[0:04] You're live. Thank you.
[0:24] >> Item two is adjustments to the agenda.
[0:27] >> Um, we do have a couple of adjustments.
[0:29] I apologize. Uh,
[0:33] >> I need to add accepting Victoria Gan's
[0:36] resignation from the energy committee.
[0:38] We can put that right at the end as
[0:41] would that be 6.
[0:44] Please.
[0:46] >> Sorry.
[0:46] >> You need to speak up.
[0:47] >> No, no, hold on. That's a problem.
[0:49] >> You're on. Brian, just
[0:51] >> give me
[0:52] >> How about now?
[0:55] [laughter]
[0:57] » Little we may have room. Bring me down a
[1:00] bit. Just my just my ch
[1:05] um we have two adjustments. Yeah.
[1:08] Accepting Victoria Gan's resignation.
[1:10] >> No minutes for the public hearing.
[1:12] >> Sorry.
[1:12] >> No minutes for the public hearing.
[1:13] >> Right. The other one will be um 8B we
[1:16] delete because there was a public
[1:18] hearing. I have no minutes to approve.
[1:27] » You're putting it under um
[1:30] 6T
[1:31] >> the acceptance of Victoria's
[1:33] resignation.
[1:34] >> Y
[1:40] » do I have a motion to that effect?
[1:42] >> I'll make that motion.
[1:43] >> A second.
[1:44] >> Been moved and seconded. Any further
[1:46] discussion on the motion? Hearing
[1:49] none. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:51] >> Councelor Danny Cummings.
[1:52] >> Yes.
[1:53] >> Councelor Ray,
[1:54] >> yes.
[1:54] >> Councelor Stevens,
[1:55] >> yes.
[1:56] >> Councelor Cely,
[1:57] >> yes.
[1:57] >> Councelor Boon,
[1:58] >> yes. Item three, public hearings. 3A is
[2:02] amendment of the of liquor license. Ye
[2:04] old hookers.
[2:09] For information sake, is is upgrading
[2:11] the premises uh to a restaurant to a
[2:14] main lounge uh to a restaurant lounge.
[2:16] Um it has some changes uh with respect
[2:20] to how the state regulates it and and it
[2:23] does you'll see there's a map in there
[2:25] to expand their premises for increased
[2:27] services.
[2:30] >> Anybody from the public like to speak
[2:32] for or against?
[2:37] Seeing none, I'll close the public
[2:39] hearing. 3B, renewal of liquor license
[2:42] for Horn Run Brewing.
[2:44] Anybody in the audience like to speak
[2:46] for or against that?
[2:53] » Seeing none, I'll close that. We're on
[2:56] item four, public open forum.
[3:05] » Since you haven't voted me yet, Victoria
[3:07] Gans, I'm here representing the energy
[3:09] committee. And since you haven't voted
[3:11] for non-residentation yet, the uh energy
[3:14] committee is going to do another window
[3:16] dressers bill this year. We have folks
[3:20] who have already done audits. We have
[3:21] much less money. Our funding was cut
[3:23] severely.
[3:24] The build is going to be sometime in
[3:27] November
[3:28] and we are looking for volunteers both
[3:31] for the committee and for window
[3:32] dressers for the actual build. If you
[3:35] are interested in either, please get in
[3:38] touch with G Peacock because we have
[3:42] less funding this year. We're going to
[3:44] do less number of windows, 10 windows
[3:47] per household instead of an entire
[3:49] household at one time. And the folks who
[3:54] have had an energy audit already will be
[3:57] uh top of the list. So they will be the
[4:00] first folks offered window dressers,
[4:02] window inserts and then if we don't use
[4:06] all of those insert slots with the
[4:08] audited folks and they will take from
[4:11] other people. So anybody interested get
[4:13] in touch with team ASAP.
[4:15] That's all I have.
[4:16] >> If I may briefly just realize what we
[4:18] don't have is action on public hearings.
[4:20] So I'm going to suggest that we just
[4:22] read five is action on public hearings.
[4:24] Continue the public report.
[4:25] >> Okay. Thank you. Thanks.
[4:31] All right. Thank you, Victoria. You're
[4:33] welcome.
[4:33] >> John.
[4:40] » Oh jeez. Feel free just to take it right
[4:41] out. That's easy.
[4:43] >> For me, it actually is. My voice is so
[4:46] loud. Probably carries the entire place.
[4:49] Benefits of being a theatrically born
[4:52] person.
[4:54] So, uh, I'm standing in front of you to
[4:56] give an update. It's really hard to get
[4:58] actual time.
[5:01] The project that I have been working on
[5:04] has reached two flaws. Plus number one
[5:06] is that there seems to be no follow-up
[5:09] emails from the city or
[5:13] um any emails that seem to have been
[5:15] sent out from the city to the grant
[5:17] managers making it impossible for us to
[5:19] receive any grant funding this year.
[5:22] John, can you be clear what you I'm not
[5:24] sure when the automatic uh grant for
[5:27] automatic snow removers for our
[5:29] sidewalks. Uh for the people who don't
[5:31] know, I've been working on this project
[5:32] for 2 years and in the process of these
[5:35] two years um
[5:38] trying to get all of the paperwork
[5:39] together for April. Um the last date
[5:43] that it can be submitted to my
[5:46] understanding is August 1st for uh any
[5:50] type of 2027 funding.
[5:53] So if we do get a grant out, it will be
[5:56] 2028. The problem that we're going to
[5:58] run into is twofold. Number one, we are
[6:02] processing currently a voter amendment
[6:05] to restrict data management in the town
[6:08] support that will have a direct effect
[6:10] to how much we can actually get if it
[6:14] goes through. It's what I've spoken to
[6:16] earlier about unintended consequences.
[6:19] Currently each one of the individual
[6:22] machines counts as a data collection
[6:27] uh computer and the whole uh system
[6:31] would have been
[6:33] uh funneled in the overall management
[6:36] and I'm not really sure under the
[6:37] ordinance how that would work. I haven't
[6:39] really gotten into it, but with the
[6:41] amount of sidewalks we have, the
[6:43] buildings that we use, it would
[6:45] definitely go over the 12,000 square ft
[6:49] um
[6:52] collection. So, that's something to be
[6:54] considered since we are considering
[6:56] action on that at some point either by
[6:58] voter or by council. The other problem
[7:01] we're running into is we are now 3 years
[7:04] behind. The Department of Transportation
[7:07] of Canada has been running a similar
[7:09] program within the province of Ontario,
[7:12] which is now being expanded to Quebec
[7:14] and to Saskatchewan to clean the
[7:17] sidewalks. They have been testing and
[7:19] had great success with automatic snow
[7:21] removal of their sidewalks. This year,
[7:24] five communities in Ontario will be
[7:26] getting upgraded equipment to clear
[7:30] their streets. This equipment is an
[7:34] autonomous snow plow that runs at about
[7:38] 15 to 20 m an hour and it could clean a
[7:42] mile of street in about 15 minutes.
[7:45] >> It is electric. It can be ran on a power
[7:48] grid or it can be run on autonomous
[7:50] power such as a generator or a solar
[7:54] power panel.
[7:56] If we had looked at the proposal that I
[7:58] had drafted up that has been at some
[8:00] point 2 three years ago sent to council
[8:03] and the city manager, we were asking for
[8:05] $150,000.
[8:08] This year that would have moved up to
[8:10] $250,000
[8:11] just because of inflation. And that
[8:13] right now as I see the project, we're
[8:15] going to be looking at $267,000.
[8:20] That includes, but is not limited to the
[8:23] autonomous plows themselves, which are
[8:25] really, really great. If you've ever
[8:26] seen these things in action, they can
[8:30] clear driveways in a matter of minutes,
[8:34] blowing snow up to 8 ft in the air to a
[8:37] direction anywhere that you choose.
[8:40] They're really, really lovely things.
[8:42] Um, that would include 10 of those
[8:45] units. It would include 10 solar power
[8:47] units. That's a 5x3 solar panel
[8:50] [clears throat] that can be plugged
[8:51] directly into the power grid. That will
[8:54] cover the times that we lose power here
[8:56] in Eastport. When the solar panels are
[8:58] plugged into the power grid when they
[9:00] are not producing power for the objects,
[9:03] they will be producing power that goes
[9:05] back directly to the grid that the city
[9:07] receives funding for. It would also
[9:09] include new computers and equipment as
[9:11] well as interns from the University of
[9:14] Maine robotics department. That's how
[9:16] the grants had currently been uh drafted
[9:18] up. That was the cover letter that was
[9:20] drafted up 3 years ago that has been
[9:22] sitting somewhere in city hall waiting
[9:25] to go out in email. So, as it stands
[9:28] right now, we're looking
[9:31] probably at 29 before this project
[9:33] should even be off the ground
[9:36] >> because of our delays.
[9:38] Having said that, there's a similar
[9:41] process going on in Michigan, in upper
[9:43] state Michigan. Because these devices
[9:46] are so successful at removing snow, it
[9:48] cuts down on the municipal
[9:51] cost.
[9:53] Thank you, uh, whoever said that, but
[9:55] also cuts down on the municipal manpower
[9:57] hours. You have to spend an incredibly
[10:00] less amount of time for manpower hours.
[10:02] If the project got upgraded to include
[10:06] one or two of these new wonderful
[10:08] autonomous
[10:10] vehicles for clean streets, which would
[10:12] have been the obvious next place for it,
[10:15] you would be looking at a significant
[10:17] reduction in the manpower hours and the
[10:20] project literally pays for itself within
[10:22] a decade. So, I am hoping by bringing
[10:26] this to the council's attention today
[10:29] that the communications will start
[10:32] flowing again since it hasn't flown
[10:33] since May and we can get on this for the
[10:36] fiscal year 2029. If people could get
[10:39] back to me, I would appreciate that
[10:41] very, very much. And thank you for
[10:43] letting me give the update.
[10:44] >> Thank you very much, John. [applause]
[10:46] >> Oh, if you have any questions, I'm here
[10:48] for questions.
[10:49] >> I have a question, please.
[10:52] I have a question.
[10:54] >> What's the lifpan of one of those
[10:56] machines?
[11:02] » We'd have to be going on dairy right now
[11:03] because these this technology is so new.
[11:06] But the lifespan currently is probably
[11:09] somewhere between 10 and 15 years, the
[11:11] same as you would expect for a normal
[11:13] snow plow.
[11:16] >> Thank you, John.
[11:20] Anyone else from the public?
[11:23] What's the maintenance expenses on them
[11:25] per year?
[11:27] >> Oh,
[11:28] >> I think these are these are these are
[11:30] long. This this is a public forum. We
[11:33] can have a discussion with John on all
[11:36] of the issues, but we need to move on to
[11:38] the council's meeting. [laughter]
[11:40] I'm sorry, John, but we we have time. We
[11:42] do have time and we will be discussing
[11:44] it and we'll make sure that the emails
[11:47] start following. Thank you.
[11:48] >> Thank you, John.
[11:55] Are we doing that? I'm Jamie P from
[11:58] County Road.
[11:59] >> Thank you very much.
[12:00] >> Here we go. Um, I have two quick
[12:02] questions on the agenda. One was
[12:05] I'd like to understand why we think we
[12:08] need another police cruiser from Fort
[12:11] Fairfield.
[12:13] >> Have you spoken to the police chief yet?
[12:15] >> No.
[12:16] >> Okay, you should.
[12:17] >> Okay, we'll discuss it at that agenda.
[12:19] Yeah, we will. But uh but any of those
[12:22] questions you can certainly ask.
