Town Council Meeting Report

At the October 16, 2024, Town Council Meeting, the council voted on the agenda items listed below.  Councilor Susan Gillis attended remotely.

1.  Motion to Approve Draft Minutes for September 4, 2024- Special Meeting & Workshop; and September 9, 2024 - Regular Meeting: Vote 7-0

2.  Consent Calendar Item #150-2024 - Item #154-2024: Vote 7-0

  • Item #150-2024 Renewal Liquor License Tacos Y Tequila
  • Item #151-2024 Appointment of Fair Hearing Officer
  • Item #152-2024 Appointment of the Registrar of Voters
  • Item #153-2024 Amendment to Town Council Minutes Item #131-2024 August 12, 2024 Relating to the Hockey Rink MOU
  • Item #154-2024 General Assistance Ordinance and Appendices Updates

3.  Item #155-2024 Acceptance of a Conservation Committee Recommendation to Decline a Conservation Easement at 72 Two Lights Road: Vote 7-0

  • The Town Council accepted the Conservation Committee's recommendation to decline the acceptance of a conservation easement on the property located at 72 Two Lights Road due to a lack of public benefit.

4.  Item #156-2024 Consideration of Contracting with GPCOG to Assist with the Facillitatlion of Business Outreach:  Vote 5-2

  • The council voted 5-2 in favor of authorizing  the Town Manager to enter into a contract with Greater Portland Council of Governments to assist in the facillitation of business outreach in the amount of $4,500 to be funded through the un-assigned fund balance.  Chair Timothy Reiniger and Councilor Timothy Thompson voted against the motion. Reiniger said that given recent issues relating to parking at the Cookie Jar, highlighted at the October 15, 2024 Planning Board meeting, he preferred to prioritize addressing this individual issues over working with GPCOG on a broader level at this point in time.

5.  Item #157-2024 Consideration of Referring Contract Zoning in the Town Center to the Planning Board:  Vote 6-1.

  • The council voted 6-1 in favor of referring to the Planning Board Chair Reiniger's proposed contract zoning in the Town Center District, pursuant to Sec.19-10-3 Amendments proposed zoning in the Town Center. Councilor Penny Jordan voted against the motion, suggesting that the item should be included alongside an upate to the Town Center Plan.
  • Chair Reiniger propsed contract zoning in response to the potential development of 33 market-rate units at the Town Center in which the developer is seeking amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.  Reiniger commented, the question becomes, "Do we make this a one-size fits all set of changes for the whole Town Center or do we do as some communiities have done," and establish contract zoning.
  • Concurrently, the Planning Board, acting on an August 12 request from the Town Council, has scheduled a Public Hearing on the Town Center Zoning Amendments being requested by HardyPond Development Company -- the developers of the proposed 33 market-rate units.

6.  Item #158-2024 Discussion Regarding the Position of Town Assessor:  NO VOTE TAKEN

  • With the recent resignation of Town Assessor Clinton Swett, Town Manager Patrick Fox provided the council with options on filling the vacancy.  For the public's benefit, Fox reiterated that in addition to appointing the Town Manager, the Assessor is the only other appointment conducted by the Town Council per the Council-Manager Charter.
  • Fox outlined two options for the council's consideration: moving forward with a traditional job recruiting process of posting an advertisement and conducting interviews; or to contract with Cumberland County for assessing services.  
  • The Town Council communicated that the Town Manager should pursue contracting with the County of Cumberland.
  • Fox will provide the council with a package proposal at the November 11 Town Council meeting.


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