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.

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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…)

Monday, April 14
Public Hearing: Fiscal Year 2009 Budget
6:30 PM - Auditorium
Town Budget page with links to proposed budget

Town Council to follow hearing
6:30 PM - Auditorium
On the Agenda:
Old Business
1. Discuss/take action on VFW request for funds.
2. Discuss Comprehensive Plan update.
New Business
1. Discuss/take action on donation to Lion’s Club.
2. Discuss/take action on EMA Director and Deputies.
3. Discuss/take action on acceptance of ATV Enforcement Grant.
4. Discuss/take action on request to apply for Speed Enforcement Grant & Seatbelt Grant.
5. Discuss/take action on disposal fees at transfer station.
6. Discuss/take action regarding petition for Charter recall provision.
7. Take action on St. Michael’s purchase option.
Full Agenda

Tuesday, April 15
Budget Workshop/Tentative
5:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office

Planning Board Meeting CANCELLED
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

On March 18, 2008 the Town Council had a workshop with the Solid Waste Committee. The Committee has been researching potential alternatives for the town to consider in handling solid waste and gave a very thoughtful presentation. The Town Council had specifically asked the committee to investigate the options of pay-per-throw and regionalizing solid waste collection. The committee’s research included visits and phone calls to other towns and visits from and calls to a variety of waste companies.

Sorry it took so long to write it up. Darn that day job! It seems important to get the information up now since pay-per-throw is part of the Council’s plan to deal with the budget this year. There are no minutes to the meeting posted yet on the town web site. If anyone from the Solid Waste Committee has corrections or additions to my notes, please put them in comments.

In their presentation the committee gave information on the following options:

(more…)

Budget Update
An overview of the proposed 2009 budget is posted on the town web site.
As of yesterday, the Proposed Appropriations by department for fiscal year 2009 have been posted on the Town web site Budget page. The entire budget is also available in the Town Clerk’s office for viewing or purchase.

The Public Hearing on the Budget is scheduled for April 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm.

Town Council Workshop
Monday, April 7, 2008 at 5:00 PM, Town Manager’s Office
The Town Council will meet in a workshop this evening to discuss direction with regard to the Interim Manager Search and possibly the Public Works Director opening.

Solid Waste Committee Mtg.
Monday, April 7, 2008 at 6:00 PM, Meeting room 1

Budget Update
An overview of the proposed 2009 budget is posted on the town web site.
The Public Hearing on the Budget is scheduled for April 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm.

It’s always a good idea to check the Town web site to verify meetings before attending.

South Berwick Budget Update: An overview of the proposed 2009 budget is posted on the town web site. The Town Council has reduced the Manager’s recommended budget of $6,202,517 to $5,763,795. The Public Hearing on the Budget is scheduled for April 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm.

Help honor Veterans: You can help honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country by donating to the VFW’s memorial cemetery to help with the purchase of flag holders and flags for this year’s Memorial Day observance. Find out more…

Well water testing: The South Berwick Conservation Commission is sponsoring well water testing for South Berwick residents and the testing kits are now available at town hall. Find out more…

Community Chorus at South Berwick: There are still two more performances of the CCSB spring concert, “From a Poet’s Pen,” a concert of choral music inspired by poetry and verses. I went last night and it was a wonderful performance. The theme of poetry inspired music offered a varied program that made the night fly by. CCSB premiered “Spheres,” a commissioned piece from composer Charles Kaufman. If I was better at describing music I might be able to hint at the way this piece wove together voices, words, and music into passages of quiet subtlety and passages of soaring complexity–it was a treat. Don’t miss this opportunity. Find out more…

Godspell at Marshwooh High School: There is one more performance tonight of Marshwood’s production of Godspell. I heard yesterday from someone who saw it that this just might be the best production Marshwood has ever done. Find out more…

Note from Molly: Many are concerned about the hurtful words and accusations being used at public meetings and in this blog and want to encourage communication that builds our community instead of dividing it. South Berwick resident Scott Landis offers his thoughts here.

An 1833 book on population coined the term “tragedy of the commons” to describe a dynamic of medieval village life in which narrow self-interest was allowed to run amok. Over-grazing of the public commons by one individual’s sheep turned out to be a disaster for the herd and its owner as well as for the environment and the community at large. The farmer unwittingly became the agent of his own demise.

This 19th-century concept, which probably has much earlier roots, has been applied to many ecological disasters since. Indeed, it has become shorthand for any condition in which “free access, and unrestricted demand for a finite resource, ultimately dooms that resource to over-exploitation.” The phenomenon has been used to describe the decline of the world’s great forests and the decimation of the North Atlantic cod fishery.

Some might argue that the metaphor only applies to ecological relationships, but it seems to me we are suffering a parallel modern crisis in public communication that is every bit as tragic and perhaps even more dangerous than any environmental disaster we have faced. (more…)

The following meetings are scheduled:

Town Council Special Meeting
Council Chambers / Manager’s Office
Monday, March 31, 2008, 5:00pm
1. Executive Session – 1MRSA §405.6A – Discuss contract for Acting Interim Town Manager.
2. Take action on appointment of Acting Interim Town Manager.
3. Sign Treasurer’s warrant of March 24, 2008.
Budget Workshop to Follow

Planning Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Council Chambers

Economic Development Committee Meeting - Cancelled
The April EDC meeting sceduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 1:00 PM has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for May 7th at 1:00 PM.

