Select Board meeting May 16

Camden considers new project to mitigate 2014 Hosmer Pond contamination

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

Attachments

    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


    Related stories: 

    Ragged Mountain Foundation pays half of Camden's $743,134 Snow Bowl shortfall

    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) 

    Camden Snow Bowl Manager resigns; Camden commences new town manager search (Jan. 27, 2017)

    • Tacos, fat bikes and demo skis at the Camden Snow Bowl this weekend

    • Camden orders Snow Bowl financial audit; to negotiate with Sidecountry, Cold Toes Tacos

    • Following public outcry, Camden Select Board moved to help put two entrepreneurs back at Snow Bowl (Jan. 11, 2017)

    • Camden, Rockland entrepreneurs told not to set up shop at Snow Bowl this weekend (Jan. 7, 2017) 

    • Camden Select Board pledges oversight of Snow Bowl spending, approves $920,000 budget (Aug. 4, 2016)

    • Shaping the Camden Snow Bowl budget: Spend more to make more, or rein it in? (August 4 2016)

    • Camden voters approve dipping into surplus to cover Snow Bowl's $297,303 deficit

    • Camden Select Board forms new Ragged Mountain committee to advise the Snow Bowl (June 7, 2016)

    • Camden Select Board chastises itself for Snow Bowl deficit, forms new committees to help

    • Camden leaders make plan to reduce Snow Bowl's two-year deficit

    • What to do about the Camden Snow Bowl’s $260,000 deficit

    Sales, revenue up for season ski passes up at Camden Snow Bowl

    • Camden readies Snow Bowl for new season; ticket, season pass price increases included (July 20, 2015)

    Camden approves Ledgewood contract for phase 2 of mountain work (May 20, 2015)

    • With record snowfall, Camden's Ragged Mountain Recreation Area begins making financial headway

    • Camden Snow Bowl Redevelopment Committee, Ragged Mountain Foundation hold community meeting (March 2, 2015)

    • Camden Snow Bowl project up to $8.4 million, fundraising resumes (Feb. 3, 2015)

    • Making tracks in some dreamy snow at Camden Snow Bowl (Jan. 30)

    • Snow Bowl to fire up chairlifts; refunds offered to passholders (Jan 21)

    • Camden Planning Board to begin Snow Bowl lodge review (Jan. 9)

    Camden Select Board brings in old friend to help with Snow Bowl progress (Jan. 7)

    • Camden Snow Bowl to start making snow Jan. 5 (Jan. 2)

    • Camden Select Board pushes Ragged Mountain redevelopment project forward over protests of many neighbors (Dec. 18)

    • Snow Bowl progress report to Camden Select Board continues to be positive (Dec. 3)

    • One by one, 20 chairlift towers went up at the Camden Snow Bowl (Dec. 1)

    • Helicopter to help raise, place 23 chairlift towers at Camden Snow Bowl (Dec. 1)

    • Report: Ragged Mountain Redevelopment Project $500,000 over budget (Oct. 8)

    • Camden Planning Board approves Snow Bowl lighting plan as proposed (Oct. 6)

    • Camden Snow Bowl on target for Dec. 20 opening, weather willing (Sept. 19)

    • Camden to contract with South Portland firm to manage Snow Bowl lodge, base area (July 24, 2014)

    • Camden Snow Bowl project remains under DEP scrutiny, making progress, more work ahead (July 11)

    • Vermont trail builder takes helm with Camden Snow Bowl project, new phase gets under way (July 10)

    Camden Snow Bowl prepped for more rain, assembling working group to assist with next steps (July 2)

    • Snow Bowl mountain mud runoff causes headache for neighbors, town (July 1)

    • Camden Snow Bowl anticipates ending season in the black; work begins on Ragged Mountain (March 19)

    • Homage to Camden’s Big T (March 15, 2014)

     By wide margin, Camden voters approve Snow Bowl improvement bond (Nov. 5, 2013)

     Camden voters consider $2 million Snow Bowl bond, three zoning amendments (Nov. 3, 2013)

     Camden committee selects new parks and recreation director (Sept. 6, 2013)

     Camden considers $2 million Snow Bowl bond, ordinance amendments Nov. 5 (Sept. 4, 2014)

     Camden ready to put $2 million bond before voters (Aug. 21, 2013)

     Camden pursues federal money to help with Snow Bowl upgrade (July 10, 2013)

     Camden learns about refurbished chairlifts, woven grips and haul ropes (April 10, 2013)

     Last run for Jeff (Jan. 21, 2013)

     Stellar start to season at Camden Snow Bowl (Jan. 9, 2013)

     Camden’s Ragged Mountain loses a good friend (Nov. 7, 2012)

     Ready for packed powder? Camden Snow Bowl to make it quicker, sooner with updated snow guns (Sept. 12, 2012)


    Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657