The Planning Board is currently considering rezoning Main Street between Dunkin Donuts and Sewall Road from its current designation as R1 (Residential) to B1 (Business).  There will be a public hearing on the issue on September 16.  In preparation for the hearing the 236diner will be offering some information about zoning so citizens can learn more about the issue.

Here are some links to get information about zoning ordinances in South Berwick:

South Berwick’s zoning ordinances can be viewed at Town Hall and can be found online at the Planning Department area of the Town’s web site.

South Berwick Planning Board meeting minutes from 2002 until the present can be found on the Town web site under Planning Board Minutes.

The following are some excerpts from SB’s zoning ordinances to answer some basic questions about zoning:

What is the purpose of our zoning ordinance?

Section 140-3. lists the purpose of South Berwick’s zoning ordinances:

1. To prevent and control water pollution and protect spawning grounds, fish and aquatic life and bird and wildlife habitats.
2. To conserve shore cover, visual as well as actual points of access to inland and coastal waters and points of natural beauty.
3. To provide for the public health and safety, environmental quality and economic well-being of the community.
4. To regulate land uses, building sites and placement of structures.
5. To conserve the historical and architectural integrity of the existing historic sites, landmarks and districts and to assure that future development is compatible both in character and in use.
6. To further the ideals and guidelines outlined in the South Berwick Comprehensive Plan.

What zones does South Berwick have and what is the purpose of each zone?
(more…)

Monday, August 4
Town Council Workshop-6:30 PM - Council Chambers
The Town Council will meet in a workshop with a representative from Maine Municipal Association to begin their search for a permanent Town Manager.

Tuesday, August 5
Planning Board -7:00 PM - Council Chambers
On the Agenda:
Election Of Officers - Rescheduled from the July 15, 2008 meeting.
Old Business
1.  Rules of Procedure and Code of Ethics: Planning Board Bylaws - Continued.
2.  Schedule a Public Hearing on B-1 Zone Expansion for August 19, 2008 at 7:00 PM.
New Business
1.  SP #08-01; Paul Mesmer, Map 21 Lot 29 - Change of Use: Addition of Second Floor Apartment.

Wednesday, August 6
Economic Development Committee Meeting - 1:00 PM - Council Chambers
Old Business:
1)  Ribbon Cuttings:
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings - Bubbletime on hold until the laundromat has a grand opening.
2)  Subcommittee Update:
Board of Trade: Status Update - Kathy Wolfe.
3)  Economic Development Facilitator: Training session - Karyn Scharf Morin.
–Bylaws, Review of Officers, meeting times, and amendments.

Here’s the skinny from last night’s Town Council Meeting:

All Councilors were present.

Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on Back Acres Lane.There was back and forth discussion on the merits of accepting the road at this time since only two houses are built and the road has seven lots.  There was a motion to postpone acceptance until 100% of the lots are built out.  There was discussion with Councilor Demetracopoulos questioning whether (more…)

Monday, July 28

Town Council Workshop re: 2009 Commitment
6:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office

Town Council Meeting
6:30 PM - Council Chambers
On the agenda:
Reports & Correspondence
1. Letter from Planning Board Chair – July 21, 2008
2. Letter from Planning Board Chair – July 23, 2008
Town Manager’s Report
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on Back Acres Lane.
2. Discuss/take action on rezoning request.
3. Discuss/take action on public hearing for ordinance updates.
New Business
1. Discuss Vine Street parking.
2. Take action on election of MMA officers & executive committee.

Here is a quick summary of the Town Council Meeting:
All five Councilors were present
Board of Assessors Meeting-Town Council accepted the tax assessment from the County for $348,000
Reports & Correspondence
1. Heating Concerns – Vicki Desilets-Vicki Desilets, Social Services Director described her concerns for the coming heating season.  Many families have expressed fears about their ability to pay for heating this year.  Some ended last season with bills so may not even be able to get their first delivery for this year.  With a minimum delivery of 100 gallons at approximately $500 it will be a challenge for families to pay for even a minimum delivery. (more…)

The Economic Development Committee is launching an initiative that will allow residents to weigh in on the future of economic development in South Berwick.  A process to get citizen input will help shape recommendations for economic development proposals for the town to pursue.  The process will be led by Planning Decisions, a southern Maine based planning consultancy, which has led similar dialogues in other Maine towns.