MDOT Preliminary Public Meeting-Great Works Bridge Replacement
Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Council Chambers
This is a meeting with the Maine Department of Transportation to discuss the future replacement of the Great Works Bridge that crosses the Great Works River on Rt. 236. Representatives from the DOT will be available to receive comments, listen to concerns, and answer questions about the project. More info…

If you are planning to attend one of the meetings, it’s a good idea to check the Town’s web site to verify that there have been no changes in the schedule.

I was away all day in Portland and just learned that there was a special town council meeting today at 5 PM with the following agenda:

NEW BUSINESS
1. Executive Session – 1MRSA 405.6E – consultation between the Council and the Council’s attorney regarding settlement discussions.

2. Discuss/take action on acceptance of resignation of Town Manager by mutual agreement between the Manager and the Town Council.

Update: Portland Press Herald is reporting that Town Manager Jeff Grossman has resigned:

South Berwick town manager resigns
Portland Press Herald March 21, 2008 08:48 PM
The Town Council accepted Town Manager Jeff Grossman’s resignation Friday evening, nearly three years before his contract would have expired…

Update March 22, 2008:  Here’s a story from Foster’s Daily Democrat:

South Berwick town manager takes his leave
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Town Manager Jeff Grossman agreed to resign from office Friday night, one week after three town councilors asked him to quit.

In an emotional special town meeting held at 5 p.m. — just three hours after public notice was given — the council voted 4-1 to accept Grossman’s resignation, which he handed in by “mutual agreement” between himself and the council. . .

Over the last few years in South Berwick there has been a tug of war being played out in Council Chambers that has been characterized as a struggle between those who want economic development and those who want to preserve the village and the land. Now this struggle has erupted into calls for resignations and name calling in council chambers, on the streets, and in the comments of this blog. The town manager, all of the town council members, and many residents have all been conveniently slotted into one side or the other so we can all take sides and continue the drama and fireworks that some seem to enjoy so much.

In the last month the rhetoric has risen to inflammatory levels with accusations that those who are in favor of the comprehensive plan are trying to take away property rights and that the effort to get a regional development authority is a scheme that will result in taxation without representation. There have been rumors, insinuations, and allegations of wrongdoing by town councilors and the town manager. Those who speak out at town meetings and other public forums, including this blog, seem to represent the most extreme views. In private, I’ve heard from people with more measured and complex thoughts about the issues that they are reluctant to speak out publicly in the current climate. (more…)

Foster’s Daily Democrat has followed up on the request for Town Manager’s Jeff Grossman’s resignation:

South Berwick town councilors, manager demand each other’s resignation
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Three town councilors want the town manager to resign; the manager, in turn, wants those councilors to resign; and residents are circulating petitions to amend the town charter so councilors can be recalled from office….

The Town Council had a budget workshop on March 11, 2008. There is a recap of the budget workshop on the town’s budget website page. The Town Manager’s proposed revenue, expense, and capital budget can also be found there.

The upcoming schedule for budget workshops is as follows
Monday March 17th at 5 pm
Police, Dispatch, ACO and Public Safety CIP
Fire and Fire Department CIP

Tuesday March 18th at 5 pm
Workshop w/Solid Waste Committee for no longer than 1 hour
Highway, Town Hall, Community Center
Town Garage, Public Facilities, Transfer Station,
Solid Waste, Roads, Sidewalks & Highway Equipment CIP

Tuesday March 25th at 5 pm
EMA, Rescue, Clerk, Control Collection, Code Enforcement,
Conservation, Library, Library CIP, Assessing, Computer,
Planning, EDC, Recreation, Manager, Administration,
Employee Benefits, Debt, remaining CIP, Revenues.

There is a story on the budget in today’s Portsmouth Herald:

Budget fight: Manager’s job at stake in South Berwick
Portsmouth Herald
At the heart of the controversy surrounding the potential resignation of Town Manager Jeffrey Grossman is the proposed fiscal year 2009 operating budget…

3/13/08 Update:  In the Portsmouth Herald story it says that next Tuesday’s budget workshop is canceled.  Roberta Orsini, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager, confirms that the Tuesday March 18th meeting is still scheduled.

The town council meeting followed a work session with the Maine Department of Transportation regarding a potential bypass and a special town meeting to vote on a warrant to transfer $100,000 from the undesignated fund to cover winter maintenance. The warrant passed on a voice vote. A recap of the Department of Transportation workshop will be posted here in a day or so.

Approximately 100 people attended tonight’s meetings. Reporters from Foster’s Daily Democrat, Portsmouth Herald, and radio station WTSN (1270 AM) attending the meeting so there should be coverage tomorrow.

