Select Board meeting May 16

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 9:15pm

Lynda Clancy

A photo of Hosmer Pond taken June 27, 2014, showing the effects of Ragged Mountain logging erosion runoff following heavy rain overnight June 25-26. (Courtesy Lee Schneller Sligh)

CAMDEN — Almost three years ago, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued a violation notice to Camden for severely disturbing soil on Ragged Mountain, and the resulting sedimentary contamination of Hosmer Brook and Pond. Contractor crews remediated the erosion during Summer 2014, but the town faced an enforcement action, including a monetary fine. Since February, Town Attorney Bill Kelly has been talking with the DEP about a consent agreement, and/or a mitigation project.

Little has been said publicly about the proposed project, although there have been references to Hosmer Pond improvements as part of such a mitigation effort. Likewise, the draft consent agreement has yet to be publicly discussed, while it remains under negotiation. That is per agency policy, according to DEP spokesman Dave Madore.

But on May 16, at least some portion of the mitigation project is to be discussed as the first order of business at the regularly scheduled Camden Select Board meeting.

The agenda item says:

1) Hosmer Pond Boat Launch/DEP Project
a. Bid Award b. Approval of withdrawal funds from restricted funds for ADA dock.

According to Attorney Kelly: “The item on the agenda is for the approval of the plan and expenditure of funds for the dock and improvements construction. This is within the discretion of the Select Board as the funding comes from a fund over which they have discretion for such things. Of course, this is also a project that is being wrapped into the DEP enforcement action Consent Agreement, and I am expecting to get a final version of that Consent Agreement from DEP soon, which will be shared with the public and presented at a Special Town meeting for approval in the near future. That said, there was no good reason not to get the project advertised for bid before the season was too far along.”

On May 15, Madore said: “Camden has asked for a supplemental environmental project (SEP) as part of the consent agreement. The proposal has not been formally presented to DEP for review. Any documents should be available through the Town of Camden.”

The final plan documents are expected to be presented at the May 16 meeting by Will Gartley, of the engineering firm Gartley and Dorsky, said Kelly.

The 2014 violation notice (see attached PDF) was issued after the DEP approved the alteration of 7,028 acres of wet meadow and forested wetlands in order for the Snow Bowl ski trail expansion project. During the logging, however, trees were skidded down several pre-existing trails, severely disturbing soils without erosion controls, the DEP said. Up to an acre of land was disturbed in various locations on the mountain, according to the DEP violation notice.

The May 16 Select Board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and the agenda also includes talking about renovation work on the town clock at the top of the Chestnut Street Baptist Church, a discussion with the Maine Department of Transportation about the Route 1 North project, withdrawing funds from accounts to purchase a new lawn mower and fire hose, approving victualer licenses, and other municipal business.

The full meeting agenda follows, and the supporting documentation is available by clicking here.

Select Board Meeting May 16, 2017

6:30 PM Washington Street Conference Room

Select Board meetings are broadcast live on Time Warner Channel 22 Select Board meetings are web streamed at www.townhallstreams.com/locations/camden-me

1. Hosmer Pond Boat Launch/DEP Project

a. Bid Award b. Approval of withdrawal funds from restricted funds for ADA dock

2. Presentation and discussion regarding the renovation work to be done on the Town Clock at the Chestnut Street Church.

3. Discussion with MDOT regarding the status of the Route 1 North project and to address the content of the MDOT response letter dated April 7th.

4. Consideration of the following reserve account withdrawals:

a. Withdrawal of up to $5,210 from the Parks Equipment Reserve account to purchase new Walker mower

b. Withdrawal of up to $6,040 from Fire Equipment Reserve account to purchase new large diameter hose

5. Consideration of naming of Sagamore Farm Trails

6. Bid Award for Ames Terrace property

6. Approval of renewal license agreement with Maine Media Workshops, Inc. for filming on public ways and town properties.

7. Approval of the following Victualer’s License renewals: Boynton McKay, Camden Harbour Inn, Camden Hideaway Inn, Captain Swift Inn, Fireside Restaurant, Free Street Inn, Grand Harbor Inn, Harbor Dogs, Hartstone Inn, Lodge at Camden Hills, Lord Camden Inn, Maine Stay Inn, Mt. Battie Takeout, Norumbega, River Ducks Ice Cream, Scott’s Place, Smoothie Shack, Swan House, Timbercliffe Cottages, and Waterfront Restaurant.

8. Approval of the following Lodging Establishment License renewals: Camden Harbour Inn, Camden Hideaway Inn, Captain Swift Inn, Cedar Crest Motel, Free Street Inn, Grand Harbor Inn, Hartstone Inn, Lodge at Camden Hills, Lord Camden Inn, Maine Stay Inn, Norumbega, Swan House, and Timbercliffe Cottages.

9. Public hearings regarding the following licenses:

a) Application of Breda, LLC, d/b/a Camden Harbour Inn at 83 Bay View Street for a Hotel Class I Liquor License to serve malt, spirituous, and vinous beverages in addition to 20 Hotel Room Mini-Bars

b) Application of John McCluskey, d/b/a Camden House of Pizza for a new Class III & Class IV Liquor License to serve vinous and malt beverages.

c) Application of William Hahn & Stephen Liberty, d/b/a Elm Street Grill at 115 Elm Street for a Restaurant Class I Liquor License to serve malt, spirituous, and vinous beverages

d) Application of Benjamin Curtis & Michael Askjaer d/b/a Fireside for renewal Class IX Lounge Liquor License to serve malt, spirituous, and vinous beverages.

e) Application of 63 High Street, LLC, d/b/a The Norumbega Inn at 63 High Street for a Club Class V Liquor license to serve malt, spirituous, and vinous beverages.

f) Application of Peter Masin-Peters and Jamie Dishner, d/b/a Tap and Vine and 9 Bay View Landing for a Class A Lounge Liquor License to serve malt, spirituous, and vinous beverages (new business)

g) Application of Oscar Verest, d/b/a Camden Harbour Inn at 83 Bay View Street for a Special Amusement Permit

h) Application of Heather Smith, d/b/a Elm Street Grill at 115 Elm Street for a Special Amusement Permit

10. Proclamation designating Sunday, May 21, 2017 as Arbor Day in Camden

11. 2017 Fourth of July presentation

12. Consideration of Paddle Craft Rack Proposal

13. Approval of Board Minutes from April 25, 2017 & May 2, 2017

14. Select Board Reports

15. Public Input on non-agenda items

Camden waits for $743,143 reimbursement for Ragged Mountain redevelopment

Camden Snow Bowl forensic audit report delayed, again (March 17, 2017)

Camden's Snow Bowl audit results delayed, no decision on DEP consent agreement, yet

Camden and the Snow Bowl redevelopment: One citizen's inquiry into the cash flow (Feb. 2, 2017)