Here are a few of the key accomplishments of the Standish Town Council for 2003 and some of the challenges they face for 2004.
2003 Highlights
Land Use and Building Development:
Anti-Sprawl: The Council adopted a Cluster Development Ordinance provision. It is designed to encourage a pattern of development that preserves trees, natural topography and geologic features; provide for smaller networks of utilities and streets; preserve existing undeveloped land along roads, provide safer access for individual lots in proposed developments; and to set aside common areas as a buffer between clustered lots and abutting property.
Smart Growth: The Council enacted a Growth Cap Ordinance to limit residential growth to 85 single-family residential units per year so that growth doesn’t outpace the Town’s ability to provide municipal services.
Land Use Ordinances: A contract was awarded to the Greater Portland Council of Governments for technical assistance to conduct a wall-to-wall review of the land use code. The code had not been substantively revised since 1995.
Comprehensive Plan Update: The Council entered into a technical support contract with the Greater Portland Council of Governments for an update to the Comprehensive Plan. The state requires an update every ten years. The Council then appointed 56 residents to the update committee.
Geographic Information System (GIS) Parcel Maps: Efforts to digitize the tax parcel maps and to convert them to GIS referenced data were approved. The product will greatly enhance not only land use, community and economic development planning but also emergency response capabilities.
Health and Safety:
Septage Treatment: A septage agreement with the Portland Water District (PWD) was signed to ensure continued treatment of private septage from Standish businesses and residents by PWD’s treatment facilities.
Arsenic Awareness: A final report was received from the Ad-Hoc Arsenic Committee. The committee’s efforts greatly increased the public’s awareness of the health hazards associated with arsenic in drinking water, provided a means for low cost testing of private well water and researched ways to mitigate arsenic in well water. The Committee was disbanded following their successful mission.
Maine Rural Water Association: The Council approved membership in the Maine Rural Water Association to provide representation in rural water matters.
Safe Community Coalition: A Third-Year Safe Community Grant was sought and received to support ongoing safety programs.
FEMA Grant: A $148,700 federal grant was accepted from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for emergency preparedness. The grant significantly upgrades the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus used by Standish Fire/EMS.
New Rescue Unit: The Council approved replacing one of the rescue units.
Student Live-in Program: The student firefighter live-in program was expanded to Central Station to provide enhanced emergency response coverage.
Fire/EMS Dispatch: An additional full time dispatcher was approved to ensure full coverage during week-ends and holiday.
HIPAA Compliance: Policies and procedures were approved to enable full certification with new HIPAA regulations by the April 14, 2003 deadline requirement for continued full emergency response capability.
Emergency Response Communications: Funding for a repeated was approved to enhance emergency response communications.
Administrative:
Administrative Code Revised: The Council amended the Administrative Code in its entirety -- the first major revision of the document since adoption in 1991.
Fees for Services: All fees charged for services from building permits to septage disposal permits were revised. The Boat Launch fee increase for non-residents proved to be controversial.
Property Tax Fairness: A contract was awarded for the first town-wide revaluation in more than 20 years. Town valuations had fallen well below state guidelines. Certain classes of properties were subsidizing other classes of properties.
Economic and Community Development:
Economic Development Mission: The Council adopted an economic development mission statement containing quality of life, healthy community and affordable tax base components.
Steep Falls Village: Recognizing community needs, The Council applied for a Community Block Grant for enhancements to the Steep Falls Village.
Standish Village: The Council approved recommendations from a final report from the Roadway Action Plan Committee. It recommends asserting the Town’s rights to certain range roads laid out by the proprietors in 1775. Development of those range roads would expand the road network around the village.
Sebago Lake Village: A plan to reconstruct a portion of Route 114 in Sebago Lake Village that would include parallel parking and a sidewalk from the school to the intersection was approved. The wider roadbed will be a safer environment.
Public Works:
Road Upgrades: The Council awarded contracts to pave Thomas Road, Liza Lane and portions of Blake, Saco and Milt Brown Roads; to install culverts under Cape Road; to rehabilitate and provide a base coat on River Road; to remove ledge and straighten Milt Brown Road; to rehabilitate and reconstruct Boundary Road and to redesign the intersection between Boundary Road and Route 113.
Water Main Extension: A delay in the reconstruction of Boundary Road was approved to allow a 9,000 foot extension to the water main from Steep Falls.
Sand/Salt Storage Site: The Council authorized actions to complete site preparations for a new sand/salt storage facility.
Gorham By-Pass: The Council supported the Town of Gorham by encouraging Congressional support for the proposed Gorham By-Pass projects for Routes 25 and 114.
Capital Upgrades to Vehicles: The Council approved replacement action for two trucks, a grader and a backhoe/loader for Public Works.
Recycling: Recycling Education brochures were sent to all residents, Recycling Education was provided for elementary school students and a Recycling Calendar was created using artwork from elementary school students.
Regional Waste Systems (RWS): The Council supported an outside audit of RWS to seek answers to the rising costs of solid waste disposal.
Recreation:
Community Center: The former Town Hall was sold with the proceeds dedicated to a future Community Center. A Community Center Study Group was commissioned.
Pine Cove Beach: The Council appointed members to an Ad-Hoc Beach Committee, supported their findings and initiated negotiations with the Portland Water District for development of Pine Cove Beach as a municipal swimming facility.
Ice Skating Rink: Plans to proceed with development of a multipurpose recreational facility at the Johnson Field ice skating rink were unanimously supported.
Mountain Division Trailhead: The Council approved final construction of enhancements to the Johnson Field parking lot. The facility was opened for use as a trailhead for the 4 mile trail to Windham along the Mountain Division railroad tracks.
Other:
Membership in the Portland Water District (PWD): The Council conducted a study of the benefits of membership in the Portland Water District. They concluded that membership in PWD offers no substantial benefits to the Town.
Public Information: The Council awarded a contract to redo the web site to improve public access to information.
MSAD#6 Board: A 5th Director to the MSAD#6 School Board was appointed as a result of reapportionment caused by the 2000 census.
Legislative Action on Role of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC): The Council took a position to oppose self-governance by water utilities and to preserve the Public Utilities Commission’s oversight role.
Legislative Action on Property Taxes: The Council supported the “School Finance and Tax Reform Act of 2003” which led to the successful referendum Option 1A question, which, if enacted, could reduce property taxes by 15%.
Patriotism: The Pledge of Allegiance was added to the Council meeting agenda.
Challenges and Opportunities for 2004
Northeast Road Access to Sebago Lake: Continue to protect the public’s rights to access Sebago Lake via the Northeast Road to include the boat launch site, the fishing pier, ice fishing access and lake viewing opportunities.
Roadway Action Planning Committee: Identify which range roads should be developed and fully establish the Town’s rights to those roads.
Community Center Study Group: Support the development of a needs assessment and the initial list of specifications, assess the public’s support for expenditures for a Community Center and determine the next steps.
Pine Cove Beach: Negotiate conditions for development with the Portland Water District, assess the public’s support for expenditures for the project and determine the next steps.
Comprehensive Plan Update: Monitor and support ongoing actions of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee.
Land Use Ordinances: Provide guidance and support to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board in their comprehensive land use code review under the contract with the Greater Portland Council of Governments.
Revaluation: Ensure that the revaluation findings and implementation remain fair and that the public remains fully informed throughout.
Solid Waste Disposal: Continue to seek relief from the high tax burden associated with solid waste disposal. Monitor the future of RWS and consider solid waste disposal options as appropriate.
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