1 Monthly Report MEMORANDUM To: Board of

MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Board of Selectmen
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
May Monthly Report
June 18, 2013
Pay As You Throw
As part of the FY 2014 budget process the Town is considering moving to a Pay As You Throw
waste disposal system. Pay As You Throw (PAYT), also known as Pay-Per-Bag, is a unit based
pricing system for the disposal of trash where residents pay based on how much they throw
away. The purchase price of the PAYT bag includes the cost of both waste collection and
disposal. The less you throw away, the less you pay with PAYT.
The Town is implementing PAYT in an effort to reduce residents overall cost for waste disposal.
PAYT is a system that allows each household to pay their fair share of trash disposal costs.
PAYT also encourages recycling, which benefits everyone and reduces the household waste.
The Town is a charter member of Penobscot Energy Recovery Company (PERC) which
incinerates trash and generates electricity to sell to energy companies. The current energy
contract with Bangor Hydro expires in 2018. Purchased energy today sells at a much lower price
than when the original contract was signed. It is expected that PERC’s revenue from the sale of
electricity will decrease by 60% or more, causing tipping fees to increase to compensate for the
lost revenue. The other option would be to close PERC as it would no longer be economically
viable. Preliminary estimates are that fees could increase up to 125%. If Tipping fees are only
increased by 60% that would mean our fee would go from $76.70 per ton to $122.72 per ton.
We dispose of approximately 1740 tons per year and our current annual tipping fee is $133,458.
That same tonnage at $122.72 per ton equates to $213,532.80 in 2018. Whether PERC increases
its fees or the Town moves to a landfill for disposal, the costs will continue to rise. Moving to a
PAYT system could reduce our tonnage by 20%, which would result in a savings in tipping fees,
both now and in the future. A 20% reduction would still require disposal of 1392 tons and at the
new rate would equal $170,826.24. Reducing our tonnage is a way to minimize costs in the
future.
Ambulance Billing:
Town staff are always searching for ways to reduce costs and maintain the quality of services.
Recently the Ambulance Director and I found a new ambulance billing company that will reduce
the Town’s billing costs. Currently the Town pays 7.25% of collected revenues for billing
services, these costs will be reduced to 4%, or a savings of $4,000 annually. The new company,
Comstar Inc, is located in Massachusetts and will begin services on July 1, 2013.
Monthly Report
1
Personnel Changes:
For the past few years Lisa Garman, my Administrative Assistant, has done a wonderful job at
organizing the Town’s Fourth of July parade, creating the annual Town Report, and assisting all
Town departments with their administrative needs. Due to the reductions in the Town budget,
Lisa’s position was affected and she has decided to seek employment elsewhere. We will all
miss Lisa and thank her for her years of dedication.
Fourth of July:
With Lisa’s departure, it has left myself and Todd Souza picking up the pieces in organizing the
Fourth of July activities. Our committee has a wonderful day planned and I hope everyone has
an opportunity to get out and enjoy the day. The Town of Wiscasset invites everyone to
participate in “Treasures of the Wiscasset” the day long activities planned for the Fourth of July.
The festivities will begin at 10:00 AM with the annual parade which will wind from Hooper
Street to Federal St. along Route One and finish on Middle Street. The Town is seeking floats,
bands, antique autos, and other parade participants. Parade registrations can be accessed at the
Town Office or on-line through the Town’s website.
After the parade, activities along Water Street will include an antique car show and petting zoo.
Batten down the hatches, as at 11:45AM Pirates are expected to attack Wiscasset Harbor. And
then invade the Waterfront for a “Pirate Holiday.” Meet some of the most infamous pirates of
history, dig for “booty”, and take part in the mischievous mayhem at the waterfront and Yacht
Club.
Evening activities will begin at 5:00 pm with a “Tall Tales” contest at the Recreational Pier; all
liars are welcome to register on-line. The entertainment will continue with an Open-Mic night
with local musical talent and carnival games on the pier sponsored by the Woolwich-Wiscasset
Baptist Church. The music will continue with the band “Peter Witham’s Band and the Cosmic
Zombies” at 7 pm. The evening will end with fireworks over the Sheepscot at 9:15 pm.
State Budget Impacts:
The Governor’s proposed budget was a huge impact on local taxpayers. The elimination of state
revenue sharing, the shifting of teacher retirement costs to Towns, and the elimination of the
circuit breaker would be felt in every home. The Town of Wiscasset Board of Selectmen, like
most Maine elected officials, have struggled with the need to maintain needed services to
citizens while balancing a budget plagued with increased costs and decreasing revenues. For the
Town of Wiscasset, this has meant increased educational costs in our regional school unit, which
have amounted to over $252,000 in the past three years. Although the regional school units
were supposed to lower educational costs, the decrease in general education funding from the
State has created increases which resulted in a $1.15 mil rate increase over the past two tax years
alone.
