HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-03 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Minutes
Councilors Attending: Susan Hawes, Patricia Blanchette, Gerald Palmer, Peter D’Errico,
Richard Bronson, Geoffrey Gratwick, Harold Wheeler
Staff Attending: Jim Ring, Paul Nicklas, Dan Wellington, Ed Barrett, Brian Dugas, Dana
Wardwell, Weston Haskell (Bangor Water District)
Others Attending:
Committee convened at 5:00 p.m.
1. Referral: Ordinance 09-320, Amending Chapter 260, Signs, of the Code of
Ordinances and Enacting Chapter 260-7, Electronic Signs
Paul Nicklas stated the following changes applied: 1) Removal of certain
exemptions. 2) Severability clause added in case one part of the ordinance was
successfully challenged the remainder of the ordinance would still be in effect.
Councilor Gratwick motioned to go back to full Council and it was seconded.
There was further discussion of electronic signs.
2. Request for Easement: Bangor Gas to Extend Service Across City Property to
General Aviation Building at the Bangor International Airport
Jim Ring stated this request was for the installation of approximately 500’ of new
natural gas main lines to cross City property to General Aviation at Bangor
International Airport. This installation was outside of the public right of way
requiring an easement and a separate utility location permit would be issued. It
was hopeful they would do boring technology and provided maps in the packet,
page 38. Councilor Blanchette directed Staff to make sure Bangor Gas repaired
their work areas, stating her concern for them destroying green space. Jim,
Dana, and representatives from Bangor Gas had meetings recently and they
were made fully aware of trees they were cutting, digging up of lawns, and not
restoring work area to the previous condition. Ed stated he would also make
sure those areas were repaired. Councilor Bronson moved and Councilor
Gratwick seconded.
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3. Request for Easement: Bangor Gas to Extend Service Across City Property to Mt.
Hope Cemetery
Jim stated this also was outside of the public right of way requiring an easement
and a separate utility location permit. Work area would be from Mt. Hope to the
crematorium. The Engineering Department physically reviewed along with Jerry
Hughes. Photos provided on page 40 of the packet. Part of cemetery is owned
by the City and Councilor Blanchette requested this also be put one the checklist
to follow-up on in the spring.
4. Proposed Revisions to Street Opening/Utility Location Permit Ordinance and Tree
Ordinance – Continued from October 6, 2009 Infrastructure Meeting
Jim provided background of excavations in the right of ways for utilities and
street opening permits. There had been concern about damage to the public
trees and was initially discussed on October 6, 2009. Council had offered
concerns and utility companies were invited to meet with the City for their input.
The purpose for the revisions would be to identify potential for damage and
avoid damage to public and private trees. And if there was damage/problems
they would have a more appropriate means to impose penalties and restitution.
He provided an outline of the changes. 271-(6), (7), (8), (9) – States preference
for trenchless techniques, recognizing that is not always possible. Requires
application to identify potential for tree impacts and clarifies review procedure.
Clarifies process to evaluate if tree damage occurs. 271-36 B (3) – Outlines
penalties and restitution, clarifies determination of tree size and monetary
amount of restitution. Brian Dugas spoke to the Committee and informed them
that sometimes tree damage could take three to five years to show signs.
Councilor Bronson was hoping for a stricter method/handling of contractors,
curbs, etc. Councilor Blanchette was concerned about shallow rooted trees and
suggested follow-up on those after the work was completed. There was an
outline of restitution on page 53. Councilor Wheeler noted opposition to the
word “punish” and suggested replacing it with “subject to”. Jim and Paul noted
the change would be made. Councilor Gratwick suggested simplifying the
language in reference to 271-36 B(3a). He also suggested making this ordinance
retroactive. Weston Haskell from the Water District provided information about
their general practices of installation. Councilor Wheeler moved for this to go to
first reading and referral, Councilor Gratwick seconded. Councilor Blanchette
requested that when there was a new Council and Committee structure they
should look at the portion “replace to previous condition” with regards to
sidewalks and pavement.
5. Discussion: Proposed Revision to Solid Waste Ordinance – Curbside Collection
Paul stated there was an incident recently with a resident leaving a sizeable
amount of garbage in excess of typical residences. There was a need to limit the
amount to ten trash bags/per residence, up to four units. It was proposed to
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allowing the Public Works Director to pick up and bill residents, and to
incorporate an appeal provision. Dana stated that this was the second
consecutive week at this particular location, but typically they don’t see excessive
abuse of the system. Councilor Wheeler thought that when breaking down the
amount of ten bags into four units that would make it 2.5 bags per apartment
and would be severely limiting, while one single family unit could have ten. Paul
stated that not all units place the same amount out at each occurrence. An
adjustment could be made if the Council wished, but referred to Dana for proper
amount of bag limit. Councilor Wheeler felt there needed to be flexibility for
multi unit buildings. Dana stated that if you took the stops and times by the
week and divided into the amount of rubbish taken to PERC annually it would be
about 42+ bags per residence, per week. Generally, in driving around the
average seemed to be four to six bags. Councilor Blanchette stated there
needed to be an order in place. Councilor Wheeler moved to amend to no more
than twelve bags. Councilor Gratwick moved Staff revise and it was seconded.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn at approximately 6:25 p.m.
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