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The
South Berwick Citizen |
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Archive of Town Council Meetings Archive of Planning Board Meetings |
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posted
February 18, 2005 By Mimi Demers
At the Town Council meeting of January 24, 2005, a long discussion preceded approval of the appropriation of $3500 for a professional review of South Berwick’s traffic ordinance. Councilor Richard Clough had opposed the expenditure, saying other groups–the Planning Board and the transportation committee–were already studying the issue. But Councilor Michelle Karekas pointed out the other studies "...were done by lay people," and "the state won’t look at these." Mr. Clough conceded the parking study being conducted by the Planning Board "...is lay, true," but the nearly completed Comprehensive Plan, which addresses the traffic issue, "...goes to state," and the transportation committee is working with KACKS, a state program. Mrs. Karekas observed the KACKS study has been ongoing for a long, long time. Councilor Sue Roberge came back to the task at hand: "My main objective is to address the traffic ordinance." Mr. Clough suggested the other groups then discontinue their work, but Ms. Roberge advised others’ information can be submitted to the professional consultants to use in their review.
A New Truck The Council mounted another lengthy discussion before awarding a bid for $105,000 for the purchase of a new roll-off truck for the Public Works department. Councilors Clough and Karekas had questioned the choice of an automatic transmission over a standard. Public Works employee Steve Panter said from the audience that he favors an automatic, for "...ease of operation...less driver fatigue...no clutch to adjust or replace...better resale value..." and pointed out that other nearby towns have gone to an automatic transmission. But Public Works director Terry Oliver said he felt they would be "moving backwards" since "...we have a truck ready to go." He also said a standard transmission costs less in the long run, needing fewer repairs. The bid was awarded by a three to two vote. Dormant Town Committees Councilor Clough brought up the subject of town committees, and pointed out there are several which haven’t met in a long time, and should be officially dissolved. Town Manager Jeff Grossman agreed. After some discussion, the Council dissolved the Recreation Committee, the Site Development Committee, the Economic Development Committee, the Solid Waste Committee, and the Library Site Committee. The Council also agreed that town committees may need to be reminded that formal process needs to be observed: a committee needs a chairperson, a quorum is required for any action taken, minutes are required to be submitted to the Town Hall, etc. Mr. Clough voiced his concern: "Do they know? Without formal minutes, any action taken may be subject to legal problems." The Town Manager will follow through on this. A Dock at Counting House Park The Council granted, with no discussion, approval for the Public Works department to perform the necessary work for the installation of a dock at Counting House Park. The dock will allow for launching of small craft such as kayaks and canoes. Visioning Committee? Jack Shipley, a member of the South Berwick Planning Board and the chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, and Dennis Smith, also a Planning Board member, came before the Council to propose the establishment of a new town committee. The committee would serve to keep the new comprehensive plan–which is currently awaiting state approval, and must then be accepted by the Town Council-- in the forefront as town policies are discussed and acted upon. The proposed seven member (one Council member, one Planning Board member, one Conservation Committee member, two members of the public, plus the code officer and the planning coordinator) committee is as yet un-named. Councilor Roberge said she finds the suggested "Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee" name to be "too heavy-handed", and both Mr. Shipley and Mr. Smith agreed, saying they prefer "Visioning Committee". Mr. Shipley said, "We really don’t want to see this plan sit on the shelf and collect dust...we want to have a working plan that is continually reviewed and complemented..." But the Council had reservations, with both Mr. Clough and Ms. Roberge asking whether this is the job of the Planning Board. Mr. Shipley suggested "...the Planning Board already has a lot on their plate," and "...a fresh pair of eyes" may be better able to see the big picture. The members of the Council decided the suggestion is "premature", and will put it on a future agenda. All Council members were in attendance, as well as Town Clerk Barbara Bennett. posted February 18, 2005 February 14, 2005 Town Council Meeting By Barbara Boggiano What's Happening with Mt. Agamenticus? Bob Eger, town rep
to the Mt. Agamenticus Steering Committee summarized the report he had
distributed to Council. Thanks to the efforts of Robin Stanley, Coordinator,
they were able to receive grant money, as well as donations, to do several
projects, which include: work on the viewing platform being constructed
on top of the Mountain which is almost complete, with completion of the
stairs to be done by this Spring, and a plaque to be installed which identifies
the various mountain peaks. Mr. Eger said they would like to put up access
gates to the main areas where the boulders currently are placed. People
keep moving the rocks, and they must leave the Budget Talk The Town Manager said
he'd be putting together a plan to send out with Council packets on the
25th and will give a brief presentation on the 28th. He said he would
like to set up some budget workshop dates, and would like to discuss revenues
at one, and perhaps meet with the department heads at another. A tentative
schedule is March 1st, 6 p.m. in the Manager's office to give an overview,
and the other nights Wednesday, March 2nd, Monday, New Economic Development Committee to be Formed Council voted to establish
a 9 member board and will appoint the members at the March 28th meeting.
Councilor Kareckas asked the Chair if he had anyone in mind. Chairman
Gagné said he would like a representative from the School Board,
the Water District, the Sewer District and the Town Manager and Public
Works Director to be on the board. Councilor Roberge suggested a member
from the Planning Board, and Paul Schumacher, as an ex-officio member,
should be on the Committee as well. The consensus was to have five Scheduling Workshops Councilor Kareckas suggested combining 3 or 4 items on one workshop rather than have three meetings a week like Council has been doing the past several months. The Town Manager said they could schedule workshops for the first and third Mondays - the nights when Council doesn't have meetings, and if they don't need them, they won't have them. The Chairman said he would review this issue. New Manager's Contract Council held a brief Executive Session, before executing the employment contract for Jeffrey Grossman, as per the terms that were written. The Town Clerk will swear Mr. Grossman into office. Snow Mobile Donation Gets Icy Reception Jack Kareckas, a volunteer
at Powder House Hill spoke to Council about donating his snowmobile to
be used at Powder House Hill. He said he just purchased it a month ago
and wanted to use it to bring gas cans up and down the hill as well as
transport children down the hill in case of an emergency. Mr. Kareckas
said they were unable to get insurance for the snowmobile, and so he wanted
to give it to the town to use at Powder House Hill. He said it is not
a trail riding machine. Appointment of Powder House Hill Volunteers Council discussed an
updated, revised list, as of February 7th. David Burke, Chairman
of the Planning Board suggested tabling this item until the next meeting.
He said Jack Kareckas is essential to the operation of the Hill and he
did not want Council to vote on the list without Jack's name on it. Mr.
Burke said that he would try to talk to Jack once Jack calmed down, and
felt someone else should talk to him, too. Chairman Gagné said
he would speak with Jack, and the Town Manager said he would also contact
him in a few days. Planning Board Recommendations for David Burke said these
changes were recommended by the Planning Board at their Jan. 4th meeting,
and basically are being suggested to make the ordinance consistent with
the comprehensive plan. Councilor Clough said since the Comp. Plan is
not yet finalized, aren't they putting the cart before the horse? Mr.
Burke replied the specific changes do not lend themselves or have anything
else to do with the comprehensive plan, for instance the definition of
setbacks - one place it says 75 ft., another 100 ft. - the Planning Board
wants to bring the ordinance in line with current laws.
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