| TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES march 02, 2021 | Christopher Brunelle, At Large 2019 Mark Lunt, District 1 2019 Vacant, 2019 Fern Larochelle, At Large 2020 Normand Albert, At Large 2021 Kasie Kolbe, District 1 2021 Allen Ward, District 2 2021 |
CALL TO ORDER. The Chairman, Allen Ward, called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL. Members present were Councilors Ward, Albert, Lunt, Larochelle, Ganong, and Fellows. Councilor Kolbe was absent. Also present were Diane Barnes, Town Manager; Mark Stevens, Parks and Recreation Director; Brett Richardson, Economic and Community Development Director; Jared Blake, Dispatcher/ Communications Center; Ryan McGee, Police Chief; Renee Bernard, Patrol Officer/SRO, Richard St. Amant, Detective; Pauline Pelletier, Finance Department/Collections Clerk; Jeff Cooper, ACO; and Elwood Beal a retired Public Works employee; along with 3 other citizens in the audience.
VOTE (2021-44A) Councilor Albert, seconded by Councilor Larochelle moved to excuse Councilor Kolbe’s absence. Order passed – Vote 6-0.
The Chairman called Elwood Beal to the lectern and presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation Award for his 30 years of service to the Town of Lisbon serving as a laborer, Foreman, Interim Public Works Director, and Operations Manager. He said it is praiseworthy to note that Mr. Beal served in many different capacities while dedicating his entire career to public service. Mr. Beal thanked the Council.
The Chairman read the names of all Lisbon’s full-time employees receiving recognition as follows:
A. employee Service awards
5 Year Service Awards Go To:
Diane Barnes | Town Manager | |
Jared Blake | Communications Center | Dispatchers |
Dennis Douglass | Code Enforcement | Code Enforcement Officer |
Megan Lavigne | Town Manager’s Office | Admin/Assistant HR, Tax, Treasurer |
Claudia Lemieux | Library | Circulation Aide |
William Meakin | Library | Children's Librarian |
John St. Amant | Public Works | Driver/Operator |
10 Year Service Awards Go To:
Stephen Aievoli | Treatment Plant | Superintendent |
Glenn Darby | Police Department | Patrol Officer |
Kathleen Malloy | Assessing | Assessor |
Brenda Martin | Finance | Accounts Payable Clerk |
Marcel Obie | Transfer Station | Operations Manager |
Andrea Tapley | Police Department | Administrative Assistant |
15 Year Service Awards Go To:
Renee Bernard | Police Department | Patrol & School Resource Officer |
Steven Dickinson | Communications Center | Dispatchers |
Shawn Kelly | Police Department | Patrol Officer |
Ryan McGee | Police Department | Police Chief |
Cynthia Medlen | Library | Circulation Aide |
Daniel Poisson | Public Works | Foreman |
Shellie Reynolds | Water Department | Business Manager |
20 Year Service Awards Go To:
Jeffrey Cooper | Animal Control | Animal Control Officer |
Nathan LeClair | Fire Department | Fire Chief |
Jeffrey Picard | Police Department | Sergeant |
Jason St. Pierre | Police Department | Sergeant |
25 Year Service Awards Go To:
Pauline Pelletier | Finance/Tax Department | Collections Clerk |
Mark Stevens | Parks & Recreation Dept | Director |
30 Year Service Awards Go To:
Twila Lycette | Town Clerk/ Election Dept | Town Clerk/Voter Registrar |
Diane Nadeau | Library | Director |
35 Year Service Awards Go To:
Richard St. Amant | Police Department | Detective |
Library Department
Part-timers with 10 Years of Service:
Candace Williams, Custodian
Fire Department
Part-timers with 5 Years of Service:
Joshua Dubois, Firefighter
Scot Therrien, Firefighter
