Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes from October 30th, 2018
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes October 30, 2018 2212
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci and Laura Sanborn 41°
Andre Cushing – Late 9:15
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux and George Buswell presented an application from Crow Athletics for the Millinocket Marathon and Half which will be held on Saturday, December 8th. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to waive the $50 application fee. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 2-0.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the utility location permit application for the new power pole in Mattamiscontis Township. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Approved 2-0. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to make a payment to East Millinocket Fire/Ambulance service for $971.21 in response to a logging truck fire on Haynes Road last week. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0.
Mr. Wade Rackliff who failed to appear in court on October 4th has been ordered to clean up his entire junkyard. The hearing is set December 15th.
Don Dudley reported to Barbara that the Matagamon dam repairs are going well. Weather is a factor but they are working around it. Gates have to be kept open to keep river flows above minimums so they cannot work until the other concrete cures in about seven days.
George Buswell reported that he is working with Cpl. Doug Libby and the Sheriff’s Office and inmate crew. George states that they are doing minor repairs painting sheds and fencing, mowing and cutting all the brush around the sheds. Now they’re cutting brush around bridges and corners. They have also been working on the Kingman Fire Station. They are doing a fabulous job. They are saving the county a lot of money. Barbara will send out a thank you to the Sheriff for all their help.
Maine Municipal Association approved a $2,000 grant to replace a security door on the second floor. The additional $1,457 monies will come out of safety committee funds.
Barbara reported that she received a TIF check in the amount of $578,922.02 today. This brings the amount available for use to $1,450,000. (approximately)
PRCC Update –
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve an additional $7,912 to cover the cost of new carpet. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0. Installation will be done by Chris Lavoie and crew.
Interviews were held for the deputy director position last week.
Chris reports that there are three dispatcher and one call taker positions open.
Chris states that during the weekend windstorm a tree fell in Dexter. There was an issue getting contractors out for repairs. This tower affected Dexter, Garland, Newport, Corinna and Corinth radios.
Finance Update and Final Budget Review –
Judy Alexander told the Commissioners that over $ 4M+ was deposited today. She will be paying off our TAN later today. We will now be debt free.
DA (Dept. 5) Budget Update –
Judy Alexander provided explanations on the three areas previously discussed on the approved DA’s budget.
o Reallocated the computer fee’s under consulting
o Dues and fees were reallocated to registration and enrollment
o Supplies budget was reduced by $2,000
Commissioners’ (Dept. 6) Budget Update–
Bill Collins recommended that the aerial photography line be reduced to $1,000. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve Commissioners budget for the 2019-2020 year with this changes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
EMDC (Dept. 30) Budget Update –
Commissioner Cushing motioned to approve the EMDC budget for the 2019-2020 year in the amount of $62,000, a $ 1500 increase over the 2018 amount. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Orono Hazmat Team (Dept. 34) Budget Update –
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Orono Hazmat Team budget for the 2019-2020 year in the amount of $24,000, a $6000 increase over the 2018 amount. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Families and Children Together (Dept. 34) Budget Update –
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the FACT budget for the 2019-2020 year with a modified amount of request of $5000. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 2-0. Commissioner Cushing abstained.
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge (Dept. 34) Budget Update -
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge budget for the 2019-2020 year with a modified amount of request to $8500. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0
Penquis (Dept. 36) Budget Presentation –
Judy Alexander presented the Penquis (Dept. 36) department budget. Penquis requested the same funding level at $18,500.
Commissioner Sanborn motioned to approve the Penquis Budget Request. Commissioner Cushing seconded the Motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Katahdin Revitalization Update -
Steve Stanley, Deb Roundtree, Jessica Masse, Wally Paul and Mike Michaud presented updates to the Commissioners on their findings.
After multiple meetings, Mike Michaud presented that this group feels the best path would be for the county to sign an agreement with Eastern Maine Development Corporation to assist in finding a Regional Economic Director. EMDC will set the scope of service, be part of the hiring process and complete the evaluations.
Another point recommended is hiring with a five year contract. Considering requesting someone to move to the Katahdin region, thus provide a long term commitment. The staff believes a potential budget of $115K would be appropriate to fund this effort.
Mike provided letters of support from the town as previously requested by Commissioner Cushing.
Commissioner Cushing motioned to approve the recommendation of funding for a regional economic director through a contract with EMDC with a five year commitment allocation funding of 75% TIF / 25% PILT with an additional two year extension to this contract if successful. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
TIF Application for Mt Chase Volunteer Fire Department –
Matt Lewis from Maine Stream Finance presented the Commissioners a TIF application from Mt Chase Fire Department for a rapid response fire vehicle in the amount of $45,000.
Commissioner Cushing moved to accept TIF application as presented. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Administrative Update –
Bill’s group will be having a meeting on November 1st regarding the funding of a Muskie Study and what information needs to be included.
HR Director and Probate clerical special positions are posted online and in the BDN.
Christmas and New Year’s fall on Tuesday’s. It was decided to cancel Christmas week’s meeting and meet Wednesday, January 2nd.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to have either Commissioner Baldacci or Bill Collins sign Joanna Russell NWDB timesheets and expense reports effective Monday, October 29th, 2018. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve Joanna Russell’s employment agreement effective Monday, October 29th, 2018. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Signed by Commissioner Baldacci.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve increasing flexible spending to $2,700 allowable deduction. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Signed.
Bill stated that he will be negotiation with AFSCME Correction Officer Supervisor’s unit tomorrow.
Drug take back occurred last weekend.
The Sheriff’s Office is participating again in "No Shave November" with all proceeds to be given to a former deputy who is battling pancreatic cancer.
Reminder Budget hearing is November 14th at 6:00 p.m.
Bill was notified by the labor board that a grievance has been dismissed.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve a purchase of a Roku device for the Wellness Center. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
Payroll change notices: Aaron Brooker – Hired Full-time; Scott Denniston – Hired Part-time; Richard Zielinski – Payroll change; Tina Morrison and Christopher Fox – Comp time.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 218,410.25
Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for pay date 10/25/18: $20,087.00
Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for pay date 10/30/18: $3,171,904.42
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved for: $54,309.60
Public Comment –
Hermon Citizen Doug Dunbar welcomed Commissioner Cushing to the County.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:55 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Dan Tremble, Barbara Veilleux and George Buswell. Session ended at 11:02 a.m. with No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 11:03 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Dan Tremble and Chris Lavoie. Session ended at 11:12 a.m. with No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 11:13 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Dan Tremble in addition to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Baldacci left the session at 12:16 p.m. Session ended at 1:35 p.m.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the overall County Budget at $ 19,467,672. This includes increasing the County Revenue Projection for the PILT to $ 300 K and reducing Dept. 40 request to $ 30 K from $ 75 K and increasing Probate (Dept. 11) revenue by $10,000. Therefore this Budget will be under the LD 1 Cap amount for 2019. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 2 – 0.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the work performed by Joey Reinzo on the Summit Road. The original budgeted amount for the work was $3600 to come out of the UT Budget. The balance of $16,920 will come out of TIF funds. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 2 – 0.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:36 p.m. with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 2 – 0.
Certified By:
Administrator, William Collins
Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman
Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner
Andre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