Local impacts have also been felt from the reduction in revenue sharing. For the past 40 years
the State has dedicated 5% of all sales and income tax revenue to municipalities. The reasons
articulated in State statute are “the principal problem of financing municipal services is the
Monthly Report
2
burden on the property tax” and to “stabilize the municipal property tax burden and aid in
financing all municipal services”. According to the State’s own data, municipal revenue
sharing statewide has decreased by approximately $25 million since FY 09 or over 20%. Within
our own community, Wiscasset taxpayers have shouldered the loss of approximately $200,000
each year in revenue sharing losses over the past four budget cycles. This 50% annual reduction
equates to a $.45 increase in our municipal mil rate each year! Over four years this is an impact
of $2.00. Wiscasset is not alone; Lincoln County has seen a drop in revenue sharing of over
$500,000 per year which equates to a 25% annual decrease.
Although the legislature is not likely to adopt the Governor’s budget they will impact
municipalities. The legislature appears to be reaching consensus and the State budget issues
appear to have reached resolution. The end result is likely to be as follows:
1. State Revenue Sharing – Was reduced statewide by about a third. The reduction in
Wiscasset is just under $100,000 this year and about $115,000 next year.
2. URIP – or Local Road Assistance Funds to care for State roads – the Governor’s proposal
was to take commercial excise tax from municipalities; however the legislature ended up
taking a percentage of the URIP funds which fund our agreements to maintain state roads
in our municipalities. The result is that the State is funding 90% of the current
obligation. If the reduction is shared equally that will be a $5,100 reduction for
Wiscasset.
3. General Assistance – the “overall maximum level of assistance” was reduced from 110%
of the HUD (Housing Urban Development) fair market rental values to 90%. This
means that fewer people will be eligible for assistance and the Town will need to decide
to fund them at our cost or risk new homeless residents.
4. Circuit Breaker Program – The circuit breaker property tax relief (otherwise known as the
Tax and Rent Rebate Program) will now be administered through the state’s income tax
code effective next year. There will be not rebate program in 2013. I will remind you
that in 2011 Wiscasset had 318 recipients who received this refund which totaled
$184,147. These funds will not be available to residents this year.
The Town will be forced to absorb the reductions which the State has passed down in an attempt
to fix their own budget woes.
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3
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Ervin Deck, Airport Manager
May Airport Monthly Report
June 5, 2013
Spring has arrived, summer is on its heels, and with the exception of what seems like endless
days of rain, activity at the airport is increasing right on cue.
Fuel Sales in May met our projected goals with total sales of 2,800 gallons, bringing our fiscal
year total sales to 38,600 gallons. Gross sales for the year are almost $213,000, with revenue in
the range of nearly $20,000.
The FBO opened on April 1.
Hours through May are 8 am to 5
pm, Thursday – Monday.
Starting in the middle of June we
be open seven days week.
Reluctantly we, we had to
terminate our lease agreement
with Crosswind Aviation, our
aircraft mechanic. The proprietor
was in default on his lease and
after several verbal and one
written warning, failed to
comply. We are now in the
process of looking for a
replacement company.
Other notes of interest:


Don’t forget WOW on August 6.
Our consultant Stantec, working with the town (Ken Boudin and Laurie Smith), the FAA,
and Maine DOT prepared a draft scope of work for the preparation of an Environmental
Assessment. The final language and fee are still in the negotiation phase, but should be
resolved soon. Once compete an FAA grant application will be submitted.
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4
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Sue Varney, Assessor’s Agent and Human Resource Officer
May Assessing and HR monthly report
June 6, 2013
Introduction/Summary
Assessing:
All May property deeds have been downloaded from the Lincoln County Registry of Deeds
website and processed with mailing addresses to the new owners of record. All record cards,
with new owner listed, were printed and filed in the assessing office. Personal property
declarations that have been returned to the Assessor’s office are being processed in Trio as they
are received and then filed. Personal property 801 reimbursement request forms continue to
come in and I verify the information and mail them back out to the companies. I began entering
new valuation totals into the 2013 tax growth spreadsheet.
Field work has been started as well as building permit photos taken. Some of the building permit
structures have been measured and will now be sketched and entered into the computer system. I
reviewed the new proposed laws dealing with assessing issues. I started processing the split or
portion of a property deeds, printed new tax cards and entered new owners into the E911
database.
The function was corrected and a new valuation report was sent to the owner of a home on High
Street. A fair amount of time was spent with a local realtor requesting estimated tax valuations
on a piece of property that resulted in sales on Clark’s Point Road. A site visit and pictures were
completed on the Pooler Pit Road.
