Town Council Minutes

 

 

The meeting was calle to order by Chair Olson and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Blanck, Higgins, Nesbitt, Olson, Ordway, Pomerleau and Sargent

 

Councilor Sargent noted that on page 3 the report regarding the Cumberland County Oversight Committee was actually presented by Council Ordway not him.  Moved, seconded and voted to approve the minutes after making this correction. (Unanimous) 

 

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Clerk read the following notes:

          Thank-you from Deborah Mclean of Freeport for their efforts on the beach project.

          Thank-you from the Steep Falls Village Improvements Society for funding the Town had provided to   them.

 

Town Manager, Gordon Billington spoke on the following items:

 

The Steep Falls sidewalk project had been buttoned-up for the season and will be finished in the spring.

Steve Soucie of MDOT will meet at the Steep Falls Fire Station with residents to discuss the Route 11 (Main Street) safety audit on December 10 at 7 pm.

The Town Planner and Public Works Director met with CMP on Monday to evaluate the site to determine if running power to the beach area is feasible.In January we’ll meet with the National Guard to discuss the site construction that will start in the spring.He noted that the Town will remove some trees and other work prior to the Guards arrival this spring. An RFP will be developed regarding the gravel needs for the project.

The Fire Chief has been taking Advanced EMT classes with a completion date in early 2016.

He commended the Recreation Department for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which was held last week.

 

He introduced Jen Sibley and Stephanie Noyes who both work in outreach services for Family Crisis Services.  They thanked the Town for its support, they described the service that they provide including the number of persons served, they also provided an update regarding present and future grant opportunities.

The Town Clerk provided a presentation on the newly updated web site. 

Departmental Report – Jen DeRice, Director of Parks and Recreation, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Recreation Department’s programs and future goals. 

 

 

Chair Olson explained that town staff inspects these facilities on an annual basis.  Chair Olson explained that since the wording on the next five orders were all the same, she instructed the Clerk to read the first order in its entirety, subsequent orders only by title. 

 

112-15 Application Submitted by Dawn Andersen for Renewal of a Combined Massage Establishment/Therapist License at the Center for Soul Enrichment at 80 Phinney Road [Olson]

 

Chair Olson called for public comments: there were none

Chair Olson called for Council comments: Councilor Sargent questioned where the applications were in the inspection process.

 

The Clerk explained that the Code Enforcement Officer had completed his inspection of all the applications.  The Fire Department is in the process of inspecting the applications.  Licenses will be issued after the Town Manager’s approval, which is done after the inspectors have completed the inspections and signed-off on the applications.

 

After a Public Hearing without additional public or Council discussion the Council voted on the application and the hearing was closed.

 

VOTE: 7 Yeas

 

113-15 Application Submitted by Stephanie Biggs for Renewal of a Combined Massage Establishment/Therapist at Kosmetikos Spa and Wellness Center located at 1 Northeast Road [Olson]

 

Chair Olson called for public comments: there were none

Chair Olson called for Council comments: there were none

 

After a Public Hearing without additional public or Council discussion the Council voted on the application and the hearing was closed.

 

VOTE: 7 Yeas

 

114-15 Application Submitted by Kayla Morse for Renewal of a Massage Therapist License at Kosmetikos Spa & Wellness Center [Olson]        

 

Chair Olson called for public comments: there were none

Chair Olson called for Council comments: there were none

 

After a Public Hearing without additional public or Council discussion the Council voted on the application and the hearing was closed.

 

VOTE: 7 Yeas

 

115-15 Application Submitted by Deborah Boxer for Renewal of a Massage Therapist License at Kosmetikos Spa & Wellness Center [Olson]

 

Chair Olson called for public comments: there were none

Chair Olson called for Council comments: there were none

 

After a Public Hearing without additional public or Council discussion the Council voted on the application and the hearing was closed.

 

VOTE: 7 Yeas

 

116-15 Application Submitted by Xiong Tran for Renewal of a Massage Therapist License at Kosmetikos Spa & Wellness Center [Olson]

 

Chair Olson called for public comments: there were none

Chair Olson called for Council comments: there were none

 

After a Public Hearing without additional public or Council discussion the Council voted on the application and the hearing was closed.

