Meeting Minutes | Select Board | 2018-05-08
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MINUTES
Town of Bowdoinham
Select Board & Board of Assessors Meeting
May 8, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
1. Call the Meeting to Order & Establish a Quorum
The meeting was called to order and quorum established by Chair Peter Lewis at 5:30 p.m. Select Board members Peter Lewis, Jeremy Cluchey, Judy Gray, David Engler and Thomas Walling were present. Staff present included Town Manager, William Post and Planning and Development Director, Nicole Briand. Also present was Comprehensive Planning Committee Chair, Joanne Joy and Planning Board Chair, Nate Drummond.
2. Accept public comments on the draft warrant articles to be voted on at the Town Meeting on June 13, 2018.
3. Amendments to the Agenda – None
4. Approve Consent Calendar
A. Meeting Minutes of April 24, 2018
B. Warrants and Financial Reports:
1. Treasurer’s Warrant #61 for $347,521.08
C. Reports and Communications:
1. Sheriff’s Department April Incident Report
2. Town Clerk & Registrar of Voter’s April Activity Report
- Quit Claim deeds
1. Donald C. Dunn
2. Mark Despres Sr.
On motion of Engler/Cluchey, the Board voted 4 – 0 - 1, with Board Member Lewis abstaining, to approve the Minutes of April 24, 2018, as amended.
On motion of Engler/Walling, the Board voted 5 – 0 to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as presented.
5. Action Items
- Act on Request to Name Natural Play Area “Cathance Meadows.”
Comprehensive Committee Chair Joanne Joy, spoke to the Board to request that the Recreational Area behind the Public Works Building be formally named. There had been previous discussion as to whether the area should be named “Cathance Meadows” or “Cathance Meadow.” Vice Chair Cluchey commented that he likes “Meadows.” Board members Gray, Engler, and Walling all agreed.
On motion of Walling/Engler, the Board voted 5-0 to approve naming the recreation area “Cathance Meadows” as requested.
- Act on Land Use Ordinance for Retail Marijuana Establishments
The Board had previously requested a map that would detail which properties would be affected by the 1,000 ft. setback, required for Retail Marijuana Establishments. Planning and Development Director Nicole Briand presented the Board with the map on the tax map which highlight the parcels within the 1,000 ft. setback, from schools and churches. Briand introduced Nate Drummond, Chair of the Planning Board, to take questions from the Board. Board Chair Lewis asked why churches were included in the 1,000 ft. setback. Drummond responded that the state statute was not finalized at the time the ordinance was being written. He also stated that the Planning Board did not receive a lot of public feedback regarding these ordinance changes. He went on to explain that the Planning Board used the city of South Portland’s ordinance as a guide and South Portland’s ordinance did include setbacks for churches. Drummond also felt that it was important to err on the side of churches in the community, and in our town the setback line is not drastically changed due to the inclusion of churches in the setback parameters. Comprehensive Planning Committee Chair Joy commented that she knew a lot about writing marijuana ordinances and the reason churches are included in many towns’ ordinances is because churches are frequented by children for Sunday school and other youth focused programs and this was just another way to protect children.
On motion of Cluchey/Engler, the Board voted 5-0 to approve an Ordinance to Amend the Town of Bowdoinham Land Use Ordinance to permit Retail Marijuana Establishments within the Town of Bowdoinham and to establish performance standards for Retail Marijuana Establishments for inclusion on the Town Meeting Warrant.
- Act on Tax Town Meeting Warrant Article for Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative (BCDI) Funding Request: “To decide what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and/or appropriate for BCDI”.
The BCDI Funding Request was presented and discussed at the last Select Board Meeting. The Town Manager reminded the Board that BCDI had met the deadline and the requirements of the funding request and that the Finance Advisory Committee did recommend the funding request of $1,500. The Manager went on to state that it was now up to the Board to make the decision at to whether this Warrant Article will be placed on the Town Meeting Warrant. Board Member Gray stated she had reservations and that BCDI seems to be becoming a “quasi” town department. She also expressed concern regarding the remark made by BCDI linking the vote for the new Public Works building to their desire to redevelop the old Public Works site. Vice Chair Cluchey stated that he also struggles with these types of funding requests, but finds solace in that there is now a policy in place and the fact that there is specific criteria that must be demonstrated to show how the community would benefit. Member Gray added that she is supportive of BCDI and has participated in some of their programs but is not sure that tax dollars should be used for this purpose. Board Chair Lewis added that in the past he had struggled with BCDI’S lack of ability to demonstrate how the Town would benefit as a whole and asked whether their presentation during the prior Select Board Meeting clearly represented the benefit to the Town. Vice Chair Cluchey responded that there was evidence presented in the materials they provided and is why he assumed the Finance Committee approved and forwarded it to the Select Board.
On motion of Walling/Cluchey, the Board voted 2-2-1, with Gray and Lewis opposing, and Engler abstaining to include the BCDI funding request on the town meeting warrant.
The Manager stated that without the majority vote required, the motion failed and this request will not be included on the Town Warrant.
- Act on Approval of Proposed FY2019 Municipal Budget.
The Manager explained to the Board that they will need to make a recommendation on the FY2019 budget as discussed at the previous Board meeting. He explained that if they support the budget as is, a motion to recommend the budget as presented is sufficient. If they want to recommend different amounts for any department, then the Board would need to make several motions with different recommended budget amounts. The Manager explained the handouts that he presented to the Board. The first was the Recreation Budget, with a corrected formula, along with the Budget Summary sheet, which was approved by the Finance Advisory Committee. The second handout was the Tax Rate Calculation estimate. He explained that if the Budget is approved, the estimated increase in taxes will be 1.2%, which is less than the previous estimate of 1.6%, and less than the projected inflation rate of 1.7%.
