HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-19 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Minutes
Councilors Attending: Peter D’Errico, Patricia Blanchette, Gerry Palmer, Susan Hawes, Geoffrey
Gratwick, Harold Wheeler
Staff Attending: Ed Barrett, Jim Ring, Rebecca Hupp, Norm Heitmann, David Gould
Others Attending:
Committee convened at 5:00 p.m.
1. Sewer Abatement Request: Paul Baron – 101 Sanford Street, Account #049099 -WWTP
Brad provided an outline for the Committee. Councilor Palmer motioned for passage, Councilor
D’Errico seconded.
2. Sewer Abatement Request: Andrew Samaras – 119 Third Street, Account #050014 -WWTP
Brad provided an outline for the Committee. Councilor Palmer motioned for passage, Councilor
D’Errico seconded.
3. Referral: Ordinance #08-090: Amending Chapter 148, Historic Preservation, § 148-5, Designating
412 State Street as an Historic Landmark
Norm Heitmann stated the Eastern Maine Medical Center made an announcement to the proposed
demolition of the building. A working group was formed to discuss the future of the building. The
Historic Preservation Committee had a meeting and recommended to make the Wing Building a
historic building. Helen McKennon, President of Support Services at EMMC informed the Committee
of the hospital position, which was neutral and awaiting the working groups recommendations,
hopefully within the month. Councilor Farrington who represents the Councilors on the workgroup.
Councilor Palmer moved that there be no conflict for Councilor Farrington on this Committee.
There was concern at the workgroup meetings that there might be limitations by making it a
historic building. Elizabeth Stevens, 220 Center Street expressed concern of the demolition and
provided examples of previous buildings which were dismantled and resurrected improperly. She
stated it should be a landmark for future generations and should be designated as such. Debra
Thompson, 117 Norway Street, an architectural consultant explained to the Committee the Federal
and State tax credits available should the building be listed. She strongly urged this be sent to the
City Council. Bob Kelly of 380 French Street, Sarah Martin, Charles Boothby of 249 Kenduskeag
expressed their support of the designation of historical landmark. Councilor Palmer moved the
building should be recognized as a historical landmark, Councilor D’Errico seconded. The item will
go to Council at next Monday night’s meeting, for referral or postponement. There was further
discussion and note Councilor Farrington would vote against until the working group had completed
their work before the Council acts. Councilor Hawes cannot vote due to a conflict of interest with
the hospital. Councilor Gratwick would also vote against, Councilor Wheeler calls a point of order
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that two regular members are absent and Councilor Palmer is not a member. Councilor Farrington
is setting in as alternate for Councilor Blanchette. Norm provided the Committee to decide
participants. The item was re-moved Councilor Palmer moved, Councilor D’Errico seconded with a
3/2 vote. The no vote was Councilor Farrington, Councilor Wheeler, Councilor Gratwick; the yes
vote was Councilor D’Errico and Councilor Palmer. Councilor Gratwick asked for other motions,
Councilor Wheeler deferred to Councilor Farrington who suggested waiting on the
recommendations. Jim Ring stated the approach to come back to the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee. Norm stated it could be brought to TIC first meeting in April and provide
a council order for the first Council Meeting in April. Councilor Wheeler moved to defer to the first
TIC meeting in April, Councilor Farrington seconded, with a unanimous vote. Councilor Palmer
noted a vote for but with reluctance, would prefer quicker action.
4. Referral: Ordinance #08-091: Amending the Electrical Code – Chapter 102 § to Adopt the 2008
Edition of the National Electric Code
Jim Ring stated this was routine action to replace the 2005 edition of the electrical code with no
changes or omissions. Staff recommended, Councilor Farrington moved, and seconded for
passage.
5. Review: Planning Board Tower Draft
Norm outlined the following proposed changes:
Provision of height-language to include as required by FCC.
No longer used or abandon towers-language to include bond money and amount for removal of
tower.
Requirement of co-location-recommendation to delete provision.
David Gould was supportive of moving to the planning hearing process and revise as necessary.
There was discussion of the recommended changes and Norm introduced the item of retroactivity.
Palmer motioned for change to include FCC language, accept revision to the co-location, and
language to include bond amount, with retroactivity being a separate ordinance, Councilor Wheeler
seconded. Councilor Gratwick suggested the item of co-location be separate, cannot because it
differs from Councilor Palmers motion. There was a vote of 4/1, Councilor Farrington was opposed.
Councilor Wheeler expressed concern and suggested to include language of retroactivity and wait
to see what the existing applicants do. Unanimous vote to send to the next Council meeting.
6. Acceptance of Deed from Sam’s Club for Widening of Haskell Road/Hogan Road Intersection
Norm stated this was for the offsite improvements to be performed for the Walmart project. The
area is from the Haskell Road north to I-95 and would include an extra lane, to be paved and
signaled. There was a motion by Councilor Palmer and seconded to accept the deed.
Meeting adjourned.
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