Meeting minutes, lawyer fees spark Perry selectmen debate

The Perry selectmen's meeting on May 15 brought on a tense atmosphere of debate over the minutes of past meetings. The debate arose because, during the previous selectmen's meeting, a motion was passed to record and keep official meeting minutes.

During the May 15 meeting, Selectmen David Turner and Jeanne Guisinger both had tape recorders running and recording. "I don't think we need to have two people recording and keeping minutes," said Guisinger. "I've always done it in the past, and I think one person should continue to do so, or we should have a recording secretary." Guisinger alleged that Turner had not discussed previous meeting minutes with the board of selectmen, had made slanderous statements regarding her and "illegal meetings" that were allegedly being held, and that Turner had "put things in the minutes that you wished you had said."

Turner denied any wrongdoing and made a motion not to record any future meetings because "it is taking up too much time." "Are you saying you do not accept those [past] minutes?" asked Turner. "Yes," said Guisinger. A motion was passed 2-1 not to keep "official" minutes. Turner said, "State law says we don't have to keep them." Guisinger disagreed and said she would continue to "take notes."

The other issue during the two-hour meeting was regarding a fee/engagement letter for attorney services for the Town of Perry in connection with a proposal by Quoddy Bay LNG to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and regasification facility on land located in southern Perry. Selectmen, by a vote of 2-1, hired the firm of Eaton Peabody of Bangor to review a proposed incentive agreement negotiated by the Perry Improvement Association between Quoddy Bay LNG and the town. The scope of the review, according to Eaton Peabody, "will be to identify issues and propose language necessary to convert the current draft agreement into a legally binding document between the town and Quoddy Bay LLC [LNG], while protecting the town's financial and other interests arising out of the proposed agreement." The 2-1 vote at the previous meeting had also stipulated that Quoddy Bay LNG would pay all legal fees. At this meeting, a motion was made by Turner to use funds from Perry's administrative account to pay the firm of Eaton Peabody an advance retainer, and according to Turner, "to be reimbursed by Quoddy Bay when the time comes."

Guisinger strongly disapproved of using town funds, saying, "I thought you said we would be using Quoddy Bay money, not the town's money. We should not be doing this without the approval of the town." Guisinger called attention to the engagement letter sent from Eaton Peabody and a statement written under "billing practices" that read, "An advance retainer will not be required as to future work on this project. However, the town agrees to provide Eaton Peabody with evidence of town meeting appropriations sufficient to fund anticipated fees and other charges under this engagement." Turner said, "Jeannie, I feel comfortable about what we are doing and at town meeting time when we get the check [from Quoddy Bay] we will put it back into the account and get the acceptance we need."

The third stinging debate was regarding a letter that the selectmen, in a 2-1 vote last session, wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) favoring the LNG project proposed by Quoddy Bay LNG. Guisinger vehemently opposed the motion and wrote her own letter to FERC saying, "Turner and Adams' action of writing a letter of support of LNG, seemingly on behalf of the people of the town, was without legal merit since they were not authorized to do so in accord with our form of government."

Town finds school funds
Other important agenda items were discussed during the first hour of the meeting.

Barbara DeWitt, newly elected treasurer, made an announcement to selectmen that an abandoned school account in the amount of $2,201.17 had been found to be collecting interest at the Bangor Savings Bank. DeWitt noted the money "has been sitting idle since 1992." After researching the origin of the original deposit or depositor and then contacting the school principal, superintendent and selectmen, DeWitt came to a dead end. "In my opinion, since it was specifically designated for the school, I would recommend that selectmen write a letter to the school board and give the funds to the school to help toward the playground equipment fund." A motion was made on the suggestion and passed 3-0.

Doug Guy, Perry tax assessor, made a short presentation to selectmen regarding "home sales that have occurred in Perry over a period of time." He indicated he is examining "the information with respect to the real estate market." Guy spoke briefly about the ratio of assessment for property and how the average is between 70% and 110%. Guy said Perry is "below ratio" and explained how "coastal towns' sale pricing has gone up." Guy was scheduled to return to the next selectmen's meeting with more information. Meanwhile, selectmen voted 2-1 to adjust and revise the abatement procedure to two years.

Ellen Brown, recreation board member, reported to selectmen that five picnic tables were purchased by the committee for Gleason Cove Park. Buddy Ritchie was sealing the tables. Ten tables and chairs were purchased for the Harvest Fair, and Brown voiced her objection to eliminating the kitchen area of the municipal building, stating, "We do use the kitchen all day of the fair." Selectmen had discussed the possibility of removing the kitchen area to make the municipal meeting area larger. Selectman Turner told the group that the fire department would also be using the area for their meetings as required by insurance regulations. Turner also cited that the water was "undrinkable" because it was said to have high sodium content and was only usable for washing dishes. More discussion about the kitchen area will be on a future selectmen agenda. It was also reported that the recreation committee donated $500 to the Perry Playground Equipment Fund.

Road load limit during Route 1 construction scheduled for this month will be posted at 65,000 pounds to eliminate wear and tear on Gin Cove Road and Shore Road. Selectmen said it would be a "spring ordinance" and signs would be posted. Selectmen also discussed a complaint of cars traveling too fast on Shore Road. They felt that it would be difficult to enforce a speed limit there. Town road upkeep and the possibility of revising and renewing the 10-year road plan were discussed. Selectmen will have details before next year's town meeting.

The post office will be moved temporarily to the municipal building while the post office building undergoes renovations. Selectmen had discussed the use of the temporary quarters with Postmaster Herman Fortin. An announcement will be made as to when the move will take place.

Recycling and resident use of the Marion Transfer Station were discussed. After an explanation of what happens to curbside trash and debris that has to be hauled to the transfer station, some residents suggested that Perry homeowners may want to save expenses by recycling cans, bottles and newspaper. Anyone interested in beginning a recycling initiative can speak with selectmen. Turner has been attending Marion Transfer Station board meetings, and Perry representative John Ingersoll will be invited to speak at an upcoming selectmen meeting to explain how the transfer station is zoned and to answer questions about the trash process.

The next selectmen's meeting will be on Monday, June 12, at 4 p.m. at the Perry Municipal Building.