Thomas McGrath, Firefighter
Ryan Robitaille, Firefighter
Kevin Lerette, Firefighter
DJ Judd, Firefighter
Part-timers with 10 Years of Service:
Alex Kazimer, Firefighter
Chad Pelletier, Firefighter
Jimmy Berube, Firefighter
Adam Kazimer, Firefighter
Eric Watson, Firefighter
Joseph Robitaille, Firefighter
Jeffrey Carr, Firefighter
Jeremy Williams, Firefighter
Part-timers with 15 Years of Service:
Ryan Guay, Firefighter
Thomas Wrobel, Firefighter
Leland Gamache, Firefighter
Ronald Ouellette, Firefighter
Part-timers with 20 Years of Service:
Charles Thompson, Firefighter
Johnathan Adams, Firefighter
James Lemieux, Firefighter
Part-timers with 25 Years of Service:
Leo Hewes, Firefighter
Part-timers with 35 Years of Service:
Dana Adams, Firefighter
Part-timers with 40 Years of Service:
Robert Robitaille, Firefighter
Other Departments
Part-timers with 5 Years of Service:
Lisa Ward, Emergency Management Director
Parks & Recreation Department
Part-timers with 5 Years of Service:
Traci Beaulieu, Bus Driver
Barry Pomerleau, Coach
Jennifer Perron, Coach
Christopher Kates, Coach
David Novaria, Coach
Jennifer Novaria, Coach
Linn Morin, Instructor
Tonia Keating, Instructor
Julie Collins, Program Supervisor
Karen Durisko, Program Supervisor
Steven Martin, Camp Counselor
Amanda Martin, Camp Counselor
Part-timers with 10 Years of Service:
Jolene McKay, After School Program
Julie Petrie, Camp Counselor
Kristie Feely, Camp Counselor
Joseph Normand, Custodian of Town Buildings
Aline Strout, Senior Coordinator for Parks & Recreation
Part-timers with 15 Years of Service:
Anthony Russo, Referee
Part-timers with 25 Years of Service:
Stephanie Doughty, Custodian
Part-timers with 30 Years of Service:
Irene Tobin, Bus Driver
Part-timers with 40 Years of Service:
Priscille Allard, Bus Driver
Police Department
Part-timers with 5 Years of Service:
Melissa Kelly, Dispatcher at the Communications Center
John Chonko, Dispatcher at the Communications Center
Andrew Levesque, Reserve Officer at the Police Department
Tiffany Libby, Reserve Officer at the Police Department
Glen Brushwein, Reserve Officer at the Police Department
Part-timers with 20 Years of Service:
Mark Bingellis, Reserve Dispatcher
Town Clerk & Election Department
Part-timers with over 5 years but less than 10:
Victoria Baldwin-Wilson, Election Clerk & Deputy Registrar
Mary DeGroft, Election Clerk
Bertrand Levesque, Election Clerk
Richard Roberts, Warden
Part-timers with over 10 years:
Jody Durisko, Election Clerk
Linda Douglass, Election Clerk
Jane Fellows, Election Clerk
Robert Jordan, Election Clerk
Katherine Church, Election Clerk/Deputy Registrar
Jo-Jean Keller, Election Clerk
Sheila Gray, Election Clerk
Part-timers with over 15 years:
Anita Fournier, Election Clerk/Deputy Warden
Part-Timers with over 20 years:
Gwen Michel, Deputy Registrar
Karen Hanlon, Election Clerk
Peggy Ganong, Election Clerk
Lorraine Dunn, Election Clerk
Part-Timers with over 25 years:
Dona Stewart, Election
Monique Gayton, Election Clerk
Councilor Ward thanked each of these employees for their time and devotion to the Town of Lisbon making everything run smoothly.
A. Amend Chapter 10. business licenses
Article IV. Itinerant Vendors, Sections 10-253 & section 10-259
Councilor Ward opened the public hearing. Councilor Ward invited the public to comment by emailing award@lisbonme.org; no comments were received. The Chairman closed the public hearing.
Councilor Ward opened the agenda item. The public was invited to comment by emailing award@lisbonme.org; He received an email, which he will read after audience members have spoken.
