Board of Selectmen/Assessors & Overseer of the Poor
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
4:00pm in Emerson Hall

DATE:  Wednesday, February 24, 2010
TIME:   4:00 pm
PLACE:  Emerson Hall

PRESENT:  Peter Vogell, Chairman, Gus Basile, Dave Unger, Selectmen; Susan Macomber, Town Clerk and Karen Motykca, Finance Officer.
PUBLIC:  Pat & Don Mordecai, Robin Mass, Brooke Tenney, Kathy MacArthur, Gordon MacArthur  and Colin Powell of the Castine Patriot.

Peter Vogell opened the meeting at 4:00 pm.
Peter asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Agenda: None.

Peter asked for a motion to approve the warrants, abatements, budget vs. actual and trial balance reports, bank reconciliations and excise tax collections.  Motion was made by Gus Basile to approve the above.  Second by Dave Unger. Approved 3-0.

Motion was made by Gus Basile to approve the February 8^th and February 12^th Selectmen's Meeting minutes.  Second by Dave Unger.  Approved 3-0.

Gus Basile made motion to approve the February 19^th Selectmen’s Meeting minutes.  Second by Dave Unger.  Approved 2-0 (Peter Vogell abstained as he was absent from that meeting).

AGENDA
Item 1. Peter Vogell introduced.
Gus Basile made motion to confirm Town Manager, Dale Abernethy’s designation of Acting Town Manager to Karen S. Motycka, Town Finance Officer, pursuant to Title 30-A, M.R.S.A. §2634.  Second by Dave Unger. 
The town has consulted with the town attorney.  Dale will continue to perform 20% of manager duties from home while he undergoes treatment and recovery from CIDP.  Karen will perform 80% of the day-to-day duties.
Everyone agreed they are concerned about Dale’s health and disability and is in hopes that Dale will recover soon.  The Selectmen know Karen will do a good job. Approved 3-0.

Item 2. Peter Vogell introduced.  
Dave Unger made motion to certify the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to the Town Clerk pursuant to Title 30-A M.R.S.A. §3002(2).  Second by Gus Basile.
Robin Mass, member of the Planning Board, addressed that the proposed amendments are of annual review and consist of issues to help clarify sections of the Ordinance.  There are fewer this year compared to last year.  The proposed amendments are posted on the town website. Approved 3-0.

Item 3. Peter Vogell introduced and explained that the proposed amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance were not ready for certification coming out of the Public Hearing held two days ago.  The amendments will be ready and addressed at the Selectmen’s March 8^th meeting and immediately have available to the public.

Item 4. Peter Vogell introduced.
Gus Basile made motion to approve the 2010 Mooring & Dock Fees as recommended by the Harbor Committee.  Second by Dave Unger.
Gus pointed out that the Selectmen were only approving the fees at this time and will address the dock/float annual rules and regulations at a later time.  The Harbor Committee was not ready to make recommendations yet regarding the 2010 season rules and regulations.
Gus Basile asked Robin Mass about the section regarding Moorings in the proposed Comprehensive Plan.  Robin said the section had been corrected.
Discussion.
Currently, there is no Mooring Waiting List but there is a Mooring Relocation List. Approved 3-0.

COMMUNICATIONS
-Annual request from Bagaduce Ambulance Corp to have a Dock Dance on Monday, July 26^th from 7:30-9pm with Flash in the Pans performing.  The dock would need to be closed to parking by 5pm as in the past for this event.  There have been no problems over the years.
Gus Basile made motion to approve with the same annual conditions.  Second by Dave Unger.  Approved 3-0.
Robin Mass suggested notifying the Windjammers Association as it probably would draw in visitors to our business district.  The Windjammers are known to visit our area during the summer months on Mondays.  Don Mordecai said that he would notify Windjammers Association. 
-Email request to designate a Silver Star Banner Day in Castine to recognize fallen or wounded soldiers and Veterans.  They have submitted an example Proclamation/Resolution to be considered.
Discussion.
Castine celebrates and recognizes our serving soldiers and Veterans every year during our Memorial Day observation and Veterans Day. 
The Selectmen reviewed the minutes from October 6^th, 2009 when this request was submitted the first time.
The Selectmen all agreed to table this issue until the next meeting so we can look into further and check out their website.
-Request from MMA for helicopter landing at Fort George tentatively to take place on March 31^st weather permitting.  They will land on MMA practice field if they can and perform training exercises but wanted to have Fort George as a back up.
Discussion.
Peter Vogell made motion to approve with conditions.  Second by Dave Unger.
-Peter will check with Fire Chief Randy Stearns about having a few members present if the landing were to take place at the fort and Fire Department presence were required. 
-MMA will be responsible to take care of, supervise and security of the landing zone. Approved 3-0.

Peter Vogell acknowledged the public present.
-Gordon MacArthur commented that the Ellsworth American recently had some incorrect information published regarding Castine’s demographics.  He suggested the town may want to check on this and get corrected.

PAST ACTIONS
-Dave Unger said the Selectmen might want to consider changing the Public Informational Meeting scheduled for March 22^nd to discuss the Infrastructure/Road Project Funding March 27^th warrant article to March 8^th so that voters have a little bit more time to process, ponder and decide for the March 27^th vote.  Dave said he has been approach by several in the community.
Discussion.
Dave Unger made motion to change the order of discussions of the two March meetings dates.  Second by Gus Basile.  Approved 3-0.
Sue said she would check with Travis at CES, Inc to see if he would be available to attend the Informational Meeting on March 8^th.
The Selectmen also asked that the School Board and Library Board of Trustees be contacted and asked to attend the March 22^nd Public Informational Meeting since voters will have the opportunity to ask general budget questions.

SELECTMEN COMMENTS:
-Gus Basile said that although he has faith in Karen Motycka’s abilities with taking on 80% of town manager duties in addition to her regular job, he hopes that Dale will be able to return sooner than later. He pointed out that if the work load gets too cumbersome, the town office may have to close down one day a week to work on certain tasks. 
Discussion.
Karen commented that it is working for now and she would let the Selectmen know if anything changes.

Upcoming meetings:
-Monday, March 8^th Public Informational Mtg. at 4pm (Budget & Infrastructure/Road Project funding warrant article); Selectmen’s Mtg. to follow.
-Monday, March 22^nd Public Informational Mtg. at 4pm (Fiscal year change warrant article); Selectmen’s Mtg. at follow.
-Saturday, March 27^th Town Meeting. School budget first at 8:30am.

Dave Unger made motion to adjourn.  Second by Gus Basile.  Approved 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 4:55pm. 
Minutes by Susan Macomber, Town Clerk.