[12:24] >> Okay. They're going to be approved
[12:26] tonight. It's hard if we don't have the
[12:28] information,
[12:29] >> right? But the police chief's been in
[12:31] all week, I think.
[12:34] >> Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. He Yes, he
[12:36] hasn't been in, but the doors are open.
[12:38] The police chief, the city manager,
[12:40] we're all willing to talk about any of
[12:42] this stuff. We don't need to do it here.
[12:45] But either way,
[12:46] >> so that's going to include the MMA risk
[12:48] reduction grant, too.
[12:50] >> Yes.
[12:51] >> So, we can't get any answers before this
[12:54] is approved.
[12:55] >> You can anytime city hall's open.
[12:58] >> Okay. But okay. At this point, I can't.
[13:00] >> I would I would say no. We will be
[13:02] discussing it during the meeting. Yes.
[13:04] >> And it's an application. It's not an
[13:06] acceptance.
[13:06] >> Yeah.
[13:07] >> Okay.
[13:08] >> But thank you.
[13:09] >> Thank you.
[13:14] And I certainly don't mean to be
[13:16] sounding harsh, Jean. That's not my
[13:18] prerogative. It's just city hall's open
[13:21] and a lot of these questions can be
[13:23] answered before we even get here that so
[13:26] that we can do our meeting.
[13:28] >> Would it make sense to answer those
[13:30] questions for everybody who's in
[13:32] attendance at this point?
[13:35] >> We're going to we are going to answer
[13:36] during the during the during our
[13:38] meeting. We're going to be voting on it.
[13:40] And if
[13:42] No, this is for the
[13:45] if we don't have the information for
[13:47] that.
[13:47] >> Yes,
[13:48] >> it's kind of
[13:49] >> You're right. It is. But but the
[13:51] agenda's been posted since last Friday.
[13:54] Nobody's read it.
[13:57] >> But thank you. And I'm sorry. And I'm
[13:59] sorry, Jean. Again, I'm not trying to
[14:01] pick on you.
[14:03] >> Not a problem.
[14:06] >> Okay. Thank you.
[14:07] >> Hi everyone. I'm Bernie East. Um, I'd
[14:11] like to say a few words about the voter
[14:12] approval measure that um, the council
[14:14] lawyers have recommended that the city
[14:16] throw away. Uh, the voter approval
[14:19] measure, it's a sister petition to the
[14:21] AI data center ban. We've watched the
[14:23] data centers all over the country um,
[14:26] circumvent local bands by rebranding
[14:28] themselves. So sometimes they're calling
[14:29] themselves um, remote collocation
[14:32] facilities or digital surveillance
[14:34] centers to get around the language of
[14:36] municipal.
[14:38] Um for that reason, um the voter
[14:40] approval measure would give Eastport
[14:42] voters the right to approve hyperscale
[14:44] development in our in our on our island.
[14:47] Um we use the largest building um here
[14:50] as our witness test. That's the former
[14:53] Canary building at just under 25,000
[14:55] square ft. So, what the voter approval
[14:58] um measure was hoping to do was to give
[15:03] uh voters um the opportunity to
[15:08] um accept or deny industrial development
[15:11] that's larger than the biggest building
[15:12] that's already here. Um I think that's
[15:15] pretty fair and it gives us cover in
[15:17] case no m you know no matter what a data
[15:18] center wants to call itself next year
[15:20] and the year before and the year after.
[15:22] Um it it means that approval power still
[15:25] stays with the voters. Uh last week the
[15:28] city lawyers at Richmond published a
[15:30] memorandum giving the council basically
[15:31] a blueprint to toss the voter approval
[15:33] measure on what I think are some pretty
[15:36] flimsy mentalities. Um they argued that
[15:39] the voter approval petition didn't
[15:40] define the scope of temperature change
[15:42] which would count as pollution. Um but
[15:45] on reviewing Eastport's own city codes,
[15:48] uh Eastport city codes don't define
[15:51] pollution either. So I'm not sure why a
[15:53] citizens initiative is being scrutinized
[15:56] more than their own lawmakers are. Um
[15:58] the city attorneys also cited case law
[16:00] for why the petitions should be thrown
[16:02] out. But both cases were situations
[16:04] where an ordinance attempted to either
[16:05] change the threshold for a vote to
[16:07] succeed that would be vtown harbor of
[16:11] town or harbor or whether the ordinance
[16:15] um specified a vote must be you must use
[16:19] a secret ballot
[16:21] but town conducted a vote in open
[16:23] meeting that's uh the town of Walder.
[16:26] Neither of our voter approval measures
[16:27] want to do any of these things. Um I
[16:30] don't think they're relevant. Now, under
[16:32] the city charter 2.02C4,
[16:34] the council has the power to amend any
[16:37] public petitions before [clears throat]
[16:38] adding them to November ballot. Uh city
[16:41] lawyers are paid out of our taxes, and I
[16:43] think they should work for us. Regular
[16:45] people shouldn't need to hire private
[16:46] attorneys to participate in democracy.
[16:49] Citizens initiatives, it's right in the
[16:52] name. They're supposed to be accessible
[16:53] to regular people. And I think the
[16:56] council should honor the spirit of the
[16:57] petition and the will of the people
[16:58] here. They should have asked city
[17:00] lawyers to strengthen strengthen
[17:02] policies instead of killing it. Um I
[17:05] hope the council does the right thing. I
[17:06] hope I'm wrong. I hope they do the right
[17:08] thing. I hope they make whatever
[17:09] ministerial changes need to be made and
[17:11] they move the voter approval measure to
[17:13] November ballot. Uh but given the
[17:15] council's resistance to the petition
[17:17] from the start, I personally don't
[17:19] believe that will happen. Um, I hope I'm
[17:21] wrong, but in case I'm not, the
[17:23] commissioners committee uh has remediate
[17:25] all of the objections raised in the
[17:27] voter approval measure, and this morning
[17:29] we filed affidavit to repeat the, uh,
[17:32] signature gathering process.
[17:35] So, this is a wildly popular initiative.
[17:37] We did it before, we'll do it again. So,
[17:39] to council, um, do as you will. I hope
[17:42] you guys do the right thing. Um, if you
[17:44] don't, we'll be ready for that. To the
[17:46] community, we need 150 signatures to get
[17:48] this thing on the ballot. If you're
[17:50] interested in signing, find somebody
[17:51] with a blue folder just like this.
[17:52] There's a couple other folks here who
[17:55] have them and that petition is to sign
[17:57] and weeded the issues. So, thanks. We
[18:01] appreciate it.
[18:05] [applause]
[18:10] [snorts]
[18:12] » H
[18:22] I'll leave the AI to the professionals
[18:24] so we don't see anything wrong.
[18:26] >> But I wanted to voice a couple things.
[18:28] The new patrol car that we're getting,
[18:30] >> Al, could you please state your name
[18:32] first?
[18:32] >> Alan Skinner 67.
[18:35] >> Thank you.
[18:35] >> The new patrol car that we're getting
[18:37] and I have utmost respect for all of the
[18:39] police department. I probably have more
[18:41] of these
[18:43] in my family than I do in the than I see
[18:46] in the city. But will this car be
[18:49] traveling 90 miles back and forth to
[18:52] home too? So the citizens are paying for
[18:55] the fuel up the other as does the chief
[19:00] or are we going to do something
[19:01] different with that? You know, something
[19:03] just to think about.
[19:06] Uh,
[19:08] I look at it and I see all the employees
[19:10] are part-time. Wouldn't it be good to
[19:11] have some full-time employees and give
[19:13] them insurance and benefits and stuff
[19:15] like that? So, we have
[19:19] every time when I talk to somebody, they
[19:20] say that, oh, there are part-time
[19:22] employees.
[19:24] It would be nice to have some full-time
[19:26] employees, but
[19:27] >> for you,
[19:28] >> but thank you.
[19:29] >> Not enough. Go ahead.
[19:33] >> I asked for the financials the other
[19:35] day.
[19:36] the audit and asked if they were audited
[19:40] and uh I was answered back. They're
[19:43] working on them. Uh now they got 2024
[19:48] online
[19:49] and they're working on 2025, but a lot
[19:52] of people emailed the city asking for
[19:54] the audited
[19:56] financials.
[19:57] They never got a response. Yeah.
[20:00] >> Um I'm not aware of that.
[20:01] >> Huh?
[20:02] >> I'm not aware of that. the state auditor
[20:04] that lives in one of the missions show
[20:07] I'm sorry I couldn't hear you
[20:08] >> the state auditor that lives across you
[20:10] know down the street from me she was
[20:12] showing me how many emails and stuff and
[20:14] I know I have in the past so I haven't
[20:17] received as you stated 2024 audit and
[20:20] I'm sorry I tried is online
[20:23] well yeah it was given to us a month ago
[20:25] >> a month ago
[20:26] >> that's we're doing the best we can Alan
[20:28] the auditor's behind we have a 2025
[20:30] audit underway right now we're getting
[20:32] it out as fast as we can it's online. I
[20:35] can provide we can provide you 2024. I
[20:37] hope to have 2025. It's it's on the
[20:40] auditor's schedule, but we paid quite a
[20:42] bit for it. I hope to see it in I'd like
[20:44] to see it by December. Um but it it's in
[20:48] their hands
[20:50] and I see the taxes went up and
[20:52] everybody feels it and the sewers are
[20:54] going up also. Is the service going to
[20:57] be better or is it just costing more for
[20:59] everything? Yeah, that's what
[21:02] >> everything is costing more for
[21:03] everything.
[21:03] >> And the reason that Yeah, it's more for
[21:05] everything. But the reason I say that
[21:09] the houses that I build, they're 20 uh
[21:11] 1,200 square f foot when they get
[21:14] assessed right after they're finished
[21:16] and even the ones that I rebuilt, but
[21:18] these 1,200 ft houses, they're getting
[21:21] assessed for about 3,800 in taxes for
[21:23] the 12,200 ft house.
[21:26] But then I see the commercial building
[21:28] that sold for $799 on Water Street with
[21:30] a view and they're paying $3,300
[21:34] and it's been going on forever. So, it's
[21:36] kind of a misbalance. There's a lot of
[21:38] money out there. That should be
[21:41] collected and it should all be even.
[21:44] Uh,
[21:46] so it's good for the taxpayers. That's a
[21:48] lot of money just sitting out there
[21:49] every year that's not getting collected.
[21:52] You know what I mean? Even on the house.
[21:54] >> Mr. Council President, we've talked
[21:55] about this before. I'm I feel some
[21:57] impulse to help explain because I I
[21:59] think he's making you I typically try to
[22:01] avoid making sure we don't turn this
[22:02] into a debate.
[22:04] >> Yeah.
[22:04] >> If I may, I'll just give some
[22:05] information here and if we need to go
[22:06] deeper when we speak offline.
[22:09] >> Quickly, we are in desperate need of a
[22:11] revaluation. Part of what you're talking
[22:13] about is is having to recalculate the
[22:16] factors that go into assessment. I know
[22:19] you sat with Wes for many, many hours.
[22:21] So, you put in a bunch of stuff, you get
[22:22] a number at the end. Yeah. So we have
[22:26] now that we completed the taxation
[22:28] process. Wes has the post tax process
[22:30] and dealing with people now that is our
[22:32] next priority is to move forward on a
[22:34] reevaluation. Realistically
[22:37] one to two years just to be able to get
[22:39] someone started because there's so few
[22:41] people who are doing it and will do it
[22:43] out here. But we're we've accumulated
[22:44] some things. We're moving forward. But I
[22:47] I'm not going to speak to any particular
[22:49] property versus another. But the general
[22:51] sense that things might be out of whack,
[22:53] that's why we do the revaluation.