This effort is a breath of fresh air for South Berwick.  Citizens will be involved from the earliest stages of planning,  dialogue will allow multiple alternatives to be explored, and we will have the opportunity to come to consensus on economic development initiatives that will have broad support.  Kudos to Interim Town Manager Roberta Orsini, the Economic Development Committee, and the Town Council for taking this forward thinking step toward moving South Berwick forward.

Town leaders are doing their part, now it’s time for us citizens to do our part.  Too often in the past the dialogue between Town government and citizens and among citizens has been marked by unwillingness to listen, defending of positions at all cost, and divisive tactics.  This kind of destructive politics has resulted in failed initiatives, bad feelings, and a lot of wasted time, effort and money that none of us have to spare.  This time we can choose to do it differently so we have a chance to move ahead as a community. Will we be open minded and willing to hear all the alternatives?  Will we be willing to imagine the best for South Berwick?  Will we be open to new ideas?  Will we be willing to work together to come to a consensus about how to move ahead?  It’s our choice.

–Molly Colman

Read the Foster’s Daily Democrat article about the economic development discussions:
Planning firm to facilitate development discussions in South Berwick
The town’s Economic Development Committee on Monday signed a contract with a southern Maine-based planning firm to facilitate a grassroots economic development research initiative, marking a shift in the way the economic development process has been handled in recent…

Monday, July 14
Town Council Meeting-Executive Session
6:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office
Executive Session to review the Police Union Contract.
Executive Session Discuss Planning Board Applicants.

Town Council Meeting
6:30 PM - Council Chambers
Agenda:
Board of Assessors
Town Council to reconvene following Assessors
Reports & Correspondence
1. Heating Concerns – Vicki Desilets
2. CMP letter – transmission line.
Unfinished Business
1. Take action on Planning Board appointment.
2. Discuss Back Acres Lane Road Acceptance.
New Business
1. Take action on MMA Legislative Policy Committee ballot.
2. Take action on CDBG application for regional planning.
3. Sign Police Union Contract
4. Sign addendum to Personnel Policy suspending longevity pay.
5. Take action on uncollectible taxes.
6. Discuss Council participation in scoring RFQ for library.
7. Discuss/take action on Executive Search.

Tuesday, July 15
Planning Board Meeting
7:00 PM - Council Chambers
Public Hearing - 7:00 PM
Ordinance Updates:
Land Use Table A - Accessory Apartments and Major Home Occupations;
Business Directional Signs and Peer Review.
Regular Meeting to follow Public Hearing
Correspondence
1.      Memo: Dated June 25, 2008 from Roberta Orsini re: B1 Zone.
2.      Letter: Dated June 23, 2008 from Stephen and Jean Harrington re: Expansion of B1 Zone.
Old Business
1.      Public Hearing - Ordinance Updates: Discuss.
“       Memo: Dated July 7, 2008 from Jim Fisk re: Official Business Directional Signs revisions.
2.      Rules of Procedure and Code of Ethics: Planning Board Bylaws - Revised.
New Business
1.      MSP #08-01; Dennis Robillard, Map 7 Lot 4C-1 - Single Family Residence in I2 Zone.
Ordinance Updates

Wednesday, July 16
Economic Development Committee Meeting
1:00 PM - Council Chambers
Old Business
1) Ribbon Cuttings:
Report on SoBo Book and Bean Cafe ribbon cutting from June 19th
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings – New businesses to be contacted.
2)      Subcommittee Update:
Board of Trade: Status Update - Kathy Wolfe.
South Berwick Business Directory: Status Update - Jim Fisk.
3)      Economic Development Facilitator: Start-up workshop – Karyn Scharf Morin.

Monday, July 7
Economic Development Committee Workshop
6:00 PM - Auditorium Hall
The Economic Development Committee will meet in a workshop with Frank O’Hara from Planning Decisions. Also invited are the Town Council and Planning Board. The attendees will discuss lessons learned from previous Economic Development initiatives and work on a project to begin a dialog to identify what, if any, economic development activity will be acceptable to the residents.

Town Council Workshop
7:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office
The Town Council will meet in a workshop setting to discuss snow policies for fiscal year 2009 and to review a proposal for the search and selection of a permanent Town Manager.