Peter Larochelle who lives on Frost Hill Avenue circulated some pictures to the Council. He spoke about his concerns with the Solar Farm Project going in on Frost Hill Avenue. He stated that there is an issue across the nation with Solar Farms popping up everywhere and nobody knows where these fit into communities and nobody has a lot of information on them. He said the State considers Solar Farms tax exempt. He said he built his house two years ago up high on the ridge. It has a beautiful view and now this proposed Solar Farm would be out in front of his window. He asked Council to consider a moratorium on Solar Projects until the town has more information on them, such as the impact on neighborhoods and where they belong in communities. He said that other towns counties in Maine are considering the same thing, including Monmouth, Knox, Mt. Blue, Madison, Farmington, Wilton, Blue Hill, Belgrade, Rockport, and Bangor, and was unanimously passed by all of them. He mentioned solar panels create blinding glares when the sun shines on them. He explained that observers see a direct reflection of the sunlight caused by a mirror like reflection from the panel surfaces that is similar to a reflection off from high polished steel, wet pavement, or water; a visual impact analysis could be done to measure this. He asked if one had been done for this project. He said that a large commercial project like this being installed in a limited residential zone should be looked into. He said it is going to have a huge impact on our Frost Hill neighborhood. He indicated that with the growing number of applicants for Solar Farms a moratorium should help give the town the time it needs to understand Solar Farms better.
Lisa McDougal circulated pictures to the Council of the proposed Solar Zone 1 area and stated that in the picture her house was listed as the Pelletier house. She said the Solar Farm would impact half of her property. She indicated she owns a two story house. They moved back to Maine after being gone for 37 years. She and her husband love Lisbon Falls and bought this house because it is set back from the road and has a nice prairie in the back with beautiful trees on her property with deer, fox, turkeys, and lots of wildlife roaming around as well. She works from home and that she would be able to see these Solar Panels from every window in her house. She explained she would not be able to go outside and enjoy the view. She said this is not fair to them. She indicated her property values would go down, which she’s done some research on. She asked Council to support a moratorium to allow more time to research whether there are other places this could be done, other land that’s already been cleared.
The Chairman read into the record an email received March 2 from John L. Mynahan, Jr. regarding a Solar Farm Moratorium as follows:
Dear Council Members,
Thank you for the opportunity for me to be heard. I would be there in person, however, we have a positive COVID case in my home and I am unable to attend tonight’s council meeting in person. I own the property at 93 Frost Hill Avenue. I want to express my hope for a retroactive moratorium for any pending or planned solar array or solar farms in our town. Specifically, there is a proposed 17.5-acre solar farm on 101 Frost hill Avenue that is currently before the Planning Board pending approval. Although I am certainly not an appointed spokesperson for my neighbors, we are all in alignment that the proposed project should be placed on hold pending a vote by the taxpayers. Other municipalities have adopted similar retroactive moratoriums to give their respective communities an opportunity to be educated on what solar farms are, what they look like, how they operate, what effect they have on the local economy, and where they should be developed in the community. For reference, the town of Monmouth has recently adopted a retroactive moratorium and they have a large commercial solar farm that was in before its Planning Board, as well.
As it stands now, these companies can place these very large commercial structures in residential neighborhoods with no regard for the abutting property owners. I would like to argue that the following should be considered:
1. The size and scope of such a proposed commercial project is not appropriate for a limited residential zoned neighborhood. Under current zoning, these structures can be placed and developed unacceptably close to neighboring homeowners causing them great grief.
2. There was not, in our opinion an acceptable amount of time given to the abutting property owners regarding this proposal, therefore causing us to be greatly unprepared to properly voice our concerns other than the obvious visual aspect of how it affects us as property owners. There is much we need to learn about the impact of such a large scale project in a residential setting.
3. We also feel that the town itself is unprepared for these solar arrays or farms to be developed. More time needs to be given to the community so it can be decided where these large, commercial grade, utilitarian structures are to be developed. We should also be able to examine what the property tax/value implications should or could be for abutting property owners. It’s been stated at the Planning Board hearing that property values would not be impacted – I would argue that there is a definite perceived loss in value if a homeowner decided to sell their home, and if potential buyers were to compare a similar home that does not abut a large scale and unappealing solar farm; there would be a clear disadvantage.
4. At the very least, if this specific Frost Hill project were to be approved, it should be revised so that the 10-acre southern section is moved back to a more northwestern section so that it lessens the impact felt by the abutting property owners on the eastern boundary. It is my understanding that the property owner on the northern boundary is a proponent of this project and has stated so, and the northwestern boundary is owned by the town. The current plan leaves this southern section in direct view and unacceptably close to the abutting property owners along the eastern boundary, the majority of which oppose this project.
Thank you for the opportunity to be heard. I hope that you will take this into consideration as it has long lasting effects on this community and ultimately, our very own neighborhood here on Frost Hill. Respectfully, John L Mynahan, Jr.