[22:55] >> But when a house sells or is fixed up,
[22:57] like Washington Street, that was $1,800
[23:01] a year
[23:03] uh on that house for 15 years, you know,
[23:06] >> so we can discuss this offline. At this
[23:08] point, we'd have to look at the
[23:09] individual property and see what
[23:10] happens. So, I'll I'll pull back.
[23:12] >> But supposedly, you could look at the
[23:13] listings, what they sold for, and go
[23:15] from there. And all he has to do is push
[23:17] the buttons. That's what he told me.
[23:19] That's why either mine you know
[23:22] >> again if we want to talk at this point
[23:23] I'm not going to get into
[23:25] argument but like I say it's all
[23:31] right that's all I have
[23:32] >> Alan thank you for your comments
[23:39] » anyone else [snorts] from the audience
[23:41] okay y
[23:47] » I just have a quick And um when I was on
[23:49] the disability committee, our one thing
[23:52] that we really tried to get through was
[23:54] the crosswalks. And we're about to get
[23:55] thousands of people who aren't familiar
[23:57] with our city. There's no crosswalks. I
[24:00] wondered if you could I understand how
[24:02] he answers to Brian. So I wonder if
[24:04] Brian could we had So we have been
[24:06] working on the crosswalks on Water
[24:08] Street. We've been staying off the
[24:10] crosswalks on Washington Street because
[24:12] both of those ADA ramps are being
[24:16] rebuilt as part of the sidewalk project.
[24:19] We didn't see any point. It may sound
[24:21] silly, but the reflective paint we use
[24:22] for that stuff is expensive. It's over
[24:24] $100 a gallon. So, we were saying and we
[24:26] had typically in the past point painted
[24:29] them right before school. So, we are
[24:31] hoping we're going to be painting them
[24:32] right before school now when we get
[24:33] those two rebuilt. But that's why we
[24:35] haven't gone. I wonder about the one
[24:37] because I did by the post office.
[24:38] >> Yeah, the one by the post office and the
[24:40] one on High Street are both being
[24:42] rebuilt by the state and they they
[24:44] should have done it when they rebuilt
[24:45] Washington Street, but essentially they
[24:47] said, "Oh, they have a sidewalk ramp
[24:49] going. We're running late. We'll just
[24:50] lump it into that and that's why it's
[24:52] being done now."
[24:53] >> Okay. Um, and the other thing is is I
[24:55] know you're on our side about the data
[24:57] center. I I I get that. But the next
[24:59] time you talk to our lawyers, you could
[25:02] ask instead of saying what's wrong with
[25:04] the petition, you could say how do we
[25:06] fix it? You know, they could give us
[25:07] professional, you know, instead of us
[25:09] having to try to do it. That would be great.
[25:12] >> Thank you.
[25:19] [clears throat]
[25:19] >> Okay, John, I I'll allow it.
[25:22] >> We got to kind of wrap it up here and
[25:24] get going.
[25:26] Please, the chair will cooperate with
[25:28] me.
[25:29] >> [laughter]
[25:30] >> I didn't expect that I would be adding
[25:32] this, so I apologize in advance. Having
[25:35] served on the same disability committee.
[25:38] Um, it was our determination in 2024
[25:41] that the best time to be painting
[25:43] crosswalks was at the end of May, not at
[25:46] the end of September. The reason being
[25:48] is that when you paint them in
[25:50] September, snow flies in October and the
[25:52] snow and the sand phase those things out
[25:55] so they're not there for the summertime
[25:58] and for the tourist season. It would be
[26:01] within the city's best interest to be
[26:03] painting them at the beginning of May
[26:06] just for people safety as well as
[26:10] getting the best bang for your buck.
[26:12] >> Very good point. Thank you.
[26:15] Anybody
[26:17] [applause]
[26:20] else from the audience?
[26:23] [clears throat]
[26:25] Seeing none, I'll close public uh open
[26:28] forum. Item five is action on the public
[26:30] hearings.
[26:36] [clears throat]
[26:39] » So the ye old hookers with this it looks
[26:42] like it's all internal. Mhm. So, yes,
[26:44] it's not any of the external stuff we
[26:46] talked about before. They're just
[26:48] reconfiguring their internal space to be
[26:50] more of a restaurant.
[26:51] >> Would that reduce their need to go out
[26:54] into the
[26:54] >> I can't speak to
[26:56] >> No.
[27:06] Make a motion we approve um both
[27:10] ordinance.
[27:11] >> No. [laughter]
[27:13] What?
[27:14] >> 3 A 3B license application.
[27:17] >> Yes, that
[27:18] >> 3 A and 3B.
[27:20] >> I'll second that.
[27:21] >> Been moved and seconded to approve both
[27:23] of the public hearings. A being the
[27:26] amendment to the liquor license for
[27:27] Yield Hookers. B being the renewal of
[27:30] the liquor license for Horn Run Brewing.
[27:33] Any further discussion on the motion?
[27:38] Seeing none. Roll call, please. Sarah,
[27:40] >> is there a date for the public hearing?
[27:42] >> No, we're [clears throat] approving the
[27:44] public hearing. We had
[27:46] >> Okay. Councelor Dana [clears throat]
[27:48] Cummings.
[27:49] >> Yes.
[27:49] >> Councelor Ray,
[27:50] >> yes.
[27:51] >> Councelor Stevens,
[27:52] >> yes.
[27:52] >> Councelor Steely,
[27:53] >> yes.
[27:54] >> Councelor B.
[27:55] >> Yes.
[27:56] >> Item six, new business, consider a
[27:59] temporary 6A, consider a temporary
[28:02] moratorium on data centers and
[28:04] associated infrastructures.
[28:11] uh that was brought forth by councelor
[28:13] Ray and I appreciate all the work she's
[28:15] put into this. Uh she's done much more
[28:18] than I
[28:21] but thank you Karen.
[28:23] >> You're welcome. Um so in your packets
[28:26] you had um a draft and then this evening
[28:30] I gave you an additional draft. So let's
[28:33] talk about the one I gave you tonight.
[28:35] Um the only change between what was in
[28:38] your packet and what is before us is
[28:41] section two, the duration. Um because of
[28:46] the process that we're in and the
[28:49] potential to have to amend what the
[28:52] petitioners committee did to make it
[28:54] stronger. Um
[28:57] originally this said one, two or three
[29:00] the duration and I just combined it. So
[29:02] it's now the duration is completion of
[29:05] the citizen initiative review process
[29:07] and adoption of permanent ordinance
[29:10] amendments addressing the matters or um
[29:14] 180 days from the date of adoption. So
[29:16] that's the only change from what you had
[29:18] in your packet and I would make a motion
[29:21] that we approve and I would be happy to
[29:23] speak to my motion.
[29:28] » I'll second that.
[29:29] >> It's been moved and seconded. Any
[29:30] further discussion on the motion?
[29:33] >> I the only thing I want to add to this
[29:36] is this is in no way in no means um is
[29:41] meant to be a replacement for the
[29:44] potential ban. This is a tool in our
[29:47] toolbox. This is a way to protect us um
[29:51] if the process takes longer because we
[29:53] are going to have to it is a longer
[29:55] process because we are going to
[29:58] hopefully I one member of the board is
[30:00] going to work to make it stronger.
[30:07] I I would agree with that statement, uh,
[30:09] Karen, and I I I'm not sure and I'm not
[30:13] going to try to remember cuz,
[30:16] uh, some of those things just don't
[30:17] happen anymore. Um,
[30:20] one key thing that I that I feel
[30:22] sometimes here is there's no enemies in
[30:25] this room. We're all into this together.
[30:28] We're all want the same results. We
[30:31] don't want the AI. We don't want the
[30:33] data center. We all want the same thing.
[30:36] So, we need to just work together and we
[30:39] can accomplish that and and like Karen
[30:41] has said, make it stronger, make it more
[30:44] effective. That's all we're asking. Um,
[30:47] so that's my two cents.
[30:51] Any further discussion on the motion?
[30:55] >> Uh, we have a motion.
[30:56] >> Oh,
[30:58] >> thank you, though. Um, hearing none.
[31:01] Roll call, please.
[31:02] >> Councilor Dana Cummings. Yes,
[31:04] >> councelor Ray.
[31:05] >> Yes,
[31:06] >> councelor Stevens.
[31:06] >> Yes,
[31:07] >> councelor Cely.
[31:08] >> Yes,
[31:09] >> councelor [clears throat] Booth.
[31:10] >> Yes.
[31:12] >> 6B. Council's depart departure from
[31:15] council.
[31:20] » Yes. Uh,
[31:23] [laughter]
[31:25] as all of you guys know, I am leaving
[31:26] for a military deployment. So, uh, I am
[31:29] going to resign effective September
[31:32] 30th.
[31:34] a future date. Um, I won't be able to
[31:37] attend any October meetings, so I
[31:40] figured September 30th is probably the
[31:41] best time.
[31:43] That'll give you guys plenty of time to
[31:45] put it on the ballot for the remainder
[31:47] of the term.
[31:50] » Yeah, that's so our reading of the
[31:52] charter is so long as you accept it
[31:53] tonight, that gives us plenty of time in
[31:56] advance of the election to put the
[31:58] remainder of his term uh on the ballot.
[32:01] reading this is the occurrence of the
[32:02] vacancy. It's a future date that he'll
[32:04] be gone, but this way we know that
[32:05] that's that's what's happening. Um, this
[32:08] allows you to keep the amount of time
[32:10] that the seat is left open at a minimum
[32:13] while meeting the charter requirements
[32:14] to be able to put it on the ballot. Um,
[32:16] that way you have enough time to to act
[32:19] on it. Um,
[32:21] technically you should probably look
[32:23] into appointing someone for the month of
[32:25] October. Um, if [clears throat] you do
[32:28] not, you would actually be required to
[32:30] hold a special election in December to
[32:32] cover the month of October. In other
[32:34] words, it would be a meaningless special
[32:35] election. So, you would have to wait to
[32:39] December to do it.
[32:40] >> The the um it would be effectively be
[32:43] for October, November, and December
[32:46] since since new terms would be effective
[32:50] on January 1st
[32:53] term,
[32:54] >> right? which would be effective the day
[32:56] after the election.
[32:59] >> We would his seat would be go for
[33:00] election for filling the remainder of
[33:03] his term on the general election.
[33:07] >> So the person could be that person could
[33:10] be sworn in in November
[33:11] >> could be sworn in that's my
[33:12] understanding could be sworn in in
[33:14] November because you're because he's
[33:16] leaving the same way Karen left and was
[33:18] appointed position immediately.
[33:25] I mean, if there's a concern about this
[33:26] process, we can raise it. But I I I've
[33:29] you know, look to the count of charter
[33:30] does not anticipate the situation where
[33:32] you would have a resignation that would
[33:34] be provided at a future date. It is a
[33:36] legal thing to do. Um I'm
[33:40] spoken about this and try to have a way
[33:41] that he can serve as much of his term as
[33:43] possible while still providing the
[33:45] people the opportunity to fill the
[33:47] remainder of the term.
[33:49] Um the other option is to not accept the
[33:51] resignation now to allow me to make the
[33:53] resignation on September 30th at which
[33:55] point will not be able to not go on the
[33:57] ballot. You would have to appoint
[33:59] someone for the remainder of this term.
[34:06] » So our only question is when what is our
[34:08] question whether or not someone is sworn
[34:11] in?