As is done each year, information was gathered and the new tax increment financing district
receivable letter was prepared and mailed to iPark, Inc. The annual Ratio Declaration &
Reimbursement application for homestead exemption certification form was filled out, signed by
the Board of Assessors and mailed to Maine Revenue Services. The 2013 tax maps CD was
copied and mailed to the Webmaster to be uploaded to our website in the Assessing tab. Copies
of the maps were made for various departments. Met briefly with the Town Manager, Town
Planner, and Chris Campany from Vermont regarding the Maine Yankee closure and how the
town adapted after the closure and any plans we made.
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5
Monthly sales were processed in Trio and entered onto the sales map as well as filed in the sales
notebook in the Assessor’s office.
A 911 address was issued on Lowelltown Road, Birch Point Road, and Hale Pond Road.
Training:
I attended a MAAO Board meeting at MMA.
Finance:
As part of the Town’s checks and balances in our accounting practices I reconciled the bank
statement for the month of April. All reconciled statements then become part of the town’s
financial record.
Eleven months into the fiscal year the Assessing budget is approximately 89.81% expended.
Once a year expenses for licensing and recording fees as well as map revision updates have been
paid. All other line items seem to be on track.
Human Resources:
 Prepared and filed a First Report of Injury report with workers compensation for a Police
Officer who was involved in an accident with the police cruiser and received abrasions.
No medical report or work missed.
 Filed two First Report of Injury reports on ambulance attendants hurt on an ambulance
call.
 Sent in numerous bills and reports to workers compensation regarding an injured
employee.
 Posted all sick and vacation hours.
 Beginning in October vacation, sick, holiday and comp hours will be reviewed and
compared by HR with Treasurer, Shari Fredette, to ensure that the employees check stubs
are accurate. The review is conducted the first Friday of each month.
 Continued sending a memo to employees with upcoming anniversary dates to let them
know the balance of time on the books and how many hours they may need to use or lose.
 HR is now responsible to get any and all pay raises to the payroll department. A copy of
the memo is also sent to the employee and his/her supervisor. Memos completed are
given to the employee as well as submitted to MMA for insurance limits based on the
new pay rate. No raise and deduction information was submitted to payroll department
this month.
 Made appointments and sent two employees for random drug testing.
 Created new employee files.
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6





Prepared and filed FMLA and IPP paperwork for an employee, who will be out with
shoulder surgery.
Set up enrollment meeting for public works bargaining unit employees with MMEHT in
order to enroll in the POS200 plan. Also set up a meeting with Benefit Strategies to sign
up for the new flexible benefits card.
Met with town manager regarding placing employment ads in the newspapers for part
time police secretary and administrative assistant positions. Set up databases for each
position in order to track all the candidates. Listed both jobs on town website, MMA
website and JobsinME.com.
Conducted interviews for Airport Lineman position.
Contacted Bonney Services and Town Manager contracted with them for a temporary
employee to assist us in transition.
Monthly Report
7
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Chris Wolfe, Town Clerk
May Town Clerk Monthly Report
June 10, 2013
ELECTIONS:
Absentee voting for the June 11, 2013 Annual Town Meeting began this month on May 10th. We
conduct absentee voting in accordance with title 21-A which means that absentee ballots are available
until the close of business on the third business day prior to the election. For Wiscasset residents this
means that they can pick up an absentee ballot any time until the close of business on June 6th. We still
continue to get residents who believe that they can receive an absentee at any time up through Election
Day, but unfortunately this is incorrect. Only those people who can meet the statutory requirement of
“special circumstances” may receive a ballot during the three business day closed period. The open
period for voter registration closed on May 22nd. This means that any person wishing to register to vote
must do so in person and provide proper proof of residency and identity to avoid voting a challenged
ballot on Election Day.
The Annual Town Meeting vote will be held at our normal polling location at 242 Gardiner Road
(Wiscasset Community Center) from 8 am to 8 pm.
The Regional School Unit 12 will hold their RSU Budget Validation vote on Friday June 28th. Polling hours
will be 12 pm to 6 pm at again our normal polling location at 242 Gardiner Road. Absentee ballots will
be available from Monday, June 10 through the close of business on Tuesday, June 25. Please be aware
that this is a short period to absentee vote and not the normal 30 days that we have for Federal, State
and Municipal Elections.
FINANCIALS:
Auto Excise1
Agent Fees3
Vital Fees4
Monthly
Revenues
$46,190.74
Boat
Excise2
$2,220.80
$1,751.00
$269.60
Airplane
Excise6
$54.90
Year to
date
$430,356.68 $5,146.40
$15,018.25
$2,940.80
$3619.54
96.27%
131.36%
Met
yearly
revenue
projection
by:
93.56%
Monthly Report
171.55%
8
NOTARY PUBLIC:
I was elected as the new treasurer of the Informed Notaries of Maine which will be continue to increase
my knowledge and experience of notary related issues. The Informed Notaries of Maine (INM) main
mission is to provide education to Maine notaries which we do through a series of classes and an annual
conference.