VOTE (2021-44) Councilor Larochelle, seconded by Councilor Albert moved to approve the following:
A. Municipal Accounts Payable Warrants for $ 251,506.79
B. Municipal Payroll Warrants for $ 197,034.82
C. School Accounts Payable Warrants for 174,243.94
D. School Payroll Warrants for $ $358,072.94
E. Council Meeting Minutes for February 16, 2021 and
F. The Temporary Road Postings – which includes authorization to adopt the MDOT State Rules in Chapter 308 for local roads and authorize the Temporary Road Closures for:
Bowdoinham Road
Burrough Road
Edgecomb Road
Ferry Road
Fisher Road
Gould Road
Hudon Road
Keay Road
King Road
Littlefield Road
Mill Street
Moody Road
Pinewoods Road
River Road and
Summer Street, along with
Wing Street and Webster Road, which are posted year around
Order passed - Vote 6-0.
SOLAR FARM DISCUSSION
COUNCILOR COMMENTS: Councilor Larochelle stated he had received concerns from citizens regarding the Frost Hill Solar Farm project. He indicated he suggested they go to the Planning Board meeting. He said they attended the Planning Board meeting and still have concerns so they asked him if they could present their concerns at tonight’s Council Meeting. He asked Mrs. Barnes if she had a chance to speak with legal to see what our options were.
Mrs Barnes said she did speak to Attorney Stockford who indicated the Council could treat this issue the same way they treated the Medical Marijuana Ordinance by enacting an emergency moratorium ordinance. They just need to work on the language and then present it at the next meeting if that is the direction the Council wants to go.
Councilor Fellows said he does not disagree with the moratorium, he said there is not a zone in the whole zoning ordinance that addresses specifically Solar Farms or Solar at all. He mentioned this is something the Planning Board needs to address. He asked whether or not the Council could adopt an emergency moratorium that would effect those applications already filed with the Planning Board for Frost Hill and/or filed and approved for Mill Street.
Mrs. Barnes reported Attorney Stockford said the case that had already been approved by the Planning Board on Mill Street could fall under the emergency moratorium as long as the town has not issued any permits, which we haven’t. That would mean that all projects so far could be placed on hold while the moratorium is in effect, which would include the one that was already approved by the Planning Board and no one could act until the Council decided what to do during the moratorium.
Councilor Lunt said Council would be risking a lawsuit, because the Planning Board issued an approval and the town would be denying the permits despite their obtaining Planning Board approval. He said the town just should not retroactively change the law.
Councilor Albert said that there may be something in the appeals process that would allow citizens who spoke tonight, to be able to, upon appeal, go back and say here’s why we believe this doesn’t fit and should not have been approved; there is an appeal process for after approval. If that approval overturns, then that would open the door for the Council to put a moratorium in place and then we could go back to the drawing board. This would keep the integrity of that process sound. He suggested the Council Chairman and Planning Board Chairman meet to talk this through. He recommended letting the folks who came tonight know that there are options in place and that those options could be pursued.
Councilor Fellows, Council Liaison to the Planning Board, said he attended last week’s meeting and heard these same comments from these same citizens tonight. He said he did not disagree with their point of view that it is valid, particularly when questioning zoning, but the owner’s property rights have to be considered, as well. He explained that in a limited residential area a property owner could set up a subdivision by application on that very same property, not that this should be the case, but it could be the case and the Council would not have much leeway to refuse that, to the point of obstructing views and all that stuff. If you do not own the property, it is not your property to control the view on.
Councilor Ward asked Councilor Fellows if the zoning for commercial and residential neighborhoods was incomplete in our current ordinance. Councilor Fellows answered most commercial activity is prohibited in limited residential, but there is nothing in there that covers Solar. Councilor Ward said our ordinances would be incomplete, because there are no provisions for something like Solar that addresses commercial use in a residential neighborhood. Councilor Fellows said that if it is not in there, then it is prohibited; that’s the wording right in front of the chapter.
Councilor Lunt pointed out that is why it is a good idea to develop an ordinance that deals with Solar Farms, and it would be a good idea to adopt an emergency moratorium to be able to develop that ordinance.
