FARMINGTON — The Special Board approved a change to the fee process for sanitation inspections during Tuesday night’s board meeting.
Sanitary Inspector Andrew Marble, who succeeded his father a few years ago, called for a change to the current procedure. Currently, since Marble inherited the job from his father, he receives the sanitation inspection fees directly and then has to split them between his share and the state’s share. Because the state does not accept personal checks, Marble must write a check payable to the City of Farmington, which then mails a business check to the state for the plumbing fee for the same amount.
This process is cumbersome and of the six cities that Marble provides sanitation inspection services to, Farmington and Temple are the only ones using this model. The other cities administer the inspection fees in the city office, so the fees are payable to the city, and the treasurer handles the apportionment between the sanitation inspector and the state.
Interim city manager Cornell Knight reported that Tammy Bureau, the city treasurer, could handle the transactions.
The board approved the change in service fees so that payments are now made directly to the City of Farmington and authorized the city manager to consider an ordinance that would increase inspection fees, which have not changed for over a decade and do not take into account changes in inflation and minimum wage increases.
In addition, the board authorized Chief Constable Kenneth Charles to spend $8,400 from the police department building reserve account to upgrade the police station from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting panels. It is expected to save the city between $1,700 and $2,000 annually in reduced energy costs, and given Central Maine Power’s expected rate increases, the board felt the upgrade was a worthwhile investment.
A number of applications for new and renewed committee members were accepted, with gratitude for their service and contributions to the city. The board noted that there are other open positions on city committees and boards and urged the public to consider serving.
The following motions were considered: Fen Fowler, Budget Committee; Buzz Davis, TIF Committee and Revolving Loan Committee; Aileen Kennedy, Board of Appeals, Recreation Committee, Budget Committee, Revolving Loan Committee; Michael Guerrette, Planning Committee; William Halsam, Conservation Commission; Gloria McGraw, Evaluation Committee; Paul Mills, Zoning Board; Judith Murphy, Budget Committee, Planning Committee; Jeffrey Wright, Planning Committee.
Following the business meeting, the Board held a total of three board meetings to discuss confidential information. All actions taken by the board as a result of a board meeting must be made public. After a board meeting to discuss police employment contract negotiations, the board voted to approve a three-year agreement between the City of Farmington and the Maine Association of Police, as presented; The agreement expires on March 31, 2026. The board also approved a reduction in the hardship fund for 2020 and 2021. No motion to discuss the hiring and recruitment process for city managers was made following the board meeting.
Selectman Bell applied to approve the three-year agreement between the City of Farmington and the Maine Association of Police, as filed, expiring March 31, 2026; Seconded Selectman Bunker.
This meeting was recorded by Mt. Blue TV and can be viewed online at MtBlueTV.org
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