau said that the fines needed to be reviewed.
Chair Simpson said that the Finance Committee and Manager are taking a look at those.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or public input the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
208-03 Application for Renewal of a Combined Massage Establishment / Therapist License Submitted by Dawn Andersen dba the Center for Soul Enrichment [Simpson]
Moved by Spencer Seconded by Lymburner Voted to dispense with the Clerk's reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or public input the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
209-03 Application For Renewal of a Massage Therapist License Submitted by Stephanie Brooks Doing Business at Custom Cuts & Nail [Simpson]
Moved by Spencer Seconded by Lymburner Voted to dispense with the Clerk's reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or public input the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
210-03 Application for Massage Establishment License Submitted by Robin Sawyer dba Custom Cuts & Nails [Simpson]
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Christy explained that the Economic Development Committee meeting on December 15 has been cancelled due to a conflict in the meeting schedule on that same night we meet with the Portland Water District to discuss the Beach proposal.
Councilor Nesbitt explained that the Public Safety Committee met with Randy Dutton of MDOT and residents of Sebago Lake Village to discuss establishing a school zone near Edna Libby School. He said that MDOT will be placing signage in that area to designate that as a school zone. He said that will help alert drivers of the upcoming intersection. He said that there also was discussion of using over sized signs in the Village to give more awareness in the area. He said that there was discussion of establishing a right turn lane. There will be additional information on that item in the future. There was also discussion potential hazard. He said that of motorist traveling towards the village and approaching traffic turning onto School Street and it being a hazard.
Councilor Nesbitt said that the Appointments Committee has been fairly busy and there are items on the agenda tonight from them.
Councilor Spencer said that the Ordinance Committee has been busy and many are on the agenda tonight. He said that on December 13 there will be a joint meeting with the Planning Board.
Councilor Hopkins said that the Personnel Committee met with the employees to discuss priorities for next years budget as it relates to benefits and compensation. The next step is to meet with Department Heads and the Manage to walk through those requests and the first draft of the salary request in January.
Councilor Hopkins said that the next item relates to the Portland Water District Steering Committee. She explained that six members of the Council attended the PWD Workshop last night in Portland. She said that they had been invited to attend in the event that PWD Trustees had question. She noted that the Town Manager and Bud Benson attended this meeting also. She said that the Trustees went though a list that was developed by their staff after reading our Pine Cove Beach proposal. The Trustees discussed each item and then opened it up to the public. She said that at the end of the meeting the Trustees went into an Executive Session for further discussion of this issue. She said that next Monday the Trustees will have a meeting regarding if they want to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of
Standish regarding the Pine Cove Beach proposal. She said that part of that resolution would dissolve their agreement with the YMCA. She said that there will be an opportunity for the public to speak early in the meeting and a again at the end of the meeting. She said that she appreciated that Councilor Christy canceling the Economic Development meeting.
Councilor Christy asked if they would receive a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding?
Councilor Hopkins said that the Council would receive all the information.
Chair Simpson said that the Community Study Committee will come in with a order to extend that committee. He said that they have adopted a post a card notice that will be mailed out to all residents in town. Members of the Key Club will be calling residents to assist the Town in the telephone survey. The post card will go out to notify residents of the call that they will receive.
Councilor Pomerleau said that the Committee may have to come to the Council for money to support the mailing. He noted that the calling was to be done by volunteers.
CONSENT CALENDAR
No items this meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Chair Simpson said that the next three items are all utility permits and Roger Mosley the Director of Public Works has attached a memo noting that the permits are in order.
Moved by Spencer Seconded by Pomerleau to take order 211-03, 2121-03 and 213-03 collectively. (Unanimous)
Councilor Christy mentioned that the utility permits were for the School Street, Milt Brown Road and Varney Road.
Councilor Lymburner asked if with any of these would they actually be opening the road?
Councilor Nesbitt wanted to make sure that the School Street permit met the new configuration of the work being done down there?
Chair Simpson said that it does.