On motion of Cluchey/Walling, the Board voted 4-1, with Engler opposing, to approve and recommend the FY2019 proposed municipal budget as presented and recommended by the Finance Advisory Committee, with the exception of the Agency Funding Requests.
- Act on Approval of Town Meeting Warrant
The Manager stated that there will be changes to the Town Meeting Warrant based on the actions the Board had just taken. The first change will be the verbiage on page 2 relating to a unanimous vote recommendations on the expense articles for the Town warrant. The manager will be changing that to reflect a 4-1 vote, by the Select Board, and a unanimous vote by the Finance Advisory Committee, for the FY2019 Budget. The second change will be the removal of Article 17 from the Warrant. There are no other changes.
On motion of Cluchey/Walling, the Board voted 5-0, to approve the Town Meeting
Warrant for June 13, 2018, with the exception of the recommendation language in
the Expense Budget Articles and the exception of the removal of Article 17.
F. Act on Approval of Open Farm Day Event Budget
Planning and Development Director Briand, reviewed the proposed events for Open Farm Day. This is the 7th year of the event and will take place this year on Sunday, July 22nd. There will be farm and studio tours from 9 AM – 4 PM, and a barbeque at the waterfront park from 3 PM to 6 PM. The Town will be partnering with the Masonic Lodge and the Texas BBQ company again this year. Ingredients for the food will be purchased from local farmers. The Bowdoinham Historical Society will provide the strawberry shortcake again this year. Local artists will also be joining us throughout the day and also at the BBQ. Bike rides will be sponsored by both the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust and the Maine Farmland Trust. Tickets for the BBQ will be $10 and can only be purchased the day of the event. There will be no pre-sale of tickets this year. The Manager stated that the Board must approve the Open Farm Day event budget in order for it to be covered by the Town’s liability insurance. Vice Chair Cluchey asked if our event would be posted in the State’s Open Farm Day brochure. Briand explained that we can get an ad in their book but since our Farm Day is a town event, we would need to purchase the ad. Board member Gray asked Briand what she could tell us about the Texas BBQ company. Briand responded that they are based out of Richmond, they have catered this event for us for the past three or four years, and they do a nice job. Texas BBQ partners with the Masonic Lodge for the catering, and proceeds are donated to local food banks.
On motion of Cluchey/Walling, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the Open Farm Day
event budget as presented.
G. Act on Appointment of Nora Bishop as Warden for State Election on June 12,
2018
The Town Manager stated that the Town Clerk has recommended Nora Bishop to serve as Election Warden for the State Election on June 12, 2018. She has been through all the required training.
.
On motion of Walling/Engler, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the appointment of
Nora Bishop as Election Warden for the June 12, 2018 election.
- Act on Nomination of the Town Manager to the Legislative Policy Committee for the Maine Municipal Association
The Town Manager’s term on the Legislative Policy Committee is up on June 30, 2018 and nominations are currently open. A nomination by the Select Board would allow his name to be placed on the ballot for the upcoming election. The Manager told the Board that he has served on this committee for the past 9 years and he is interested in serving again. Vice Chair Cluchey asked the Manager about the benefits of serving on the committee. The Manager stated that being a member of the committee allows him to participate in shaping Maine Municipal Association’s legislative agenda and being a member of the committee allows him insight into the legislative process which is beneficial for our town.
On motion of Engler/Cluchey, the Board voted 5-0 to nominate William Post as a
Candidate for the Maine Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Committee.
6. Discussion Items – None
7. Town Manager’s Report
The Manager informed the Board that he has appointed current Public Works employee George Halsey as interim Public Works Foreman.
The net cost of the Public Works clean-up was $2,840. The Manager expects the amount will increase due to smaller items that still need to be picked up from the site.
The Manager asked the Board if they would be interested in holding a ground breaking ceremony for the new Public Works Facility. Chair Lewis responded affirmatively and other Board members agreed that this was a significant project for the Town and a ground breaking ceremony would be a good thing.
The Manager stated that the Website redesign project has begun.
Canoe and kayak racks are in place at the waterfront park.
The Manager also informed the Board that the architect hired to perform a space analysis for the Town Office and Library, will be on site next week to check out the space.
8. Select Board Member’s Request for Agenda Items for Next Meeting
Board Member Walling requested a discussion regarding the Town’s emergency management planning. Vice Chair Cluchey requested a discussion regarding the recent changes in the recycling program.
9. Announce Future Select Board Meetings
A. May 22nd – Regular Meeting
B. June 12th – Regular Meeting
- Comments from Select Board Members
Board member Gray asked about what is happening with the vacant houses in town. The Manager responded that if a property is unsafe then it becomes a code violation and would be reported to the code office. He also stated that if anyone sees a questionable property, they may send an email to the Town Manager or the Code Enforcement Officer and it will be addressed. Vice Chair Cluchey asked if the Town Hall steps had been repaired yet. The Manager responded they had. Cluchey also asked whether a Face book event had been created for Town Meetings. The Manager thought that it was up, but will check. Vice Chair Cluchey also suggested that a Facebook event for the upcoming election would be a good idea. He added that he has found with his day job that creating a Facebook event has proved to be a useful tool to get people to show up for event.
11. Comments from the Public – None
12. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned by acclamation at 6:48 P.M.
Select Board
Town of Bowdoinham, Maine Peter Lewis, Chair
Jeremy Cluchey, Vice-Chair
David Engler
Judith Gray
Thomas Walling
Respectfully Submitted,
Patricia Frederick, Administrative Assistant