Members Present: Rob Browne (7:05), Lauchlin Titus, and Phil Haines
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, Al Roy, Frank Richards, Kevin Levasseur, John Phillips, Dick Dolby, Sally Butler, Ginny Brackett, Ray Breton, Becky Goodrich, Marianne Stevens, David Jenney, Betsy Poulin, seven other unknown members of the public.
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Titus at 7:00 p.m.
2. Minutes – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the 4/20/17 meeting as written.
Selectman Browne arrived at the meeting minutes after the public hearing on the Shoreland Zone Ordinance began.
3. Public hearing on the proposed revised Shoreland Zone Ordinance – Chairman Titus opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. When Chairman Titus invited questions from the audience, the first question asked was why the ordinance failed at the polls, and is this proposed document the same document that was voted down? The Planning Board members, the Code Officer, and the Selectmen, all fielded questions as they were presented by the public in attendance. The answer offered for this question is that this is the same document as the one that failed at the polls in November, and Chairman Titus speculated that people voted no because they did not understand that this document represents a relaxation of existing rules, and when folks don’t understand, their quick reaction is to vote no. When asked by Frank Richards how this proposed ordinance compares to the State’s model Shoreland Zone Ordinance, Planning Board Chairman Ginny Bracket explained that our proposed document does not use all of the types of zones as proposed by the State. The differences between the old and the new versions of the Ordinances were explained by Planning Board Members. Expressions of appreciation and thanks were extended by the Selectmen and Ray Breton to the Planning Board members who had worked many hours in many additional meetings to compile the proposed amended ordinance. The public hearing was declared closed at 7:16 p.m.
4. Public hearing on the proposed Sanitary District Charter – After the room had cleared from the first public hearing, Chairman Titus declared the public hearing open at 7:17 p.m. and asked for public comment or questions on the proposed Sanitary District Charter. Hearing none, the public hearing was immediately closed at 7:17 p.m.
5. Town Meeting Warrant – School Committee Chairman Kevin Levasseur questioned recent amendments to article #66 in the warrant that would require the school committee to give all the education subsidy funds received in the upcoming year to the town to reduce the tax commitment. He is concerned that if more state revenue is received than the budget requires, the school will be giving up more funds than need be. The Committee wants to keep the excess funds so that they can be applied to the next school budget cycle. After discussion, the Board and Kevin agreed on some language changes to the article that would put a cap of $338,681 that the school would be required to turn over to the town in education subsidy funds, in the event that much money is actually received from the State. Sabins exited the room to revise the warrant article, and returned with a revised version. On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to sign the town meeting warrant as revised. Discussion about the presentation of the school budget warrant articles to the voters at town meeting was also given with David Jenney, who was in the audience with questions on the matter.
6. Other (taken out of agenda order) – David Jenney asked about school choice and varying tuition costs, depending on the chosen high school. Chairman Titus explained that school choice requires Vassalboro to pay state average or less, or insured value for private school. Erskine tuition costs fall within those state parameters. Other schools, like Waterville and Winslow, are below the state average. Extended discussion ensued, but no formal Board action was taken.
7. No Parking Ordinance – Sabins stated that Public Works Director Gene Field has contacted a line striper to obtain a price to mark a handicap parking spot in front of Hair Builders business on Oak Grove Road. While the price was only $100, the company indicated that 16’ is needed for a space and an accompanying hash-marked safe zone. Gene has indicated there is not 16’ in the area where the parking space is requested. Brief discussion was also given about the possibility of the use of TIF funds to help the business owner swap out the front door with one that swigs the other way so that her handicap ramp could be relocated to the other side of the front door, which would allow handicap parking beside her building instead of in front of her building in the street. The Board took no further action on this matter this evening, but decided to revisit the matter on their May 18th agenda. The Board also decided to postpone rewriting the No Parking Ordinance until after town meeting.
8. Reports – a. Road Report - On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented. b. First Responders’ Report – No report was available. c. Police Report - On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as presented.
9. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by P. Haines, seconded by R. Browne, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrants #62 and #63.
10. Other – 1. Selectman Haines gave the Board an update on the Alewife Restoration Initiative meeting that he and Sabins had attended earlier in the week.
11. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
/mss
These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 5/18/17 with the following amendments: None.