[34:12] >> Yeah. Well, I am calling this the Well,
[34:13] there are two things I I'm sorry. I did
[34:15] not think there was any question about
[34:17] when you fill the I mean we've seen a
[34:19] couple of these when a seat goes empty
[34:20] and someone's in there they're appointed
[34:21] to the empty seat it doesn't have wait
[34:23] until January um the question is I am
[34:26] putting some weight on the term
[34:28] occurrence here which the charter does
[34:29] not define to call the occurrence today
[34:33] the occurrence has to occur at least is
[34:35] it 45 I've got ordinance timeline now 45
[34:39] or 60 days I believe it's 45 before the
[34:41] election but maybe 60 to be able to do
[34:43] it again so to be able to put it on
[34:45] ballot. That's why it's important we
[34:46] accept it and call it the occurrence
[34:48] tonight. It has been council expressed
[34:50] the concern in previous and and absences
[34:53] that they would like it to go to bot
[34:55] rather than be asked to app. So that's
[34:58] my read right now. Someone objects to
[35:00] it. Uh you may take your own.
[35:06] » So we just need a motion to accept
[35:08] >> a motion to accept his resignation
[35:11] effective September 30th.
[35:15] that motion.
[35:15] >> I second it.
[35:17] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[35:19] discussion on the motion?
[35:22] Um, councelor Sely, I will miss serving with you. Uh, it's
[35:30] been a pleasure, AJ. Um,
[35:35] never easy to say goodbye, but uh,
[35:37] >> be here next month.
[35:38] >> I know, but [laughter] I mean, it's it's a permanent thing. and uh and I do
[35:44] wish you well. Um
[35:46] >> I'm sure you'll be reading 40 cards and
[35:48] keeping up as much as you can on it or
[35:50] Facebook.
[35:51] >> Yeah.
[35:52] >> But uh but thank you for your service.
[35:55] >> Thanks.
[35:58] [applause]
[36:04] » Any further discussions on the motion
[36:08] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[36:10] >> Council Dana Cummings.
[36:12] >> Yes. Councelor Ray,
[36:13] >> yes.
[36:13] >> Councelor Stevens,
[36:14] >> yes.
[36:15] >> Councelor Cely,
[36:16] >> I can't really.
[36:19] >> Councelor Boon,
[36:20] >> yes.
[36:23] >> Uh 56 C, hold September
[36:27] 9th, 2026 city council meeting at shed
[36:30] high school gymnasium.
[36:32] >> I make the motion to hold the September
[36:34] 9th city council meeting at the shed
[36:35] high gymnasium.
[36:37] >> Second.
[36:38] >> Moved. Any further discussion on the
[36:41] motion?
[36:43] >> Why is the planning board will make
[36:45] their presentation to us and we'll be
[36:47] having the conversation about the
[36:48] ordinances. We assume it'll be a large
[36:51] crowd.
[36:54] » Roll call, please. Sarah.
[36:55] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[36:57] >> Yes.
[36:57] >> Councelor Ray.
[36:58] >> Yes.
[36:59] >> Councelor Stevens.
[37:00] >> Yes.
[37:00] >> Councelor Cely.
[37:01] >> Yes.
[37:02] >> Councelor Boon.
[37:03] >> Yes.
[37:05] Uh, we're going to get a lot more
[37:06] meetings in before the 30th, I guess.
[37:09] [laughter]
[37:11] Uh, 6D, appointment of Rita Harmon as
[37:14] deputy tax collector.
[37:16] >> We just need to have a deputy. We ran
[37:17] into this when Ella went down. You need
[37:19] a deputy in place or else you have to go
[37:21] through a whole thing
[37:21] >> and there was something she had to be
[37:24] in and you had to do a whole thing. We
[37:26] couldn't there was that time.
[37:28] >> Make the motion to accept Rita Hartman
[37:30] as a deputy tax collector.
[37:31] >> I'll second move and seconded. Any
[37:34] further discussion on the motion
[37:36] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[37:38] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[37:40] >> Yes.
[37:41] >> Councelor Ray,
[37:42] >> yes.
[37:42] >> Councelor Stevens,
[37:43] >> yes.
[37:44] >> Councelor Cely,
[37:45] >> yes.
[37:46] >> Councelor Moon,
[37:47] >> yes. 6E, Paul Tarial, 7:30 2026
[37:51] resignation from school committee.
[37:55] >> I'll move to accept Paul Tariel's
[37:57] resignation from the school committee.
[37:58] >> Second.
[38:00] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[38:01] discussion on the motion? When do we
[38:03] have the conversation about replacing
[38:05] them?
[38:05] >> So, as opposed to the council where we
[38:08] have all sorts of deadlines that we just
[38:09] negotiated here, the charter is quite
[38:12] lax about what happened with the school
[38:14] committee member. You have the power um
[38:16] which I guess is a little unusual, but
[38:18] the council the council have power
[38:21] responsibility to name one name someone
[38:23] to the uh remainder of the seat. The
[38:26] seat does go up in the next election.
[38:29] So, um unless you got someone you're
[38:31] considering right now. There are no
[38:32] deadlines. There are no requirements. It
[38:34] just says you.
[38:35] >> So, should we be asking for people to
[38:37] submit their letter of interest?
[38:39] >> I would I would point out that the um
[38:41] school board itself has not had a
[38:44] regular meeting since his resignation.
[38:46] So, my guess is
[38:47] >> they're having one soon
[38:48] >> that they're having one tomorrow. And my
[38:50] guess is the school board will come
[38:52] forward with a recommendation. Um
[38:55] not that we have to listen to it, but
[38:57] that's probably what
[38:59] that's what they they will do.
[39:02] Having spoken to a school board member
[39:04] today, [laughter]
[39:05] >> I would still ask recommendation letters
[39:07] of interest.
[39:11] » So the
[39:15] motion is to accept the resignation. I
[39:18] guess we can discuss the
[39:20] building of that seat when the time
[39:22] comes. Uh any further discussion on the
[39:25] motion hearing? None. Roll call, please.
[39:27] Sarah.
[39:28] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[39:29] >> Yes.
[39:30] >> Councelor Ray. Yes.
[39:31] >> Councelor Stevens.
[39:32] >> Yes.
[39:32] >> Councelor Cely.
[39:33] >> Yes.
[39:33] >> Councelor Boon.
[39:34] >> Yes. 6f. Accept membership of Greg
[39:38] Gordon's the airport advisory committee.
[39:46] » Is this a request of the advisory
[39:48] committee that he be joined?
[39:49] >> Yes.
[39:49] >> Both of both.
[39:51] >> Okay.
[39:53] >> I move to accept the membership of Greg
[39:55] Gordon to the airport advisory
[39:57] committee.
[39:58] >> Second.
[39:59] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[40:00] discussion on the motion
[40:03] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[40:05] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[40:07] >> Yes.
[40:07] >> Councelor Ray,
[40:08] >> yes.
[40:09] >> Councelor Stevens,
[40:10] >> yes.
[40:10] >> Counselor Celying,
[40:11] >> yes.
[40:12] >> Councelor Boon,
[40:12] >> yes.
[40:14] >> 6G. Accept membership of Jeremy Cooper
[40:17] to the airport advisory committee.
[40:19] >> I move to accept the membership of
[40:21] Jeremy Cooper to the airport advisory
[40:22] committee.
[40:23] >> I'll second.
[40:25] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[40:26] discussion on the motion
[40:29] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[40:31] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[40:32] >> Yes.
[40:33] >> Councelor Ray,
[40:34] >> yes.
[40:34] >> Councelor Stevens,
[40:35] >> yes.
[40:35] >> Councelor Cely,
[40:36] >> yes.
[40:37] >> Council,
[40:38] >> yes. 6H, acceptance of an FAA grant,
[40:43] EPM-
[40:45] NG-3-23-0053-027-026.
[40:59] in the amount of $185,62
[41:03] for the purchase of a snow removal
[41:05] equipment for the airport requiring a
[41:08] $4,870
[41:10] in local match.
[41:12] >> This and the next motion um are for
[41:15] equipment that we discussed during the
[41:17] budget committee process and about the
[41:18] match that would be going there. I'm not
[41:21] sure if we've done the you know
[41:23] application approval whatever process.
[41:25] So I wanted to make sure there was some
[41:27] question about whether I actually had to
[41:28] bring it to you based on that. So I
[41:30] brought it to you anyway. So these are
[41:31] both these were anticipated in the
[41:33] budget. It's slightly higher than the
[41:35] AIP match that we had in there. We
[41:37] talked about potentially drawing on fuel
[41:38] funds if that was a concern.
[41:40] >> So then it will be covered airport
[41:42] budget.
[41:43] >> And if people want more discussion about
[41:45] what the equipment is like I'll defer
[41:47] maybe we can Victoria. Ultimately, it's
[41:50] a it's a great big piece of equipment
[41:52] plus a stone plow plus a brush, right?
[41:55] >> It's a loader. It's a front loader. It's
[41:58] a loader that's brush with it.
[42:01] >> Yeah. The case 21D.
[42:03] >> It's a It's a It's [clears throat] a
[42:05] huge loader that's going to have a brush
[42:07] and also a snowb blower attachment. It
[42:09] comes with a bucket. We'll just park
[42:11] that. But, um, that will make quick work
[42:14] of cleaning that runway in the winter
[42:16] time. And when we have slush and ice on
[42:19] the runway, we'll hopefully the brush
[42:21] will be able to get that off and before
[42:24] the snowblower before it has the
[42:25] opportunity to freeze and just shut our
[42:27] runway down completely. So that's why we
[42:29] purchased it.
[42:30] >> And I believe the reason it's in two
[42:31] pieces essentially we had some money and
[42:33] then we went and had some other money
[42:34] and put it all together, but it came
[42:36] through just two different lines. So
[42:38] both of these together
[42:40] >> um
[42:41] >> cover the whole thing.
[42:43] >> And these are they have already been
[42:44] awarded. We just need to accelerate.
[42:46] >> Correct.
[42:47] >> Can I make a motion to that we um accept
[42:50] items 6H and I
[42:53] >> as printed?
[42:56] Second that
[42:57] >> so that Billy doesn't have to read those
[42:58] numbers. [laughter]
[43:04] » Well, I is just a continuation of it,
[43:07] but it is a it is a separate
[43:11] >> part. Yeah, that fly needs to be dead,
[43:13] but he's um any further discussion on
[43:16] the motion. It's uh $335,000
[43:20] for the airport for a cost of 10,000 to
[43:23] taxpayer. That's a pretty good turn on
[43:25] $10,000.
[43:26] >> It's more than that. It's $450 plus,000.
[43:29] >> No, 150 and 185.
[43:31] >> 335.
[43:33] >> That's what I thought.
[43:34] >> I thought it's 259 and 194.
[43:35] >> No, the motion would be 185 and 150.
[43:40] Either way, any further discussion on
[43:43] the motion hearing? None. We'll call
[43:47] Sarah.
[43:48] >> Councelor Danny Cunnings.
[43:49] >> Yes.
[43:49] >> Councelor Ray,
[43:50] >> yes.
[43:51] >> Councelor Stevens,
[43:52] >> yes.
[43:52] >> Counselor Celely,
[43:53] >> yes.
[43:54] >> Counselor Bo,
[43:55] >> yes.
[43:56] >> 6J, acceptance of the community impact
[44:00] grant of $10,000 for the Eastport
[44:02] community window dressers build.
[44:06] >> Actually, J and K probably.
[44:08] >> Yeah, I think they should. Uh this again
[44:09] this is the window dressers program that
[44:11] Victoria spoke about in open forum. It's
[44:13] a reduced amount of funding but it's
[44:15] what we've got and there is no local
[44:17] match.
[44:18] >> Person Power has put 5,000 toward that
[44:21] project. So it the motion should be for
[44:24] five uh six J and K.
