Board of Selectmen s Meeting Minutes August 9, 2011; 6:00 P.M.

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1 Board Members Present: Arthur D. Triglione, Sr., Chairman; Robert F. Woodward, Vice-Chairman; Douglas A. Taft; Paul E. Hoyt; Bernard N. King, Jr. 1. Call to Order Chairman Triglione called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. 2. Public Hearing None 3. Public Comments - Non-Agenda Items There were no items under this article. 4. Presentations and Discussions a. Dispatching Update - Chief Schofield and Town Manager Town Manager Berkowitz stated that the transfer of Dispatch will occur on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 7:00 A.M. Town Manager Berkowitz indicated that there had been a great series of meetings that will allow us to do this transfer so efficiently. Town Manager Berkowitz stated that the Town will continue to use the repeater tower located at the Ring Farm and hopefully in approximately one year the Town will be using a tower at Shawnee Peak (Pleasant Mountain). Town Manager Berkowitz then reviewed the processes that will happen internally for the transition, and how the red phone will work. Chief Schofield stated that he, Fire Chief Garland and Laurie Chadbourne had created a Citizen Complaint Form for problems that may arise during the transfer process; these forms will be available at the Police Department, Town Office and on the website. Mr. Bill Shelly asked Town Manager Berkowitz if the voice mail will be available during the daytime. Town Manager Berkowitz stated that it would be and explained the protocol for the voice mail. 5. Approval of Minutes - July 26, 2011 Motion was made by Selectman Taft for approval of the minutes from the July 26, 2011 Board Meeting; 2 nd from Vice Chairman Woodward. 5 approve/0 oppose 6. Correspondence and Other Pertinent Information a. Proposed Schedule for Pondicherry Park Selectman Taft indicated that the time schedule was a good target to resolve the matter and is comfortable with the Conservation Easement that Lakes Environmental Association and Loon Echo Land Trust provided, but wanted to have a meeting with them on August 23, Chairman Triglione queried the budget amount that they are proposing, and the Moose Pond Trust Fund money. Mr. Berkowitz reminded the Board of Selectmen of the 50% / 50% split in the balance of the Moose Pond Trust Fund money that was approved at the Town Meeting. b. November 2011 Election Schedule The Board of Selectmen received this as information only. Page 1 of 6

2 7. Town Manager s Report Town Manager Berkowitz reported the following: County Finance Committee: The County has established its finance committee per the new charter which is to include municipal officers. Bridgton is part of District 1. At the meeting which has yet to be scheduled, the attendees will have the opportunity to vote for tw0 members for three year terms. When we receive the meeting information it will be passed onto the Select Board. Fire Department Training: Per the new Bureau of Labor Standards requirements Chief Garland has sent four members of the Fire Department to the emergency vehicle operations course. They in turn will be able to train the balance of the Fire personnel. The Chief s goal is to complete all of this training by Thanksgiving. Expenses and Revenues: The monthly financial reports indicate that we are 7.5% expended against the benchmark of 8.33%. Revenues came in at 11.8%. As we continue into August and without our first quarterly tax payments, we will evaluate the cash flows to determine if we will execute the approved TAN with Norway Savings Bank. CMP Smart Meter Update: Apparently Bridgton falls between two CMP Installation protocols and notifications for the smart meters. Folks who have any questions about their smart meter installation date should contact CMP at to reach the firm addressing these issues. This is directly related to the time frame given all customers to opt out of the smart meter to another choice. Tax Anticipation Notes: As a direct result of the MSAD #61 not having a validated budget we have been delayed in our tax billings. This will require some temporary borrowing which the Board approved at the last meeting. We are working with Bond Counsel to have all document readied for your August 23 meeting should any additional signatures be required. Personnel Changes: We have accepted the resignation of reserve officer Michael Lothrop. Chief Schofield will evaluate the reserve level needs before determining whether to accept applications. The Chiefs are setting up interviews with 10 of the over 20 applications received for the Public Safety Administrative Assistant position. Respectfully Submitted, Mitchell A. Berkowitz, Town Manager Chairman Triglione informed the Board of Selectmen that some of the dispatchers had an opportunity to apply for positions with the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center. Town Manager Berkowitz stated that two employees were hired. 