The meeting was an emotional one with candid discussion about the ongoing tension between the Council and the Manager and the revelation that the Town Manager has been asked by the Town Council to resign or face proceedings to remove him from the position. There was also much public comment on the comprehensive plan, the town budget, and potential tax increases.
(more…)

There is a special town meeting tonight, Monday, March 10, 2008 at 6:30 PM in Auditorium Hall.  The warrant does not seem to be published on the town web site.  Howeve, an article in Foster’s Daily Democrat indicates that it is for the transfer of $100, 000  from the undesignated fund account for winter snow removal.  Here’s the article:

South Berwick snow removal budget $190g in the red
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A special town meeting will be held Monday, March 10 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall regarding the transfer of $100000 …

Everyone has lots of opinions and ideas about the budget.  Here’s the place to talk about it.

I just got information that the budget workshops scheduled for today and tomorrow at 5 PM have been canceled. I don’t know why, but will post the information if I learn more.

The proposed budget documents have now been posted on the town web site budget page

Projected Revenues Fiscal Year 2009

Projected Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009

Capital Project Plan (10 Year)

This year’s budget process promises to be difficult. Today’s Foster’s Daily Democrat is reporting that Town Manager Jeff Grossman says the town is in a budget crisis and is projecting an increase in taxes.

Read the article:
‘Budget crisis’ could mean a 26 percent tax rate increase in South …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Town Manager Jeff Grossman says the town is in a “budget crisis” and points to a projected 26-percent increase in the town’s 2009 tax rate as the result…

Budget Workshops Schedule

Monday 3/3 at 5 pm
Tuesday 3/4 at 5 pm (Update 3/3/08: These workshops have been canceled)
Tuesday 3/11 at 5 pm
Monday 3/17 at 5 pm
Tuesday 3/18 at 5 pm
Tuesday 3/25 at 5 pm

The public is welcome at budget workshops. A variety of departmental budgets are reviewed during each meeting.

Workshops are held in Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Town Hall. If the location changes, it will be posted on the bulletin board outside the Town Clerk’s office.

Public Hearing on the Budget: April 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.

Town Budget Meeting: June 2, 2008 at 6:30 pm, Auditorium Hall, Town Hall, 180 Main Street

Town Manager Jeff Grossman indicates the proposed budget will be posted on the Town web site in the next day or so.

South Berwick Town Council meets Monday, February 25 in Town Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded by a public hearing at 6:30pm to receive public comment on the update to the comprehensive plan. Both meetings will be preceded by an executive session.

Here is the Agenda as posted on the Town web site as of 1 PM, 2/23/08:

5:00Executive Session - 1MRSA §405.6E consultation with Attorney
6:00pm Board of Assessors
6:30pm PUBLIC HEARING - Comprehensive Plan
TOWN COUNCIL to reconvene following hearing
Council Member Comments
Public Comment
Reports & Correspondence
Town Manager’s Report
Unfinished Business
New Business
1. Sign warrant calling for special town meeting on March 10th.
2. Accept donation from First Parish Federated Church for recreation.

(more…)

Today South Berwick Town Manager Jeff Grossman gave the236diner.com an update on the progress of the St. Michael’s Parish purchase. The 90 day option to buy is due to expire on April 6, 2008. Mr. Grossman reports that the process is moving forward on time and gave a summary of the progress:

• Appraisal of the property is in process. There have been no further negotiations about price.
• Wetlands Evaluation has been done and the town is awaiting the written report

(more…)

I attended the Town Council meeting tonight intending to write up a recap of the meeting. I took copious notes but I’m not going to write the recap as planned. Written notes could not give a fair picture of what happened. After an acrimonious discussion of several agenda items, the meeting ended with a vote of 3 to 2 to go into a closed executive session and two councilors and the town staff members walked out, refusing to participate in the executive session. The remaining councilors then asked the public to leave. Several audience members refused, saying the session was illegal. When I left, the remaining councilors and the remaining audience members were vigorously debating whether the public had a right to stay and whether the meeting was legal. (more…)

South Berwick Town Council meets Monday, January 28 at 6:30 in Town Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded by a meeting of the Vauhgan Fund at 6:00

A sampling of what’s on the agenda:

• A report from Robin Stanley, Mt. Agamenticus Conservation Coordinator
• Discuss parking impact fees
• Discuss proposed amendments to Administrative Code – Council Rules
• Take action on Karl Honkonen resignation from Conservation Commission
• Discuss/take action on appraisal contract
• Discuss Planning Board recommendations

Go to the Town of South Berwick web site for a complete agenda

The meeting, postponed from Monday, January 16 due to the storm, will be held tonight at 6 pm.

A sampling of what’s on the agenda:

• A Maine Dept. of Transportation report on a downtown bypass
• Action on appointments to the Library Advisory Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Historic District Commission
• Discuss/take action on amendments to Administrative Code - Council rules.
• Set public hearing date for Comprehensive Plan
• Take action on St. Michael’s purchase option.
• Discuss/take action on structural engineering proposal for St. Michael’s.

Go to the Town of South Berwick web site for a complete agenda

The South Berwick Town Council meeting originally scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled to Wednesday, January 16 at 6 pm.