Recap of June 23, 2008 Special Town Meeting & Town Council
Special Town Meeting
Special town meeting was held to vote on the following three warrant articles that were voted down at a May 12 special meeting.
Citizen Audrey Fortier made a motion to vote on the articles by secret ballot. The motion for a secret ballot failed on a hand vote.
The Articles:
–To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the Highway budget for 2007/08 Winter Maintenance.–Town Council Recommends: $150,000 from Undesignated General Fund-Passed on a hand vote.
–To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the 2007/08 Town Manager budget.–Town Council Recommends: $100,000 from Undesignated General Fund-Passed on a hand vote.
–To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the 2007/08 Administration budget.–Town Council Recommends: $15,000 from Undesignated General Fund-Passed on a hand vote.
Here’s the skinny on the Town Council Meeting
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on ordinance establishing position of Assistant Town Manager. Councilor Gagne made a motion to table this vote until a new Town Manager is hired. The motion failed with two votes for (Gagne & Burke) and three votes against (Roberge, Demetracopolous, and Kareckas) . Another motion was made that the town may establish the position of Assistant Town Manager with an amendment of word “shall” to “may.” The motion passed with four voting yes (Burke, Roberge, Demetracopolous, and Kareckas) to one vote no (Gagne).
New Business
1. Review PSAP bill. Police Chief Lajoie explained this is a bill for 911 call transfers from York. South Berwick has a memorandum of understanding with York for these services and these are the first bills for them. Chief Lajoie believes the State of Maine should be responsible for these costs since they arise from what he sees as an unfunded mandate. Motion was made to pay York for these services. Passed unanimously.
2. Discuss/take action on 20 Knight’s Pond Rd. Code Enforcement Office Joe Rouselle described efforts to get cooperation from the property owners that have been to no avail. Motion was made to begin legal action to enforcement occupancy ordinances. Passed unanimously.
3. Take action on renewal of liquor license & special amusement permit for Links @ Outlook. Passed unanimously.
4. Take action on renewal of liquor license & special amusement permit for Pepperland Café. Passed unanimously.
5. Discuss/take action on appointment to Conservation Commission. Rebecca Gray was appointed to Conservation Commission. Passed unanimously.
6. Discuss/take action on appointment to Planning Board. Motion was made to table this until the next Council meeting to pursue the option of Bruce Whitney becoming a permanent member and new appointment becoming alternates. Passed unanimously.
7. Take action on CMP pole permit application for Thurrell Rd. Passed unanimously.
8. Discuss/take action on acceptance of monetary gifts to SB Recreation for summer 2008. Passed unanimously.
9. Take action on board & committee reappointments. Several votes were take to reappoint board and committee members (Note from Molly–I couldn’t get all the names) All were passed unanimously. The only discussion that arose was when Councilor Roberge questioned whether the Solid Waste Committee should be reappointed since they are not a standing committee and have completed there original charge. Kareckas and Demetracopolous commented that the committee will be helpful for public education.
10. Take action on Town Council Transfers. This was to transfer a total of $35500 from the undesiganted fund to eight different line items to cover overages in the 2008 budget. Passed unanimously.
11. Confirm current list of municipal officials. This was to make an official confirmation of all municipal officials. Passed unanimously.
12. Take action on uncollectible taxes. This was to designate two real estate property tax accounts and two personal property tax accounts as uncollectible for bookkeeping purposes. Passed unanimously.
Tags: budget, so. berwick government, town council