8. Old Business a. Review Solid Waste Ordinance-Revisions (From April 18, 2011) Town Manager Berkowitz stated that there were proposed changes to the Ordinance which included a definition for Required Recycling ; all references to Regional Waste Systems, Inc. (RWS) were changed to Eco-Maine as well as language and penalties for Required Recycling. Town Manager Berkowitz stated that the changes are in an effort to increase the Town s recycling efforts. Selectman King asked if the Transfer Station Personnel will be enforcing the changes. Town Manager Berkowitz stated that they will. Mr. Earl Cash asked how they were going to enforce, if the personnel would be opening bags. Town Manager Berkowitz stated that bags would not be opened. Lengthy discussion ensued about the proposed penalty. Mr. Bill Vincent felt that shutting people out of the Transfer Station would lead to more garbage on the sides of the roads, Mr. Bill Shelly suggested instead of shutting them out of the Transfer Station publish their names as violators of the Ordinance. Public Works Director, Jim Kidder stated that there is a big problem with the trash cans at Highland Lake, Woods Pond Beaches and Shorey Park being used for disposal of household garbage not just what is being consumed at the locations. Chairman Triglione also brought up Pay-Per-Bag as a solution to increasing the recycling percentage. Lengthy discussion ensued about alternatives to bags. Mr. Cash suggested a cost benefit analysis on the proposed changes before anything is done. Page 2 of 6

3 8. Old Business CONTINUED a. Review Solid Waste Ordinance-Revisions (From April 18, 2011) CONITNUED Town Manager Berkowitz also suggested maybe consolidating with another Town. Chairman Triglione then requested that the Town Manager have the Recycling Committee review the changes for the August 23, 2011 meeting. b. Re-drafted Traffic Ordinance on Depot Street Town Manager Berkowitz reviewed with the Board of Selectmen the proposed language addition to the Traffic Ordinance, which would include eliminating parking on the easterly side of Depot St. along the Ricky s Diner property and establishing parking on the westerly side of Depot Street along the new sidewalk. Town Manager Berkowitz also stated that there is additional language to eliminate parking along the Reny s building on Depot St. Economic and Community Development Director, Alan Manoian stated that he measured Depot St. between Ricky s Diner and the new sidewalk and there is enough room for parking spots along the Ricky s Diner property line. Selectman Taft reminded everyone that there are required setbacks for the stop sign, intersection and crosswalk to accommodate any type of parking. After some additional discussion, motion was made by Selectman Taft to establish a no parking area on the Reny s side of Depot St.; 2 nd by Selectman King. 5 approve/0 oppose Town Manager Berkowitz stated that there would be a public hearing on August 23. It was also mentioned that the No Parking signs needed to be updated. Selectman King asked Police Chief Schofield if he had addressed the issues of the parking spots being too close to the cross walks. Chief Schofield replied that he had an officer review and he is now compiling all the necessary data to report to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Hoyt asked about the parking lot behind the post office being fixed up. Mr. Cash stated that there had been a plan to address that several years ago, but the funding ran out. Mr. Shelley asked that the Board of Selectmen take into consideration parking for people who tow trailers and campers. Selectman Taft and Mr. Manoian then mentioned that there are public parking lots on Gibbs Ave. and behind Chalmers that are available. c. Review of Draft fee changes for Salmon Point Campground Town Manager Berkowitz reviewed with the