February 14, 2008 The regular meeting of the Millinocket Town Council was called to order in the Charles Sanders Council Chambers by Chair Paul at 4:30P.M. Roll Call: Council Members Present: Busque Mingo Cyr Paul Gonya Polstein (absent) McLean Also Present: Town Manager Eugene Conlogue, Clerk Roxanne Johnson, and 15 Citizens. Approval of Minutes of the January 24, 2008 Council Meeting M – Mingo S – Cyr V 6-0 Special Presentation: Chamber of Commerce Regarding Update on Use of Additional Town Funds & Related Matters by Jennifer Olsen and Brian Wiley (10 minutes) CANCELLED Town Manager’s Report: Mr. Conlogue gave a presentation of the highlights of the financial report for the Municipal Budget through the first six months of Fiscal 2008. On the auto excise tax through December 31st we are at 49% of our budgeted amount, and last year at the same time we were at 47%. Ambulance revenue is tracked as cash received, and for the year we are about $10,000.00 difference from where we were a year ago. This could be due to the mix of calls, transfers etc. Officer MCJA reimbursement is money reimbursed for a police officer that went to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, and then left Millinocket for a position in Bangor. The agency that he went to under law had to reimburse us for that schooling. This money will be rolled over into the next fiscal year to help cover the cost of going to the academy for the new officer that has been hired. Investment Interest was budgeted $125,000.00 compared to $90,000.00 a year ago. Interest rates have dropped dramatically and cash flow has been down this year, and we are $18,000.00 behind from a year ago. PERC Reimbursement line is running about the same as a year ago, and is in good shape. Recycling has been very strong this year with $42,000.00 of the $45,000.00 amount budgeted. Cemetery account through December we have received a little over $10,000.00 based on $18,000.00 budgeted amount compared to just under $7,300.00 from a year ago. State Revenue Sharing line is $700,000.00 compared to $585,000.00 of a year ago, and we are $115,000.00 ahead of the level of a year ago. Most of the departmental expenditures are pretty much where they should be. Public Works winter roads account. For the first month we were at 16% expended compared to 17% a year ago, and the benchmark for that would have been 18%. The overtime was budgeted at $20,000.00 for the winter account, and through the second month of the winter season we are already at 108% expended. The storms are coming in at night and on weekends, which almost always require overtime pay. Since January 31st there have been three big storms. The Equipment for Snow Removal line that pays drivers whose trucks we rent to remove snow is budgeted at $4500.00 but now is $6200.00 through the end of January. Debt and Interest is a big increase and the biggest part of that includes the first payment on the new pool, and also the second payment on the two plow trucks that were purchased several years ago. Historical Society Property, which was a budget amendment, and has a total budget of $99,000.00. General Assistance has $20,000.00 budgeted a year and just through December we are already at just under $17,000.00, 83% expended, and it is not slowing down. Mr. Conlogue reported that for the first six months our budgeted expenditures are at 39% of budget, compared to 45% a year ago. The biggest factor why both the years are below the fifty percent mark is because included in the expense report, is the money set aside for the TIF payments, but those don’t get made until the companies make their second half payments in April. Airport Summary - Does the format fit your needs for information? This has come about since the Town took over the FBO operation last summer. There was equipment, office supplies and other things that had to be bought for the airport operation. Next year a lot of those costs won’t be repeated. Wastewater fee revenues are above the budget, part of that is because the first quarter of the year was billed at a higher rate. The new rate went down for the January quarter. Wastewater budget is in good shape. Councilor Gonya asked if the reimbursement on the police officer, is that $28,000.00 what the academy costs or does that include overtime while he is gone. Mr. Conlogue stated that that is the cost calculated by the MCJA for the cost of having an officer at the academy, and providing for coverage at the local community. Councilor McLean asked about the General Assistance, if this is an indication that there are more people needy, or if fuel costs are higher than expected? Mr. Conlogue stated that it is a little of both, there are more actual numbers of clients with problems paying rent and fuel. Some people are getting help on fuel, and are requesting help with rent from the Town. Councilor McLean asked about the format of the airport summary, everything is in the column of December, is that a summary of what happened between September and December? Mr. Conlogue stated from August to December, and he can condense the report down and make it into a quarterly report form. The work that Public Works does at the airport is not included in these figures. Councilor Busque asked how the airport is doing so far? Mr. Conlogue stated that things are going very well, Jeff Campbell is an excellent operator, the part time people do very good work, and he is pleased with how it is gone in the past five months. As part of the Winterfest activities this weekend there is a fly-in scheduled, an antique ski plane fly-in, and an antique snowmobile show at the airport. Councilor Mingo asked if the airport was operating at a loss? Mr. Conlogue stated yes, so far. There was $42,000.00 worth of aviation gas purchased, which hasn’t been sold yet. Councilor McLean stated he did not see in the budget where there is a reimbursement that the FAA had given us for the hangars. Mr. Conlogue stated that it is in where it says grant match, an expenditure of $720.00 year to date that will track those expenditures. David Guadalupe from Hoyle Tanner is the assigned consultant, and he has been doing some work, and he will be doing more work. Citizen John Dicentes asked if it is in the Town’s best interest to keep the airport, where there are very few planes. Chair Paul replied that Mr. Dicentes could visit Mr. Conlogue and have him explain the report Mr. Conlogue reported that he was ready to put the Fiscal 2007 Annual Report out to bid, and he recommended dedicating the report to Wayne