[44:28] >> Make a motion that we pass items 6 J and
[44:30] K.
[44:31] >> Second.
[44:32] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[44:34] discussion on the motion
[44:37] [clears throat]
[44:37] hearing? None. Roll call, please, sir.
[44:39] >> Councelor Dana Cummings,
[44:41] >> yes.
[44:41] >> Counselor Ray,
[44:42] >> yes.
[44:43] >> Counselor Stevens,
[44:44] >> yes.
[44:44] >> Councelor Cely,
[44:45] >> yes.
[44:46] >> Counselor Bo,
[44:47] >> yes.
[44:48] Item 6 L, approval of application of for
[44:53] MMA risk reduction grant by police
[44:55] department, $5,000 total for upgrading
[44:59] PD technology.
[45:00] >> So, this is a request for an
[45:02] application. We have not made the
[45:04] application. It has not been submitted.
[45:06] We actually haven't started writing
[45:07] again, but this is part of what I would
[45:09] have been speaking about in general.
[45:10] Hopefully, in when we do grants, we'll
[45:12] ask you in advance so you're not
[45:14] surprised and then we ask when you
[45:15] accept. Um, this is a standard MMA
[45:18] grant. What we are talking about doing
[45:20] with it right now is upgrading um the
[45:22] cameras that are currently in use for
[45:24] the police department. Um, I don't have
[45:26] a lot of detail. We're still putting it
[45:28] together and you'll get
[45:29] >> cameras at the PD
[45:31] >> at the PD that that we test. We have
[45:33] cameras that look out onto Water Street
[45:34] into our parking lot and at the Windows
[45:36] City Hall. We're also going to see if we
[45:38] can get money in there. There's been
[45:39] some requests for body cams on the
[45:40] police. Um, and we're looking into that
[45:43] maybe. So, we're not entirely sure
[45:45] exactly what we're spending, but you
[45:47] would be you would be notified of that.
[45:49] >> One of the time and there's no match
[45:52] required for this one.
[45:53] >> There's not. Okay.
[45:56] I make a move a motion that we approve
[45:58] the application for the MMA risk
[46:01] reduction grant.
[46:04] Can I just point of order? I don't think
[46:05] I heard it correctly. Is that MMA or is
[46:08] that EMA? MA municipal association.
[46:12] Okay. Thank you.
[46:15] >> I have a motion. Do I have a second?
[46:17] >> Second.
[46:17] >> Been moved and seconded. Any further
[46:20] discussion on the motion?
[46:24] » No. The council needs to ask the
[46:26] questions. We got a motion on the table.
[46:30] Say, roll call, please.
[46:31] >> Councelor Dana Cummings,
[46:32] >> yes.
[46:33] >> Councelor Ray,
[46:34] >> yes.
[46:34] >> Councelor Stevens,
[46:35] >> yes.
[46:36] >> Councelor Cely,
[46:37] >> yes.
[46:37] >> Councelor Moon,
[46:38] >> yes.
[46:39] >> 6M. Approval of application for housing
[46:42] community program ordinance amendment
[46:44] grant $7,500 total.
[46:47] >> This is a state program. As some of you
[46:48] may be aware, the state has been making
[46:50] a great number of changes and
[46:52] requirements on um land use ordinances
[46:56] related to um the housing crisis.
[46:59] They've made them, they've changed them,
[47:01] they made them again. Um and all of them
[47:03] demand that you alter your ordinances.
[47:06] We have had neither the time nor the
[47:08] effort to put that together and they all
[47:09] require legal review. Happily, there is
[47:12] a program this one that we can apply to give us money to go through and do
[47:17] our all of our revisions. The majority
[47:19] of this will go to our lawyers to the to
[47:22] Mitchell to go through and just make
[47:23] sure that all of our ordinances are in
[47:26] compliance. They won't be. There will be
[47:28] amendments that will have to come
[47:29] forward.
[47:30] >> And again, this is an application.
[47:31] >> This is an this is an application that's
[47:33] not been accepted and there's no local
[47:34] match.
[47:36] I move to approve the application for
[47:39] the housing opportunity program
[47:41] ordinance amendment grant.
[47:45] >> Second.
[47:45] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[47:47] discussion on the motion
[47:50] hearing? None. Roll call, please, sir.
[47:53] >> Councelor Danny Cummings.
[47:54] >> Yes.
[47:54] >> Councelor Ray,
[47:56] >> yes.
[47:56] >> Councelor Stevens,
[47:57] >> yes.
[47:58] >> Councelor Cely,
[47:59] >> yes.
[47:59] >> Councelor Boon,
[48:00] >> yes. 6N approval of contract adjustment
[48:04] for seaw wall engineering for sidewalk
[48:07] project. So I'm not super happy about
[48:10] this one. Uh but I'm not sure we have
[48:12] anything the sidewalk project is well
[48:14] underway. It is has been a bumpy ride.
[48:17] Um the those of you who may have noticed
[48:20] it you'll notice the part I'm working a
[48:22] 10ft trench to put in a sidewalk. Well
[48:23] that's how you put in a sidewalk
[48:25] properly. Apparently I've learned you're
[48:26] putting you putting in drainage. There's
[48:28] quite a bit of drainage and then there's
[48:31] stone on top before you put the dirt on
[48:33] and you go through all of that. We've
[48:34] had quite a run um of pipes getting
[48:37] broken and some other things and I've
[48:39] got some issues with that. This however
[48:41] is about whenever SUL put their initial
[48:44] estimate together. They estimated a uh
[48:46] construction timeline that's about half
[48:49] what it actually turned is going to turn
[48:50] out to be. Um SU provides the clerk of
[48:54] the works who is a guy that walks back
[48:55] and forth, protects our interests, make
[48:57] sure the doing things correctly. They
[49:00] had initially bid uh $45,000 a guy, give
[49:04] or take a few bucks for that position.
[49:06] They now be twice that. Um because
[49:09] >> they started late
[49:10] >> because well, it's a combination. No,
[49:12] it's not that they started late. It's I
[49:14] mean, honestly, there's an estimate in
[49:16] the bid package. It says this long. EMX
[49:19] says, "No, it's going to take this
[49:20] long." And to be fair, at this point,
[49:22] given what they're running into, they
[49:23] hit ledge yesterday. that we're going to
[49:25] be dealing with. Um,
[49:28] you know, I I it's frustrating. I
[49:30] inherited this project. Uh, the bid
[49:32] documents were done already. The
[49:33] estimates were there. We could not pay
[49:36] for it, in which case someone like me
[49:39] would have to go do it instead because
[49:40] this is a LP local project administered
[49:42] project. So, we are technically the city
[49:45] is responsible for administering it. We
[49:47] have handed those responsibilities in
[49:49] our plan to school. I will say the guy
[49:51] who's down there looking out for us is a
[49:53] great guy. I have no problem paying this
[49:55] amount for the quality of what over what
[49:57] we're getting. I believe
[50:01] and this is a belief I am concerned
[50:03] about cost overruns on this project. I
[50:06] believe this amount brings us right to
[50:08] based on what we have for the
[50:10] construction brings us right to the
[50:12] amount we thought we were going to be
[50:13] spending on the grant. So of this
[50:15] additional 45 are paying 20% about
[50:17] $8,000 $9,000.
[50:20] However, this is a project that once you
[50:23] hit the grant amount and you construct
[50:25] it there, you owe every dollar on top of
[50:27] that. So, we have about $120,000. We
[50:30] have 120 set aside in our capital fund,
[50:32] which is actually more than we need for
[50:34] our local matchup by about $25,000.
[50:37] I will be keeping a very close eye on
[50:39] this, but we've we've accepted the
[50:42] project. It's underway. And although I'm
[50:44] not happy with this kind of change uh
[50:47] short of being willing to hire our own
[50:48] person to do this work because this is
[50:50] federal money coming through the state.
[50:52] This is a project requirement.
[50:55] I see no option on behalf of it.
[50:57] [clears throat] I'm not really happy.
[51:05] » Well, dang.
[51:06] >> Yeah. Here you
[51:11] >> I'm really hating this sidewalk project.
[51:15] >> I hope it's beautiful when it's done.
[51:19] >> I hope it's done.
[51:21] [laughter]
[51:22] >> I hope it's done before you get home.
[51:28] So we are making a motion
[51:30] >> to accept the contract adjustment
[51:32] >> to accept the contract ad judgement
[51:34] adjustment for the skill
[51:37] >> engineering for the sidewalk project.
[51:43] » Oh second [clears throat]
[51:44] >> been moved and seconded. Any further
[51:46] discussion on the motion
[51:49] >> hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[51:51] >> Councelor Danny Cummings.
[51:53] >> Yes.
[51:53] >> Councelor Ray.
[51:54] >> Yes. Councelor Stevens.
[51:56] >> Well, yeah.
[51:56] >> Councelor Cely.
[51:58] >> Yeah.
[51:58] >> Councelor Boon.
[51:59] >> Yes.
[52:00] >> 60. Approval of of rate for part-time
[52:03] police and for festivals and selected
[52:06] holidays.
[52:07] >> Yeah. This is a request from the police
[52:08] department to um approve time and a
[52:11] half, which would be 3250 an hour
[52:13] instead of $125 an hour um for part-time
[52:17] police that we're trying to go to the
[52:18] 4th of July, specifically July 3rd and
[52:21] 4th pirate festival. um Thanksgiving and
[52:24] Christmas, these are days we have
[52:26] traditionally had trouble managing
[52:28] coverage. And uh while we had enough
[52:31] coverage on July 4th, July 4th was
[52:33] entertaining enough uh that night that
[52:35] we had a couple people say essentially
[52:37] I'm you know it's not worth it to come
[52:39] out for this. So this is a request from
[52:41] the police. It's a it's a risk, but
[52:43] we'll see if it works. We'd like to
[52:45] think that I my understanding is that
[52:47] you know we've already kind of put out
[52:48] the word. We think we might be able to
[52:49] do this for primary festival and we're
[52:50] getting better response but um
[52:53] >> and how's it going to affect their
[52:55] overall budget?
[52:56] >> Uh they say they can manage this within
[52:58] the budget. It's not so it's an
[52:59] additional $1250 an hour or I have to go
[53:03] and do the hours off my heads but we're
[53:05] looking at you know less than $1,000
[53:07] altogether or maybe right around $1,000
[53:09] if I do this right. an additional cost,
[53:12] >> but it was in the budget.
[53:14] >> If we're going to stay within the
[53:16] budget, we have a very large part-time
[53:17] line in the budget. Maybe this is a good
[53:18] time for me to address Allen's point
[53:20] about full-time police, which I'd like
[53:22] to go there. Um, during open forum, Alan
[53:24] Skinner made a, you know, point.
[53:26] Wouldn't it be great to have more
[53:27] full-time police? I wholeheartedly
[53:28] agree. When I started here, we had no
[53:31] full-time police and only two part-
[53:33] timerrs that were regularly on there,
[53:35] basically there for administration. Um,
[53:38] as we've been building the police
[53:39] department back, um, we had, uh, two
[53:43] police and two part and two full-time
[53:45] positions that we could fill. The first
[53:47] year and a half, two years, we could not
[53:50] keep those positions filled. It was
[53:51] really very, very difficult. And so, we
[53:54] moved about this time last year, I
[53:56] think, to say, you know, we have a lot
[53:57] of people are expressing interest to
[53:59] come down in Eastport, work part-time.
[54:00] Can we actually make that work? We are
[54:03] budgeted at about 2/3 coverage. In other
[54:07] words, the amount of money we have in
[54:08] the budget for personnel covers us about
[54:10] for 2/3 of 24 by7.
