DRAFT--MUNITES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL-- DRAFT
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STANDISH, MAINE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2006 – MUNICIPAL CENTER 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Christy and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
The roll was called by the Clerk. All Councilors were present except Councilor Simpson who was excused.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (S)
The minutes from the September 12, 2006 meeting were accepted as presented by unanimous consent.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Christy explained that he received a letter from a lady who owns a camp up off Route 114. A neighbor of hers recently renovated their property including installing a cellar drain. This drain has caused problems on her property. He said that he wasn’t sure if the Town could help her with this issue but we would look into it for her.
Chair Christy thanked all the people who had called him regarding the Historic District document.
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Manager’s update:
Deer Hill North a subdivision road that was developed approximately 25 years ago but never brought forward for Town acceptance. We have been working with property owners on the road to bring the road to town standards. It is the residents desire to have it accepted by the town during the acceptance period. Part of that process is that letters have been sent to 42 abutters to the road with a deed and a letter asking each to sign the deed signature page and to return it to us. After everyone has signed, we should schedule a meeting between the residents and the Council to discuss any conditions the Council may have in order to accept the road as a public way.
The Assessor set the tax commitment last month which sets the tax rate for the year based upon the April valuation numbers, the Municipal budget that was passed in June, the School and County assessments and outside revenue such as anticipated Municipal Revenue Sharing. The date that he provided last month did have an error in it. The tax rate that was in the Council Order showed a rate of $10.05 per thousand dollars of valuation. It should have been $9.77. The lower rate of $9.77 is the amount that does appear on the tax bills that were sent out. We apologize for any confusion.
Upcoming events -- Health and Safety Fair this Saturday the 14th from 10 to 2 here at the Municipal Center. Annual Halloween Party sponsored by the Recreation Department on Sunday the 29th at Standish Memorial Park from 2 to 4:30. – Hayrides, candy hunts, scavenger hunt, pumpkin contest, costume contests, etc. Again this year there will be a scarecrow display and judging contest. Those wishing to enter their scarecrow should call the Town hall or register on line.
Tonight’s presentation will be from the Town Clerk, Mary Chapman.
The Clerk explained the Centralized Voter Registration Program, assessable voting equipment and the process for voters to have others sign certain petitions forms for them.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
89-06 Amendment to Site Plan Review Standards for Architectural Design [Christy]
Chair Christy explained that this amendment came out of the Planning Department and was needed to assist them until the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendation are put in place to address this issue.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or Public discussion the ordinance was voted on and the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
90-06 Amendment to Site Plan Review Ordinance [Christy]
Moved by Pomerleau Seconded by Biegle and Voted to dispense with the Clerks reading of the ordinance. (Unanimous)
Mr. Billington explained that all outside approvals must be obtained prior to the Town’s final approval for site plan review purposes.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or Public discussion the ordinance was voted on and the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
122-06 Amendment to Standish Town Code, Chapter 140, Fire Lanes, §140-8 [Christy]
Chair Christy said that there are two areas in town that were thought of in development of this ordinance, one is at the shopping center and the other is Harmon’s Beach Road.
Mr. Billington said that the Fire Chief will be the designated individual.
Councilor Beigel questioned how this was going to work. She questioned the Fire Chief having the time to monitor this issue.
Mr. Billington said that it will be used in the cases where the flagrantly parking of vehicles prohibits emergency vehicles from entering an area. The Chief will have the ability to ticket someone for violating the ordinance.
Councilor Beigel asked how will the Chief know of violations to this ordinance.
Mr. Billington said however it is brought to his attention.
Councilor Pomerleau said that this is way overdue.
Councilor Beigel said that she can see that at the shopping center. Her concern is that there are other businesses where people ignore the fire lanes and will the Chief be able to address all the calls.
Councilor Stack said that he didn’t vote for this before won’t vote for it tonight. He said that responsibility for policing the fire lanes is the shop owners.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or Public discussion the ordinance was voted on and the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 4 Yeas –1 Nay, Stack
123-06 Amendment to Standish Town Code, Chapter 181, Zoning Map [Christy]
Chair Christy explained that DEP inspected the area and deemed it not to be wetland and this correction was necessary.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or Public discussion the ordinance was voted on and the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
151-06 Application Submitted by Therese Lewis dba New Hope Hairstyling for a New Massage Establishment License Located at 140A Ossipee Trail East [Christy]
Chair Christy asked if the application was in order.
The Clerk said that it was.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or Public discussion the application was voted on and the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
152-06 Application Submitted by Janessa Waters as a Massage Therapist Employed at New Hope Hairstyling Located at 140A Ossipee Trail East [Christy]
Chair Christy asked if the application was in order.
The Clerk said that it was.
Councilor Pomerleau asked the location of the establishment.
The applicant said that it was on Route 25 where the Laundromat used to be.
After a Public Hearing without additional Council or Public discussion the application was voted on and the hearing was closed.
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Pomerleau explained that the Public Safety Committee will hold the Public Safety Fair on October 14 from 10 am – 2 pm here at the Municipal Center. The theme is child safety; there will be numerous displays, a barbeque, and door prizes.
