TOWN COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 10, 2003
Chairman, Robert Gagne called the meeting to order at 7:14pm. Those present included Councilors John Ford, Suzanne Roberge, John Rudolph, and Richard Clough, Sr.. Town Manager Jon St. Pierre was also in attendance.
MINUTES TO PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1. Board of Assessors 10-27-03: On a motion by Ms. Roberge, seconded by Mr. Ford, it was unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes and adopt them as written. Mr. Clough abstained.
2. Public Hearing – 10-27-03 General Assistance Ord: On a motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Ms. Roberge, it was unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes and adopt them as written. Mr. Clough abstained.
3. Town Council 10-27-03: On a motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Ms. Roberge, it was unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes and adopt them as written. Mr. Clough abstained.
4. Special Town Council 10-31-03: On a motion by Ms. Roberge, seconded by Mr. Rudolph, it was unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes and adopt them as written.
Mr. Clough and Mr. Ford abstained.
INFORMATIONAL
None.
COMMUNICATIONS
None.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
1. Clifford Cleary, Spillane’s Hill, stated that all residents should have the opportunity to attend Council meetings. Meetings were always held at 7:00pm.
SIGNING OF TREASURER'S WARRANT – November 10, 2003
The warrant was signed.
COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS
1. Mr. Clough addressed the Council on several issues.
- Parking at Leigh’s Mills is a year round issue and should be considered as such.
- Availability of town audit. Mr. St Pierre stated that the final report should be available in a couple of weeks.
- The Council should form a strategy prior to meeting with the various town boards.
- Mr. Clough stated that he was not opposed to a new library. He did express his concerns about Council input in the process the size of library and the potential operating costs.
- Mr. Clough spoke in favor of the food pantry using the old rescue barn. He did express his concerns regarding liability and expenses. He stated that a formal agreement should be made prior to the pantry opening. Ms. Roberge expressed her concerns regarding costs and the fact that the groups organizing the new pantry are religion based.
Town Council
November 10, 2003
Page 2
COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS CONT’D
- Does the Town have any pending grant applications? Mr. St. Pierre stated that there are a few, and a list is being compiled.
- Mr. Clough questioned if department heads have submitted inventory lists of Town property in their possession. He stated that the inventories would be helpful during the budget process. The Manager responded by stating that the Town Bookkeeper does keep an inventory list, however, the list has not been verified by actual internal audit.
2. Ms. Roberge welcomed Mr. Clough back to the Council.
- Ms. Roberge stated that the department budget updates have been very helpful.
- Main Street, even after the construction, is a tight fit with parking on both sides.
- Cathy Locke and her group at the Jr. High should be commended for a great program commemorating Veteran’s Day.
- Ms. Roberge stated that the passing of Cliff Ham was a great loss to the Town. South Berwick is a better place because of him.
3. Mr. Rudolph informed the Council that the Traffic Origin & Destination Study data is now being reviewed and expects the results in January. He also stated that additional funds may be requested from KACTS for a computer simulation model.
- Mr. Rudolph recommended that the Council formulate a strategy to encourage more candidates to participate in municipal elections.
- Mr. Rudolph thanked the Council for passing the anti-Casino resolution. He stated that economic development, a related issue, needs the Council’s attention.
4. Mr. Gagne thanked the Council for electing him Chairman.
- Mr. Gagne reiterated Ms. Roberge comments regarding Cliff Ham. “He was one hell of a guy”.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
1. Fog lines have been added on Knight’s Pond Road and the sidewalks have been completed on Goodwin Street.
2. The York County Commissioners have sent a memo requesting the Town’s support for a county charter. The Commissioners submitted no other information. Mr. St. Pierre stated that he would invite Jim McMahon, Berwick Town Manager, to speak with the Council on this issue. Mr. McMahon has served on the County Commission.
3. The Planning Board will soon be discussing the industrial park.
4. Mr. St. Pierre thanked Cliff Cleary for his work on getting the sound system ready for taping meetings.
5. York Hospital has started work on Colcord Street.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. On a motion by Mr. Clough, seconded by Mr. Ford, it was unanimously voted to hold a workshop on Monday, November 17th at 6:00pm to discuss the re-codification of the zoning ordinance and to discuss proposed changes to the personnel policy.
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November 10, 2003
Page 3
NEW BUSINESS
1. On a motion by Mr. Rudolph, seconded by Mr. Clough, it was unanimously voted to hold public hearings on Monday, December 8th at 6:30pm and 6:40pm to receive public comment on the proposed renewal of junkyard permits for Charles Lynch and Stuart Emery, respectively.
2. On a motion by Mr. Clough, seconded by Ms. Roberge, it was unanimously voted to renew the liquor license for Fogarty’s Restaurant. Discussion regarding whether an applicant should be present at the meeting ensued. Consensus was that renewals did not require the applicant’s presence, however, new licensees requiring a public hearing should be present to answer questions.
3. On a motion by Mr. Rudolph, seconded by Ms. Roberge, it was voted 3-1 (Mr. Clough opposed, Mr. Ford abstained) to meet on Monday, December 15th at 6:30pm and not meet on Monday, December 22nd. Mr. Clough stated that he felt it unnecessary to change a meeting date to accommodate the fact that two Councilors would not be present. Three Councilors can conduct business, the Council just voted to hold meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays, and changing dates is inconsistent.
TABLED ITEM FROM ASSESSOR’S MEETING
Mr. Rudolph made a motion to accept the 2003 Municipal Valuation Return as presented by the Assessing Agent. Ms. Roberge seconded the motion. Mr. Clough questioned whether the motion was out of order. It was agreed that the Council was acting as the Board of Assessors and it was agreed by all to take action at the end of the Council meeting.
Mr. Clough stated that the return should have been included as an agenda item at the last meeting and there is no excuse for it being submitted late. All agreed that the Town should not be liable for the penalty. Mr. St. Pierre stated that he would discuss the issue with Joe Lessard of MRI.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Clough, seconded by Mr. Rudolph, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:19pm.
Attest:
Barbara Bennett, CMC
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