APPOINTMENTS:
We sadly received the resignation of Steve Christiansen from the Ad Hoc Cemetery Committee. Other
applicants were contacted to determine their availability and interest in serving in his place.
VITALS:
Birth1
Marriage2
Death3
1
3
4
LICENSES:
Business license1
Dog License2
Liquor License3
Special Amusement4
3
15
1
0
1
The Fenique Boutique was approved for a business license to operate an upscale consignment shop at
510 Bath Road. This will be a second location for Tanya Noyes-Pomerleau, with her first location being
in Bath.
1
Coastal Vision Design will be a home based operation for Douglas Moore who will be doing web site
design.
1The Market Place Café, located at 681 Bath Rd, changed ownership this month with the new owners
being Lucinda and Daniel Bradford. We wish all the new business owners the best of luck.
3
The liquor license renewal for Le Garage Restaurant was approved this month by the Town Clerk. As
Clerk, when a business that has held a liquor license for 5 or more years applies for renewal, I can
approve the license without bringing it before the Board of Selectmen if the Code Enforcement Officer
and Chief of Police will sign off and state that there have been no issues with the establishment’s liquor
license. I am pleased to say that Le Garage has had no issues and was easily issued a liquor license
renewal.
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9
SHELLFISH LICENSES:
Shellfish license allocations were determined this month and remain the same as in the last few years.
We will be able to issue 12 resident and 2 nonresident Commercial shellfish licenses. Also, we will be
able to issue 30 resident and 3 nonresident recreational (peck) licenses. Any resident over 70 years of
age or under 12 years of age can receive a free license. Commercial licenses became available on May
30 for any person who had held a license issued from this office last year and who had completed their
20 hours of conservation time.
Monthly Report
10
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Bruce Engert, Code Enforcement Officer
May Codes and Safety Monthly Report
June 10, 2013
Code Enforcement:
There were seven Building Permits issued during the month of May, 2013 with fees totaling
$1528.20, and declared values of $276,400. Of the seven, one is a commercial metal barn, two
accessory structures, one deck, one mobile home, one modular and one stick built home.
There were five Plumbing Permits issued in May, 2013, one SSWW Disposal system and four
Internal Plumbing Permits.
Revenue totaled $425.00, $15.00 to the DEP with 25% of the balance to the State and 75%
retained by the town of Wiscasset.
BUILDING PERMITS:
DATE
5/2/13
NAME
Stephen Schweigard
5/6/13
Lester Morse
ADDRESS
19 Rocky Ridge
Drive
1-A Morse Drive
5/8/13
Rebekah Applin
112 Gardiner Road
5/9/13
Andrew Cope
185 Gibbs Road
5/22/13
Debra Buckley
5/23/13
Glen & Belinda
Haggett
Christopher Braun
516 Lowelltown
Road
40 Old Bath Rd
5/29/13
Monthly Report
119 Old Chewonki
Neck
TYPE
Screen House
FEE
$
112.00
Steel Storage Bldg. $
437.00
Deck
$
25.00
Shed
$
25.00
New Modular
$
Home
257.50
1.5 story cape
$
340.00
Mobile Home
$
231.70
11
PLUMBING PERMITS:
DATE
5/1/2013
5/15/2013
5/16/2013
NAME
Karen McDoor
Michael Smith
Carroll Colby
5/16/2013
Deborah Buckley
5/29/2013
Christopher Braun
ADDRESS
75 Main Street
214 Gardiner Road
516 Lowelltown
Road
516 Lowelltown
Road
119 Chewonki Neck
Rd
TYPE
INT
INT
SSWW
FEE
40
40
265
INT
40
INT
40
SIGN PERMITS:
5/29/201
3
5/30/201
3
5/30/201
3
Joseph McLaughlin
488 Gardiner Rd $40.00
Karen McDoor
McLaughlin's Auto &
Marine
Mac's Place
75 Main Street
$40.00
Lisa Michaud
Sea Digger's Grub, LLC
257 Bath Road
$40.00
TEMPORARY BUSINESS LICENSES:
5/15/2013 Shawn Barnes
Dairy Barn
5/30/2013 Lisa Michaud
Concession
Trailer
Monthly Report
475 Gardiner
Road
257 Bath Road
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
12
MEMORANDUM
To: Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Fr: Roland Abbot, EMS/EMA Director
Re: May EMS/Ambulance Monthly Report
Dt:
Monthly Report
13
MEMORANDUM
To:
From:
Re:
Date:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Rob Bickford, Fire Chief
May Fire Department Monthly Report
June 3, 2013
Operations:
The fire department responded to 13 calls for service in the month of May. This
is down 1 call over the same time period last year.