212-03 Utility Location Permit - Central Maine Power Company - Milt Brown Road [Simpson]
213-03 Utility Location Permit - Central Maine Power Company - Varney Road [Simpson]
VOTE ON ORDERS 211-03, 212-03 and 213-03: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
214-03 Amend Town of Standish Fee Schedule - Establish Fee for Transient Sellers of Consumer Merchandise [Simpson]
Chair Simpson said that this was a fee that was missed during the recent update of the fee schedule. He went on to explain that someone taking out this type of license would have to go through site plan review at the Planning Board level.
Councilor Lymburner asked if the Avon Lady would fall under this?
Chair Simpson said that it would e for someone setting up in a parking lot or dooryard.
Councilor Christy mentioned at the end of Blake Road someone has placed signs on city property trying t sell credit services.
Chair Simpson said that is a violation of the sign ordinance that Dan Hill needs to take care of.
Councilor Nesbitt he would like to have a section put in that would exempt non-profit organizations from having to pay a fee.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
215-03 Amendment to Standish Town Code, Chapter 181, Land Use 181-16, Type 3 Gravel Pits; 181-70, Site Plan Review; 181-80 & 84, Subdivision Review; and Chapter 237, Shoreland Zoning, 237-16, Administration (Introduction) [Spencer]
Moved by Lymburner Seconded by Christy and Voted to dispense with the Clerk's reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)
Councilor Spencer explained that this provides that 12 copies of engineering plans are submitted to the Planning Board for review rather than 10.
Moved Seconded and Voted to move this item to First Reading at the January meeting of the Council.
216-03 Town Council Appointment - Finance Director [Nesbitt]
Councilor Nesbitt said that this appointment was the unanimous recommendation of the Appointments Committee. He said that Mr. Herald has had some municipal experience as a selectman. He brings strong educational and financial background with him. He went on to say that the employee contract is a two-year contract but the order says the term expires in June 2004 is that right?
Gordon Billington said that as a practical matter we appoint for a year. He said that is we are not going to reappoint we would have to notify the individual after due notice.
Chair Simpson asked if this contract expires in June of 2004?
Mr. Billington said that it is a two-year contract.
Chair Simpson said that the Tax Collector process will take place at later time due to the lien process.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
Mr. Herald came to the podium and was introduced to the Council and public.
217-03 Town Council Appointment - Maine School Administrative 6 Director [Nesbitt]
Councilor Nesbitt explained that this is a temporary appointment until the next municipal election. He explained that there were two applicants and this individual is the unanimous candidate picked by the Appointments Committee. He said that Jeffrey Richardson is well qualified and has done a lot of homework.
Councilor Hopkins asked if both applicants had expressed interest in taking out nomination papers for this seat?
Councilor Nesbitt said that both applicants said that if they are affective they will probably continue, but neither would commit to that question.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
218-03 Town Council Appointment - Historic Preservation Commission [Nesbitt]
Councilor Nesbitt said that this is a reappointment of Douglas Wright to this seat.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nay
219-03 Amend Order 158-03 Which Established the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee [Nesbitt]
Moved by Spencer Seconded by Christy to dispense with the Clerk's reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)
Councilor Nesbitt explained that the number of qualified candidates exceeded the cap of fifty in the original order. He said that the number being 56 members gives us more individuals that can participate on an ongoing basis.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
220-03 Town Council Appointments - Comprehensive Planning Committee [Nesbitt]
Moved by Spencer Seconded by Nesbitt to dispense with the Clerk's reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)
Moved by Nesbitt Seconded by Christy to add the name of Janice Raymond to the order.
Chair Simpson asked how this affects the previous order?
Councilor Nesbitt said that this makes the 56 members. He said that this application came in after the deadline.
Councilor Nesbitt the membership represents a good cross section of the Town.
Councilor Lymburner wanted to thank all the applicants and have the Clerk read the names.
VOTE ON ORDER AS AMENDED: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
221-03 Authorize Use of Town Council Contingency - Recycling Calendar [Simpson]
Chair Simpson said that as he had mentioned last month that a recycling calendar was being developed through the schools. He said that they had intended to get sponsors to cover the costs, however, additional funds are necessary to continue with project.
Councilor Nesbitt questioned the cost of the sponsorship.
