BATH

Hoping to get several proposed charter amendments on the November ballot before it is printed, the Bath City Council has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15.

The proposed amendments would:

— Change the start time of the annual organizational meeting from 7:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., or another time as the council may determine. The meeting takes place the first Wednesday in December after the election so newly-elected councilors can be sworn in.

— Allow electronic notification of special meetings to councilors with verification of receipt. Currently councilors and the city manager must be notified in person or have notice left at their residence at least 24 hours before the special meeting.

— Allow the city manager to reside outside the city limits.

— Exempt tax revenue received and used for projects related to tax increment financing districts from the municipal expenditure cap.

— Provide alternative wardens and ward clerks to serve at city elections.

— Make the write-in candidate process consistent with state law, eliminating the need for tallying of write-in candidates in most cases.

A committee of councilors, the city clerk and city solicitor have worked on these amendments.

The Council discussed what to do with a small unbuildable lot the city owns on Winter Street Court. Councilors considered selling the 10-foot-by- 48-foot lot to abutter Toader Serban so he can bring a deck into compliance with setback requirements; and conveying an easement to another abutter, Andrea DiBenedetto for the fence she constructed on the property. Because DiBenedetto was not present at the meeting Sept. 3, the council tabled the motion for a month until the regular council meeting in October.

The Council unanimously approved a contract with the fire captain’s union Sept. 3. This is the first contract of the captains, City Manager Bill Giroux said, as they were not unionized previously. Officials have been in negotiations for many months with the union. The salary increase is the same as the union and non-member employees, Giroux said, and he believes it is a fair contract with “give and take.”

An amendment to the city code regarding excavations and street openings was approved by the council, increasing the permit fee from $25 to $50 for excavations and street openings.

Councilors Meadow Merrill and Mari Eosco both said they will miss Intown Shop from the Bath downtown after 35 years in business, before the council approved a going out of business license for the shop at 80 Front St. — with Merrill opposed.

The council appointed Pamela Allen to serve on the Old Customs House Board of Directors, who is the first woman on the board. Councilors also appointed Lori Benson to the Bath Community Forestry Committee; reappointed Clarence Stilphen and Al Branca to the Planning Board; and reappointed Eleanor Holland and Joseph Marchetti Jr. to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu