Recap of October 27, 2008 Town Council Meeting

Here’s the skinny on tonight’s meeting:

October 27, 2008

Public Hearing – GA Appendices update-Got there a couple of minutes late and missed this.  It was either not held or very short.

Vaughn Fund-There was discussion regarding the investment strategy for the Vaughn Funds (Approximately $330,000 of which approximately $320,000 is in the money market at 3%).  There was discussion regarding whether there might be opportunities in the current market to invest some of the assets for growth and whether the council should follow a more conservative course or invest some portion in investments with a mild or moderate risk with potential for higher earnings.  The Council decided to postpone a decision until the two new councilors are on board.

Town Council Meeting -All Councilors were present
Reports & Correspondence
1. Great Works Regional Land Trust – Balancing Rock. Keith Fletcher, board member of Great Works Regional Land Trust updated the Council on the status of the Balancing Rock property.  Three years ago the Council voted for $35,000 to purchase the Balancing Rock property.  (Note from Molly:  10/28 A representative of the Great Works Regional Land Trust sent in this correction to my write up: 

I would like to make a correction to Molly’s report about the balancing rock parcel.

 At a special town meeting in July 06 the citizens of So Berwick overwhelmingly voted to spend $35,000 to participate with the Great Works Regional Land Trust to purchase the property that the balancing rock is on. This was a part of a larger package to preserve about 155 acres, and to reestablish public access that had been lost because of the previous owner of the property.

The Land Trust owns the property, not the town and does pay property taxes  on this piece and it is the policy of the land trust to pay property taxes. Occasionally there are exceptions.)

During the purchase some questions about the property boundaries came into question, which made it unclear whether Balancing Rock was actually located on the piece of property toward which the Council had voted to allocate the $35,000.  The Council then decided it could not release the money until Balancing Rock was proved to be on that property.  Since then, the Land Trust has worked with three adjacent property owners, all of whom have said they do not own balancing rock.  They have been unable to locate the boundary markers referred to in the survey that goes with the deed for the property in question.   They need to work with one of the adjacent property owners to establish boundaries but have not been able to assemble the family members to come up with the boundaries.  No action was taken on this item.

Council Member Comments
This was the last regular Council meeting for Councilors Suzanne Roberge and Robert Gagne.  Both gave gracious farewell remarks thanking their families, the staff, and their supporters.

New Business
1. Take action on General Assistance Appendices annual update.  Council voted unanimously to accept with no discussion.
2. Take action on skid steer bid.  At the town meeting the budget for this was set at $30,000.  There was a bid for $23,766.  Council voted unanimously to accept this bid.
3. Take action on purchase of 2008 police cruiser.  At the town meeting the budget for the cruiser was set at $24,000.  There was a bid at $22,000.  Council voted unanimously to accept this bid.
4. Approve contract w/Pheonix Recycling for the purchase of PAYT bags.  The bags will sell for $1.00 for regular and $1.50 for large.  They will be sold at the Lunchbox, Nature’s Way Market, Cumberland Farms, and South Berwick Pharmacy.  In Dover area, they will be sold at Shaws, Hannaford, and Market Basket.  There will be no sales tax on them when sold in Maine.  They will be blue in color.  Council voted unanimously to approve the contract for the bags.
5. Schedule public hearing for Solid Waste Ordinance.  The ordinance has been changed in several places to reflect the PAYT program.  It is currently being review by the attorney.  It will be posted on the Town web site once it has been reviewed.  Council voted unanimously to set a public hearing on the ordinance for November 10 at 6: 30 PM.