The calls for May break down as follows:
6 motor vehicle accidents, 1 structure fire, 2 grass / brush fires, 1 fire alarm, 1
propane leak and 2 assists to EMS.
Of the 13 calls, 12 of them were in Wiscasset. We responded to Dresden mutual
aid for a structure fire.
We had several calls this month that involved serious motor vehicle accidents
including one in which a young resident lost his life.
Training:
Training for the month included annual driver qualifications, live car fire training
at the training site, our annual NRC mandated fire drill at Maine Yankee and
motor vehicle extrication at the training site.
Financials:
With the fiscal year 92% completed, the fire department budget stands at
91.14% expended. This is up approximately 9% over last month. Some of our
expenses for the month included $3,000 to repair an engine oil leak on our
ladder truck and $850 to replace a set of worn out cutters on our extrication
equipment as well as fuel costs and general equipment purchases.
Staffing:
Our roster is currently at 38 members with 4 additional members on the Lifetime
Members Roster.
Upcoming Events:
With Memorial Day past us and the increase in vehicular traffic that brings to the
area, we encourage the motoring public to be extra cautious when travelling
Monthly Report
14
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Dan Bradford, Harbormaster
May Harbormaster Monthly Report
June 10, 2013
The approach channel markers have been deployed for the season. Greg Griffin and the DPW
crew got the floats deployed for both the waterfront and the ferry landing.
The Harbormaster scraped and painted the harbormaster boat bottom. The Harbormaster had a
certified surveyor measure the harbormaster boat using a surveying instrument. The boat was
determined to be 24’6” long. The information was conveyed to the Town’s insurer who agreed
that a policy outrider was not needed for a boat less than 25’, thereby saving the Town about
$1100 a year on insurance costs. On May, 20 the boat was launched again for the season.
The Selectmen approved a warrant article making changes to the Waterfront Ordinance. The
major changes included allowing lobster fishing in the mooring field (with some conditions) and
giving the Selectmen the authority to set user fees for harbor facilities and activities.
Around mid-May the water service was turned on to harbor facilities and the bathrooms opened
for the season.
The Town Manager, DPW Director and the Harbormaster have had meetings at the ferry landing
with various officials as part of applying for a grant to repair the rip rap, ramp and stop the
erosion of the parking lot at the ferry landing. That process is proceeding.
The lobster fishermen are slowly getting boats and gear deployed, but are not yet fully engaged
in fishing because the shedders are delayed this year, purportedly due to colder water
temperatures than last year at this time.
The waterfront and harbor are ready for the boating season.
Monthly Report
15
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Wiscasset Town Manager
Misty Parker, Town Planner
May Planning Department Report
June 10, 2013
Economic Development:
Last month I had an opportunity to attend the Maine Real Estate Development Association
conference. The focus of the conference was retrofitting and creative re-use of commercial strips.
Nationally renowned architect Ellen Dunham-Jones delivered the keynote address on rethinking
the life and use of our commercial areas. The conference provided a panel of local academics,
planners, architects, and developers to share their experience of the challenges we face locally
with past patterns of commercial developments and the impact it has had on economic
development. Past patterns of large underutilized parking lots have blocked valuable commercial
land from development; extending development along corridors has created traffic congestion
problems; and development patterns in some cases caused a loss in community identity, critical
to a competitive economic advantage.
In hearing the diverse speakers share their experiences with commercial developments, the
challenges they face in redeveloping these areas, and creative approaches they are pursuing I was
impressed with the forward thinking initiative here in Wiscasset to address our challenges on
Bath Road through the Bath Road Master Plan. While we realize Bath Rd has been and will
continue to be a critical commercial area of Town we are also aware of the many challenges
development on Route 1 exhibits. If the town does not play a role in the future of Bath Rd, traffic
and other issues will remain a problem, stifling development opportunity in the community.
While many master plans can be lofty in vision and ideas, I believe the arrangement of
stakeholder involvement in the project and on the steering committee is guiding the plan toward
a realistic approach to redeveloping and growing Bath Rd in a manner that is true to the character
of Wiscasset.
Significant work was done throughout May on the master plan to bring the components of our
work over the last 8 months to a complete draft. Recommendations are being refined to be
applicable and desirable to the community. And funding strategies are being researched and
compiled to help the town bring the plan to action. The Steering Committee is slated to review
the recommendations, funding strategy and draft plan this summer.
Ordinance Review Committee:
The ORC did not meet in May. At their June meeting the ORC will be revisiting the proposed
airport district, road standards, and begin working on performance standards.
Monthly Report
16
Planning Board:
The Planning Board reviewed one application for a change of use and new building as well as
one pre-application for a subdivision.