Councilor Stack said that he and Councilor Pomerleau attended a Lakes Region Transportation Coalition Meeting today in Bridgton. The Coalition is made up mostly from towns on the eastern side of the lake. He said that they are a sister organization to the Route 113 Corridor Commission. The Coalitions interest is mostly in improvements to Route 302 projects such as the replacement of the Naples Causeway, improvements to White’s Bridge/Route 302 intersection and other items. He said that David Willauer from GCOG, Windham’s Director of Economic Development, and Bridgton’s former Director of Economic Development were speakers at the meeting.
Councilor Pomerleau noted that there was also discussion regarding regional transportation with the use of busses traveling from this area to the Portland area.
Chair Christy that on October 26 the Appointments Committee will meet to interview candidates for the Area 2 Council seat. He said that presently there is one candidate interested in serving.
Councilor Biegel questioned where this opening will be posted.
Chair Christy said that it has been taken care of.
CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no consent items on this agenda.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
79-06 Order to Accept Public Easement over Selected Rangeways (Tabled at the 6//9/06 Meeting) [Christy]
This item remained on the table.
130-06 Amendment to Town of Standish Fee Schedule (Tabled at the 8/8/06 meeting) [Simpson]
This item remained on the table.
NEW BUSINESS
153-06 Resolution of Appreciation for Councilor Lymburner’s Years of Dedicated Service to the Town of Standish [Christy]
David Thomas of Thomas Road said that Dolly is a fine lady and appreciated her support. He noted that even though she was the Area 2 Councilor whenever she was called she was always there for help, such as for Portland Water District issues.
VOTE: 5 Yeas- 0 Nays
154-06 Wave No Parking Restriction on Saco Road for Annual Craft Fair Held by the Trustees of the Old Red Church [Christy]
Chair Christy said that this is an item that is done every year.
VOTE: 5 Yeas- 0 Nays
155-06 Amendment to Town of Standish Fee Schedule [Simpson]
VOTE: 5 Yeas- 0 Nays
156-06 Authorize an Offer of a Revocable Conservation Easement to Gorham Sebago Lake Region Land Trust for Boundary Road Lands [Spencer]
Councilor Spencer said that this was discussed in Committee and this was very dear to Councilor Lymburner.
Councilor Stack asked if there was only two lots involved or was there a third lot.
Mr. Billington said that the third lot is town owned and is where the former town dump was located. These are the two parcels that Councilor Lymburner wanted in the trust.
Councilor Stack questioned the need of that third lot needed to access the lands.
He said that this order represents the lands that will be offered to them.
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
157-06 Authorize Use of Economic Development Funds for Downtown Development Conference [Pomerleau]
Councilor Biegel said that there will be a number of workshops that will tie in with the village plan that we are looking at.
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
158-06 Town Council Appointment to Recreation Committee [Spencer]
Moved by Spencer Seconded by Beigel and Voted to amend by adding the name of Abbie Teachout to the order.
VOTE ON ORDER AS AMENDED: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
159-06 Town Council Appointment to Council Area 2 Seat [Christy]
Moved by Pomerleau Seconded by Stack and Voted to table this item. (Unanimous)
160-06 Town Council Chair Appointments to Sub-Committees [Christy]
Chair Christy announced the following subcommittee appointments:
Appointments – Christy
Finance – Stack
PWD Steering Committee – Biegel
Moved by Pomerleau Seconded by Spencer and Voted to amend adopting the Chairs nominees. (Unanimous)
VOTE ON ORDER AS AMENDED: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
161-06 Town Council Appointment-Confirmation of Republican Nominee for Ballot / Election Clerk [Christy]
VOTE: 5 Yeas – 0 Nays
PUBLIC ITEMS
Dave Thomas of Thomas Road said that it’s not fair to the people who own property in a Historical Distinct that a person is kept from doing some things they might like to do with the property. He suggested that it the town wants the property the town should purchase the property. He said that monies should be set aside for these purchases by referendum vote.
Mark Lindberg asked for an update on the boat launch issue.
Mr. Billington said that the first brief regarding the Northeast Road Extension width was submitted today. He said that recently the Supreme Court ruled that we have no rights outside of the Northeast Road Extension. That is the area is where the current parking lot that people use. There are funds in this year’s budget to relocate the travel way within the right-of-way. There will be no action on this until there is a final court ruling. He went on to say that the state has a license with the Water District for parking through next year. An MOU is being drafted for a new boat launch site. At this time the Town has not seen a draft of that document.
Mr. Lindbergh asked about the feasibility allowing people that are unable to attend the meeting to participate through the internet or instant messaging.
Chair Christy said that was a good idea and it will be discussed in workshop.
Councilor Biegel said that she apologized to the citizens of Standish for not questioned the appropriateness of reading letters received by the Council. She said that last month a member of the Council read letter that was received in July. She said that she was uncomfortable and is disappointed in herself that she sat there and did not voice her objections. She said that she understands that the letter could be made part of the record but reading it in it’s entirety was inappropriate because it negatively portrays Standish residents. She said that raising issues is important but making them personal it serves no useful purpose.
Councilor Stack wanted to announce the joint meeting of the Council/Planning Board/Comprehensive Plan Committee here on October 18 at 7:00 pm.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (S)
There was not an executive session.
ADJOURN
Moved Stack Seconded Spencer by and Voted to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm by unanimous consent.
Submitted by: ____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
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