By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The Caribou City Council met Monday evening, Sept. 26, for a regular scheduled meeting. At this time council members were informed of the need to agree to submit the Caribou Charter Commission’s final report and the new charter to referendum vote. Steven Buck, city manager, stated that the city’s attorney, Richard Solman, has relayed that the document (as a result of the changes made) be considered a ‘new charter’ and submitted as one item.
Voters will cast one vote for or against the approval of the charter. “This will be an up or down vote,” stated Buck, “it stands as a single document.” Council members approved the motion to submit the charter to referendum vote on Nov. 8.
A public hearing date of Oct. 24 was approved by the council for the purpose of disseminating information pertaining to the new charter document as submitted for referendum vote.
Other business considered by the city council included the authorization of an employment agreement with the Caribou police sergeants effective Jan. 1, 2012. Buck stated that Caribou police sergeants currently employed by the CPD have been without a contract for a number of years and through workshops and further discussions, eight articles of concern were agreed upon. The panel voted unanimously to authorize the employment agreement. Manager Buck also informed the council that to date there was no union involvement regarding the sergeants’ contract.
The council voted to approve a submitted design and estimated cost from Sign-Tech of Caribou in regard to the city’s ongoing search for new entrance signs. Michael Shrewsberry, director of community development presented three submissions for the project with costs per sign ranging from $200 to $5,000.
Although the Caribou Public Works Department has the capability of constructing signs of comparable graphic quality for $200 (not including labor) each, using single-color application, with vinyl graphics, the issue of shading in the sign would not be available, according to the city manager.
Sign-Tech provided an example of a sign constructed of an aluminum laminate. “Councilor Christopher Bell stated, “I like the work from Sign-Tech, there is an edge that’s pretty darn nice. With these signs being used at the main entries to the city, I wouldn’t mind spending money for real quality work.” Tech-Signs estimated bid for the project was $1,200 per sign.
Once completed the initial two signs will be placed on U.S. Route 1 coming into the city and on U.S. Route 161 north of the Caribou Connector in the general area of the Caribou Country Club. Exact locations have yet to be determined.
The Council encouraged Shrewsberry to continue seeking out local organizations who would sponsor the signs.
Councilors also voted to delegate the authority to approve BYOB permit applications to the chief of Police and or CPD Sergeants.
In response to three sealed bids received for possible sale of a 2007 Crown Victoria police cruiser, the council voted to accept the city manager’s recommendation to reject all bids received and to retain the vehicle utilizing it for parts, (then once no longer viable it can be sold as salvage) as the CPD still has three of this model in its fleet.
Councilors voted to set a public hearing date of Oct. 12 for amendments to the Caribou Code Section 13-380 to establish the creation of a Regional Zoning Board of Appeals. Manager Buck discussed the benefits of having a regional zoning board of appeals citing that given the amount of training and time that must be committed to as an appointee to a local board, an appeals board made up of five non-resident (instead of seven) certified code enforcement officials from surrounding communities would be not only more effective but members would be impartial to any appeals put before them. Buck stated that if approved, the new structure would include four licensed code enforcement officials and one municipal legal representative (not necessarily from the city or town where the appeal is being heard). Manager Buck also said that if put into place, code enforcement officials would not sit on an appeal regarding an issue within their respective jurisdictions. The code enforcement officers would fluctuate depending on where the appeal was being held, maintaining an impartial judgment.
In further consideration council members voted to authorize the following: a club liquor license and a special amusement permit for Oct. 1 for the American Legion Post 15; to name Steve Buck and Wanda Ouellette as a delegate and alternate voting delegate for the Maine Municipal Association annual meeting; and municipal quitclaim deed for taxes paid in full on Tax Map 5, Lot 26D.
In other business Manager Buck presented for a first reading a review of easement deed and agreement with the Caribou Utilities District on Map 12, Lot 5A, Grimes Road freezer plant and reviewed actions pertaining to Halfway Home Pet Rescue and the associated zoning issue.
Buck discussed a motion for trial filed in Superior Court by Norma Milton, plaintiff, against the city of Caribou and Steven Wentworth (Caribou Code Enforcement Officer), defendants. The city manager informed the council that it was in the hands of the city attorney, whose written response to the motion argued that although the motion for trial filed by the plaintiff was timely, it was not accompanied by a detailed statement in the nature of an offer of proof which is fatal to the motion, therefore the motion for trial must be dismissed.
Continuing with other business councilors received for a first read a review of a memorandum of agreement — option to purchase to the Veterans Memorial Park Association for park land off Nylander Street. This agreement between the city and Veterans Memorial Park Association conveys land designated as Map 31, Lot 190 for $1. The specific land is the triangle lot where the Civil War monument stands.
Councilors were informed that Maine Municipal officials had announced that the city of Caribou will received a $6,083 dividend check from the MMA, as a result of its good loss experience and loss prevention programs.
In executive session councilors appointed James Cerrato to the Loring Development Authority Planning Board.
The next meeting of the Caribou City Council will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12. due to the Columbus Day holiday.