Board of Selectmen proposed changes to the fee schedule for Salmon Point. Selectman Hoyt reminded the Board that Salmon Point does not have the same amenities that private campgrounds have and that the people who go to the beach infringe on the privacy of the campers down at the campground. Discussion ensued about some of those fees. No decisions were made at this time. d. Public Information Regarding Emergency & Non-Emergency Services (Bridgton News and Website) Town Manager Berkowitz highlighted the information that would be running in the Bridgton News Advertisement and stressed what types of calls would be handled by each of the phone numbers. e. Complete review and authorize execution of CCRCC MOU Town Manager Berkowitz stated that he met with Bill Holmes of the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center about the Board s concerns with the Memorandum of Understanding. Mr. Holmes stated that the can not create a unique service for Bridgton that would then have to offered to their other Town s. Chief Schofield indicated that the Town will be keeping the dispatch console temporarily. Motion was made by Selectman Hoyt to approve the Agreement, appoint Chief Schofield as the Town s Primary Representative to the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center Board Page 3 of 6

4 8. Old Business CONTINUED e. Complete review and authorize execution of CCRCC MOU CONTINUED of Directors, with Fire Chief Glen Garland as the alternate and have Chairman Triglione execute the necessary documents; 2 nd by Selectmen King. 5 approve/0 oppose f. Review Proposed Victualer Licensing Ordinance The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed ordinance. Selectman Woodward suggested the following change to Section 3 of the ordinance: However, no license shall be required for an establishment which only serves food or drink prepared by a license establishment or by a licensed catering firm. g. Boat Dock Policy Town Manager Berkowitz stated that the purpose of the policy was to help regulate Town owned boat ramps. Selectman Taft asked if the policy would impact competitive fishing tournaments as some are held at night. Town Manager Berkowitz stated that it would not. Mr. Bill Shelly indicated that he and others have had problems with swimmers in the boat launch. Town Manager Berkowitz stated he believed that there were signs posted about no swimming in the boat launch. Selectman Hoyt asked what the penalty amounts were. Police Chief Schofield stated he believed the fine was anywhere from $1.00 to $ and the judge determined the amount. Lengthy discussion ensued on whether to allow long term docking or short term docking. Motion was made by Selectman Taft to approve the policy after amending the policy as follows: the docking area is a load and unload zone, also under Rules and Regulations #2 delete No person shall cause their water craft to be tied or moored to a Town owned docking facility for longer than one hour. and move There shall be no overnight docking permitted at these facilities. to Rule #1; 2 nd by Selectman King. 5 approve/0 oppose 9. SAD #61 a. Budget Validation Referendum This was informational only, no action was taken. 10. New Business a. Permits/Documents Requiring Board Approval 1. Victualer License to Little Mountain Store Motion was made by Vice Chairman Woodward for approval of the Victualer License; 2 nd from Selectman Hoyt. 5 approve/0 oppose 2. Quit Claim Deed to Peter R. Coombs (Parcel 5/73) 3. Accept Payment and Approve Quit Claim Deed to Dale Torres (Parcel 14/52A) Motion was made by Vice Chairman Woodward for approval of the Quit Claim Deeds for Peter R. Coombs and Dale Torres; 2 nd from Selectman King. 5 approve/0 oppose 4. Application for Catered Function by Qualified Catering Organization; Kitchen Chicks, 8/26/2011 at Camp Wildwood 5. Application for Catered Function by Qualified Catering Organization; Kitchen Chicks, 8/27/2011 at Camp Wildwood Motion was made by Selectman Hoyt for approval of the Catering Function Permits for 8/26/2011 and 8/27/2011; 2 nd from Selectman Taft. 5 approve/0 oppose Page 4 of 6