Councilor Ward asked Councilor Lunt to clarify whether he was advocating for a moratorium, but not making it retroactive. Councilor Lunt said he would support an emergency moratorium to give the town time to have the Planning Board create an actual Solar Ordinance. He said if completed quick enough, before Planning Board approval on this existing case on Frost Hill, then the town could avoid a legal issue on that one, but if Council makes it retroactive it will run into the project on Mill Street, which might turn into a legal matter.
Councilor Ward asked Councilor Fellows if he was of that same mind set. Councilor Fellows answered yes. He said it is not ethical to take an application on a project and then take it back.
Councilor Lunt pointed out the current project on Frost Hill has been tabled by the Planning Board and has not been approved yet. Councilor Fellows indicated the applicant stated they are willing to adapt the plan to make it work, even if it included other property.
Councilor Larochelle said that we should rely on Attorney Stockford’s advice. He indicated he was in favor of a moratorium and it being retroactive. Attorney Stockford advises retroactive would be okay and the town would not be liable at all. He explained going through the Appeals Board process after it’s been approved by the Planning Board and then having the Appeals board deny the appeal leaves landowners without a way to backup from there. At that point, we’ll require our citizens to hire lawyers to meet the criteria of proving to the Appeals Board something wrong. This is not the place the town should put these people in.
Councilor Ward clarified with Councilor Fellows that the ordinance was incomplete for something like Solar, and said so the moratorium does make sense. Councilor Fellows said that’s true.
Councilor Albert clarified that the Frost Hill project had not been approved. Councilor Fellows said it has not been approved. Councilor Albert said we know that the Planning Board has heard the same concerns we have heard and they will be reviewing the information in two weeks. Councilor Fellows said the Planning Board has 60 days to make a decision. Councilor Albert mentioned in the past when the Planning Board had a case similar to this, they weighed through all of that information. This is about understanding that we may have some deficiencies in our ordinances and if this project does not meet that criteria, they cannot move forward.
Councilor Fellows reminded them that once the application has been accepted as complete, then that puts us in a different game.
Councilor Larochelle asked Councilor Fellows, that as the Frost Hill application stands now, if they were to choose to not change anything about it, would there be any grounds for the Planning Board to refuse it, and if they did refuse, on what grounds would that be on. Councilor Fellows answered yes, and said the Planning Board can refuse it on the grounds they can’t meet the conditions and those conditions are reasonable. Councilor Larochelle asked if the Planning Board could put on any condition they wanted. Councilor Fellows answered yes, as long as they are reasonable. Councilor Larochelle pointed out this is not a conditional use area. Councilor Fellows said, no, but approval of a Solar Farm is conditional, it was applied for as a conditional use permit.
Councilor Albert indicated the situation is not so much about whether they don’t favor this project, but that it is right up against their homes and that they are willing to consider the 17-acre Solar Farm in a different area on the 73-acre parcel. He pointed out that the Planning Board has the ability to shape what the company needs to meet to get a final approval. He indicated he would support a moratorium.
Councilor Fellows said the company is leasing this land for 20 years with an opportunity to extend it another 20. Councilor Larochelle asked what platform could be used, if the Planning Board met with the landowners, to come up with reasonable conditions. Councilor Fellows suggested the Planning Board hold another Public Hearing or hold a workshop not open to the public, but they could invite the applicant. Councilor Fellows recommended the Planning Board take all 60 days to work through it.
VOTE (2021-45A) Councilor Fellows, seconded by Councilor Ganong moved to establish a moratorium and not retroactively.
Councilor Albert suggested the Council allow this process to play out at the Planning Board level. He indicated he was in support of a moratorium that is retroactive. He mentioned it was important to protect the residential neighborhoods out of no fault of the landowners or the companies.
Councilor Larochelle explained that if Council votes now, there would be no aspect that the moratorium would be retroactive. Councilor Albert said that Councilor Fellows motion is going to take everything from this day forward.
Councilor Fellows asked Mrs. Barnes what Attorney Stockford meant about retroactive. Mrs. Barnes explained the attorney indicated the moratorium can be retroactive as long as any permits have not been issued. She said that the project that is before the Planning Board right now has not been approved, so if you adopt a moratorium, then it should cover that one.
