By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
At the regular meeting of the Caribou City Council, held last night, a public hearing to receive written and oral input on the proposed changes to the 2010-11 state of Maine general assistance maximums attracted no attention from the public.
Municipal officers must approve or adopt any changes regarding the maximum levels of general assistance which are established as a matter of state law based on various federal values. Jayne Farrin, Caribou city clerk/ general assistance administrator, was present to answer any questions during the presentation.
The overall maximum levels of assistance comparing 2009/10 to 2010/11 showed a meager increase of between $5 and $7 per household depending on the number of occupants. In households with five and six occupants the overall maximum level showed no change. The new overall maximum levels of assistance are calculated on the basis of the 2010-11 HUD fair market rent values which became effective on Oct. 1 of this year.
Appendix B lists the maximum levels of assistance food. These maximum levels are the same as the USDA 2010-11 Thrifty Food Plan, which are presumed to be reasonable by regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services. The proposed maximums for assistance food are the same as the those for 2009-10.
The maximum levels of assistance for housing (both heated and unheated are developed by the Maine Municipal Association using 2010-11 HUD fair market rent values that include utility costs. The levels of for both heated and unheated housing maximums depending on the number of bedrooms shows very little change over the current rates.
The council panel voted to adopt the recommendations and to submit the general assistance ordinance to the Department of Health and Human Services, in compliance with state law.
An agreement with the Caribou Utilities District regarding the recovery of water and sewer liens as part of the sale or collections of taxes on tax acquired properties drafted by Caribou City Manager Steve Buck Alan Hitchcock, CUD director and Rick Solman, legal counselor for the city, replaces what Mayor Murchison referred to historically being, “a gentleman’s (handshake) agreement between the two entities regarding unpaid water/sewer charges.”
The agreement states that the city’s tax lien interest securing payment of unpaid real property taxes has priority over the District’s sewer and water lien securing non-payment of sewer and or water assessment, rates, tolls, rents and other charges. The agreement assures the CUD that in the event the city takes possession of a tax acquired property and puts that property out to bid, it will not be sold for less than an amount that will cover both the tax liens to the city and any water/sewer liens due to CUD as well.
Buck also stated that in a situation where the city decides to keep a property for municipal means, any monies due the utility district will be paid by the city.
Counselor agreed to have the city manager sign the agreement and to implement the contract with the CUD immediately.
In other business councilors voted to set a public hearing date on a proposed addition to Caribou Code, Chapter 7 regarding licenses and permits to include Seller/Server Training requirements. At the Nov. 8 city council meeting, councilers discussed a letter the city received from Clare Desrosiers, project manager of ASAP (Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition). In her letter Desorisers called attention to a new regulation that allows municipalities and counties to require bartender training for on-premise liquor licensee (restaurants and bars). ASAP members asked the city to consider updating this ordinance in Caribou.
The act, which was signed into effect by Gov. Baldacci reads as follows: “Responsible Beverage Seller/Training, or RBS Training, equips establishments and their employees with knowledge of Maine Liquor Law, carding practices to detect and prevent the sale of alcohol to a minor and skills to effectively prevent the over-service of alcohol and sale to intoxicated persons. Stores, restaurants, and bars which sell or serve alcohol to minors or overly intoxicate people pose both a threat to public health and a safety concern. Additionally, widespread alcohol-related problems, such as drunkenness and drunk driving, burden law enforcement agencies.”
“RBS training educates sellers and servers of alcohol to prevent injuries and deaths from vehicle crashes, sexual assaults, domestic violence and other crimes which occur as a result of service of alcohol to minors or service to the overly intoxicated. RBS training provides liquor licensees with an understanding of state regulations, and the Department of Pubic Safety, Liquor Licensing and Compliance Division, recommends all licensees receive education through state certified training.”
Derosier stated, “On behalf of all prevention organizations in Aroostook County, we ask you to consider making RBS training a requirement for all businesses and individuals who come before you requesting a liquor license or renewal license. Mandatory training programs are effective in promoting uniform, responsible service practices and reducing alcohol problems. Furthermore, the feasibility of attending training has increased in recent years with State approved training hosted several times a year by coalitions. In addition, several members of Aroostook County law enforcement agencies are now state certified to train liquor licensees.”
During the Nov. 8 meeting, Buck informed the panel that he had discussed the server training with Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan who stated that currently the department has officers who are certified to conduct the RBS training, bringing no extra cost to the city.
At Monday’s meeting the city council members set a date of Monday, Dec. 13 for a public hearing regarding the RBS ordinance.
In actions regarding the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the panel considered sending notification to the CCC&I of their intent to end funding as of Dec. 31, until a mutually agreed structure and agreement are in place. This was approved with Councilman Goughan voting against the motion.
It was also approved (by unanimous vote) to send notification to the CCC&I that the city will assume administrative support of the Revolving Loan Funds as of Dec. 31, 2010.
The panel tabled, until additional cost information is complied, a motion to consider a revised transportation project agreement with Maine DOT for the future construction of a sidewalk on North Main Street.
Councilors considered the abatement of outstanding taxes on properties which have either burned or have been demolished. In a unanimous vote the panel approved the abatement of 11 properties, (all mobile homes/no physical property no land).
Meeting dates set by the city council include: Dec.7, Council/CCC&I re-organizational workshop; regular city council meeting Monday, Dec.13 and public hearing regarding future liquor servers training law.