5 10. New Business CONTINUED b. Permits/Documents Requiring Board Approval CONTINUED 6. Sewer Commitment #91 Motion was made by Selectman Taft for approval of Sewer Commitment #91; 2 nd from Vice Chairman Woodward. 5 approve/0 oppose 7. Bridgton House of Pizza at 256 Main Street Patio/Landscape within Town s Right-of-Way The Board of Selectmen reviewed the request for the easement. Motion was made by Vice Chairman Woodward for approval of the Patio/Landscape within the Town s Right-of-Way, with Mr. Hronarakis attorney drafting the easement, have the Town of Bridgton listed as additional insured and have the Chairman execute the necessary documents; 2 nd from Selectman Taft. 5 approve/0 oppose b. Bids, Awards and other Administrative Recommendations Town Manager Berkowitz noted to the Board of Selectmen that as of January 1, 2011 recreational fireworks will be available for sale in the State of Maine. Town Manager Berkowitz wanted feedback from the Board of Selectmen on whether they wished to have the Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Chief send forth some guidance on the issue. Selectman Taft thought it was a good idea and to include the Police Chief as well. c. Legal Matters There were no legal matters. d. Selectmen s Concerns Vice-Chairman Woodward Vice Chairman Woodward mentioned that there are concerns about the lack of sidewalks from the public parking lot on Depot St. to Reny s. Mr. Alan Manoian Economic and Community Development Director stated he was willing to hold discussions to resolve the safety issue. Vice Chairman Woodward also stated that the crosswalk on top of the hill in front of the Methodist Church needed to have signs, because no one can see that there is a crosswalk there. Selectman Hoyt Selectman Hoyt mentioned that he still would like to have Bridgton s Representatives to the MSAD #61 School Board at a Board of Selectmen s Meeting for discussion. Selectman Taft Selectman Taft asked when the Budget Committee was going to start for next years budget process. Town Manager Berkowitz suggested that the Board of Selectmen think about what the Budget Committee s role will be. This prompted discussion on whether there was a need for a budget committee. The Board of Selectmen decided to hold discussion on this issue at the first meeting in September. Selectman Taft also asked if the Welcome to Bridgton signs be cleaned up and repainted. Selectman King Selectman King asked if the photographs on the Town s website could be upgraded. Page 5 of 6

6 10. New Business CONTINUED d. Selectmen s Concerns CONTINUED Selectman King CONTINUED Selectman King also stated that he thought there should be a non binding vote or public forum asking the people if they would like to see the narrow gauge railroad. Selectman King thought there should be more public input. After further discussion the Board of Selectmen determined that it is a little premature to do this at this time. Selectman King stated that there were a large number of No Parking signs that need replacing. Chairman Triglione Chairman Triglione announced that there were 665 votes cast in the Bridgton portion of the MSAD #61 Affirmation Referendum, 378 Yes votes and 287 No votes. Chairman Triglione asked for an update on the Lyons property on North High Street. Town Manager Berkowitz gave an update to the Board of Selectmen. The letter went to the property owner who turned it over to their Attorney, who was to meet with the bank, insurance company and property owners to arrive at a decision. That decision should be made after Labor Day. If no decision has been made by that time the Town will need to move forward to remedy the dangerous building problem. e. Other Matters There were no other matters for discussion. 11. Agendas for the Next Board of Selectmen s Meetings/Workshops August 23, 2011 (Regular Board Meeting) 12. Treasurer s Warrants Motion was made by Selectman Hoyt for approval of Treasurer s Warrants numbered 8, 9, 10 and 11; 2 nd from Vice Chairman Woodward. 5 approve/0 oppose 13. Executive Session -MRSA Title 1, Chapter 13, Subsection A. Discussion of Legal Matters Which if Discussed Publicly Would Disadvantage the Town of Bridgton. Motion was made by Selectman Taft to enter into executive session at 9:22 P.M. per MRSA Title 1, Chapter 13, Subsection A for discussion of legal matters which if discussed publicly would disadvantage the Town of Bridgton; 2 nd from Vice Chairman Woodward. 5 approve/0 oppose Motion was made by Selectman King to exit executive session at 10:26 P.M.; 2 nd from Selectman Taft. 5 approve/0 oppose 15. Adjourn Chairman Triglione adjourned the meeting at 10:26 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Dawn E. Taft, Deputy Town Clerk Page 6 of 6