Councilor Fellows said it would, but would the town get away with that legally. Councilor Albert clarified if Councilor Fellows was saying that if Council does do a moratorium from this moment forward, because we haven’t issued a permit for the project on Frost Hill, so Frost Hill would fall under that umbrella.
Councilor Fellows answered no, that’s what Mrs. Barnes said. He explained that there has already been an accepted application and that it would not be ethical to throw a moratorium into it, because there is a condition that could be met.
Councilor Larochelle asked if Councilor Fellow’s motion would actually effect the project on Frost Hill and that it would fall under the moratorium at this point. Mrs. Barnes agreed it would.
Councilor Larochelle asked if the moratorium, whether it is retroactive or not, would still affect all the same projects so they wouldn’t have to do a retroactive moratorium. Councilor Ward answered it could as Mrs. Barnes has stated that if there have been no permits pulled on the other projects then they’d fall under that moratorium.
Mrs. Barnes indicated Attorney Stockford could write it in a way that says it would only cover those pending and future projects, but not ones that have already been approved. Councilor Lunt said that we should be careful on how it’s worded, because a project that’s application has been accepted as complete is different from one that’s been approved. Councilor Fellows said that accepted means its complete and that it should not fall under the moratorium.
Mrs. Barnes asked if Council had any issues with the Mill Street Project. Council unanimously agreed with none. Order passed - Vote 6-0.
MAINE DOWNTOWN CENTER COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP PILOT PROGRAM
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RESPONSE
Item taken out of order
INTRODUCTION: In March 2020, Mr. Richardson reported the Maine Development Foundation’s Maine Downtown Center (MDC) and Maine Community Foundation (MCF) awarded an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Grant to the Town of Lisbon. The grant included a total of $60,000 in funding plus technical assistance from Main Street America, a national organization focused on economic development through downtown revitalization.
Mr. Richardson said over the period of the last several months, ECD and local business owners and volunteers worked through a planning process led by Matt Wagner of Main Street America to identify opportunities to support entrepreneurship in Lisbon. The findings are detailed in a report, available on the Town webpage, titled, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development – Findings and Recommendations. He said based on needs identified in the Findings and Recommendations report, Lisbon’s entrepreneurship community team identified short-term projects and long-term initiatives to prioritize for technical assistance and funding. These priorities include:
Technical Assistance
1. Market Analysis for key market drivers, with a special focus on the former Worumbo Mill site and Village Street
2. Pipeline Programming Design to map out calendar of events and programs to connect entrepreneurs with resources and opportunities
Funded Projects
1. Pipeline Program & Summer Events: The event series will create a marketing platform for local businesses, feature entrepreneur-focused event programming, and build social capital and near term momentum. A group of local entrepreneurs who have participated in the planning phase will take the lead in creating a packet of Moxie-focused collaborative marketing assets. The creation of the brand assets, including logos, a window decal, and web and social media applications, will represent an entrepreneur-led design process that will feed culture and build social capital. The entrepreneur-designed brand assets will create the aesthetics for a multimedia spring advertising campaign to promote the Summer Market Series and Lisbon’s momentum to the broader region.
2. Develop of a place-based entrepreneurial hub that combines co-working, community, and pop-up retail space to address Lisbon’s lack of start-up space and third spaces. An Entrepreneur Hub, with co-working space, a small commercial kitchen, short-term retail opportunities, and community space for pop-up markets and events, will address Lisbon’s current shortage of third spaces, start-up space, entrepreneur-focused events, and social networking opportunities for entrepreneurs focused on business development. Funding will enable appropriate planning, coordination, design, space fit-up, and equipment purchases to launch the hub.
VOTE: (2021-47) Councilor Larochelle, seconded by Councilor Albert moved to authorize the receipt of $50,000 from Maine Community Foundation and implementation of technical assistance and funded projects as planned and proposed by Lisbon’s entrepreneurship community team and to pursue those projects. Order Passed- Vote 6-0.
MOXIE FESTIVAL
INTRODUCTION: Mr. Stevens recommended based on the current CDC guidelines that Council cancel the Moxie Festival. He suggested his team work within their means to provide smaller, “spread out” events over the summer that would meet the needs of our community. He said that the enthusiasm in our community is at an all-time low with festivals, schools, and events. He mentioned he has been working with Mr. Richardson on Moxie Plaza activities and the Summer Event Series to see what they can do in a safe way spreading things out. He explained they could not plan an effective safe parade or even a Friday night event, but they could do smaller events and monitor the number of people attending. He suggested having the Moxie 5k race at Beaver Park instead of on the road and that we call it something different. He suggested having the fireworks on the 3rd of July instead of on Moxie weekend and to market that only to our community instead of the entire New England area to minimize attendance.
