Town Council Minutes 6/17/2002

TOWN OF CUMBERLAND

                                      SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL

                                                   TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

                                                              JUNE 17, 2002

 

I            Chairman Stephen Moriarty Called the Meeting to Order in the Council Chambers at Cumberland Town Hall at 7:04 p.m.

            

II            Approval of Minutes
a)      4/22/02

Motion made by Councilor Kuntz to accept the minutes of 4/22/02, seconded by

Councilor Damon.  

VOTE:              5-0-2 (Councilors Porter and Stiles abstained)

 

b)      5/13/02

Motion made by Councilor Kuntz to accept the minutes of 5/13/02, seconded by Councilor Porter.  

VOTE:   6-0-1 (Councilor Stiles abstained)

 
III.            Manager's Report
 

            None.

 
IV        Public Discussion
                        

None.

 

V.            Legislation and Policy

            

02 - 58.       To swear in newly-elected Town Council.

Town Clerk, Nadeen Daniels, administered the oath of office to Councilors Jeffrey Porter and William Stiles.

 

02  59.       To elect Town Council Chairman and Vice Chairman.

Motion made by Councilor Kuntz to nominate Councilor Storey, seconded by Councilor Stiles.

                        VOTE:   IN FAVOR (3) (Kuntz, Stiles, Storey)

  

Motion made by Councilor Savasuk to nominate Councilor Porter, seconded by Councilor Damon.

VOTE:   IN FAVOR (4)  (Moriarty, Porter, Damon, Savasuk)

  ABSTAINED (1) (Storey)

 

Motion made by Councilor Damon to nominate Councilor Moriarty as Vice Chair,

seconded by Councilor Savasuk.

VOTE:   IN FAVOR (6)

ABSTAINED (1) (Moriarty)  

 

Chairman Porter requested Vice Chairman Moriarty to continue as Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

 

Vice Chairman Moriarty suggested taking the Chebeague Island Long Range

workshop item out of order.  He solicited objections from those present.  None were received.

 

VIII.        WORKSHOP -  Chebeague Island Long Range Plan:

 

Long Range Plan Committee members Sam Ballard and Beth Howe shared in presenting the Long Range Plan.  Beth articulated that the committee did not intend to focus on any individual item, but rather to receive feedback on the plan as a whole.  Ultimately, the committee hopes the plan will be adopted as part of the town"s Comprehensive Plan.

The Committee of 14 began its work in July of 99, gathering and analyzing information culminating in a draft plan in June, 2000.  The plan covered a wide range of issues and identified the highest priorities.  In October, 2000 the Planning Board reviewed the draft plan. During the 2001/2002 winter, the committee revisited the plan taking into account the comments of the planning board and town staff.  A revised draft, differing only slightly from the original plan, was submitted to the Town in February, 2002.  Recommendations including education about septic systems and oil tank replacement have been carried out.  An Open Space Impact Fee has been adopted and the Stone Wharf Committee has made much progress around the issues related to the wharf and parking.  Ms. Howe noted that transportation, groundwater and affordable housing will remain important issues, understanding that one or another issue may take center stage at any given time.  

Questions from the council included the topics of junk cars, aquaculture leasing, small-scale sawmills, setbacks, groundwater and wetlands.

Vice Chairman Moriarty queried the committee regarding their plan for dissemination of the report.  Ms. Howe requested the Town mail the plan to island residents prior to holding an island Council meeting.  Assistant Town Manager, Carla Nixon, indicated she would determine the cost of such a mailing. The Council agreed that the Planning Board review could occur on a "parallel course.  

Motion made by Councilor Damon to refer the plan to the Planning Board with a request for a July 9th public hearing; seconded by Councilor Kuntz.

VOTE:   7-0 (UNANIMOUS)

The workshop ended at 8:15 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

02  60.       To authorize the Town Manager to expend up to $2,000 from the

                                    Land Acquisition Fund re: option to purchase property on

                                    Chebeague Island, Map I06, Lot 14.

 

            Councilor Damon explained reading an article in the island calendar two weeks earlier listing 12 acres of land with 574 feet of waterfront at an asking price of $200,000.  The town assesses the same property at $418,000.  She spoke with the owners and members of the Cumberland Mainland Island Trust to determine its potential for the community.  CMIT believes the property has potential for affordable housing, open space, scenic views, working clam-flats and public access.  Each of these items is identified in the Long Range Plan.  Preliminary research shows that a few foundations are interested in supporting the purchase of this property and Councilor Damon referenced the successful history of  fundraising efforts by the Island Community.