[54:14] We're covering 95% of our costs at that
[54:17] level of coverage. So, I'm pretty proud
[54:18] of what we're doing. Having said that,
[54:21] would we like to have another full-time
[54:22] policeman? Would we like to offer
[54:23] benefits? We would. We're not budgeted
[54:25] for that right now. We are doing some
[54:27] we're looking into some possible grant
[54:29] opportunities
[54:30] >> and that comes comes with a price to the
[54:32] tax dollar too far right now but yes we
[54:34] could certainly and round numbers let's
[54:37] be I'm going to be as transparent as
[54:39] possible about this round numbers a
[54:41] full-time employee just off the top of
[54:42] my head I could say $100,000 because
[54:45] when you take uh when you take what
[54:48] they're being paid plus their benefits
[54:50] plus everything else it might be
[54:51] depending on who it is 80 it might be a
[54:53] little bit more but it's a chunk out of
[54:54] $100,000. So that's right now your
[54:57] taxation is at about 4.2 million. I want
[55:00] to say if I looked at let's say 4
[55:01] million for round numbers that's 2% of
[55:03] taxation. Okay. To add another employee
[55:07] but you get rid of them part time.
[55:09] >> You get rid of most that's correct get I
[55:13] took my glasses off and now I can't see.
[55:16] Correct. And so this is worth talking
[55:18] about a budget. So I just want to
[55:20] acknowledge that we're considering that
[55:22] in the short term we're running with
[55:23] partners. if you can find a full-timer.
[55:26] >> Yeah,
[55:28] >> we have some hope that things are stable
[55:29] enough here that we might be a more
[55:31] attractive destination than we were.
[55:32] >> PDR,
[55:34] >> but the the market of police is still
[55:35] kind of is still very difficult. So I I
[55:38] even if we I mean that was one of the
[55:39] issues that there was a line in the
[55:41] budget that kept being not filled and
[55:44] it's like why are we taxing for this?
[55:45] Well, now we're will tax where we will
[55:47] be spending.
[55:50] >> Make a motion we approve 6A as
[55:51] presented.
[55:53] I'll second that.
[55:54] >> 6, not 6. [laughter]
[55:59] » Moved and seconded. Any further
[56:00] discussion on the motion?
[56:04] » Hearing none. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[56:06] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[56:07] >> Yes.
[56:08] >> Council Ray,
[56:09] >> yes.
[56:09] >> Councelor Stevens,
[56:10] >> yes.
[56:11] >> Councelor Cely,
[56:12] >> yes.
[56:12] >> Councelor Boon,
[56:13] >> yes. 6P, approval of purchase of used
[56:17] police cruiser from Fort Fairfield.
[56:20] >> Yes. So, we have in our cruiser fleet
[56:23] right now, we have one vehicle we bought new
[56:29] >> the top the one vehicle we bought and
[56:31] I'm sorry I should I do not have all the
[56:33] years in my head right now. Apologize
[56:35] for that. I should have looked that up
[56:36] there. We have the one that we bought
[56:38] from Washurn that was three or four
[56:40] years old at the time we bought it. We
[56:42] have our hybrid vehicle, white hybrid
[56:44] vehicle, which has just come out of
[56:46] warranty. Um, which you you may not
[56:49] have, but we've had some issues with
[56:51] that that vehicle. [clears throat] And
[56:52] right now we have to take it to Hampton
[56:53] if we get a check engine light because
[56:55] of the nature of the electronics on that
[56:57] vehicle. Um, and the black vehicle
[57:01] because of the relative age of the
[57:03] vehicles, I had intended to put a brand
[57:05] new vehicle in the fiscal year 28
[57:07] capital plan, a brand new. And we were
[57:10] probably going to look at tacos again.
[57:11] Right now, those appear to be the crown
[57:13] fix of the 2020s. Um,
[57:17] we when we bought our previous one, it
[57:18] came in at about $54,000. So, I'm
[57:21] imagining that's going to go
[57:22] >> without outfitting. Plus, it cost us $10
[57:25] to $12,000 to outfit it, to put in the
[57:27] cage, to put in everything else. So,
[57:29] when forfield Fairfield offered us this
[57:32] vehicle, it's old. It's a 1990. It's got
[57:34] 95,000 miles.
[57:35] >> 90.
[57:35] >> Yep. Just like our I'm sorry that
[57:39] >> IT'S LIKE JOE. I MOVED MY VOTE. Holy
[57:43] moly. [laughter]
[57:45] >> I don't know what I said. I don't know
[57:47] why that came out of my mouth. 2020.
[57:51] Good job. Wow.
[57:55] 2020. [laughter]
[57:59] I know that was good. Glad because if
[58:01] you didn't catch it, it showed up in the
[58:02] [laughter] paper.
[58:04] Um 2020, 90,000 mi on it. $22,000.
[58:09] Outfitting would usually run 10 to 12.
[58:11] The vehicle itself is worth between 22
[58:13] and 26 according to the blue.
[58:14] >> And it's in good condition.
[58:15] >> It's in good condition. We sort of we
[58:17] know a guy who knows a guy who's who's
[58:19] using it right now. And we feel pretty
[58:21] confident. and our experience has been
[58:22] dealing with other departments that
[58:24] they're not interested in uh you know
[58:26] giving us trouble for you know the acco
[58:28] vehicle we got from less points given us
[58:29] time. So this means I push off a brand
[58:32] new vehicle into fiscal year 29 at least
[58:35] >> we are I will just acknowledge we're
[58:36] doing a bit of a Washington county thing
[58:39] here picking up a bunch of older
[58:40] vehicles and hoping they'll hold us
[58:41] together. This vehicle will stay in
[58:44] town. Um it's going to be the you know
[58:46] the the number one additional patrol
[58:48] vehicle. It's there. If the hybrid, you
[58:50] know, sorry, I've got
[58:53] the hybrid's battery fails. I had a more
[58:55] colorful way of saying that, but
[58:56] [laughter] I was going to do it. If if
[58:57] that battery fails, we could be looking
[58:58] at a $5 a five figure repair bill. Um,
[59:02] that sort of thing. So, I just feel more
[59:04] comfortable having that additional
[59:05] vehicle. It's a bargain for a police
[59:08] vehicle. It really is. Um, I, you know,
[59:10] it's a little bit of risk as with any
[59:12] used car, but I think, um, altogether,
[59:13] it's not much. And I would ask you that
[59:15] you approve to take this out of the
[59:16] capital.
[59:18] It's 30 years newer.
[59:22] [laughter]
[59:23] >> Wow.
[59:25] >> I move to approve the purchase of the
[59:28] used police cruiser from Fort Fairfield
[59:30] and take it under the capital funds.
[59:33] >> Second.
[59:34] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[59:36] discussion on the motion?
[59:39] >> Hearing none. Roll call, please, sir.
[59:41] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[59:42] >> Yes.
[59:43] >> Councelor Ray,
[59:44] >> yes.
[59:44] >> Councelor Stevens,
[59:45] >> yes. Councelor Cely.
[59:47] >> Yes.
[59:47] >> Councelor Moon.
[59:48] >> Yes. 6Q. Accept donation from Sheep Cove
[59:52] Associates for Sky Hope.
[59:55] >> Conor, do we have an amount on that?
[59:56] >> 500.
[59:57] >> Is that the 500? It's in the packet.
[59:59] Thank you.
[1:00:01] >> I thought that was for the airport, not
[1:00:03] for Sky Hope.
[1:00:05] >> What it says here? I think it says
[1:00:07] >> TVs and support systems for the airport.
[1:00:10] >> That's for the airport. It's not Skyh
[1:00:11] Hope. It's airport. donated
[1:00:15] >> and it it's donated to the city. Okay.
[1:00:17] Um
[1:00:22] » your motion.
[1:00:23] >> We will check we will check with the
[1:00:24] donor and make sure that we have for
[1:00:26] some reason it's wrong. We'll correct.
[1:00:27] >> I believe you're correct.
[1:00:29] >> Yeah. Okay.
[1:00:30] >> I move to accept the donation from Sheep
[1:00:32] Cove Associates for the airport for TVs
[1:00:35] and support systems of $500.
[1:00:38] >> Second move and seconded. Any further
[1:00:41] discussion on the motion?
[1:00:45] Uh, only. Thank you. Um,
[1:00:48] roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:00:49] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[1:00:50] >> Yes.
[1:00:51] >> Councelor Ray.
[1:00:52] >> Yes. With appreciation.
[1:00:54] >> Councelor Stevens.
[1:00:55] >> Yes.
[1:00:56] >> Councelor Cely.
[1:00:57] >> Yes.
[1:00:57] >> Councelor Boon.
[1:00:58] >> Yes.
[1:01:00] >> 6 R. Accept perpetual care request for
[1:01:04] by Judy Trot for Hillside West Cemetery
[1:01:06] section Memorial Hill lot 143A.
[1:01:12] Move to accept federal care lot.
[1:01:16] >> Second.
[1:01:17] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[1:01:18] discussion on the motion
[1:01:21] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:01:23] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[1:01:24] >> Yes.
[1:01:25] >> Councelor Ray.
[1:01:26] >> Yes.
[1:01:26] >> Councelor Stevens.
[1:01:27] >> Yes.
[1:01:27] >> Councelor Cely.
[1:01:29] >> Yes.
[1:01:29] >> Councelor Moon. Yes. 6s. Accept
[1:01:32] perpetual care request by Steven and
[1:01:36] Susan Moore for Bayside West Cemetery
[1:01:40] section E lot 24 and 25.
[1:01:45] >> Make that motion.
[1:01:47] >> Second.
[1:01:48] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[1:01:49] discussion
[1:01:51] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:01:54] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[1:01:55] >> Yes.
[1:01:55] >> Councelor Ray.
[1:01:56] >> Yes.
[1:01:57] >> Councelor Stevens.
[1:01:58] >> Yes.
[1:01:58] >> Councelor Cely.
[1:01:59] >> Yes. Councelor Boon.
[1:02:00] >> Yes. 6T.
[1:02:03] Accept the resignation of Victoria Gans
[1:02:05] from the
[1:02:07] >> energy committee
[1:02:08] >> and also the airport committee. She just
[1:02:09] came up and told me she actually needs
[1:02:11] to resign from both.
[1:02:13] >> I move to accept the resignation of
[1:02:14] Victoria Gans from the energy committee
[1:02:17] and airport committee.
[1:02:20] >> I'll second
[1:02:23] move and seconded. Any further
[1:02:24] discussion on the motion?
[1:02:28] I have to
[1:02:29] >> hearing none. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:02:32] >> Councelor Danny Cummings.
[1:02:33] >> Yes.
[1:02:33] >> Councelor Ray,
[1:02:34] >> yes.
[1:02:35] >> Councelor Stevens,
[1:02:36] >> yes.
[1:02:36] >> Councelor Cely,
[1:02:37] >> yes.
[1:02:38] >> Councelor Moon, your conversation.
[1:02:40] >> We are on number seven, old business. 7A
[1:02:43] is a request for placement of a memorial
[1:02:46] bench from Mary Gelada in memory of
[1:02:49] Grace Zawaman.
[1:02:51] >> I'm going to ask you to carry this one
[1:02:52] more meeting. I think we've identified
[1:02:54] the bench. I think we've identified your
[1:02:56] location, but I need to speak with Howie
[1:02:57] and confirm it all. We should be able to
[1:02:59] act on this meeting. So, you can just
[1:03:00] carry that to that.
[1:03:01] >> I move it.