APPLICANT:
PROPOSAL:
REQUEST:
LOCATION:
Mike & Beth Smith
Change of Use and Construction of 36’ x 36’ Garage
Site Plan Review
214 Gardiner Rd, Map R6 Lot 11
APPLICANT:
PROPOSAL:
REQUEST:
LOCATION:
Veles Investments, LLC
11 Lot Subdivision
Pre-application
Pooler Pit Rd, Map R1 Lot 37-A
In addition to the Planning Board’s review, one application was submitted for review under
Article VIII, Section 2.A- projects less than 2,500 sq ft. Michael Benner received approval to
locate a 16’ x 24’ garage on leased property at 424 Bath Rd. Benner will be operating an
automotive repair facility at the location.
Monthly Report
17
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Chief Troy Cline
May Police Monthly Report
June 10, 2013
Significant Events and Cases
Chief Cline was involved in a pursuit which resulted in the suspect crashing on the Gardiner Road. The
suspect was subsequently charged with Eluding a Police Officer, Operating after License Suspended (OAS)
and Criminal Speed (30+ mph over speed limit).
Sergeant Williams handled a fatal motor vehicle crash on the Westport Bridge Road. This investigation
resulted in a female juvenile being charged with Possession of Alcohol by a Minor and an adult being charged
by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department for Providing a Place for Minors to Consume.
Sergeant Williams handled another major crash on Westport Bridge Road at the same location as the fatality
the previous weekend. This crash is still under investigation but preliminary results suggest this crash was
alcohol related as well.
Officers attended Grand Jury this month and all cases resulted in indictments from the Grand Jury.
Operations
The Police Department handled approximately 480 calls for service. Examples of some types of calls are
listed below:
Alarms
Animal Complaints
Assault
Assist Citizen
Assist Other Agencies
Arrests
Burglary
Civil Complaints
Criminal Trespass
Disabled Motor Vehicles
Disorderly Conduct
Domestic Disturbance
Erratic Operation
Escorts
Fireworks
Gun Permits
9
5
2
17
10
10
4
4
1
5
3
2
41
5
5
10
Harassment
Juvenile Problems
Lost / Found Property
Medical Assist
Paperwork Service
Pedestrian Checks
Police Information
Property Checks
Sex Offender Registration
Suspicious Activity
Thefts
Traffic Details
Traffic Hazards
Warrant Arrests
Welfare Checks
5
3
2
13
7
1
8
162
2
21
6
3
4
1
5
Motor Vehicle Accidents: There were sixteen (16) motor vehicle accidents this month, thirteen (13) Reportable
and three (3) Non-Reportable.
Monthly Report
18
Traffic Enforcement: The officers conducted 70 traffic stops resulting in 41 warnings and 29 summonses
issued.
Arrests:
There were ten (10) arrests made in the month of May, some of which included the following:
Domestic Violence (DV) Assault (2)
Operating after License Suspension
Operating Under the Influence (Drugs)
Failure to Obtain a Maine License
Violation of Conditions of Release (VCR)
Eluding a Police Officer
Criminal Speed
Minor Consuming Liquor
Operating an Unregistered MV
Warrant Arrest (2)
Community Policing Events
Chief Cline conducted a crime prevention meeting with staff at the Chewonki Foundation. A short tour of the
grounds and recommendations were given to staff to assist them in safety planning for the organization.
Chief Cline attended a planning meeting in preparation for the upcoming “Wings over Wiscasset” event.
Chief Cline attended a Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) drill at the Rynel building on the Old Ferry Road.
This is an annual event in which a scenario is worked through by Rynel Staff and various other emergency
responders and agencies.
Chief Cline presented a Gun Safety class to all Primary School students on May 22nd. Staff members and
students were very happy with the presentation which focused on students NOT touching a gun and getting an
adult should they find one.
Training
Officers participated in spring firearms training and qualifications with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s
Department.
Chief Cline, Officer Hatch and Officer Davis attended Intoxilyzer 8000 certification training.
Financial
As of the end of May the department has expended approximately 85% of the 2013 Fiscal Year Budget with
92% of the budget year complete.
Monthly Report
19
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Greg Griffin, Road Commissioner
May Public Works Monthly Report
June 1, 2013
Financials:
11 months into the fiscal year my department budget is on target.


Overall percentage as of the end of May is 80.15% which is lower than the normal
average of 92.31%.
The sand and salt budget survived this year’s difficult winter with enough left to start this
year’s summer season and provide a start to next year’s winter sand stockpile
Customer Service:
This department and its employees are committed to safety and customer service. We feel that
our service to the community is important. Maintaining that relationship with our citizens is a
priority for the entire department.





The final float installs at the water front have gone well. We have move two floats
back to the Commercial pier for more skiff tie up space. The restrooms at the
waterfront have been opened for the year
This month we cut down and removed one of the trees up on the municipal
building lawn. Because it was all but dead and making a mess of the lawn, it had
also become a safety concern.
