MINUTES
GRAY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
January 4, 2011
HENRY PENNELL MUNICIPAL COMPLEX –7:00 P.M.
Roll Call:
Councilors Matt Sturgis, Mark Grover, Peter Gellerson, Matt Doughty, Margaret Hutchins
Town Manager Deborah Cabana
Others present and speaking: Ralph Wink, Miriam Bisbee, Doug Webster, Ray Clark, Sheriff Kevin Joyce.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag:
Minutes from Previous Meetings:
Approval of December 7, 2010, Town Council Minutes
Councilor Sturgis moved; Councilor Hutchins seconded
Ordered the Gray Town Council approves December 7, 2010 Town Council Minutes, as corrected.
Councilor Hutchins commented that on page 7, Item #063-11 the word “second” should be “seconded”
Councilor Gellerson stated that on page 1 with the phrase The Gray Fire Department “is” willing…. Is should be used for this phrase.
5 Yes
First Order of Business:
Public Comments of Non-Agenda Items – (limit 3 minutes per person) - None
Second Order of Business:
Reports from the Council Chair:
Councilor Gellerson stated that the Council will be touring the Town facilities on Saturday starting at 9am and the public is welcome to join them.
Doug Webster commended the Windham Corrections Woodworking Shop for building the new podium. This effort saved the Town several thousand dollars.
Reports from the Town Manager:
Town Manager Cabana commented on the changes in the community the past few years commenting on the Route 26 bypass, Hannaford, the Comprehensive Plan, various ordinances that have been rewritten and approved. Downtown improvements have been done. Brownfield grant funds have been received for the Monument Square area, an energy grant, Clark Block, Project Canopy, Pennell as the new Town Hall, acquisition of land near Pennell and the Library renovation. She is honored to work with the Town Staff and thanked them for all of the work they do as well as all the support they receive from the elected officials and all the volunteers. She thanks the community for the opportunity to work for them.
Committee Reports:
Councilor Grover reported on the Library Trustees. The financial reports are complete. ADA training is in the works. He commented on the ongoing roof leaks and hopes that it will be addressed during the proposed budget. He further stated that the Cumberland County Budget Advisory Committee met and approved the budget. The redistricting plan needs some rework and they are meeting tonight to do this and finalize the charter.
Councilor Doughty stated that the Street Construction Ordinance Committee meeting is this Thursday.
Councilor Gellerson stated that the CEDC meeting is next Wednesday (a week ahead than usual). They plan to present at the next Council meeting.
Council Correspondence: NONE
Third Order of Business:
Presentation:
Town Council – Recipients of the Annual Awards
Councilor Sturgis presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Don Hutchings. He described all the efforts that Don has done for the community in 2010 including the Pennell Celebration.
Councilor Gellerson presented the Committee of the Year Award to Town Office Building Committee for all of their efforts on the Pennell Project. He presented the award to several committee members present.
Ralph Wink asked that the award be presented to Doug Webster to display in his office.
Councilor Doughty presented the Organization of the Year Award to the Gray Public Library Association for their energy and efforts in expanding the library. He commended the staff and the volunteers for all of the work. He presented the award to Ray Clark.
Ray Clark thanked all the members for the work on the renovation project. He also thanked the community for supporting the library. Contributions are always appreciated.
Councilor Hutchins presented the Lifetime Achievement award to Ralph Wink. She gave an overview of the committees he has participated on and commented his demeanor in his work to create change in the community.
Ralph Wink thanked everyone for the award. He appreciated the Council for allowing the volunteer committees to dedicate their time and effort to do their work.
Councilor Grover presented the Evelyn Morrill Durgin award to Miriam Bisbee. He commented on all of the work she has quietly done in the area of wildlife work.
Miriam Bisbee thanked everyone for the award.
Fourth Order of Business: ORDERS- None
Fifth Order of Business: ORDINANCES:
Sixth Order of Business:
Council Action Items, Assignments and Issues Status:
Request that Maine DOT review signage in Gray center and nearby state roads.- Consider and discuss a proposed Mass Gathering Ordinance, eventually moving it to a Public Hearing.
- Complete all revisions to the Street Construction Ordinance (§ 400).
- Amend or replace the Sign Ordinance (§ 406).
- Review the town TIF Policy. (CEDC to amend and not rewrite)
- Establish a Gray Hall of Fame award and a process to identify initial, historical recipients.
Begin organizing a Comprehensive Planning Committee.
Seventh Order of Business:
Council Business: -
Discussion regarding Law Enforcement Contract
Councilor Grover gave an overview of law enforcement history in the community. He stated that at the 2009 Town Meeting the measure requesting a contract for a 40 hour a week officer was turned down. He stated that it is up to the Council to decide if they want to re-explore this issue.