Richard  Bowen spoke on behalf of the CMIT stating their commitment of $1,000 in earnest money toward a purchase and sale agreement.  The Trust hopes to secure an additional $100,000 through fundraising efforts. He indicated that CMIT is anxious to be involved as a facilitator and steward of the remaining open land.  

Betsy Gosselin, one of the 3 co-owners, indicated they have received 5 offers, some much higher. Their preference is to sell to the town.

Several councilors expressed their support for the acquisition. Chairman Porter suggested that this is an opportunity we will not see again.  

 

Motion made by Councilor Damon to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a purchase & sales agreement with the owners subject to an appraisal, soils testing, title search, and right-of-way verification; seconded by Chairman Porter.  The agreement will come back to the council for final approval.

VOTE:   7-0 (UNANIMOUS)

 

02  61.       To set date for Planning Board Meeting on Chebeague Island

                                    re: Paper Streets.

 

Motion by Councilor Kuntz to refer the paper street issue to the planning board for their consideration, with a request that the board conduct a meeting on Chebeague Island; seconded by Councilor Savasuk.

            VOTE:   7-0 (UNANIMOUS)

 

VI.              Correspondence
*Councilor Damon  4th Float at Stone Wharf in need of regular maintenance.

*Vice Chairman Moriarty  received a letter from Mr. And Mrs. Darling complimenting all

town officials and staff for their public service.

            Received a memo from Esther Clenott re: County Budget Advisory Committee.

            Received a MDOT letter re: state funding for bike lanes along Route 88.

*Chairman Porter  Received an e-mail re: interest in town recycling.

*Asst. Town Manager  Carla Nixon noted a request for appointment of delegates to the Greater Portland Council of Governments.  The council will consider this item over the next week.

 

VII.     New Business

*Councilor Damon  Referred to the need to review island frontage setbacks. Carla Nixon indicated that a review might have begun.  She will determine the status of this issue and report back to Councilor Damon.

            Motion by Councilor Damon to refer the issue of island frontage setbacks to the Planning Board, seconded by Councilor Kuntz.                          

            VOTE:  7-0 (UNANIMOUS)

*Councilor Storey  Felt the Memorial Day Parade was one of the best in years. Carla Nixon will prepare a memo of thanks for the Chairmans signature.

*Councilor Kuntz  Questioned the status of ongoing concerns raised by cemetery representatives. Carla Nixon responded that some tree removal was accomplished by public works and other items are being dealt with as they arise. Vice Chairman Moriarty suggested sending a note to Bob Storey requesting an update.

*Councilor Moriarty  Reviewed the calendar of meetings for the week.  A meeting of the Revaluation Advisory Committee will be held 6/18 on Chebeague; and on 6/19 in the Council Chambers; a meeting with MDOT on 6/20 regarding improvements to Wharf Road on Cousins Island and again on 6/27 on Chebeague; and a mediation session regarding the Hope Island Secession request will be held Friday morning, 6/20 at Town Hall.

*Chairman Porter  Announced Planning Board meeting tomorrow evening at 6 pm.       

*Councilor Stiles   Extended thanks to those who helped him win a seat on the council.

 

 VIII        Adjourn to Workshop:

 

    Paper Streets

            Councilor Damon presented an overview of the Coastal Access Reports for the Waldo Point and Nubble View Subdivisions.  This project began in 1989 in an attempt to ascertain the coastal access points on the island.  In 1997, Councilor Damon prepared a report identifying the various subdivisions. The recommendations in the reports discuss how these streets could benefit the town.  These reports are nearing their 5-year anniversary.  Councilor Damon expressed her concern that not all of these streets may be identified on the assessors maps, creating confusion regarding building and septic system location. Several councilors indicated their interest in visiting the island to gain first-hand perspective of the physical location of the paper streets.  

 

Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Kuntz, seconded by Councilor Stiles.

VOTE:  7-0 (UNANIMOUS)

Time: 9:34 pm

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Nadeen M. Daniels

Town Clerk