The season’s mowing has started with a vengeance and with this month’s rainier
weather it was a challenge to keep everything looking good for the Memorial Day
weekend.
We have begun the culvert replacements on Indian Rd., Gibbs Rd., and Old
Dresden Rd. in preparation for this year’s paving. We have also replaced or reset
several driveway culverts on Foye Rd. and Gibbs Rd.
We have ordered a dozen road and street name signs that were destroyed by
vandals earlier this spring, along with several stop signs that grew legs the same
night.
Monthly Report
20
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Todd Souza, Recreation Director
May Recreation Monthly Report
June 4, 2013
The Parks & Recreation Department strives to work with town departments, community
organizations, schools, volunteers and our youth in an effort to provide a well-balanced selection
for programming and facilities. This report is created to highlight these efforts during the past
month.
Public Relations
Our department was involved in numerous planning and work sessions over the course of the
month, either as participating members, facilitators or hosts. During the month department staff
participated in the WPS new student orientation fair, Fourth of July meetings, Feed Our Scholars
5K, Chewonki & Chop Point lifeguard trainings, school swim lessons for (WPS, CTL and
Nobleboro), trail meetings and work with David Marcus’s his eagle scout trail project.
Operations
We continue to dial-in building operations as the building and systems react to the new pool
cover. We have seen a decrease in electricity and fuel consumption over the past few months.
We look forward to comparing the data moving forward, this data will allow us to make further
adjustments to the operating system to improve efficiencies and reduce our energy footprint.
Safety
Department staff met with representatives from the Maine department of emergency
management, Lincoln County EMA and the Red Cross to review department and local
procedures. We also discussed the options available to us to receive support as a local/regional
shelter. We will continue these discussions to help provide the greatest level of service to our
community.
Staff
Congratulations to Tim George, who has been chosen by her peers as “Guard of the Month”.
Tim has been a long time staff member. She started off her career as a high school student and is
working her way up the ladder at the WCC.
Monthly Report
21
Programs
Thank you to the Wiscasset Fire Department for your support with traffic during our Annual
Youth Baseball/Softball Opening Day Parade. During our ceremony this year we recognized
Natalie Demeny for her years of dedicated service to the Wiscasset Parks & Recreation
Department, by asking her to throw out the first pitch. After throwing a “Strike” we thanked her
and wished her well as she started the next part of her life, “Happy
Retirement Natalie”.
The Wiscasset Parks & Recreation Department’s aquatic director
Lori LaPointe held a lifeguard class, certifying 13 new lifeguards.
Three of which will be joining the WCC team. We also held our
Annual Mother & Son Dance. It was another hit this year with 73
people attending.
Memberships
As the department continues to analyze membership data, we are
always looking to confirm that our membership structure and
payment choices provide value to our members. We
are also looking to confirm that our structure is an
attractant to new members.
Finance
The Department’s budget was 87.70% expended at
the end of May, keeping us ahead of our targeted
92.31%. Monthly expenses fluctuate greatly with
program offerings and energy demands. $41,722.41 in
revenue was collected during the month.
Upcoming
2013 Summer Activities
 Day Camp
 Gymnastics Camp (Wednesday in July)
 British Soccer Camp
 Camp Swim Lessons
 Soccer Skills Clinics and Camp
 The Muddy Flats Off-Road Triathlon – August 17th
Monthly Report
22
SUMMER HOURS
(May 28, 2013 – September 3, 2013)
Monday – Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
5:00am – 8:00pm
5:00am – 6:00pm
8:00am – 12:00pm
CLOSED
Please feel free to contact the department at 882-8230 with any questions
or to share program ideas. Once again thank you to our staff, volunteers, community
organizations and local businesses for their support and dedication over the past month.
www.wiscassetrec.com
Monthly Report
23
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Ron Lear, Transfer Station Superintendent
May Transfer Station Monthly Report
June 4th, 2013
Below are the materials processed at our facility during the month.
Type of Material
Municipal Solid Waste (Trash)
Demo
Single Stream
Metal
E-Waste
Brush/Lumber
Hard Cover Books
Mixed Copper/Alum/Lead
Shingles
Sheetrock
Cardboard
Tons
Cost/Ton
171.34
34.49
26.88
26
3.85
49
0
0
16.61
0
21.43
-$54
-$58
-$5
+$205
+$.15/lbs
-$35
+$5
+$600
-$48
-$48
+$109
We also recycled 18 bales of cardboard.
Below are the details of our revenue collections for the month.
