Back toTown Council agenda page

Regular meeting September 8, 2008

DRAFT MINUTES

CAPE ELIZABETH TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Regular Meeting # 16-2008

Cape Elizabeth Town Hall

Monday, September 8, 2008

7:30 p.m.

Roll Call by the Town Clerk

                                                                                                                                           Present

Town Manager Michael McGovern                                                                                    X        

Town Clerk Ruth Noble                                                                                                     X

Minutes of Previous Meetings:

It was moved by Anne E. Swift-Kayatta and Seconded by James S. Rowe and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Town Council meetings held on August 11, and 18, 2008      

Item # 119-2008        Residential Windmills

It was moved by Cynthia Dill and seconded by Anne E. Swift-Kayatta and voted 5-2 (Lynch and Backer opposed) to approve amendments to Chapter 19 of the Revised Code of Ordinances relating to residential wind energy systems as contained in a draft dated August 29, 2008, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

Public Hearing: Proposed Amendments to the Miscellaneous Offenses Ordinance

Chairman Lynch opened the public hearing and there were no public comments.

Item # 120-2008        Proposed Amendments to Miscellaneous Offences Ordinance 

It was moved by James S. Rowe and seconded by Cynthia Dill and unanimously voted to refer the smoking provisions proposal for Fort Williams Park to the Fort Williams Advisory Commission for review and comment.

It was moved by Mary Ann Lynch and seconded by Sara W. Lennon and unanimously voted  to adopt the remaining revisions amending Chapter 12 of the Revised Code of Ordinances, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

Public Hearing: Proposed Amendments to Floodplain Management Ordinance 

Chairman Lynch opened and closed the public hearing which had no public comment.

Item # 121-2008        Proposed Amendments to Floodplain Management Ordinance 

It was moved by David Backer and seconded by Anne E. Swift-Kayatta and unanimously voted to amend the floodplain management provisions of Charter 6 of the Revised Official Code of Ordinances as provided in the attached appendix.

Item # 122-2008        Alternative Energy Committee Progress Report  

The Alternative Energy Committee provided a progress report on their work to date.

It is moved by James S. Rowe and Seconded by Paul J. McKenney and unanimously voted to:

A.    Amend the committee charge so that it shall continue in existence until December 31, 2010.  

B.     Appropriate $40,000 from the overlay account to assist the committee with technical resources including energy audits for school and municipal buildings.

Item # 123-2008        Energy Use Update   

The town manager provided a report to the Town Council on the impact of current energy prices on the municipal budget. The report identifies a projected shortfall in energy related accounts of $44,000. The report also identifies $54,000 in areas where the budget can be shaved to accommodate the projected shortfall.  

It was moved by Paul J. McKenney and seconded by James S. Rowe and unanimously voted to:

A. Appropriate $10,000 to the general assistance account for the purpose of helping general assistance eligible needy citizens with fuel bills and household costs.  This increases the general assistance budget from $6,000 to $16,000.

B. Authorize the town manager to contract with PROP to have a PROP social worker on site in Cape Elizabeth one full day every week to assist citizens with applications for general assistance, fuel assistance and Thomas Jordan Fund assistance, and to provide referral assistance to citizens.  The annualized cost of $15,000 shall be half borne by the Town with the remaining half to be funded from a potential grant from the Thomas Jordan Fund. $7,500 is appropriated to the general assistance account for this purpose raising this account to a total appropriation of $23,500.

Item # 124-2008        Proposed Amendments to Town Ways Ordinance 

It was moved by Cynthia Dill and seconded by Sara W. Lennon and unanimously voted to refer proposed amendments to the Town Ways Ordinance to the Ordinance Committee.

Item # 125-2008        Sewer Rates  

The town manager proposed to adjust sewer rates on January 1, 2009, 2010 and 2011 by 4% each year to pay for needed upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant on Spurwink Avenue .  He also proposed to raise the sewer connection fee by $500 on January 1, 2010 to $4,000.

It was moved by Anne E. Swift- Kayatta and seconded by James S. Rowe and unanimously voted to schedule a public hearing on these proposals on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cape Elizabeth Town Hall .

Item # 126-2008        Miscellaneous Fees   

One of the goals of the Town Council this year is to review the Town fee structure to ensure that fees are in line with actual costs. It was moved by James S. Rowe and seconded by David J. Backer and unanimously voted to schedule  a public hearing be scheduled for this proposal on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cape Elizabeth Town Hall .