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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-08 Infrastructure Committee Minutes Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Minutes Councilors Attending: Richard Bronson David Neally Patricia Blanchette Nelson Durgin Geoffrey Gratwick Charles Longo Staff Attending: Brad Moore Jerry Hughes Dana Wardwell Cathy Conlow Others Attending: Donna Colicchio Carolyn McLaughlin Nick Bearse Consent Agenda 1. Sewer Abatement Request: 19 Hemlock Street, Account #2812401 (Memo from WWTP Superintendent Brad Moore and Materials Attached) 2. Sewer Abatement Request: 159 State Street, Account #107504 (Memo from WWTP Superintendent Brad Moore and Materials Attached) Brad informed the Committee that at 159 State Street one property was accepted for an abatement and the other was not and was dovetailed with Item #3. Bronson moved and the motion was seconded (no audio indication as to who seconded). Agenda 3. Sewer Abatement Request: 148 Garland Street, Account #509004 (Memo from WWTP Superintendent Brad Moore and Materials Attached) Brad state the request came 120 days after the bill date. There were limitations in the Ordinance regarding the timeframe with which an appeal could be requested. The Staff position was to still deny. He outlined the guidelines as a full quarter plus a month. Donna referenced two old bills, and informed the Committee of the apartments with tenants and was not aware of any problems. Bangor Water District had informed her of the higher usage and she had two inspections to check. She paid the water, there wasn’t a process for appeals for the water bill. She was not aware of the sewer abatement process until she was told by her friend and that was when she started calling. Brad noted an abatement was granted to her for 31 March Street property in 2006. Donna noted she was a pretty much a silent partner with the property, it was a purchase and flip and was not involved. Councilor Longo moved Staff recommendation to deny and it was seconded. 1 There was discussion of the notification process and appeals process. 4. Update: Pay-As-You-Throw Program (Cathy Conlow will provide an update on the PAYT program) An overview and Power Point presentation with handouts was presented to the Committee. Cathy stated the handout was a work in progress of a notice for the public. There would be two public hearings. Councilor Durgin commented that if the City didn’t do anything the taxpayer would still get taxed on way or another. There would be a one year to eighteen month lead time before implementation. It was also noted that a couple of towns had started but it didn’t work out for them. An investigation of the other communities would need to be done. Outreach would be needed and concerns were raised about unauthorized dumping in places such as the woods. Councilor Blanchette noted the 2018 tax increase and PERC penalties. Also, noted the need for proper education and the need to move forward. Councilor Longo had reservations about the cost implications to residents and referenced with an example such as the volume of baby diapers. In his calculation with the PAYT program a household could expect an increase of 100.00 more per year. Councilor Bronson preference was a unified program for all regarding cost/user fee and suggested starting sooner with an outreach program. Cathy stated this would be revisited and the City would provide public information and acquire feedback during the planning process and would return to the Committee with the results. Councilor Gratwick concurred with starting the process sooner. Jerry Hughes noted he was eager to start. Councilor Blanchetttee would be eager to hear the feedback and hoped the Council Chair Hawes would send out an email for all Councilors to attend. Councilor Durgin wanted the public to understand that the Council wants input before making a decision. Nick Bearse with the Recycling Committee suggested advertising and public relations should be done by the pros and to shop for who/what is available before going to meetings. Councilor Blanchette was concerned there was no money in the budget, and City Staff being tied up. There was discussion regarding Councilor Gratwick’s suggestion for a special meeting and going out for “request for proposals”. Cathy noted quotes could be acquired over the phone and she would talk with Debbie about getting a couple. Education would be needed before, during, and after. Cathy informed the Committee that dates for a public meeting would be forthcoming and the progress of acquiring a firm to work with the City of Bangor. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:00 p.m. 2