GRAY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
March 18, 2003
Present: Pam Wilkinson, Richard Barter, Lynn Olson, Sue Austin and Jack Goosetrey
Town Manager, Mitchell Berkowitz
Chair Wilkinson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
First Order of Business
· Presentations - NONE
· Public Hearings - NONE
Second Order of Business:
Approval of March 4, 2003 Town Council Minutes
Correction: page 6, Sixth Order, paragraph 1: The current ordinance limits gatherings of more than to 100 people.
It was moved by Councilor Olson to approve the minutes as amended.
Councilor Goosetrey seconded the motion.
There were no other corrections or comments.
The motion carried unanimously.
Third Order of Business:
Reports from the Council Chair
None
Reports from the Town Manager
The Gray Public Library’s monthly report is available. The online catalog bank (a statewide program) project is on going.
The Town is moving forward regarding the recent violation case. The legal fees are pending.
The late Bob Leighton’s Food Pantry is in jeopardy. The Manager will be contacting PROP about locating the pantry to a new site. Having one location for the pantry for both Gray and New Gloucester is being considered.
Transfer Station Stickers are required on all vehicles using the Transfer Station’s services. The cost for the sticker is $5.00.
Nomination papers are due back to the Town Office by April 25th. A minimum of 25 signatures (but no more than 50 maximum) is required.
The Gray Recreation Department is offering several programs this spring. Please call 657-2323 to check on availability.
Fourth Order of Business:
Committee Appointments and Resignations
None
Council Correspondence and Workshop Status
Ø The Council has been invited to attend the Fire and Rescue Annual Banquet on April 5th. Please let the Manager know if you will be attending.
Ø Annual Conference for the Lake Associations at COLA will be held at the University of Maine Orono. Updated information will be available soon.
Ø The Forest Lake Community will hold a forum on April 12th at Val Halla Golf Course from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.. All watershed and lake associations should note the date for this important meeting.
Ø Westbrook Housing Authority will meet on March 27th from 8:30 a.m. –12 noon to discuss regional information.
The Council invited Holly Anderson and Randall Dutton to their last workshop. The Council was updated on the bypass project. The Council wrote the DOT asking them to expedite the construction phase of the project, which is set for 2005 – to help offset traffic problems. Pedestrian passage concerns were raised for both during the construction phase and after. This was also noted for local landowners to access their properties. The Manager’ s proposal suggested changing the DOT facility located on Route 100 (center village) with the property that the DOT was acquiring as part of the by-pass project. The Council also talked about the need for improvements to that section of Route 26 that is deteriorating up to the New Gloucester line where the new Route 26 to Poland project was being constructed.
Councilor Barter expressed his support of the Manager’s suggestion to move the State’s facility away from the Village to a location adjacent to the Turnpike.
The Manager explained that any abutters near the proposed roadway that have requirements for screening or landscaping, need to contact Holly or Randy. Holly Anderson is the project manager and can be reached at 624-3329.
Ø FAME will meet on March 19th.
Ø CEDC and the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will also meet on March 19th.
Ø The Finance Committee will not meet tomorrow evening (3-19) but will meet on March 27th.
Ø There will be no Council Workshop on March 24th
Ø A Budget Workshop will be held on March 27th.
Council Business
Committee Reports and Business : Discussion of the proposed Budget
Chair Wilkinson thanked the Manager and the Department Heads for working together to keep costs down in light of our current economic times. The Department Heads did not suggest any increases this year. Information will be provided to the citizens with an accompanying schedule. A workshop will be held with the Council prior to a public workshop that will include public hearings. The budget may be looked at with various components (to be reviewed) to see how these effect the bottom line. The citizens are invited to watch the Workshop to learn and hopefully to contribute to the budget process. The Council will meet on March 27th for its first workshop.
Councilor Barter expressed his concern about the upcoming school budget. Hard choices will undoubtedly need to be made and both communities should become informed so that the budget can be understood collectively.
Councilor Austin reported Rep. Millet of Waterville introduced a bill calling for a review of federal and state education mandates. This bill has now gone into a work session. Councilor Austin said she would report on any future developments.~
Fifth Order of Business:
Additions to the Agenda
None
Sixth Order of Business: New Orders
Order #65[1ST READING]
Council review and action to the Mass Gathering Ordinance. Sponsor Town Council.
Councilor Goosetrey moved to accept the First Reading of the Mass Gathering Ordinance.
Councilor Barter seconded the motion.
Mr. Berkowitz explained that at the last meeting questions were raised regarding existing state laws. The Council decided that the draft would stand-alone and a new first draft with the attorney’s changes: the law enforcement components; and legal fees – would be added thereby making this a new ordinance for the first reading.
There was no public comment or Council discussion.
The vote was 4-1 (Austin opposed).
This action requires a majority vote after an opportunity for public comment..
Seventh Order of Business: Tabled Orders:
None
Eighth Order of Business: Standing Orders
Order #1:
Public Discussion of Non-Agenda Items.
None
Order #2:
Council approval of Pole Permits to Central Maine Power and Pine Tree Telephone Company.
None
This order requires a majority vote after an opportunity for public comment.
Ninth Order of Business:
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janmarie A. Bourret
Recorder
| 
