York Town News
Board of Selectmen holds final meeting before the election
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - The current Board of Selectmen has met for the last time, discussing issues ranging from parade safety plans to the sale of town-owned land to the aftermath of the Patriot's Day storm.
The board met Monday evening, May 7, and began the meeting with an acknowledgement from Chairman David Marshall that this would be the final meeting of the current board before the election on May 19.
Selectman Torbert Macdonald, Jr., who was unable to be in attendance due to his ongoing battle with Lyme disease, has resigned effective the election of a successor on May 19 while Selectman Len Dorrian is on the ballot seeking a second term.
At Monday's meeting, the board heard an update from Town Manager Rob Yandow on his work with Police Chief Douglas Bracy, Capt. Kevin LeConte and Parks and Recreation Director Michael Sullivan in response to a Christmas parade tragedy that claimed the life of a young boy in Portsmouth, N.H., last winter.
Since that time, local officials have been considering how to prevent such a tragedy from happening in York.
Yandow presented a draft of a parade permit application asking for all relevant information that "gives us the opportunity to have all the departments involved in a review process," he explained, adding the town's new safety guidelines would have to be met prior to receiving a permit for participation.
Yandow noted that there are a total of 16 proposed guidelines, including a requirement that the parade organizer identify a safety director to review each entry. Entries would then be subject to town inspection by a designated municipal employee at the parade.
Other guidelines include hand-holds or other ways to be sure those riding on floats are secure, no children under the age of 12 allowed on a float without an adult present and that there be one adult for every five children. The provisions also include that float drivers be at least 21 years old and hold a valid license; that no performances are allowed on floats unless all performers are seated, and that fire extinguishers, safety plans for generators and electrical wires and precautions for visibility are all in place.
"The town would also have at least one identified representative at each event," Yandow said, who would be given the authority to disqualify entrants that have not met the safety guidelines.
The selectmen discussed concerns regarding legal implications for a safety director designated by a voluntary organization, and asked for more information from Yandow and Bracy.
Yandow clarified that the safety director's role is to work with entrants in advance to make sure they are aware of the safety guidelines, and that it would be the town's designated employee who would have the authority to bar an entrant from participating in the event due to safety concerns.
The selectmen voiced support for the plan, but agreed to wait to take formal action until questions about any liability for volunteers are answered by the Maine Municipal Association.
The board also heard an update from Bracy and Yandow on the ongoing repairs to roadways from the Patriot's Day storm.
The Federal Highway Administration was in town Monday to review the damage, Bracy said, and the town is moving forward with projects for Long Beach Avenue and Shore Road within 180 days of the storm in an effort to receive full Federal Highway Administration funds.
Bracy also updated the board on Route 91, where a 1916 culvert has been damaged and undermined, and a temporary fix will only be a "Band-aid" to the need for a new box culvert to support a new bridge and proper guard rails.
Route 91 is scheduled to close on May 14 for temporary work, he said.
"There's some real issues there, and I think we worked pretty hard today to have them see that," Bracy said of the FHA site visit.
Also at Monday's meeting, the board discussed the process for selling certain town-owned properties to offset municipal building needs. One parcel that is off the table is the Town Farm, which was previously met with opposition from residents, many of whom have said they hope to see the parcel preserved as a piece of York's history.
Yandow updated the board on several properties that have been assessed at both their buildable and unbuildable value. The board agreed that several of the properties on Pine Mountain, Lake Caroline and Mill Lane, should be offered first to abutters and, then, if they are not interested in purchasing the land, an auction could be scheduled to sell the parcels.
Selectman Mike Estes noted that any buildable parcel could be considered for affordable housing through an organization such as Habitat for Humanity.
In other business, the board approved license applications for new businesses submitted by Tatnic Enterprises, Inc., for APZ for a victualer, liquor and special amusement license; Victor Guay and Ralph Goddard for Bittersweet Bed and Breakfast; Gregory and Keith Barsanti for Gabby Sullivans; Ken Kirchner for Ken's Pizza; Brian Cribby for Maniax Café, and Arnold Undzis for the Village Scoop of Cape Neddick.
"I want to wish all the new business good luck," said Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell.
The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 21.