 

VOTE: 7 Yeas

 

Councilor Ordway noted that he and Councilor Higgins recently attended two of the MSAD 6 Budget Advisory Committee meetings.  He explained that when this committee was initiated a few years ago it boasted forty members, now it has about ten members.  He urged interested persons to join this committee to review the schools budget. 

 

Councilor Higgins echoed Mr. Ordway’s comments adding that this advisory committee helps the School Board. 

 

Councilor Higgins reported that recycling numbers are okay, and she encouraged individuals to continue to donate bottles/cans to the fuel program.   She reported the Recycling Committee just reviewed the poster entries for the recycling calendar contest.  The winning posters have been selected and the calendars will be sent to the printer soon.

 

Mr. Billington informed them that the school Superintendent had let him know that the Advisory Committee would engage a lobbyist to represent us this year to counter Frye Islands attempts to reduce their share of the tax burden.  He questioned the Advisory Members on what action has been taken at this point.

 

Councilor Ordway remarked that the Advisory Committee unanimously asked the School Board to authorize a lobbyist be employed in the Frye Island matter.  He said that this matter was on the School Board agenda last night.

 

Councilor Nesbitt advised them that the Beach Committee met last month and discussed budgetary issues with Jen DeRice, our Recreation Director.  This month’s Beach Committee will be cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.

 

Councilor Nesbitt told them told them that the Finance Committee reports that revenues and expenditure are as expected.  

 

Council Sargent explained that the Capital Improvements Committee met to review Recreation Department future needs.

 

Council Sargent said as a MSAD 6 Budgetary Advisory Member he can testify that their recommendations are heard by the School Board.

 

Councilor Blanck said that the Ordinance Committee has substantially completed its work on the Steep Falls Village Plan, they are waiting for input from the consultant, and then it will be forwarded to legal counsel.  In early 2016 it will come before the full Council.   He continued that the Ordinance Committee is also working on approved uses in cluster and conservation subdivisions; and developing a commercial recreation ordinance.

 

Councilor Pomerleau said that the Appointments Committee met earlier tonight and have an order later on the agenda. 

 

Councilor Pomerleau noted that the Public Safety Committee met, however, she was unable to attend the meeting.

 

There were no Consent Items on this agenda.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS   

108-15 Amendment to Fee Scheduled (Postponed for additional information to be obtained) [Nesbitt]

 

This order remained on the table.

 

109-15 Amendment to Standish Town Code, Chapter 181, Land Use, Multiple Sections Regarding Public Water Supply (First Reading) [Blanck]

 

Moved by Blanck seconded by Sargent and voted to dispense with the Clerks reading of the ordinance amendment. (Unanimous)

 

Chair Olson called for public comments: there were none

Chair Olson called for Council comments: there were none

 

Councilor Blanck read the following paragraph from the amendment:

 

         181-35.9 It is the policy of the Town of Standish to require the extension of the public water  supply system to serve new development to the extent that such extensions are feasible and economically viable. The provisions of this section identify when public water supply must be     used and/or the public water system extended to serve the use of land or development activity.

 

He continued to explain that this provides for a cost analysis to extend a water public water supply versus private water supply.  The ordinance provides the formula with an escalator clause to keep it current.

 

The Clerk noted the Planning Board held their required Public Hearing last night.

 

Moved seconded and voted to move this item to Public Hearing at their January meeting. (Unanimous)

 

117-15 Town Council Appointments to Various Boards or Committees [Pomerleau]

 

Moved by Pomerleau seconded by Nesbitt and voted to add the name of Rayleen Pinkham to the order. (Unanimous)

 

Chair Olson called for public comments: there were none

Chair Olson called for Council comments: there were none

 

VOTE ON ORDER AS AMENDED: 7 Yeas

 

Mr. Billington noted that two new residents to the town are at tonight’s meeting, he asked them to say a few words.

 

The new resident said that people were friendly and she’d like to get involved.

 

Councilor Ordway urged interested parties to join Sno-seekers Club.

 

Several upcoming meetings were announced.

 

An executive session was not needed at this meeting.

 

Chair Olson wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

 

ADJOURN

 

Moved by Nesbitt seconded by Blanck and voted to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm by unanimous consent.

 

Submitted by: ______________________________
Clerk/Secretary