Wednesday, July 9
Economic Development Committee
1:00 PM - Town Hall

Other announcements from Town Hall:

Library Aide Position
South Berwick Library is seeking a Library Aide for 20 hrs a wk. Excellent customer service & computer skills required. Library experience preferred. Strong interest in reading. Beginning pay $11.26 with sick, vacation, holiday & retirement. Apply at Town Hall or Library or send resumes to PO Box 35 South Berwick ME 03908, fax to 384-3303 or email mmaney@south-berwick.lib.me.us by July 18. See job description at www.southberwickmaine.org. EE0 M/F

Town of South Berwick Tax Club
The Town of South Berwick is pleased to announce the establishment of a Tax Club. The Tax Club is an eight (8) month plan, one payment per month, and due on the 15th of the month commencing September and ending in April. Payments are based on the committed taxes for the current tax year. Any tax payers with tax escrows or who have outstanding taxes will not qualify for this program. You may call (207) 384-3300 to have an application mailed to you or they can be picked up at the Town Hall or downloaded from the Town of South Berwick’s web site www.southberwickmaine.org. Applications must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by August 30. For more information, please call the Town Hall @ (207) 384-3300.

New Town Clerk’s Office Hours
Town Clerk’s Office (effective 07-07-08)
(Licensing & Registration)
Monday: 9am-4pm  Tuesday: 12pm-5pm
Closed Wednesdays
Thursday: 9am-6pm  Friday: 9am-3pm

Monday, June 30
Library Planning Meeting
6:00 PM - Auditorium Hall

Tuesday, July 1
Planning Board\-may be rescheduled due to holiday (as of Monday am still on Town web site, check before attending)
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

Wednesday, Meeting Schedule for July 2 has been rescheduled to July 9
EDC Meeting
1:00 PM - Council Chambers

Friday, July 4
Independence Day\-Town Offices Closed
All Day

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.

(more…)

Monday, June 23
Special Town Meeting, Town Council to follow - 6:30 PM - Council Chambers
Special town meeting will be held to vote on the following three issues that were voted down at a May 12 special meeting.
–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
–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
–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

Town Council meeting agenda:
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on ordinance establishing position of Assistant Town Manager.
New Business
1. Review PSAP bill.
2. Discuss/take action on 20 Knight’s Pond Rd.
3. Take action on renewal of liquor license & special amusement permit for Links @ Outlook.
4. Take action on renewal of liquor license & special amusement permit for Pepperland Café.
5. Discuss/take action on appointment to Conservation Commission.
6. Discuss/take action on appointment to Planning Board
7. Take action on CMP pole permit application for Thurrell Rd.
8. Discuss/take action on acceptance of monetary gifts to SB Recreation for summer 2008.
9. Take action on board & committee reappointments.
10. Take action on Town Council Transfers
11. Confirm current list of municipal officials.
12. Take action on uncollectible taxes.
Wednesday, June 25
Town Council Workshop with Solid Waste
11:00 AM - ecomaine facility Portland, ME

Tuesday, June 17
Budget Workshop
5:00 PM - Town Manager’s office

Tuesday, June 17
Town Council Workshop with the Planning Board
6:00 PM - TBD

Tuesday, June 17
Planning Board Meeting
7:00 PM - Council Chambers
On the agenda:
Old business
1. Rules of Procedure and Code of Ethics: Planning Board Bylaws - Amended.
New business
1. MSP#07-08; South Berwick Yoga, Rachel Martin & Denis Bessette, Map 28 Lot 168 - Amended Site Plan permit.

Editorial:  Molly Colman

I will be voting against the Charter Amendment to allow for the recall of elected municipal officials that will be on the ballot at South Berwick’s polls on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. Here are the reasons I think it is a bad idea and will hurt the town.

1. We already have a way to remove Town Councilors if a majority of the voters think they are not doing the job. It is called an election. Three year terms are long enough for Councilors to learn the ropes but short enough to correct if someone is completely out of tune with any of the town’s constituencies. But talk to me some time about term limits…..

2. However, I do understand that many would like the safety valve of a recall. What is being proposed is not a safety valve but a loaded gun with the safety off. The threshold for the number of petitioners who need to sign a petition to instigate a recall election is only 282 votes, a number that allows a small group of irate voters to go after a Councilor. You can probably find 282 voters who are hopping mad over any vote that occurs. A recall provision with such a low threshold could mean that we end up with constant contentious recall elections or with Councilors who are always in campaign mode, tiptoeing around issues so as never to make anyone mad and never making any courageous or unpopular decisions. If we have a recall provision, let’s do one that has a higher threshold so that it cannot be used frivolously. (more…)

On June 10 there will be a lot going on at the polls. South Berwick voters can weigh in on important issues facing the town. At the recent town meeting some votes were decided by as few as two votes, so every vote matters. Here’s what you will be voting on:

Primary races for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
Primary races for the Maine Legislature and County posts
State referendum on a bond for infrastructure
SAD 35 budget validation referendum
South Berwick Charter Amendment to provide for recall of elected municipal officials

Voting takes place at Town Hall on Tuesday, June 10 from 6 AM to 8 PM.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about voting:

Who can register and vote in Maine?
You must be a United States citizen, at least 17 years of age, and live in Maine.
If you are a 17-year-old who will be 18 by the November 4, 2008 General Election, you are eligible to vote in the June 10, 2008 Primary Election. You must be registered to vote and enrolled in a party to participate in this election.
Is there a deadline for registering?
No. It’s never too late to register to vote in Maine. You can register to vote until, and including, election day.
Do I need to go to the polls on Election Day to vote?
No. Any registered voter may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at the polling place. You do not need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote at the polls on election day to use an absentee ballot. You can go into Town Hall for absentee voting Thursday, Friday, and Monday. If you want to speed things up you can fill out and print the absentee ballot application ahead of time and bring it in. Here are all the rules about absentee voting and more Maine voter information….

Here’s a list of all the primaries and ballot questions: (more…)

Here’s the skinny on the Town Meeting to vote on the Town budget. You will need to have Town of South Berwick Annual Report to get all the information about the Articles, but here’s a quick rundown of results of voting.

Article 1: Tom Harmon was elected moderator.

Richard Clough made a motion that Articles 8-24 be voted on in secret ballot. The motion passed with 90 yes and 80 no votes.

Article 2: To see if the Town will authorize the Town Council to dispose of tax acquired property in any manner in which the Town Council deems to be in the best interests of the Town. Passed on a voice vote.

Article 3: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Tax Collector to charge and collect interest at a rate of eleven percent per annum on all unpaid taxes not paid by the due dates…. Passed on a voice vote.
(more…)

The following is a guest editorial from South Berwick citizen Nicholas G. Tsakiris. Mr. Tsakiris is a member of the South Berwick Solid Waste Committee.

Recently, South Berwick Councilors, voted to institute a “Pay-as-You-Throw” (PAYT) program to help manage the town’s growing solid waste problem. This means that residents of South Berwick will soon be asked to buy special garbage bags, with the sale of these bags going to help fund the cost of waste disposal. I admit that when I first heard about PAYT, I was very skeptical. Since that time, I’ve been researching the program and came to realize that PAYT actually rewards recycling. (more…)

Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about our stuff. We dream about the stuff we want. We work to earn money to buy stuff. We research the best stuff to get. We spend time shopping for stuff. We spend time and money to maintain our stuff. We then spend more money so we can store our stuff. We stress about how much stuff we have. Then we get rid of our stuff. Unfortunately we often haven’t thought a lot about what happens to our stuff when we are done with it.

The staff at the South Berwick Transfer Station spends a lot of time thinking of what happens to the steady stream of waste that the citizens of South Berwick create. On a warm spring day Gary Boucher, the supervisor of the transfer station gave up his lunch time to give me a tour of the transfer station and help me understand what happens to all the stuff we bring to the transfer station.

After getting the full tour I came away understanding three things I didn’t know about the transfer station. First, and you probably know this if you’ve spent any time at the transfer station, almost everyone who comes to the transfer station has an opinion or a question about how the transfer station is run, a suggestion about what should be done, or some color commentary about the state of the town. I have new appreciation for how friendly and patient the staff is.

Second, I realized what a logistical challenge it is to funnel the steady flow of people and waste into the transfer station to make it easy and safe for citizens to navigate and to get all the waste to the right place at the transfer station. The staff is not only dealing with the waste, they are constantly answering questions, explaining policies, teaching about what goes where, monitoring and enforcing rules, and keeping an eye on safety of cars, adults, and children. (more…)

Monday, June 2
Solid Waste Committee Mtg.
6:00 PM - Meeting Room 1

Town Meeting
6:30 PM - Auditorium Hall: Town Hall
To vote on town budget
Find out more about the town budget….

