Town Council Minutes 12/6/2001
TOWN OF CUMBERLAND
MEETING MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2001
Councilors Present: Stephen Moriarty, Jeff Porter, Mark Kuntz, Peter Bingham, Harland Storey, Michael Savasuk, Donna Damon
Call to order in the Council Chambers at Cumberland Town Hall at 7:39 p.m.
Managers Report
None
Public Discussion
None
Legislation and Policy
01-103 To award contract to low bidder for health insurance for municipal employees and retirees to Aetna Insurance Company for the period January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002.
Melody Main, Finance Director compared the MMA and Aetna Health Insurance policies. Dick Pew, Insurance Broker was present to answer questions from the Council and employees regarding the proposed Aetna Insurance proposal. It was noted retirees would not benefit from Aetna as proposed. Retirees would incur significant expense if the Town switched to Aetna. Requests from the Council that need to be considered before making a decision are to compare benefits of private and public sector, federal and state, town/city and SADs and a salary report with years of service breakdown.
Retiree, Raye Wagner spoke of her experiences with MMA Health Plan on a positive note. She did not favor the changeover as it would create a financial strain on her and other retirees/families.
Councilor Porter moved to table this item until more information is compiled and presented.
Second by Councilor Damon
VOTE: In Favor (6)
Abstain (1) (Moriarty)
Correspondence
· Ltr fm Phil Hunt dtd 11/28/01 RE: Zoning Changes to Office Commercial Zones
· Memo fm Carla Nixon dtd 11/27/01 RE: Possible Health Insurance Carrier Change
· Ltr fm Town Attorney dtd 11/28/01 RE: Executive Session Board & Committee Appointments
· Ltr fm Sevee & Maher Engineers, Inc. dtd 10/18/01 RE: Chebeague Island Well Owners Sampling Program.
· Ltr to Carl A. Croce dtd 10/30/01 RE: Coastal Corridor Coalition
· Ltr fm City of Portland City Attorney Gary C. Wood dtd 11/20/01 RE: Request to Join Portland in Lawsuit if Necessary to Require County to Legally Apply its Unreserved Fund Balance to Property Tax Relief.
· Memo fm City of Portland in support of its position that the Cumberland County Budget Process and Budget for the last three years and as proposed for this year violate state law.
· Town of Cumberland Committee & Board Appointments and Reappointments Listing of 12/6/01
· Email fm Robert Storey dtd 11/28/01 RE: Cumberland Cemetery Association Lot Increase. (Emailed to Council 11/29/01)
· Ltr fm Town Attorney dtd 11/21/01 RE: Town of Cumberland Resident Districts.
· Town of Cumberland Planning Board Meeting Announcement RE: Workshop to discuss the Draft Route One Design Guidelines.
· Board of Adjustment and Appeals Public Hearing Notice 12/13/01 (Emailed to Council 11/30/01)
· Ltr fm Sportshoe Center Maine Marathon/Relay/Half Marathon
· Cumberland County Commissioners Meeting Minutes of 11/13/01
· MSAD 51 Agenda of 12/3/01
· MSAD 51 Minutes of 11/19/01
Councilor Storey raised questions regarding Rescue Unit billing.
New Business
· Councilor Kuntz reported the Cumberland County budget results. He noted that the increase would be 19.1% as opposed to proposed 20.5%.
· Councilor Bingham requested scheduling a workshop in January to review the Murray Policy.
· Chairman Moriarty received a letter from Town Attorney Ken Cole regarding the Council District Amendments to the Charter. He also inquired about the Revaluation Committee advertisement process.
VII. Executive Session
Councilor Bingham moved to enter into executive session to discuss consideration of applicants for appointment to various Town boards and committees at 9:26 pm.
Second by Councilor Storey
VOTE: Unanimous (7)
Councilor Bingham moved to come out of Executive Session to adjourn meeting.
Second by Councilor Storey
VOTE: Unanimous (7)
VII. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 9:38 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Brown
Administrative Assistant
