THE RECORD
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - MAY 7 & 8, 2001
Town of Bar Harbor
The voters of the Town of Bar Harbor met at the Annual Town Meeting in the Municipal Building Auditorium, Bar Harbor, on Monday, May 7, 2001. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by the Town Clerk. The following ballot clerks, having been appointed and duly sworn in, were in attendance for the election: (Republican) Carolyn Eaton; Eleanor Raynes; Helen Wood; and (Democrat) Anna Ryan; Barbara Boyington; Richard Hirte in the a.m. and Robert Jordan, Jr. in the p.m. Milford Shaw served as deputy clerk for the day.
The following action was taken under the various Articles in the Warrant as follows:
Article 1 ELECTION OF MODERATOR - To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
The Town Clerk opened the floor for the election of moderator. Chadbourn Smith was nominated as moderator, there being no other nominations, it was duly moved and seconded that nominations cease. Motion passed. Ballots were cast for moderator and Chadbourn Smith received eight votes, a unanimous vote, and was declared elected and sworn in by the Town Clerk. Mr. Smith, as duly elected moderator, appointed and swore in Milford Shaw as deputy moderator to serve in his place during his absence from the polls during the town meeting election. The polls were declared opened at 8:07 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Article 2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS - To elect all necessary Town Officers as are required to be elected by secret ballot.
297 ballots were cast including 16 absentee ballots. There was one spoiled ballot.
For Town Council Member - Three Year Term - Two vacancies
David Bowden received 151 votes
J. Thomas Burton III received 133 votes
Valerie E. Scott received 221 votes
There was one declared invalid write-in.
David Bowden and Valerie E. Scott were declared elected.
For Superintending School Committee - Three Year Term - Two vacancies.
Glenon J. Friedmann received 222 votes
Jon A. Hubbard received 226 votes
There were four write-ins; each of the following received one vote; Robert Collier, Dave Cowing, Penny Dunn, and Rhonda Farnsworth.
Glenon J. Friedmann and Jon A. Hubbard were declared elected.
For Mount Desert Island District Trustee - Three Year Term - One Vacancy.
Robert C. Webber received 223 votes
There were nine write ins; two declared invalid, each of the following received one vote; Gail Bowden, Rhonda Farnsworth, Robert L. Jordan, Jr., Sue Leiter, Milford Shaw, and two votes for Nathaniel Fenton.
Robert C. Webber was declared elected.
The Town Meeting reconvened on Tuesday, May 8, 2001, in the auditorium, third floor of the Municipal Building, Bar Harbor. Prior to the meeting, the Emerson State Champion Jazz Band performed for the public. Following their performance, Town Manager Dana Reed presented the band with a Resolution from the Town Council recognizing their outstanding performance that earned them the State Champion title.
Resolution
of
The Bar Harbor Town Council
Whereas, the Conners Emerson School Jazz Band, has been awarded the title of State Champions for their excellence performance at the 2001 Maine State Jazz Festival; and
Whereas, in recognition of the Conners Emerson School's fifth consecutive number one place under the guidance of Music Director Joe Wainer, and the members of the band's outstanding performance for their renditions of "Misty", "Yard Bird Suite" and "In Walked Bud"; and
Whereas, the community of Bar Harbor wishes to express their pride in its young citizens' outstanding accomplishments;
And Whereas, the Bar Harbor Town Council desires to recognize these attainments;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, That the Conners Emerson School Jazz Band, their music director, and supportive parents are hereby recognized for their achievements.
The moderator, Chadbourn Smith, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and read the results of the May 7, 2001 election. The moderator made preliminary remarks with respect to the conduct of the meeting. There being no other comments, the meeting began with article A.
Article A ELECTION OF WARRANT COMMITTEE MEMBERS - To elect Warrant Committee members as are required by Section 00.07.01 of the Town Charter.