Tuesday, June 3
Budget Workshop
6:00 PM - Town Manager’s office

Planning Board
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

Wednesday, June 4
EDC Meeting
1:00 PM - Council Chambers

Thursday, June 5
Historic District Committee Meeting
7:00 PM - Meeting Room 2

At SAD 35 this Week:

Wednesday, June 4 - 7:00 p.m.
SAD 35 Regular School Board Meeting
Marshwood High School
New Business:
1. Consideration/action to approve the request for use of busses by the South Berwick Recreation Department.
2. Consideration/action to approve the MMS contract with the Coca Cola Bottling Company.
3. Consideration/action to approve the construction of softball dugouts to be paid for out of the Enterprise Funds.
See the full agenda…

Thursday, June 5
SAD 35 District Budget Meeting
7pm Marshwood High School
Citizens will have the opportunity to vote on each proposed article in the school budget. At the conculsion of the meetinf a final dollar amount will be extablished for voter validation on June 10.
Find out more about the SAD 35 budget... (links to budget info at the top of the page)

Here’s a really quick rundown on the May 27 Town Council meeting:

Tuesday, May 27 -Town Council Meeting
Councilor Gagne was not present
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Take action on Tobacco Free Community Recreation Resolution.
A nonenforceable resolution that will allow “tobacco-free zone” signs to be posted at Town parks “where children congregate” passed on a three to one vote with Councilors Kareckas, Burke, Demetracopoulos voting for and Councilor Roberge dissenting. The resolution includes Agamenticus ball fields, the Teen Center, Powderhouse Hill and the Shoe Town Playground. The Counting House Park and Bray Park are not included.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Take action on 2008 Speed Enforcement Grant. Passed unanimously
2. Take action on CMP pole permit applications for Oldfields Rd & Willow Drive. Passed unanimously
3. Recommitment of taxes to Roberta Orsini. A procedural vote to remove responsibility for collecting taxes from former Manager Grossman to Interim Manager Orsini. Passed unanimously 4. Sign warrant calling for special town meeting on June 23rd. Passed unanimously
5. Discuss/take action on HDC by-law amendments. Discussion took place but because there were problems and some conflicts between the by-laws and ordinances a motion to adopt the by-laws was voted down unanimously and a motion to send them back to HDC and reconsider in the future passed unanimously.

Tuesday, May 27
Budget Review Workshop
5:00 PM - Council Chambers
Workshop Agenda
1. Discuss F/Y 08 Departmental Budgets
2. Review Council Transfers Vs. Special Town Meeting
3. Review F/Y 09 Budget
4. Discuss Assignment Of Warrant Articles For Town Meeting
5. Adjourn

Tuesday, May 27
Vaughan Fund Trustees
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

Tuesday, May 27
Town Council Meeting
6:30 PM - Council Chambers

6:30pm Public Hearing – establish Assistant Manager Position
TOWN COUNCIL to follow hearing
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Take action on Tobacco Free Community Recreation Resolution.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Take action on 2008 Speed Enforcement Grant.
2. Take action on CMP pole permit applications for Oldfields Rd & Willow Drive.
3. Recommitment of taxes to Roberta Orsini.
4. Sign warrant calling for special town meeting on June 23rd.
5. Discuss/take action on HDC by-law amendments.

Monday, May 19

Town Council Workshop: Library
6:00 PM - St. Michael’s Parish Hall

Tuesday, May 20

Town Council & Solid Waste Committee Workshop
6:00 PM - Auditorium Hall

Planning Board Meeting
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

Here are the highlights (or lowlights, depending on where you stand) of tonight’s Council Meeting

Special Town Meeting
Paper ballot votes were held on three warrant articles:
Article 2. 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-article failed 32 yes to 38 no

Article 3. 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-article failed 21 yes to 50 no (more…)

Monday, May 12
Vaughan Fund Trustees Meeting Postponed to May 27

Board of Assessors
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

Town Council - Council Chambers
Here’s a quick run down on the agenda:
6:00pm Board Of Assessors Vaughan Fund rescheduled for next meeting
6:05pm Town Council
1. Executive Session – 1MRSA §405.6A – Discuss Interim Manager position.
6:30pm Special Town Meeting
Town Council to reconvene after town meeting
Reports & Correspondence
1. Healthy Maine Partnership presentation.
Unfinished Business
1. Take action on Comprehensive Plan Update.
New Business
1. Discuss/take action on Safety Belt Enforcement Grant.
2. Motion to approve Policy on Treasurer’s disbursement warrant for payroll.
3. Sign warrant calling for Municipal Referendum on June 10th.
4. Appoint warden and election clerks for June 10th election.
5. Sign warrant calling for SAD #25 Referendum on June 10th.
6. Discuss/take action on June 9th meeting date.
7. Discuss/take action on EDC request for support.
8. Discuss ordinance to create the position of Assistant Town Manager.
9. Discuss/take action on Interim Town Manager position.*
10. Executive Session – 1MRSA §405.6D – Police Union negotiation.*

Tuesday, May 13

Town Council and EDC Workshop
5:00 PM - Town Hall

Public Information Meeting on The Charter Amendment
6:30 PM - Auditorium Hall
The Town Council will hold an informational meeting on the Charter Amendment to provide for the recall of elected officials. A copy of the specimen ballot can be found on the town web site.

