Town of Cumberland, Maine - Town Council Minutes 10/4/2001 v2

Permit Twin Brook Recreation Area.

Tom Saucier of SYTDesign Consultants explained the Site Location of Development permit application process being filed with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in the construction being done in the Twin Brooks Recreational Area. Three athletic fields, a trail network, gravel access road, and parking lot has been constructed and is accessible from Tuttle Road. An additional four athletic fields, expanded trail system, gravel access road, and parking lot are under construction in the northeast portion of the property and will be accessible from Greely Road south of Spring Brook Farm.

Chairman Moriarty explained the necessity of the hearing and why it was being held now. Twin Brook was purchased in two installments. The Dillenback property on Tuttle Road side first, followed by the Fowler property on the Greely Road side several years later, which now forms an entire unit. The Tuttle Road side was developed first, the Greely Road side is in the process of being developed. If the property had been purchased as a single unit at the same time, the Town would have been required to have this hearing at that point before anything got underway. As it was purchased separately, the Tuttle Road half, standing alone, was not large enough to require a state hearing. However, the two pieces taken together as a whole, being a larger parcel, met state guidelines that did necessitate a hearing to be held. This hearing is not being held because the town is proposing anything new or different whatsoever on either side of the property.

Adam Ogden, Public Works Director explained that the state assumes jurisdiction of any future development that occurs on these parcels because they have found the economic and social well being of citizens of the state and of the environment are an important consideration in any development of this size. The state has overseen, all along, the construction activities on this site and all state requirements have been met.

Questions from the ten residents attending were answered with regard to lighting, buffering, parking, landscaping, hours of operation, and possible lowering of the speed limit on Greely Road in that area.

Correspondence

Jeanne and Michael Faietta: Town owned land purchase query
Current Town Committee listing
MMA: Newly elected Officials Workshop info
Portland Water District: 09-24-01 Agenda
Forecaster article on Town of Falmouth: EMS committee recommendations
Greater Portland Council of Governments: invitation to meet with Town Officials
Carla Nixon: Val Halla: 11-29-01 Employee Appreciation Night

New Business

Town Manager Benson discussed with the Council Jane and Michael Faiettas request to purchase town-owned land by Cottage Farm Road in Cumberland Center. He advised the Council that he was not in favor of this as there is a wetland area there, with no sewer available.

It was the sense of the Council to hold onto the land for the time being. It was agreed that as one of the towns goals is to develop affordable housing, and if, at some point, the lot met the standards necessary to develop, to offer the land to "Habitat for Humanity to build affordable houses.

Councilor Damon pointed out that the town has instituted a Building Cap, trying to
limit the number of new houses being built. Thus, if the town started selling town land
to build new houses that are not affordable houses, the town would be contradicting its own public policy.

Councilor Bingham reflected on Portlands budget shortfall. He checked with Melody Main, Cumberland Finance Director, and it appears that the Councils revenue projections for this budget year will be on target. However, state revenue sharing for next year is uncertain and could be a concern.

Councilor Porter gave an update on the Nominating Committee candidate interviews. He shared that the meeting last night with the towns of Freeport, Yarmouth, and North Yarmouth with regard to the regionalization and sharing of services was one of the most positive hed ever attended. Going forward, this will be one of the most important things that the town does to try to keep taxes down for our residents.

Councilor Kuntz was also very pleased with last nights meeting with the various towns. Its important to work together as a region to look at ways to cut costs and help one another. He also mentioned that as a town, we need to thank and support our National Guard members and Veterans, past and present, as well as our Fire, Police and Rescue Departments for all they do.

Councilor Damon also mentioned, as did Councilor Bingham, what a great job Scott Thurston has done with the Greely Junior High School Band, which was reflected in their outstanding performance at the Cumberland Fair this year.

Adjourn

Meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Klara M. Norton
Town Clerk