[1:03:02] >> Can we carry it to a future meeting? So,
[1:03:04] if it doesn't happen next,
[1:03:07] since it's going to be coming close to
[1:03:08] winter anyways, we probably wouldn't
[1:03:10] place until spring. So, I think October
[1:03:11] will be fine.
[1:03:12] >> October or September?
[1:03:14] >> Well, no. I was just saying I don't care
[1:03:16] what meeting, but I think the motion
[1:03:18] should just be at to a future meeting so
[1:03:20] that if you don't have it next meeting,
[1:03:22] we don't have to discuss it.
[1:03:24] >> [laughter]
[1:03:25] >> But then you lose track of it.
[1:03:28] >> Ty is on it now. So I won't have a
[1:03:30] problem with that. Yeah. [laughter]
[1:03:32] >> So who's had the motion?
[1:03:34] >> Move to a future meeting.
[1:03:37] >> Second.
[1:03:37] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[1:03:39] discussion on the motion?
[1:03:42] Hearing none. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:03:45] >> Councelor Danny Cummings.
[1:03:46] >> Yes.
[1:03:46] >> Councelor Ray.
[1:03:47] >> Yes.
[1:03:47] >> Councelor Stevens.
[1:03:48] >> Yes.
[1:03:49] >> Councelor Cely.
[1:03:50] >> Yes.
[1:03:50] >> Councelor Boon.
[1:03:51] >> Yes. 7B. transfer a fiscal year 2026
[1:03:56] boat excise tax to the harbor account.
[1:03:59] >> Is that what this paper is?
[1:04:00] >> Yes. Here's what happened. So, this came
[1:04:02] up last month and then we all kind of
[1:04:03] looked at each other and said, "Wait,
[1:04:04] what? What is this?" So, my
[1:04:06] understanding, correct me if I've got
[1:04:08] this wrong. In the past, there used to
[1:04:10] be a separate Harbor Bank account into
[1:04:13] which OEXI used to be accepted and then
[1:04:15] you would transfer that or kept ours.
[1:04:18] That's not true anymore. We just keep it
[1:04:20] separate in our accounting system and
[1:04:22] it's automatically credited to the
[1:04:24] harbor account as it's collected. So
[1:04:27] what you see before you is just proof
[1:04:28] that we've been collecting all of this
[1:04:30] if you're curious and there's no action
[1:04:33] to be taken. So we will not break it
[1:04:35] just it happened to be on last year's
[1:04:37] agenda unless you know differently but
[1:04:39] that's our understanding.
[1:04:42] >> We don't need any
[1:04:45] your council is required to transfer
[1:04:47] funds from fund to fund right. So if I
[1:04:49] said like we did last year, please
[1:04:51] transfer X amount from unassigned to
[1:04:53] capital, you have to do that. It's not
[1:04:55] doesn't need to be transferred because
[1:04:56] it's being credited into the right
[1:04:57] account.
[1:05:00] » So there's no
[1:05:03] >> we're on item eight.
[1:05:05] 8A
[1:05:07] uh minutes of previous meetings
[1:05:10] July 8, 2026 regular council meeting.
[1:05:13] >> I move to accept those minutes.
[1:05:15] >> Second.
[1:05:16] >> Moved and seconded. Any further
[1:05:17] discussion on the motion
[1:05:20] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:05:22] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[1:05:23] >> Yes.
[1:05:24] >> Councelor Ray.
[1:05:25] >> Yes.
[1:05:25] >> Councelor Stevens.
[1:05:26] >> Yes.
[1:05:26] >> Councelor Cely?
[1:05:27] >> Yes.
[1:05:27] >> Councelor Boon?
[1:05:28] >> Yes.
[1:05:29] >> Item nine, city manager report.
[1:05:32] >> So, let's start. Financials. You've got
[1:05:34] two financials. Uh, both. We have
[1:05:36] details that you have from Trio, but I
[1:05:38] gave you my summaries for fiscal year 26
[1:05:40] and 27. I'll keep giving you 26 probably
[1:05:42] one more month and I think we'll have
[1:05:44] everything that should be credited there
[1:05:46] out. Um the top line number is after
[1:05:49] 100% of fiscal year 26 our net is 94.6
[1:05:53] um we're now um there are a couple of
[1:05:56] items I'm going to clear up here. I
[1:05:57] think there's an I think we're actually
[1:05:59] in better shape than that for 26 for 27.
[1:06:01] Our insurance number is very high and I
[1:06:03] think that's because we credited a
[1:06:04] fiscal year 27 payment there but I'll
[1:06:06] clarify that in three. Otherwise, I
[1:06:08] don't think anything has changed here
[1:06:10] from before. I've discussed this these
[1:06:12] overages and everything and we're
[1:06:13] rocking the river down many times. Um,
[1:06:18] the fiscal year 27 one is less
[1:06:20] interesting because we're only 9% of the
[1:06:22] way through the year. I'll just point
[1:06:23] out right now payroll is ahead for two
[1:06:25] reasons. Tomorrow is payday, so we're
[1:06:27] always right at the beginning of the pay
[1:06:29] cycle. And all the July 4th overtime and
[1:06:31] extra expense is being collected there
[1:06:33] right now. So, that should even out as
[1:06:34] time goes on. acco is high because we
[1:06:37] paid the pause lease. Um, hybrid is high
[1:06:40] because I think we just received the
[1:06:42] second billing for the year. Um, you
[1:06:45] know, we paid July at the beginning of
[1:06:46] July. We paid August at the beginning of
[1:06:48] August. Otherwise, we are currently in
[1:06:50] pretty good shape. Uh, this is maybe a
[1:06:52] good point just to acknowledge. Yes,
[1:06:53] indeed. Tax bills went out. We came in
[1:06:55] at about
[1:06:56] >> Oh, we know.
[1:06:57] >> Yeah, I know. I know. You didn't even
[1:06:58] mean to tell. Uh, we came we ended up
[1:07:00] coming in at about 7.8%. We we had
[1:07:03] accepted and expenses at 7.25. 25 but
[1:07:07] business t business equipment valuation
[1:07:10] goes down um and I can go we can sit
[1:07:13] down with Wes and talk about that but
[1:07:14] that's part of what happens there is
[1:07:16] this depreciation it is however also the
[1:07:18] one place I have spoken in this meeting
[1:07:20] before about how doing a revaluation
[1:07:23] doesn't like helping with the homestead
[1:07:24] exemption from the point of view of
[1:07:26] revenue everyone's homestead exemption
[1:07:27] goes up and everyone's house value also
[1:07:29] goes up and so that value of 25% doesn't
[1:07:32] change it does have an impact on
[1:07:34] personal property on business equipment
[1:07:36] because business equipment isn't
[1:07:37] increasing the way real estate is. So
[1:07:40] this is another reason so we are losing
[1:07:42] money on on personal property tax and we
[1:07:45] are going that's why we're I've asked
[1:07:46] West to make it a priority. It is
[1:07:49] possible we will discuss it is possible
[1:07:51] for the council to simply um basically
[1:07:54] across the board say hey we're currently
[1:07:56] you know our ratio right now is 47%.
[1:07:58] state says the numbers on our books for
[1:08:00] our values are less than half of what
[1:08:02] they're probably worth in the market.
[1:08:04] You guys can I'll talk with us but you
[1:08:06] guys essentially could say no we're
[1:08:08] going to change our factors that brings
[1:08:09] us up to 80%. That would help us. The
[1:08:12] only concern is as Alan Ray let you
[1:08:14] before there if there are inequities now
[1:08:16] if values of prop relative values of
[1:08:18] property have changed um you're not
[1:08:20] doing anything about that. All you're
[1:08:22] doing is just raising everyone up and
[1:08:24] people's valuations may look a little
[1:08:25] off. So, we'll talk about how to address
[1:08:27] that. But, um, we are already seeing the
[1:08:31] Peace Port taxpayers are break. We're
[1:08:32] already seeing significant uh, just in
[1:08:34] the last few days, people are paying
[1:08:35] their taxes right away. Thank you very
[1:08:37] much. Um, I have good news and bad news
[1:08:39] on real estate. The good news is we are
[1:08:41] just officially listing our four
[1:08:43] foreclosed properties and the senior
[1:08:45] citizens center. Uh, they actually
[1:08:47] haven't like the website or anything,
[1:08:48] but have been notified and Mike McI is
[1:08:50] talking to people. We are collecting um,
[1:08:53] offers very quickly. Um, I just want to
[1:08:57] say you can set it tonight or we can
[1:08:59] discuss it later. But I think I don't
[1:09:00] think we should wait until the next
[1:09:02] meeting to act on some of these offers.
[1:09:03] These are people are making cash offers
[1:09:05] on a building with a quick claim.
[1:09:07] Waiting an entire month might not be the
[1:09:09] best idea, but I do think two weeks is
[1:09:11] reasonable. And I was going to suggest
[1:09:13] we hold a special meeting in two weeks
[1:09:14] to uh look at the offers and accept
[1:09:16] those we wish to accept.
[1:09:18] >> Where is that printed? What houses are
[1:09:22] >> you have to Mike McI is our uh So Mike
[1:09:24] McY with D East Real Estate is the
[1:09:26] city's realtor. You can contact him.
[1:09:28] >> Okay.
[1:09:30] >> Are they listed on
[1:09:32] Are they listed?
[1:09:33] >> He's listing them now. They just got
[1:09:35] listed this week.
[1:09:36] >> Are they on the city website?
[1:09:38] >> They're not on the city website. We're
[1:09:39] listing it through him.
[1:09:40] >> But you already have offers.
[1:09:41] >> We already have offers, but we're going
[1:09:43] to we're not going to act until next
[1:09:44] week. Until two weeks from now. So go
[1:09:46] take a look.
[1:09:48] He's contacted the budding property
[1:09:50] owners.
[1:09:50] >> Yeah.
[1:09:52] >> But but you have to list it and you have
[1:09:54] to accept all offers.
[1:09:56] >> But how do you have an offer before it's
[1:09:57] listed? That's what I don't understand.
[1:09:59] >> Well, he's listed them. He hasn't put it
[1:10:00] on the website. He's already listed.
[1:10:02] >> As soon as Mike was As soon as we
[1:10:03] appointed Mike at the last meeting, he
[1:10:04] started receiving,
[1:10:06] >> right?
[1:10:08] >> How did people know what they're
[1:10:13] » How do people know what they're worth?
[1:10:15] you'll see on the listing
[1:10:16] >> the tax text tax information.
[1:10:17] >> Any other listing, you'll see what what
[1:10:19] it's what uh what has value.
[1:10:22] >> Um
[1:10:24] I I want to briefly address crosswalks
[1:10:26] again since it came up before. I just
[1:10:28] want to reiterate I I take uh John's
[1:10:31] point about why it might make sense in
[1:10:32] May. We have traditionally painted them
[1:10:34] in September, actually the end of August
[1:10:37] because it's the beginning of school.
[1:10:40] The primary concern is that if you're
[1:10:42] having kids back in town, they're not
[1:10:43] always all the way down here. I grant
[1:10:44] you up there. That's what we've done.
[1:10:46] I'm not saying we have to do that in the
[1:10:47] future. Arguably, we should probably do
[1:10:49] it twice a year. Um we'll talk about
[1:10:51] that in budget committee because that's
[1:10:53] another few thousand in paint time, but
[1:10:56] um we're not we're not leaving them
[1:10:57] alone because we don't like them down
[1:10:59] there. And we have we we were putting
[1:11:01] off painting all of them. And then I did
[1:11:03] ask that we paint the ones on Water
[1:11:04] Street um the small ones along the uh
[1:11:07] west side. And that I I am a little see
[1:11:09] how far we got with that if they're all
[1:11:11] done yet or not, but I know they were
[1:11:12] working on them last week.