Scarano, which was unanimously agreed upon. Mr. Conlogue presented three versions of LD 1932 which were provided by Representative Herb Clark, the bill that is to make changes to the RSU law. Mr. Conlogue included in his report an item related to decreases to Medicaid funding in schools and medical services. Representative Herb Clark provided this information. Mr. Conlogue reported that the Pines infrastructure project would go out to bid this month. The target date for construction to begin is May. Mr. Conlogue reported that the web site usage data for the Town website through February 7 is 306,272 hits. Mr. Conlogue stated that the local Rotary Club would like to use the rehabilitation of Jerry Pond as one of its key projects this year, using the proceeds of the Rotary Auction for funding. Mr. Conlogue enclosed with his report a copy of the proposed FY2009 Municipal Budget schedule for consideration. Mr. Conlogue reported that Chair Paul would like the Town to give a presentation to the School Board, and would like Council input into the content of the presentation. Councilor Gonya stated he would have a hard time giving guidance without seeing the entire budget from both. Mr. Conlogue reported on the Emergency Event Notification System (EEN) was made possible by a grant of $70,000.00 from Brookfield Power last summer, that was to cover the cost of the hardware needed to set this system up. The organizations involved in this are the Town of Medway and the Town of Millinocket, the hospital, Brookfield Power, and both school systems. The Council was asked to fill out and return a contact form that will be used as one of the population groups; each Councilor will then receive a test message so that each of you can see how the system works. Mr. Conlogue reported that the Trail Committee is continuing to meet and discuss possible uses for the five hundred thousand dollar federal grant for walking and biking trails in the area. The next scheduled meeting will be February 19th with Dan Stewart from the MDOT as speaker. Mr. Conlogue stated that Kathy Gagnon and Jennifer Olsen have agreed to co-chair the Beautification Committee, and will be meeting again on February 27th to begin planning for future projects. Citizen John Dicentes asked if the Council would bring the information from the School Board meeting back to the public? Chair Paul replied that yes all budget deliberations will be public, and the joint meetings are open to the public. Tabled Item: ORDER #15-2008 PROVIDING FOR: Approval of Public Works Fee for Use of the Town Snow Dump IT IS ORDERED that a fee for disposal of snow at the Town of Millinocket’s licensed snow dump located on Medway Road shall be levied on private contractors hauling snow from private property. The fee shall be $100.00 per hour to cover the cost of Town equipment and manpower to blow such snow into the snow pile. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that in no case shall a private contractor bring snow to the snow dump without prior approval of the Public Works Director. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any private contractor that fails to pay such charges within thirty (30) days of billing will be suspended from using the snow dump until such bill is paid in full. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this fee shall be effective as of February 25, 2008. NOTE: Please see the attached memo from Public Works Director Dennis Cox for background information in support of this Order. Motion to remove from Table Order #15-2008 Revised- Mingo Second – Gonya Vote 6-0 Motion - Mingo Second – Cyr Vote 6-0 Mr. Conlogue stated the reason why the order was revised is because the effective date was changed to February 28, 2008. Chair Paul stated that it was not necessary to go on to any great lengths on the snow, due to the fact at the last meeting this subject was well covered by Dennis Cox. Rather than go through a protracted discussion of snow again, if there is someone that does not have clarity, and has a question for Mr. Cox please ask the question. Councilor McLean asked the difference between the contractor and the private individual who moves snow in their pickup trucks. Dennis Cox stated that it would be his responsibility to decide, unless the Town wants to put an attendant out at the snow dump. Mr. Conlogue stated that this fee would be for people that do this on a contract type basis in the private sector. A homeowner taking some excess snow out of his yard is not subject to this fee. Councilor Busque asked if the small contractor would pay a base fee or by the cubic yard. Mr. Cox stated it would be either, but cubic yard makes the most sense, and this is onlygoing to affect a few contractors in Town that do this as a living. ORDER #22-2008 PROVIDING FOR: Execution of Warrant #31B-2008 IT IS ORDERED that Warrant #31B-2008 in the amount of $15,241.10 is hereby approved. Motion – McLean Second – Gonya Vote 6-0 ORDER #23-2008 PROVIDING FOR: Execution of Warrant #32B-2008 IT IS ORDERED that Warrant #32B-2008 in the amount of $43,941.99 is hereby approved. Motion – Gonya Second – Busque Vote 6-0 ORDER #24-2008 PROVIDING FOR: Execution of Warrant #33B-2008 IT IS ORDERED that Warrant #33B-2008 in the amount of $63,165.96 is hereby approved. Motion – McLean Second – Gonya Vote 6-0 ORDER #25-2008 PROVIDING FOR: Approval of an Application for a Malt, Spirituous, and Vinous Liquor License for The Hotel Terrace. IT IS ORDERED that the attached application for a malt, spirituous, and vinous liquor license is hereby approved for: Scott Cole/John Jamo/Jillian Jamo-Cole, 52 Medway Road d/b/a The Hotel Terrace, 52 Medway Road Motion – Busque Second – Cyr Vote 6-0 ORDER #26-2008 PROVIDING FOR: Approval of an Application for an Entertainment License for The Hotel Terrace IT IS ORDERED that the attached application for an Entertainment License is hereby approved for: Scott Cole, 7 New York Street d/b/a The Hotel Terrace, 52 Medway Road Motion – Busque Second – Gonya Vote 6-0 ORDER #27-2008 PROVIDING FOR: Appointment to the Recreation Commission IT IS ORDERED that Linda MacDonald is appointed to the Recreation Commission for a three-year term to February 2011. Motion – McLean Second – Gonya Vote 6-0 Chair Paul pointed out that this was a reappointment. Reports and Communications: The Warrant Committee for the February 28, 2008 Council Meeting will be Councilor Gonya and Councilor Busque. Motion to Adjourn at 5:51P.M. Second – Busque Vote 6-0 __________________________ Attest ?? ?? ?? ?? 1