Gray Town Council approves Manager's contract 4-1
Also, Citizen says, "I'm going to shock you, by thanking you..."
By Elizabeth Prata Salvetti

Gray--The Gray Town Council's August 6 meeting approved the Town Manager's contract, established a Post Office Building Committee, and heard comments from several citizens about the Council’s performance and also the Celebration Days festival.

Manager's Contract
Town Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz was hired in May 2001. The Employment Agreement approved by the Council on August 6, 2002 formally establishes his compensation, benefits, and duties for the next two-year period. The Manager’s salary is set at $70,200, and the Town will contribute an amount equal to 11% of his base salary to his retirement fund. In addition, he will receive $250 per month as a car allowance, $1,500 per year for professional development, 3 weeks vacation, and benefits in accordance with the Town’s policy for other Town employees.

The vote to approve the employment agreement was 4-1 with Councilor Sue Austin opposed. Austin stated that her negative vote had nothing to do with the Manager’s performance. She voted no because of "lack of support for the entire package and procedures used." The agreement went unsigned by Austin. In an interview subsequent to the meeting, Austin said her objections to the package offered to Berkowitz revolved around three major issues. First, she said, "The Council gave an appropriate raise at the 6 month mark. Then to add to the present salary at the first year anniversary another raise totaling a $5,200 increase the first year certainly is significant."

Also, she said, "Sick time is sick time, it is not something that we must buy out at separation.I consider it insurance. If we don’t use it we don’t use it."

Third, Austin said, "Of most concern was the move from 6 months to a full year of severance. Unfortunately while I was on the School Board we had two experiences with Administrative buyouts. It is substantial when that happens because there still needs to be funds expended for the new person. You're paying for two people in the same position." She added that "I heard our two communities gasp at the price tag when that happened. I didn't forget it and although no one wants that situation to arise, I learned it can and it does." Austin emphasized that her objections have nothing to do with the Manager's performance. "He set goals and he met them," Austin said.

Manager's Report
Berkowitz informed the community that there will be a Maine Department of Transportation public hearing on August 14, 2002, 7 p.m., at Stimson Hall regarding the Rt. 26 Bypass Environmental statement.

This year’s assessed values of property is complete and the assessed valuation is set at 21.50 per thousand dollars of valuation. This represents a 4.87% increase over last year’s 20.50.

The Town-wide revaluation is about 69% invoiced and complete. The original contract for O’Donnell Associates was $196,800. Paid to date is $147,600 which includes a 20% retainer. The reevaluation work will continue through the fall and the first draft of values should come forward in late fall. The Council should continue to seek candidates for the Board of Assessors (1), Berkowitz reported.

Yarmouth Lumber Company, under tight scrutiny by the Department of Environmental Protection over the past year due to a constancy of small fuel spills at their site on Rt. 100 at the Cumberland Line, is now fueling off-site, Berkowitz said. There were no recent spills at the pump island, and water well testing results show that water tested at the Tall Pines Condominium complex, Yarmouth Lumber, the Wilkinson duplex, were all below detectable ranges for diesel range organics (DRO). The Smith property’s untreated water showed a result of 82 parts per billion, but after filtration, no DROs were detected.

Town Office Center Building Committee
The voters approved the Town’s purchase of the abandoned Post Office building next to Town Office at Town Meeting in June. Soon after, the Council decided to establish a Building Committee to resolve lingering questions regarding how the building would be used. Initially, the Council thought to expand Town Offices by connecting the two buildings, and commissioned a schematic showing how the resulting building would look. Councilor Richard barter advocated for establishment of a Committee to look at space needs, and see if other alternatives would be more appropriate. He also wanted to offer a way for the citizens to become involved in the process and have a chance to offer their input in the issue.

At the August 6 Council meeting, it was announced that the Town Office Center Building Committee would be comprised of three citizens, a SAD #15 representative, a Town of Gray staff member appointed by the Manager, and the Council Chair. The citizens would be chosen by lot, from a hat.

The SAD #15 representative will be Finance and Operations Manager Brian McDonnell, the Town of Gray staff member is still to be determined, Pam Wilkinson is the Council Chair, and the three citizens drawn at random (by this reporter) were Don Simons, Wade Trudel, and Louise Knapp.

The mission of the committee will be to set a mission and goals for themselves, look at current space allocations and needs, examine the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, investigate feasibility of alternative sites for a Town office expansion, compile a funding analysis of each recommendation, and deliver recommendations within 3 to 4 months.

Citizen Comments
During Citizen Comments, Don Simons congratulated the Council "for bringing responsibility, respectability, and civility back to Town government." He thanked all the Town Departments for their efforts and the SAD Board "for all the work you do." Simons said that "for a while here in Gray things were appalling. People have a right to dissent and to offer alternatives, but I wondered if I had that voice." He was especially appreciative that all the Boards and Departments "listen when I have a question. I feel like I have a voice again."

American Legion Post #86 Commander Larry Newth notified the Council that the Federal government has established a "Patriot Day" commemorating the September 11 attacks on America. "Not to be confused with Massachusetts’ and Maine’s ‘Patriot’s Day," he said. The Legion is organizing activities to begin at noon on September 11, 2003. While activities are not yet finalized, there may be speeches, bells rung from local churches, presentation of the Blue Star flag to families who have members in the service, and a laying of a commemorative wreath. He asked the Council for their support.

Jim Monroe spoke about the fun he had at Celebration Days. He said that the parade was fun and he thanked all those involved with organizing it and participating in it. "People were comfortable enough to expose their fun side, and I thank them for that," he said. "We need to have some fun together, to take us through the times when we have to vigorously debate and the tension rises." He also thanked SAD 15 Board Chair Sarah McCleary and her group for working so hard to engage with the community on school issues.