HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-02 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Minutes
Councilors Attending: Peter D’Errico, Richard Bronson, Geoffrey Gratwick, Susan Hawes, Patricia
Blanchette, Harold Wheeler
Staff Attending: James Ring, Ed Barrett, Dana Wardwell, David Gould
Others Attending: Members of the Recycling Committee
Committee convened at 5:00 p.m.
Councilor Blanchette started the meeting by announcing that there was an accident with four members of
public works and they will be fine. She wished the families well and hoped the members would be back on the
job soon.
1. Revision to Planning Board Fee Schedule
The Planning Division Processing Fee Schedule for various types of Land Development Applications has not
been revised since 2003. Revision of the rate schedule, including addition of some new categories is
recommended to more equitably match fees with required Staff time. Attached are a Memo from
Planning Director, a comparison schedule showing current and proposed fees, and a Draft Council Order
for adoption of the recommended fee schedule, effective July 1, 2009.
Jim Ring stated there was a memo in the packet and is proposed fee adjustments. The fees were for
applications for Planning Board reviews. The last time there was any significance adjustments was in 2003.
David Gould stated that every year they applied a cost-of-living adjustment. He stated that the increased
volume additional review items such as stormwater regulations, impaired stream reviews, and traffic
movements etc. necessitated the increase. Councilor Gratwick thought this was reasonable. Jim Ring stated
if the Committee was supportive of this fee structure, it would appear on next Monday's agenda. Councilor
Blanchette asked if this was the right time, with the economy being the way it is. There wouldn't be a
significant impact this fee was a very small portion of what the developers actually had to spend. Councilor
Blanchette also noted public opportunity for comment that stated this would only has appear on at the
Council once and at that time could provide an opportunity for public comment, if the Council wished. There
was also an option to put this on for first reading and have it come back to this Committee. Ed also noted
these proposed fees were included in the budget for fiscal year. His opinion would be to adopt this with the
budget or in advanced of. Councilor Wheeler moved recommendation and seconded by Counselor Bronson.
There was a unanimous vote.
1
2. Spring Clean-Up Fees
The tax levy reduction plan presented to the Council last week proposed implementing fees for spring
clean-up. At this point, we are recommending that a fee per vehicle per visit be charged. The rates would
vary by type of vehicle: $5 for passenger vehicles and SUV’s and $10 for pickups and vehicles towing
trailers. In addition, we may wish to have a limited number of additional fees for hazardous items
including propane tanks and batteries. A full proposal will be available at the meeting for Committee
consideration and recommendation to the full Council.
Jim stated this item also was due to the budget process and looking at the various services the City provides.
At this point is has been a free service, or at least no charge. Proposed would be five dollars per passenger
car and $10 for pickup trucks and or trailers. This was comparable to what other communities charged. Dana
provided a figure of $15,000 in savings. Councilor Blanchette asked if these were same fees that were
charged when they ran the Kittredge Road Dump and she said she was not inclined to make money, but would
like to cover costs. Jim stated these fees were similar and also noted this covered 50% of the operating cost.
Councilor Bronson noted the proposal as indicated, may not be complete, at this time. Jim Ring and Ed
Barrett stated the events of the day did not allow them to complete, in detail, and would be brought forth later.
Jim also indicated there may be additional costs for tires. Ed asked that the Committee vote on what was
before them and at the next meeting they would present the full proposed fee schedule. Paul Svendsen asked
where would the fees stop, and would the City charge for plowing the sidewalks. Councilor Palmer stated that
folks that recycled would not have to use this particular service and would not be assessed a fee. Nick
Bearce, another member of the Recycle Committee spoke with regards to cost shifting. There was continued
discussion on the budget with regards to revenue, expenditures, etc. Councilor Wheeler asked how they may
derive at the amounts on certain items. Councilor Palmer also joined the conversation and Councilor
Blanchette turned over the Chair to Councilor Bronson – she did not feel she should stay as Committee Chair
for the remainder of the meeting. She stated dismay about people happen to paying a fee to pick up trash and
recycle. And very upset about nickel and diming the people that pay the taxes, all in the interest of holding
the tax rate. And stated you cannot run a city on nothing. Councilor Palmer moved recommendation for the
cleanup fees, and seconded. All in favor except for Councilor Blanchette who was opposed.
3. Preliminary Discussion – Suspension of Curbside Recycling
The reduction plan presented to the Council last week proposed eliminating the City’s curbside recycling
program effective with the new budget year beginning July 2009. Given the relatively short time between
adopting the budget at the second Council Meeting in June and the start of the fiscal year, we need to
develop and implement a public education campaign to ensure that our residents are aware of this change.
Staff has begun working on this. However, prior to committing resources to this effort, we would
2
recommend that the Council adopt an Order suspending the curbside portion of our recycling program and
directing staff to undertake a public education effort.
Councilor Gratwick provided an overview of recycling. He stated 10 to 15% of households recycle. He will be
sorry to see this program go and would be sending a bad message to the public, in this particular time of
environmental consciousness. With the City looking at other items, such is pay as you go or pay as you
throw, and single streaming they should keep folks involved and incorporated into future decisions.
Councilor Palmer noted they need to get the young folks involved with recycling effort as they have a great
interest in it. He was pleased with the word suspended as opposed to terminate and analyze. Ed Barrett
stated that if the Council wished to suspend, they would need to provide advanced notice to the public.
Curbside recycling would be suspended June 26 at the end of business and a handout was provided to the
Committee. Jim Ring stated that Recycling was started in 20 years ago and was an expensive operation. It
was difficult to make the decision to offer up due to budgetary reasons. But in the future, on the horizon there
were better approaches such as single streaming. Councilor Wheeler would not support this. Councilor
Blanchette suggested going to curbside recycling once a month. She also noted concern about losing a truck
and recycle truck driver and the elimination of two vacant positions that were currently in the Public Works
Department. Councilor Blanchette also noted that those folks that may be recycling may not have a vehicle to
take there recyclables to the recycle center. Councilor Palmer asked what would take place if the recycling
was suspended what would happen to the vehicles, the disposition thereof. Jim stated a sale of the vehicle
could take place. However, advised not pursue that immediately until they know how the program worked, if
they should go to a single stream program. It would not be the same vehicle. Ed Barrett did state and
concurred with Councilor Blanchette that once you stop a program, it would be hard to start back up again.
The truck could potentially be used in an interim basis to go around to the neighborhoods as a drop-off site
for those that are unable to get to the Recycle Center. Councilor Wheeler, once again, stated he would not
support this, should it be brought to Council and would recommend it be amended to be biweekly. Councilor
Bronson removed himself from Chair at 6:20 to leave and turned Chair over to Councilor Palmer. Councilor
Wheeler moved that this order be postponed indefinitely. Councilor Blanchette seconded. There was a vote
to postpone indefinitely.
Meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
3