COUNCILOR COMMENTS: Councilor Albert thanked Mr. Stevens, Mr. Richardson, and all the folks they worked with coming up with a very creative and robust calendar of well thought out Moxie themed and summer events spread out over a calendar period, allowing people to participate but being mindful of COVID guidelines. He said there’s no way we could have the traditional Moxie Festival safely, but we can look toward to 2022 and maybe we will be able to kick that off again then. He said right now we can do a lot of cool things with what we have.
Councilor Ward said he looked to Mr. Stevens last year during this time, because his department was hit the hardest by having to pull the plug on the Moxie Festival. Back in May, he thought it was extremely cool to see a virtual fishing derby at Beaver Park. He said, don’t tell me what we can’t do, tell me what we can do. He explained we have good staff associated with these events and that he would not want to slow Mr. Steven’s roll down. He made huge things happen last year and indicated Council supported it.
Councilor Ganong said based on our State’s current vaccination rate of about 5,200 people a day; we should have vaccinated the entire state by the end of July. The Moxie Festival will be happening in July, which means 80% of the state will have been vaccinated based on the current CDC guidelines by then. The guidelines could look vastly different by summer. He suggested we could make a go of the Moxie Festival this year.
Councilor Ward explained that the town needs to be able to sell this to a community, which is a lot of work. Councilor Fellows agreed and suggested may be physically impossible to do all that vaccinating in time, plus people are not willing to commit right now.
Mr. Stevens indicated he would not suggest business sponsorships right now so they are not asking. Instead they are doing things they know pay for themselves with user fees or have already been funded like the fireworks.
VOTE (2021-45B) Councilor Ward, seconded by Councilor Fellows moved to cancel the 2021 Moxie Festival as traditionally run in years past, and to pursue other Moxie themed events. Order passed - Vote 5-0. (Abstained: Ganong)
AMEND CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE IV ITINERANT VENDORS,
SECTIONS 10-253 & 10-259
Second Reading - Roll Call Vote Required
VOTE (2021-46) Councilor Fellows, seconded by Councilor Larochelle moved to adopt the following amendments to Chapter 10, Article IV Itinerant Vendors, Sections 10-253 & 10-259:
CHAPTER 10 – BUSINESSES
ARTICLE IV. – ITINERANT VENDORS
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Sec. 10-253. - Term of license; fee.
(a) Every license issued under this article shall be issued only for the following terms, subject to the corresponding fee. For terms and Application fees shall be:. See Appendix C-Fee Schedule
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(b) Municipal organizations, Lisbon Non-Profit School Groups, or agencies are exempt from fees in this section.
(c) The town council may waive fees for charitable and non-profit organizations registered with the Secretary of State and in compliance with the Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501.
(T.M. of 5-20-1996, art. 18; Sel. Ord. of 2-18-2003, § 5.158; Sel. Ord. of 6-21-05, § 5.016; C.M. of 7-1-2014, V. 2014-118; C.M. of 7-7-2015, V. 2015-192 ; C.M. of 3-1-2016, V. 2016-55 ; C.M. of 2-20-2018, V. 2018-38 )
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Sec. 10-259. - Amendments.
The town council shall have the further power to adjust the fees and license requirements of this article as appropriate after public hearing.
(T.M. of 5-20-1996, art. 18; T.M. of 5-15-2007, § 2007-068)
Roll Call Vote: Yeas- Albert, Lunt, Larochelle, Ward, Ganong and Fellows. Nays - None. Order passed–6-0.
A. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. School: Councilor Albert said the School Budget presentation is next week, March 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm by Zoom and the Finance Committee will be attending.
2. Planning: Councilor Fellows said that the Planning Board is working on the Adult Use Marijuana land use table/ordinance, which is about ready to come forward to Council for approval. They are also working on Solar Farms.