The moderator reported that the committee formed to submit nominations for the Warrant Committee and submitted the following slate of names:
David Cowing Laureen Donnelly
Laura Gibbons Michael Gurtler
Elizabeth Hughes Margaret Jeffrey
Robert Jordan, Jr. Gail Leiser
David Lind Linda McFarland
Harriette Mitchell Edward Paine
Steve Powell Deborah Rechholtz
Francis Russell Roger Samuel
Sonya Vance Greg Veilluex
Alice Walls Anthony Webster
Robin Weir Ronald Wrobel
There being no further nominations, it was moved, duly seconded, and voted to adopt the Warrant Committee for 2002 as presented.
Article B EDUCATION BUDGET EXPENDITURES: "Total Expenditures" - To see what sum the voters will authorize the School Committee to expend from the Foundation Allocation, debt service allocation, unexpended balances, tuition receipts, local appropriations, state subsidy and other receipts for the support of schools for FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
SchoolTownWarrant
Recommendations:CommitteeCouncil Committee
Total Expenditures$3,288,529$3,288,529 $3,288,529
Voted: That the Town authorize the School Committee to expend $3,288,529 from the Foundation Allocation, debt service allocation, unexpended balances, tuition receipts, local appropriations, state subsidy and other receipts for the support of schools for FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
Article C EDUCATION BUDGET REVENUES: "Foundation Allocation" - To see what sum the voters will appropriate as the total "Foundation Allocation" for school purposes and to see what sum the voters will raise as the local share of the "Foundation Allocation" for FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
SchoolTownWarrant
Recommendations:Committee CouncilCommittee
State Share of Foundation Allocation $99,000 $99,000 $99,000
Local Share of Foundation Allocation$2,647,947 $2,647,947$2,647,947
Total Foundation Allocation$2,746,947 $2,746,947$2,746,947
Voted: That the Town appropriate $2,746,947 as the total "Foundation Allocation" for school purposes and to raise $2,647,947 as the local share of the "Foundation Allocation" for FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
Article D EDUCATION BUDGET REVENUES: "Other Revenues" - To see what sum the voters will raise in additional local funds for FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
SchoolTownWarrant
Recommendations:CommitteeCouncil Committee
Miscellaneous Revenues$ 10,000$ 10,000 $ 10,000
Fund Balance37,13437,134 37,134
Additional Local Funds494,448494,448 494,448
Voted: That the Town appropriate $494,448 in additional local funds for FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
The moderator required a hand count, the motion passed 59-0.
Article E EDUCATION BUDGET: State, Federal and Other Funds - In addition to the amount in Article B, shall the voters appropriate and authorize the School Committee to expend additional state, federal and other funds received during FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02) for school purposes, provided that such additional funds do not require the expenditure of local funds not previously appropriated?
Recommendations:
The School Committee recommends adoption of this article.
The Town Council recommends adoption of this article.
The Warrant Committee recommends approval of this article by a vote of 16 to 0.
Voted: That the Town appropriate and authorize the School Committee in addition to the amount in Article B to expend additional state, federal and other funds received during FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02) for school purposes, provided that such additional funds do not require the expenditure of local funds not previously appropriated.
Article F EDUCATION BUDGET: Medicaid Reimbursement - Shall the voters authorize the School Committee to transfer any and all Medicaid reimbursement monies to the Emergency Special Education Reserve Fund?
Recommendations:
The School Committee recommends adoption of this article.
The Town Council recommends adoption of this article.
The Warrant Committee recommends approval of this article by a vote of 16 to 0.
Voted: That the Town authorize the School Committee to transfer any and all Medicaid reimbursement monies to the Emergency Special Education Reserve Fund.