Monday, May 5

Solid Waste Committee
6:30 PM - Meeting Room 1
The Solid Waste Committee would like to welcome anyone who is interested in assisting with the pay as you throw (Pay Per Bag) education process to join them at their regularly scheduled meeting this coming Monday, May 5th at 6:30 pm in Meeting Room 1 on the third floor of Town Hall.

Tuesday, May 6

Town Council & Planning Board Workshop
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

Planning Board
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

Town Council Workshop w/ Powderhouse Ski Club
7:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office

Wednesday, May 7

EDC Meeting
1:00 PM - Council Chambers

Budget Update:

The Town Council’s latest town budget overviews are now posted on the Town’s budget web site page.

Here’s the skinny on tonight’s town council meeting:

Town Council Meeting - April 28, 2008

Councilor Gagne was not present.

Organizational – Elect Council Chair
-Councilor Jean Demetracopoulos was elected as Council Chair

Reports
Bruce Whitney reported on the status of two vacant lots the town wishes to sell. The lots were acquired through a tax seizure. He explained that in order to sell the properties would need clear title. He explained work that has been done on behalf of the town to get the clear title. The town’s choices are to sue the directors of the now defunct company that formerly owned the property or wait until 2009 when a 15 year waiting period will expire. The council agreed to wait until 2009 rather than incur any legal expenses that would arise from a lawsuit.

(more…)

Only one meeting on the schedule:

Town Council
April 28, 2008 – Council Chambers - 6:00pm
Organizational – Elect Council Chair
Executive Session – 1 MRSA 405-6E Discuss Pending Litigation between Joseph Rousselle and the Town of South Berwick v. Janis Dickson and Ernest Dickson
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss Comprehensive Plan.
New Business
1. Discuss/take action on Solid Waste Committee charge.
2. Discuss/take action on Safety Enhancement Grant.
3. Take action on Strategic Underage Drinking Enforcement Grant.
4. Approve consent order between Joseph Rousselle and the Town of South Berwick v. Janis Dickson and Ernest Dickson.
5. Take action on SMRPC General Assembly membership.
6. Adopt budget for fiscal year 2009 and sign warrant for town meeting.
7. Accept resignation from Library Advisory Board.
8. Sign warrant calling for special town meeting on May 12th.
Executive Session – 1 MRSA 405-6D Discuss Police Union Contract.

Read the full agenda…

The Town Council has made some headway on getting the budget down. They’ve got spending down below 2008 levels but revenues from excise taxes, car registrations, and building permits continue to be way below expectations so it still means a tax increase. Read more in this Foster’s Daily Democrat article:

South Berwick looking at tax rate increase due to revenue shortfall
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Though the Town Council has slashed nearly $1 million from the first draft of its 2009 municipal budget — in the process actually bringing expenditures below 2008 levels — taxpayers are still looking at a tax rate increase due to a factor largely out of town’s control: revenue.

Monday, April 21
Patriots Day-Town Offices Closed All Day

Tuesday, April 22
Budget Workshop
5:00 PM - Council Chambers

Special Town Council Meeting
Executive Session – 1MRSA §405.6A – Personnel, discuss interim manager position.
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

It looks like the Town Council cut another $500,000 from the budget at a workshop on April 15. Here’s the article from Portsmouth Herald:

South Berwick trims budget
Portsmouth Herald
The Town Council worked with department heads Tuesday night to find an additional $500,000 in budget cuts, bringing the fiscal 2009 year budget request down to a level they hope residents can live with …

Here’s the skinny on the 4/14/2008 Town Council meeting:

Councilor Comments:
All of the council members spoke of their sadness at the loss of Dennis Smith, who passed away on April 10. They spoke of his selfless dedication to his family and to the town. They described him as a friend, a mentor, a source of inspiration, and an example of how to work with others.

Council Chair Suzanne Roberge made two announcements:
1. She met with Public Works Director Terry Oliver and asked him to reconsider his resignation, which he did so he will continue to be Public Work Director.
1. She resigned from her position as Chair of the Council effective at the end of the meeting. She will continue to serve as a Council Member.

The following actions were taken on the agenda items: (more…)