[1:11:14] And
[1:11:18] » I think that's everything I need to
[1:11:19] cover with you guys.
[1:11:21] >> Should we get a date for a meeting?
[1:11:23] >> So today is the 26th.
[1:11:25] >> The 26th. We want to set August 26 as a
[1:11:29] meeting city hall
[1:11:30] >> and then Well, we
[1:11:32] >> No, we should do it here.
[1:11:33] >> We should probably do it here. We'll see
[1:11:35] if we So, for now, if it may be just a
[1:11:37] motion to set a special meeting for
[1:11:39] August 26th, um
[1:11:42] wait, I mean, and your call, what time
[1:11:44] of day? Um and then we'll double check
[1:11:46] available. And if that's a problem, um I
[1:11:55] » you guys help me.
[1:11:56] >> At what time?
[1:11:57] >> Five, I would tell you. I mean, that's
[1:11:59] the best I can get there.
[1:12:00] >> Five or six.
[1:12:02] >> Yeah. I mean, I don't think it'd be that
[1:12:04] long. So 5G already with me.
[1:12:10] » Check the building's available.
[1:12:12] >> Don't check the mortgage. You don't
[1:12:13] know.
[1:12:16] >> I'll let her know. You said that.
[1:12:17] >> Okay, you can.
[1:12:18] >> Is [laughter] everyone available on the
[1:12:20] 26th? Just lucky.
[1:12:24] >> Sure. But um you guys this four you
[1:12:28] should be.
[1:12:28] >> We have four.
[1:12:30] >> You available at five?
[1:12:32] >> Yeah. car.
[1:12:34] >> I make a motion to
[1:12:37] what? Schedule a special meeting for
[1:12:40] Wednesday, August 26 here at the port
[1:12:43] building. No, no, no, no, no,
[1:12:46] >> no, no, no, no.
[1:12:50] We can do
[1:12:51] >> What dates are available?
[1:12:55] » Do a Thursday or Tuesday.
[1:12:58] >> We could potentially move it to the
[1:13:00] airport building. Yeah,
[1:13:02] >> it's a little noisy in there. It's a
[1:13:03] little difficult, but um
[1:13:06] that's really the only other building we
[1:13:08] have available to us. City hall is not
[1:13:10] ideal.
[1:13:10] >> We can change the date.
[1:13:12] >> I mean, we could do it Thursday or
[1:13:14] Tuesday.
[1:13:16] >> What?
[1:13:16] >> Bring chairs.
[1:13:19] >> Right. Of course.
[1:13:20] >> Do Tuesday.
[1:13:23] » Is it available the Tuesday or the
[1:13:25] Thursday around it?
[1:13:29] And if the answer is no, we're going to
[1:13:30] just have to take this offline, I think.
[1:13:39] » Well, [clears throat]
[1:13:47] Thursday is open the 27th.
[1:13:50] >> Go with it. Go with it.
[1:13:52] >> Karen,
[1:13:53] >> yep, I'm good.
[1:13:53] >> 27th.
[1:13:54] >> Yeah,
[1:13:55] >> Karen, you're good.
[1:13:56] >> Yep. Colleen, we've gotten quite
[1:13:58] [laughter]
[1:13:59] >> Colleen's excuse just went away.
[1:14:00] [snorts]
[1:14:01] >> So, make a motion to schedule a special
[1:14:03] meeting for Thursday, August 27th
[1:14:06] [laughter]
[1:14:06] at the Port Authority
[1:14:09] at 5:00 p.m.
[1:14:16] » Oh, a second.
[1:14:19] >> Been moved and seconded. Any further
[1:14:21] discussion on the motion
[1:14:24] hearing? None. Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:14:27] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[1:14:28] >> Yes.
[1:14:28] >> Councelor Ray,
[1:14:29] >> yes.
[1:14:30] >> Councelor Stevens,
[1:14:30] >> yes.
[1:14:31] >> Councelor Cely,
[1:14:32] >> yes.
[1:14:32] >> Council,
[1:14:33] >> yes.
[1:14:34] >> We're locked in.
[1:14:35] >> Okay. Item 10, council liaison updates
[1:14:38] and issues.
[1:14:42] » I have some issues with the ambulance I
[1:14:44] need to bring up with the the ambulance
[1:14:47] committee. We lost a driver here. Okay.
[1:14:51] >> Which puts us in situations. There are
[1:14:54] some situations with the vehicles out
[1:14:55] there. One of them isn't even
[1:14:57] registered.
[1:14:59] >> Not good.
[1:15:00] >> Okay. Um, so you and I need to meet.
[1:15:02] >> Yes.
[1:15:03] >> Okay.
[1:15:05] >> Indeed.
[1:15:07] >> Thank you, Miss Stevens.
[1:15:11] >> When is the Do you know when the next
[1:15:13] actual board meeting is of the
[1:15:14] ambulance?
[1:15:15] >> Last Monday in September.
[1:15:17] >> Okay.
[1:15:22] » [clears throat]
[1:15:22] >> So, I'll message you, see if we can get
[1:15:24] together because I have a whole list of
[1:15:26] things.
[1:15:37] Good.
[1:15:40] » Um, last month I forgot to mention how
[1:15:43] well the airport's been doing. Um, under
[1:15:45] Victoria, she's been doing a great job
[1:15:48] out there. Thank you.
[1:15:53] not always easy picking up a new task
[1:15:55] and trying to learn everything all at
[1:15:57] once. Um, and the airport has been doing
[1:15:59] very well. In the summer months, we
[1:16:01] normally do much better anyway with fuel
[1:16:03] sales and um all kinds of
[1:16:08] a lot more activity in the summertime
[1:16:10] out there. So, um, so I certainly did
[1:16:14] not do that on purpose last month.
[1:16:16] Ignore that. uh uh and the airport
[1:16:19] association and the airport advisory
[1:16:22] committee have been working
[1:16:26] a lot on the lease agreements between
[1:16:28] the legacy holders. Last night we had a
[1:16:31] meeting. Um I thought it went very well.
[1:16:35] Um it it passed narrowly. 321 was the
[1:16:40] vote. 3
[1:16:40] >> 312
[1:16:42] >> No.
[1:16:44] >> Yes. Oh, okay. Yeah. 312. Um either way
[1:16:48] it passed three. Um I I see it um
[1:16:55] as two committees
[1:16:57] that were
[1:17:00] um strained before starting to mend
[1:17:02] their ways and coming together. I I I'd
[1:17:05] like to see that continue. Um and and I
[1:17:08] think in in the overall
[1:17:12] scope of things, we're we're just trying
[1:17:14] to be fair to everyone. Um not we're not
[1:17:17] singling out anybody. We're not
[1:17:21] um
[1:17:24] new lease hanger owners and legacy
[1:17:27] owners each have their own rights and
[1:17:29] their own u makeups and their own
[1:17:32] things. We just all need to be together
[1:17:34] on the same page. There was basically
[1:17:37] two uh corrections in the lease that was
[1:17:41] drawn up. Um very minor um but
[1:17:45] definitely need the legal opinion um
[1:17:48] just to have them review it. But I I I
[1:17:50] think we we should go forward with it
[1:17:53] and I that's only for council's
[1:17:57] um
[1:17:58] update because I'm sure it will be
[1:18:00] coming probably in the next month's
[1:18:02] meeting or or October. But I'd like to
[1:18:06] see it sooner than later. We've been
[1:18:07] going since May on it.
[1:18:09] >> So, it's been trickling down, so
[1:18:13] hopefully we can get there. Um,
[1:18:16] and senior center, I attended that one
[1:18:19] yesterday. Uh, they're doing extremely
[1:18:21] well out there. They're looking for a
[1:18:23] volunteer to do line dancing, and I did
[1:18:25] not do that.
[1:18:26] >> To do it or to teach it?
[1:18:28] >> To teach it and do it.
[1:18:30] Um, that's not my thing,
[1:18:33] >> but Barber School of Dance is
[1:18:37] >> But there uh they're if you if you have
[1:18:40] a chance to get into the building, they
[1:18:42] have a calendar right at the top of the
[1:18:44] stairs. It is full every day. Every day
[1:18:47] there's activities going on up there.
[1:18:49] The cardio drumming, the exercise
[1:18:51] classes, the the dinners,
[1:18:54] every day. Um, and they're already
[1:18:57] talking Halloween party and Christmas
[1:18:58] party. So, it's it's quickly it's
[1:19:02] quickly evolving. The uh the pool group
[1:19:05] has been doing well. Um, downstairs I
[1:19:08] think this week they're starting a
[1:19:10] tournament. I think it's this Thursday.
[1:19:12] Um, and I'd say probably on a Thursday
[1:19:16] evening, you got 15 20 people playing
[1:19:18] pool now. So, if we can get the kids
[1:19:20] more involved, um that's what their hope
[1:19:23] is to try to get more kids out there. Um
[1:19:26] but it's a great resource and people are
[1:19:28] using it and that's that was a whole
[1:19:29] intent when we started it. So, I'm glad
[1:19:32] to see that's coming along.
[1:19:38] Okay. And I Yes, I'm done with my
[1:19:41] updates. We are on item 11. I need a
[1:19:44] motion to enter into executive session.
[1:19:47] >> I'm sorry, we didn't get the X's in
[1:19:48] there. IA any uh personnel and
[1:19:51] consultation.
[1:19:53] >> Make a motion to enter into executive
[1:19:55] session personal matters title 1 MRSA
[1:19:58] 4056A
[1:20:01] and consultation with legal counsel
[1:20:03] title 1 MRSA 4056E.
[1:20:10] » I'll second that. It's
[1:20:12] >> been moved and seconded. Any further
[1:20:14] discussion on the motion hearing? None.
[1:20:16] Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:20:18] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[1:20:19] >> Yes.
[1:20:19] >> Council Ray,
[1:20:20] >> yes.
[1:20:20] >> Councelor Steven,
[1:20:21] >> yes.
[1:20:22] >> Council,
[1:20:23] >> yes.
[1:20:23] >> Councelor Billy,
[1:20:24] >> yes.
[1:20:26] >> Thank you everyone.
[1:20:43] » I need a motion to come out of executive
[1:20:45] session. Please.
[1:20:45] >> I make that motion. Second.
[1:20:48] >> So moved and seconded. Any further
[1:20:49] discussion on the motion
[1:20:52] hearing? None. We'll give Sarah a moment
[1:20:53] to catch up.
[1:20:55] >> She made the motion. AJ seconded.
[1:20:59] >> Okay.
[1:21:00] >> I know. She Rhonda. Um, no further
[1:21:03] discussion. Roll call, please. Server.
[1:21:05] >> Councelor Dana Cummings.
[1:21:06] >> Yes.
[1:21:07] >> Council Ray.
[1:21:08] >> Yes.
[1:21:08] >> Councelor Stevens.
[1:21:09] >> Yes.
[1:21:09] >> Councelor Cely.
[1:21:10] >> Yes.
[1:21:10] >> Councelor Boon.
[1:21:11] >> Yes. Item 12. Action from executive
[1:21:14] session if any. None.
[1:21:17] >> Item 13.
[1:21:18] >> I move to adjourn.
[1:21:19] >> Second.
[1:21:20] >> That's quick.
[1:21:21] >> All those in favor?
[1:21:23] >> Roll call, please. Sarah.
[1:21:24] >> Councelor Danny.
[1:21:25] >> Yes. Council.
[1:21:26] >> Yes.
[1:21:26] >> Councelor Steven.
[1:21:27] >> Yes.
[1:21:31] >> Thank you.
[1:21:36] I lost him