Types
Revenues:
User Fees/Commercial
MRC
Metal (Light iron, batteries, mixed copper)
Cardboard
$2107.81
$7914.72
$
0
$
0
E-Waste
$
Monthly Report
0
24
Operations:
We shipped 18 gaylords of e-waste this month. We shipped 21.43 tons of Cardboard and took
the 2004 Trash Trailer to A&B Welding for rust repair on the 8th, on the 15th we had the Freon
evacuated from 45 items and on the 21st EPI picked up our hazardous waste.
Training:
Training done this Month was “Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls”, “Clothing PPE” and “Three
Point Technique”.
Financials:
The current budget is about 84.18% expended and Revenues are 95% collected.
Monthly Report
25
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
Shari Fredette, Town Treasurer
May Treasurer Monthly Report
June 6, 2013
Operations:
Our credit card service taxpayer usage continues to grow. Mays Credit/Debit card total was
$6300.92.
Finances: In the month of May the town collected a total of $205,362.33 in Real estate taxes and
$6,551.48 in personal property taxes, a total of $211,913.81, $8,493.00 more than last year in
this same time period.
The TAN account balance remains at $1,500,000.
The Finance Department as of May 31st spent 84.55 percent of our budget; we are 91.67 percent
through our current fiscal year and are 7.45 percent under budget.
Training: I attended the Maine Municipal Tax Collectors’ and Treasurers’ Association Annual
Conference on May 9th, 2013 in Freeport, Maine. The Keynote speaker was Anthony Francisco
the Finance Director for the City of Norman, Oklahoma. The topic was “Cash Handling”. Also
present was the president of the Association of Public Treasurers of the US and Canada. The
following are the topics we covered.








Your job as Cash Handler
Counting Currency & Coin
Checks and Check Cashing
Introduction to Daily cashier operations
Opening Activity/Cash Drawer Setup & Closing Activity
Receiving and Receipting Funds
Balancing Cash Drawer
Safety in any Cash Office
All those present received a copy of the second edition of Model Cash Handling Training
Manual which Anthony Francisco wrote on behalf of the Association of Public Treasurers of the
Monthly Report
26
US and Canada. I also picked up two copies for Becky and Christine to read and have in the
office for reference.
The following figures are taken from the April HM Payson statement as May is not yet available.
Town of Wiscasset fund change in “market value” follows:
Endowment Fund total change in MV*
$ 52,323.64 increase
Endowment Sub account detail of MV change.
Montsweag Dam Reserve Fund
Endowment Cemetery Trust Fund
Endowment General John French Scholarship Fund
Endowment Jackson Cemetery Fund
Endowment Larrabee Band Fund
Endowment Haggett Scholarship Fund
Endowment Mary Bailey Fund
Endowment Seth Wingren Fund
Endowment Wiscasset Community Center Fund
Endowment Copper-Diperri School Scholarship Fund
Endowment Recreation Scholarship Fund
$2,060.01
$32,650.61
$877.48
$382.56
$10,048.82
$218.65
$5,737.56
$387.59
$40.14
$1,001.51
$10.37
Reserve Fund Total change in MV *
Reserve Fund Sub Account detail of MV change.
Capital Reserve Fund
Construction Reserve Fund
Equipment Reserve Fund
Furnace Replacement Reserve Fund
Major Repairs Reserve Fund
Recreation Building Reserve Fund
Retirement Health Insurance Reserve Fund
Roof Repair Reserve Fund
Sale of Cemetery Lots Reserve Fund
Highway Department Capital Reserve Fund
Fire Department Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund
$ 178,795.79 increase
$53,038.70
$35,701.22
$54,978.99
$3,978.79
$5,510.15
$24,165.37
$6,437.68
$4,255.32
$998.05
$25.72
$34.29
*Please note that this change in The Market Value “excludes accrued Income”.
Any questions please contact Shari Fredette, Tax Collector/Treasurer @ 207-882-8200 Ext. 107.
Monthly Report
27
MEMORANDUM
To:
Fr:
Re:
Dt:
Laurie Smith, Town Manager
William Rines, Sewer Superintendent
May Waste Water Treatment Plant Monthly Report
June 10, 2013
For the month of May our average flows were 254,000 gallons per day putting us at 41 % of our
licensed flow. We recorded 5 inches of rain for the month. Our licensed flow is 620,000 gallons
per day.
Operations:
We have started chlorinating our effluent for the summer. We replaced all the associated piping
this year as chlorine is corrosive and the lines were beginning to show signs of leaks. We also
had to pump out, clean and switch the contact tanks for it to be effective. Within the next month
we expect to get the sewer line cleaner out of storage and begin cleaning some of the 14 miles of
gravity lines in town. The hope is to do regular scheduled cleanings each year on a rotating basis.
Training:
Lab testing for fecal coliforms and chlorine residual results for license requirements.
Financials:
We received $30,435.00 in revenues for the month. This puts us at 100% of anticipated revenues
we are at 92% thru the year and expenses are at 86%.
Monthly Report
28