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4:00 P M
A meeting of the Fort Kent Town Council convened at 4:08
pm. Present were Councilors John
Bouchard, Joel Desjardins, Priscilla Staples, and Robert Michaud. Members of the staff and public were
A motion was made by Councilor Staples and seconded by Councilor Desjardins to appoint Councilor Bouchard as acting chair of the Council meeting. Motion carried, vote was unanimous.
1. BUDGET WORKSHOP – DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATIONS:
The Police, Public Works, Water and Wastewater, Fire, and Recreation Department heads provided the Council with an overview of their respective budget requests. In addition the Town Manager provided an overview of the Administration budget, all other budget requests, and the overall impact of the proposed budget in comparison to prior years. The 2012 budget includes estimates for education, county tax, and the overall assessed value of the community, therefore it is subject to change.
As proposed the 2012 budget would amount to an increase of approximately 1 mil in the tax rate, or an increase of nearly $225,000 in property taxes. This projection assumes no increase in the current education budget.
The Council meeting recessed at 6:10 pm and reconvened at 7:04 pm.
Councilor Michaud was in attendance for the remainder of the agenda items.
2. MEETING
MINUTES – 01-08-12:
A
motion was made by Councilor Staples and seconded by Councilor Desjardins to
approve the January 08, 2012 Meeting Minutes as submitted. Motion carried, vote was unanimous
3. WARRANTS – 01-12-12
01-20-12:
A motion was made by Councilor Desjardins and seconded by Councilor Staples to approve the Warrants of January 12 and 20, 2012 as submitted. Motion carried, vote was unanimous.
4. FIRE WORKS ORDINANCE – DISCUSSION:
A motion was made by Councilor Michaud and seconded by Councilor Staples to develop an ordinance that prohibits the sale and use of consumer fireworks in the Town of Fort Kent. Motion carried, with Councilors Desjardins, Staples, and Michaud in favor and Councilor Bouchard opposed.
5. BOARD OF APPEALS – DISCUSSION:
At the request of the Council a discussion
concerning the Board of Appeals was undertaken.
After researching
No further action was taken on this issue.
6. ZONING/PLANNING BOARD - APPOINTMENTS:
A motion was made by Councilor Desjardins and
seconded by Councilor Staples to appoint Jean Leblanc and Jacob Robichaud to
the Zoning Board of Appeals for three year terms and to appoint John Dumond to
an alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion carried, vote was unanimous.
Vacant alternate positions remain available on both the
Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board.
7. SCHOOL BOARD WARD 5 - APPOINTMENT:
A motion was made by Councilor Staples and seconded
by Councilor Desjardins to appoint Sharon Johnson to serve as a school board
member for Ward 5 until the March 26, 2012 elections. Motion carried, vote was unanimous.
8. WASTEWATER ABATEMENT – POOL $53.00:
A motion was made by Councilor Staples and seconded
by Councilor Desjardins to approve the Wastewater Abatement for the Municipal
Swimming Pool in the amount of $53.00.
Motion carried, vote was unanimous.
9. DANGEROUS BUILDINGS - DISCUSSION:
A motion was made by Councilor Michaud and seconded
by Councilor Staples to ask the Town Attorney to begin the process outlined by
state statutes in declaring the properties identified by the Code Enforcement
Officer as Dangerous Buildings. The exception being properties with issues that have been corrected
by the owners, properties whose owners have committed to rectifying the
identified issues during the next construction season, and properties whose
owners have requested to meet with the Council. Motion carried, vote was unanimous.
Those individuals who have asked to meet with the Council
will be invited to attend the next Council meeting.
10. DRUG SEIZURE FUNDS – $2,700.00 APPROPRIATION:
A motion was made by Councilor Desjardins and
seconded by Councilor Staples to appropriate an amount not to exceed $3,000.00
from the Drug Seizure Funds for the purpose of transport, retrofit, and repair
costs associated with the acquisition of a 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck from
military surplus. Also to purchase a
replacement recorder for the existing surveillance camera system located in the
police department. Motion carried, vote
was unanimous.
11. CONNECT ME – GRANT APPLICATION:
A motion was made by Councilor Staples and seconded
by Councilor Desjardins to approve the submission of a Grant Application to the
ConnectME program for the purpose of providing alternate internet services to
the Violette Settlement area. Motion carried,
vote was unanimous.
If approved for funding the project would be done in
conjunction with Time Warner cable at no cost to the town and could potentially
serve 66 residences.
12. TIMBER TRESPASS – PROPOSED SETTLEMENT:
A motion was made by Councilor Staples and seconded
by Councilor Desjardins to approve the Timber Trespass Settlement offer in the
amount of $1,500.00. Motion carried,
with Councilors Bouchard, Desjardins, and Staples in favor and Councilor
Michaud opposed.
The trespass occurred on tax acquired property known as
Map 7 Lot 42-8.
13. TAX ACQUIRED PROPERTY –
A motion was made by Councilor Staples and seconded
by Councilor Desjardins to approve the
14. FIRE CHIEF – REVIEW APPLICATIONS [1 MRSA § 405 (6) (A)]:
Interviews for the Fire Chief position will be
conducted at the next Council meeting on February 13, 2012 at 4:00 pm.
A motion was made by
Councilor Staples and seconded by Councilor Michaud to
adjourn. Motion carried, vote was unanimous. The Council meeting adjourned at 8:42
pm.
FORT KENT TOWN
COUNCIL
___________________________ ________________________
________________________
Dr John Bouchard
________________________
Joel Desjardins
________________________
Dr Priscilla Staples
________________________
Robert Michaud
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