Article G MUNICIPAL BUDGET: Expenditures - To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the Municipal Budget for FY02 (the period 7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
Recommendations:Town CouncilWarrant Committee
Total Expenditures$6,200,692 $6,200,692
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate $6,200,692 for the Municipal Budget for FY02 (the period 7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
Article H MUNICIPAL BUDGET: Other Revenues - To see what sum the Town will vote to reduce the amount to be raised by taxation by using estimated revenues and fund balance for the Municipal Budget for FY02 (the period 7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
Recommendations:Town CouncilWarrant Committee
Other Revenues$2,434,029 $2,434,029
Fund Balance$ 295,817$ 295,817
Voted: That the Town reduce the amount to be raised by taxation by using $2,434,029 from estimated revenues and $295,817 from fund balance for the Municipal Budget for FY02 (the period 7/1/01 to 6/30/02).
Article I MUNICIPAL BUDGET: State, Federal and Other Funds – In addition to the amount in Article G, shall the voters appropriate and authorize the Town Council to expend additional state, federal and other funds received during FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02) for municipal purposes, provided that such additional funds do not require the expenditure of local funds not previously appropriated?
Recommendations:
The Town Council recommends adoption of this article.
The Warrant Committee recommends approval of this article by a vote of 16 to 0.
Voted: That the Town appropriate and authorize the Town Council in addition to the amount in Article G to expend additional state, federal and other funds received during FY02 (7/1/01 to 6/30/02) for municipal purposes, provided that such additional funds do not require the expenditure of local funds not previously appropriated.
Article J EARLY TAX PAYMENT DISCOUNT - To see if the voters will authorize the Tax Collector to accept early payments on the second half installment by the due date of the first half installment and provide the taxpayer with a 2% discount on the second installment only.
Recommendations:
The Town Council recommends adoption of this article.
The Warrant Committee recommends approval of this article by a vote of 16 to 0.
Voted: That the Town authorize the Tax Collector to accept early payments on the second half installment by the due date of the first half installment and provide the taxpayer with a 2% discount on the second installment only.
Article K PREPAYMENT OF TAXES - To see if the Town will vote to accept tax payments prior to the commitment date and to pay interest on said tax payments in the amount of 0% per year figured on a monthly basis until the tax commitment date is reached.
Recommendations:
The Town Council recommends adoption of this article.
The Warrant Committee recommends approval of this article by a vote of 16 to 0.
Voted: That the Town accept tax payments prior to the commitment date and to pay interest on said tax payments in the amount of 0% per year figured on a monthly basis until the tax commitment date is reached.
Article L TAX DUE DATE AND INTEREST RATE - To see if the Town will vote that the first half taxes shall be due and payable on or before September 28, 2001 and that second half taxes shall be due and payable on or before March 29, 2002 and that interest shall be charged at the annual rate of 11.5% on any unpaid taxes due on September 28, 2001 beginning September 29, 2001 and on any unpaid taxes due March 29, 2002 beginning March 30, 2002.
Recommendations:
The Town Council recommends adoption of this article.
The Warrant Committee recommends approval of this article by a vote of 16 to 0.
Voted: That the Town's first half taxes shall be due and payable on or before September 28, 2001 and that second half taxes shall be due and payable on or before March 29, 2002 and that interest shall be charged at the annual rate of 11.5% on any unpaid taxes due on September 28, 2001 beginning September 29, 2001 and on any unpaid taxes due March 29, 2002 beginning March 30, 2002.
Article M OVERPAYMENT OF TAXES - To see if the Town will vote to establish the interest rate to be paid to a taxpayer who is determined to have paid an amount of real estate taxes in excess of the amount finally assessed for 2001 at 8% per year on the amount of overpayment.
Recommendations:
The Town Council recommends adoption of this article.
The Warrant Committee recommends approval of this article by a vote of 16 to 0.
Voted: That the Town establish the interest rate to be paid to a taxpayer who is determined to have paid an amount of real estate taxes in excess of the amount finally assessed for 2001 at 8% per year on the amount of overpayment.
The moderator concluded the meeting with the closing remarks that when a town meeting runs this smoothly, it is an indication of how well and closely the administration of the Town and the Warrant Committee work together.
The motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. was made, duly seconded, and passed.
Attest: _____________________________________
Patricia A. Gray, Town Clerk of Bar Harbor