3. LDC: Councilor Larochelle mentioned Mr. Richardson has been highlighting some of the information that has been going on at LDC meetings. They recently review the Worumbo renderings. They are working on the Entrepreneurship Grant that he presented tonight. If anyone has any questions on meetings, or activities coming up, they should reach out to him.
4. Conservation Commission: Councilor Ward said they held a virtual meeting on the 22nd and discussed their goals. They are working on logging, where to use the logging revenue, trail maps, and invasive species.
5. Recreation: Councilor Albert said that Moxie will not happen in the traditional form this year, but Mr. Stevens has a great calendar of events put together and that he is excited to see how that’s going to take shape for the summer.
6. County Budget: Councilor Ward said he had nothing to report.
7. Library: Councilor Lunt said he had nothing to report.
8. Water Commission: Councilor Fellows said they meet next week at 5:30 pm.
9. Finance Committee: Councilor Albert said they put a pause on their regular monthly meetings through to the end of April so they can focus on working with Council at Council Budget Workshops.
B. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Mrs. Barnes said she spoke with Mrs. Nadeau to find out what she had for fines due from 2004 to 2020. Mrs. Nadeau reported that there were only 220 red flag patrons. Twenty-one of them owe fines totaling $322.20, which is pre-COVID. There are 129 patrons owing for lost or not returned books, totaling $8,800. She said they don’t owe that, but do need to return those books. She indicated COVID has not had an impact on fines really.
Councilor Larochelle asked if the Generator project at the Police Station was fired up on Monday as scheduled. Mrs. Barnes said they were not able to do the work due to the rain. They rescheduled to Friday morning at 7:30am so it will not affect the offices. Councilor Albert asked if the town has a maintenance contract for that so one of our own does not have to go out there every month to fire it up. Mrs. Barnes answered yes.
Lisbon Development Committee Appointments
2 Regular Members to 2024 and
1 Associate Member to 2024
VOTE (2021-48) Councilor Larochelle, seconded by Councilor Ganong moved to re-appoint Zack Henderson a Regular Member to the Lisbon Development Committee to 2024. Order passed - Vote 6-0.
Councilor Ward asked Mrs. Lycette, Town Clerk, if there were any other vacancies that people can apply for. Mrs. Lycette said those that are interested and want to know which positions are open can go to our town website and click on Boards and Committees and then click on the link to our On Board program where the vacancies are listed. Applications are available online as well.
Mrs. Barnes thanked Mrs. Lycette for putting together all the Employee Service Awards. It was a lot of work and they really came out good.
Councilor Ward asked if they were going to move forward with the treatment on the rest of the sidewalk on Village Street. Councilor Fellows said that it is still covered so they will have to wait until the snow is gone. He will keep an eye on it. Councilor Ward asked to schedule a site walk on Village Street for April 6, 2021 at 6:30 pm with the Public Works Director. Mrs. Barnes said she would send Mandy Olver over to look at it next week.
Councilor Ward mentioned Mrs. Barnes has explored the first piece of pursuing IT with Roundtable. He said its cost prohibitive for the price on the headhunter for a temp. It was in excess of $75,000 to $80,000. Mrs. Barnes said we would be better off doing a direct hire through them and then paying a one-time fee. He said Option #2 would be the RFP, which Mrs. Barnes is pursuing as well. Mrs. Barnes said the bid opening for the RFP is next week and should be ready for the next meeting. She indicated she would start putting together a job description and soliciting for candidates as well.
Councilor Ward asked Mrs. Barnes to move the commitment on paving forward for the coming year so the Public Works Director can put that out to bid soon. Mrs. Barnes indicated she would put that on the next Agenda.
Councilor Ward opened the agenda item. The public was invited to comment by emailing award@lisbonme.org; no comments were received. The Chairman moved on to the next item.
VOTE (2021-49) Councilor Fellows, seconded by Councilor Lunt moved to go into Executive Session at 9:05 PM per 1 M.R.S.A. section 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matters. Order passed 6-0.
The Council came out of executive session at 9:13 PM and resumed the meeting.
VOTE (2021-50) Councilor Ganong, seconded by Councilor Larochelle moved to adjourn at 9:13 PM. Order passed – Vote 6-0.
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Twila D. Lycette, Council Secretary
Town Clerk, Lifetime CCM/MMC
Date Approved: March 16, 2021