BETHEL — In a nearly three-hour Bethel select board meeting, not televised due to connectivity issues, nine members were chosen to be on the Ethel Bisbee ad-hoc committee. Before a final motion was made, the board backtracked to add two abutters to the group that will propose a plan for the former elementary school property.
“I think the point of this process is to make amends to the people surrounding that property who have had a bad experience with the town. It would be completely ridiculous for us not to put any members of the Ethel Bisbee neighborhood on the committee,” said selectwoman Meryl Kelly.
Resident Sarah Southam who was chosen unanimously and was in the audience asked to be removed saying, “I think there’s more thought that needs to go into the criteria to be fair and that they [an ad-hoc member] will be productive… You can take my name off because I don’t feel comfortable with this.” After Southam left, Jim Bennett who was initially selected, suggested he be a non-voting representative to the board, adding a space for the second abutter.
The select board chose, Tom Zicarelli and Katie Getchell, both abutters, along with Bridgid Remington, Travis Brooks, Maryvonne Wheeler, Charlie Raymond, Beth Allen, Lee Hughes, and Faye Christoforo.
Other business
Bethel selectman Frank Del Duca suggested, and the motion passed, to move Andrews town manager review to an executive session. A date was not chosen.
Andrews noted that the Wednesday, June 14, Annual Town Meeting at 6 p.m. will be held at the Crescent Park School gym. A special Town Meeting will be held on April 14 at 6 p.m. at Bethel Town Office.
The board approved Water Quality and Compliance Services to act as Waste Water Treatment Plant interim superintendent. Current WWTP employee Toby Walker is eligible to take the grade three test. Andrews said he is studying for the test. Passing the test is not the only criteria for elevation to the position. She said, all parties understand this.
Frank Del Duca and Birch Allen were chosen to be AVCOG (Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments) representatives.
Tabaitha Steward, Allen and Jim Bennett asked the board to approve the new draft of the Bethel Short Term Residential Rental ordinance. “We worked on this tirelessly for months,” said Steward.
The three recommended Granicus Host Compliance to enforce the code, if passed. They have met with them once for information and will meet again. The company tracks the homes that are rented (STR’s are up 31% this year according to Granicus), sends out the initial application letters and the renewal letters. They handle the complaints with a 24-hour hotline. The CEO has access to the data. On an off-peak day (March 23) Granicus tracked 500 rentals.
“They aggregate their data from all the rental sites,” said Allen
“They [Granicus] liked our draft. Even the lawyer had very little to say,” said Bennett.
“Basically what they would charge us is $34,000 a year,” said Bennett. “Using this company, is cheaper than hiring someone.”
Del Duca asked about fees. The select board handles fees said Steward. “They (Granicus) recommended for application fees two and a half times what the average bottom rental fee per night which is $300.
The company is recommending a $600-$900 application fee per year,” said Bennett. The national low application fee is $250.
“I’d really like to see the data from the company,” Swain said.
Andrews reminded them that there is a timeline. At least one more public hearing will need to be scheduled before town meeting
“Reading this do you see the curve ball that is coming at us from out of the park?” asked Del Duca. “After that meeting (the STR ordinance meeting) we made a lot of changes,” said Bennett
Police contract
The board was not satisfied with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department contract. They plan to discuss it, then invite the county administration, specifically, Administrator Donald Durrah, who said he is willing to come.
“I do have a huge problem with the police chief [Sheriff] not coming in to talk to us,” said Kelley.
Personal Property
At the start of the meeting Bob Blake of the Bethel assessor’s board questioned Andrews about Bethel collecting personal property tax.
He said with higher taxes they have a huge number of homestead exemption applications. He questioned if they should enforce the personal property tax. Blake asked if the select board has had any input.
“They [the select board]are aware that I intend to enforce the constitution in the state of Maine and the laws that it requires, yes… You cannot create an ordinance that frustrates a statute.” said Andrews.
When Blake suggested a public hearing, Andrews responded, “for what purpose?’ She said the select board and public did not have a choice in the matter.
“We had a choice, since ’08,” said Blake
“You have been making that choice erroneously,” Andrews said. When the town chose not to collect a personal property tax in 2008 under Town Manager Scott Cole, the previous assessor [William Van Tuinen] removed a clause saying he would abide by the Maine constitution, she said.
“Furthermore, you took an oath when you joined the board of assessors to uphold the constitution of the State of Maine, the constitution of the state of Maine says that you will collect personal property tax.”
Andrews suggested a workshop for the public explaining the law, BETE (Business Equipment Tax Exemption) and other exemptions.
Scott Cole said Andrews has no business meddling in the assessors’ business. To the select board, he said, “I ask you to do your job, reign her in.”
Andrews read from the ordinance. “The town manager may impose additional duties upon this department.”
“This is an old law …” said Del Duca
“It is revised,” said Andrews.
Discussion of personal property tax continued to an 8 a.m. board of assessors’ meeting the following day. See related story.
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