Sheriff Kevin Joyce stated that he can get statistics on calls in the last 2 years. He also presented start-up costs based on a median salary range and adjusting for cost of living. He stated that after the first contract, costs will go down as the initial outlay for servicing the officer (vehicles and the like). This would be about $80,000. The Sheriff stated that the advantage of a contract is that the Town has in essence, its own Deputy. The scheduling of the officer is on a rotating basis based on the needs of the community.
At present, Gray shares basic Sheriff services with 4 other area communities. This would remain, and the contract would add the additional person for Gray only. Should the contract officer need to be away, the officer covering the 4 communities will replace him. The Sheriff’s Department also does mutual aid in extenuating circumstances.
Councilor Doughty asked about the flexibility of hours. Does the Town have the ability to dictate the hours? Sheriff Joyce said yes to an extent (in that they need to follow union contract, for example). He stated that they work with the communities on particular times that the community may have greater issues. The contract officers are aware of the possible change in scheduling and also work with them to help problem solve issues in the community.
Councilor Doughty asked what issues should make the Town want to contract with the Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff stated that they can provide a computerized plotting on crime issues and particular times. He stated that crime appears to have increase and there is a lot of activity in Gray. Councilor Doughty asked if there is an option for a limited arrangement for coverage (IE: 2 officers for Friday-Sunday only). The Sheriff stated that there are some different types of contracts and they can work with the community.
Councilor Hutchins asked if Harrison is comparable to Gray. The Sheriff stated that he believes that they are a smaller community. She asked if their arrangement works for them. The Sheriff stated that, overall it works and they also hire a PT for the summer months. Their crime rate is relatively small in comparison to Gray. She asked if the costs would double for 2 officers. The Sheriff stated that yes, the initial costs would. For example, vehicles and equipment belong to the Town.
She asked the Sheriff to provide call volume statistics to the Town Manager. She also asked if the school system has an officer contracted. He said that, at present, no. She asked if this contract could include the school.
Sheriff Joyce stated that it is possible and it is how the contract is arranged.
Councilor Grover stated that Gray is the only Town of its size in the State without any type of police force.
Councilor Sturgis asked how much lead time the Sheriff’s Department would need if something like this were to be approved. Sheriff Joyce stated that it would take a couple of months, but would work something out in the short term as things are set-up. Councilor Sturgis asked if the officer would require attending the Criminal Justice Academy. Sheriff Joyce said that the County would bear the cost of training and not the Town.
Councilor Sturgis asked if they support the State Police on the Turnpike. He also asked about call volume. Sheriff Joyce said that it is rare, but if it required mutual aid, they would assist. He also stated that the call volume may not be higher but the gravity of the calls has changed.
Councilor Sturgis asked about the Oxford Casino and that there may be an increase in traffic. Sheriff Joyce stated that based on some information about Foxwoods, it may or may not be that much different. It is early to tell.
Councilor Gellerson asked about other area towns that do not contract with the Sheriff’s Department. Most of the area towns do not. Harrison and Standish do. He asked if Gray needs this type of arrangement.
Sheriff Joyce said he would recommend it as the Town has grown and the calls are becoming more serious.
It was agreed that the Sheriff provide data and statistics for Gray and that this issue be part of the budgetary process to see if this is viable.
Councilor Grover stated that the Council not revisit past options but explore the Sheriff contract. He would also like to see this be a potential warrant item for the public to vote on should it gets to that point. Councilor Gellerson agreed with this suggestion.
Councilor Hutchins stated that in discussions with Public Safety and the State Police, the Sheriff’s Department would do this well for the community.
Councilor Sturgis believes that this should be re-discussed periodically.
Discussion regarding Gray Hall of Fame
Councilor Grover gave an overview of the suggested changes by the Council and he presented it to the Gray Historical Society, who did not see any issues, nor offer any changes.
Councilor Sturgis thanked Councilor Grover for his efforts and thinks this should go to Council vote.
Councilor Hutchins asked who will be delegated to take care of the applications, deadlines etc. in particular, for future Councils.
There was a discussion on the 3 year enactment date. Councilor Grover stated that the Gray Historical Society will help facilitate the process for the first few years. Councilor Hutchins suggested that the Historical Society should also maintain the applications to assure that this is done. Councilor Grover stated that as written, application should be submitted to the Town Hall and then passed along to the Historical Society for review.
Eighth Order of Business:
Additions to the Agenda:
Ninth Order of Business: Adjournment
Councilor Sturgis moved; Councilor Hutchins seconded
Motion to adjourn
5 Yes
The meeting ended at 8:22pm
Minutes approved and accepted January 18, 2011 by its Town Council:
_____________________________ ___________________________
Peter Gellerson, Council Chair Margaret Hutchins, Vice Chair
______________________________ ___________________________
Mark D. Grover Matthew Sturgis
_____________________________
Matthew Doughty
* The Town of Gray is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable equal access to public accommodations law. If you are planning to attend a Town Council or Town committee or board meeting and need assistance with a physical disability, please contact the Town Manager’s office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to have the Town assist you. 657-3339. TTY 657-3931.
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