Chair Simpson said that it was $300 to sponsor a calendar month. He went on to say that he would not bee soliciting any more sponsors since he would be unable to put their name on the calendar. He said that one of the problems that the Committee had was that companies are nearing the end of their year and funding may have to wait.
Councilor Lymburner asked what the total cost of the project.
Chair Simpson said $4,400 for 2000 calendars. He said that we have a good relationship with the State Planning Office and have cut our expenses by using their software.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
Chair Simpson said that you will see the thirteen winners on display at Shop n Save and at the Town Offices. He said that the kids are very creative.
Councilor Nesbitt suggested that some copies get set to cable television.
Councilor Pomerleau suggested that the students come to a Council meeting to show their artwork.
222-03 Authorize Payment Plan for tax Acquired Property - Jipson, David - Map 27 Lot 9Sub 0 [Simpson]
Moved by Spencer Seconded by Nesbitt to dispense with the Clerk's reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)
Chair Simpson said that this will take a little time to get paid off but this gentleman really didn't understand what was going on with his property. He said that the Finance Committee has agreed to this plan with him.
VOTE: 7 Yeas - 0 Nays
PUBLIC ITEMS
Dave Thomas said that he wanted to make a comment about the Portland Water District meeting last night. He said that he thought that it was a very positive meeting. He said that one of the things that was clear to him was the concern about how the Town might treat their property. He said he thought that they (PWD) was looking for something from the towns people that would say that they would support the cleanliness of the area that they use.
Gilbert Douglas said that he would like to get before the Council to have a section of Route 113 near his business discontinued as a road. He said that his information indicated that the portion had recently been turned back to the Town of Standish. He said that he had information from the State which includes the petition and the letter indicating that it had been turned over to the Town.
Chair Simpson said that it will be referred to the Capital Improvements Committee at their meeting on January 6, 2004.
Gordon Billington said that he had called the State and at this time the Town of Standish has not received notice of this portion of the road being turned back to the Town. He went on to say that there are certain conditions that have to be met when the State turn a road back to a Town one of the items is that the road has to be in good condition and the State needs to notify the Town.
Councilor Pomerleau questioned who was plowing up there?
Councilor Hopkins said that she saw state plow truck plowing up there.
Gordon Billington said that his last conversation with Roger Mosley was that the State was responsible for plowing there.
Councilor Nesbitt said that there are openings on the Recycling and Public Safety Committees due to Mike Delcourt resignation. He said that we should contact the School and see if there is another director that would serve.
Chair Simpson said that he has said this in the past, he said that we ask too much of our people. He said that School Board is busy. He said that it is difficult to get someone to serve on our committees and play a functional part. He went on o say we need to take a look at our codes to see if we really need members from the Planning Board and School Committee on these committees.
Councilor Hopkins said that the School budget is at the same time as ours but their is much more extensive. She said that it would be nice to have a contact but to ask them to sit on a board is double duty.
Councilor Nesbitt said that has been discussed.
Councilor Hopkins said to the Appointments Committee that when they bring Council appointments forward the information should be included in the packets. She said that her packet included an order for the Finance Director without a name on the order. She said that she though that it was very important to have a copy of the information because it is a very important position and so is the SAD 6 seat. She said that she happens to know Jeff Richardson but maybe she didn't and she said that it is critical that the Council has the information well before the meeting. She said that she had to make phone calls to get the information. A suggestion for the next time around on Council appointment to solicit questions from other Councilors that they might think is important.
Councilor Christy said that for the massage licenses we do a criminal check. He asked if we do that for applicants?
Gordon Billington said that we do a complete background check for all hiring.
Councilor Lymburner said that she agreed with the comments but the name wasn't included because the background check had not been done before his name was added to the order.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Several upcoming meetings were announced.
Chair Simpson wished all a Happy Holiday Season.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (S)
Moved by Hopkins Seconded by Lymburner to move into Executive Session for discussion of a real estate matter.
ADJOURN
Moved Seconded and Voted to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 pm by unanimous consent.
Submitted by: _____________________________ Clerk/Secretary
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