MAP Executive Board Meeting

Friday, December 2, 2005

Minutes

Attending: Jim Fisher, Noel Musson, Stacy Benjamin, Beth DellaValle, Hugh Coxe, Maureen O’Meara, Fred Marshal, Gwen Hilton, Jane Lafleur, Linda Johns, Tom Marcotte

Others: Matt Nazar(for a few minutes)

Review Minutes from last meeting (minutes can be found on the web page)

November Minutes approved – without revision or dissent

President’s Report

Thanks to Rich Roedner for running the last meeting.

Noel announced that he has a new child with a full head of hair.

Treasurers’ report

Final bill for NNECAPA has been worked out.

$5,300 remain after expenses
$2,650 for MAP and $2,650 for NNECAPA

Matt has sent in a few new memberships. But we are still a little low on numbers for 2006.

MAP has approximately $20,000 balance.

The bylaws state that ½ of surplus in any year should go into a reserve account. MAP has not been doing this for the last several years.
Maureen moves and Jane seconds motion to put ½ of the current surplus into reserve. Passed without dissent.
Jim moves, Maureen seconds that Fred put surplus from past four years into the reserve. Passed without dissent.

Jane asked whether MAP has been filing 941’s. We have not done so in several years, but need to look at revenues to see whether we are required to file. Fred will look into this.

Newsletter Update

We are running a little late, but most of the pieces are in place.

Hoping to send it to the printers soon.

Growth Management Discussion Continued

t The MAP board developed a proposal to fund a study on the Growth Management Act. MAP agreed to fund it to about $8,000, but the total cost was expected to be much more, approximately $50,000.

t Maureen has not had adequate time to complete the solicitation letter. She offered to hand this off to others.

o Noel asked JT might pick this up.

t The legislature has requested SPO to report by February, so MAP is very late to start an evaluation.

o Stacy reports that SPO will post a draft report by about December 13^th. We can comment on the draft.

o SPO has a new Coastal Fellow starting in the spring for two years to work on coastal issues. This is a Coastal Fellow position that will work for two years on an evaluation of the Growth Management Act.

o The Comprehensive Planning manual is out in digital form, but will not be printed until after revisions are made to be consistent with changes in the growth management policy. Additional appendices will be added with model ordinances, plans, etc. Jim offered to add a section on health.

t MAP will review the December 13^th draft Growth Management document and work on a response.

Legislative Activity

t Legislative policy committee has not met, but will when issues are clear.

t Hugh- should the legislative committee focus on the SPO changes on the growth management policy. There may not be other bills that we need to consider.

t There do not appear to be any other bills that we need to consider.

t Who is actively involved: Maureen O’Meara, Hugh Coxe, Dan Fleishman, Beth DellaValle, Rich Roedner

Membership/Web page

t Beth – Asked Anne Krieg if she would like to join the board. Anne will be interested in being asked at the annual meeting.

t Fred – we have $1,360 in memberships. This is ½ to 1/3 of our usual membership.

t Matt sent Jim address labels. We need to get a message to the list serve soon indicating all those who are current in their membership. If Matt cannot process a list, Jim will parse the mailing labels and send a message to the list serve. Stacy will talk with Matt to offer assistance with membership duties, such as mailing renewal reminder cards.

Web site – minor face lift, lots of job postings. Discussion about the membership list – which is updated frequently. Need to do a major update soon.

Other Issues

Mailbox discussion continued

There does not appear to be an easy solution. Jim will increase the presence of the board members on the website. Noel has agreed to have more contact information up front as well. We will not rent a physical mailbox at this time.

a. Jane asked whether MAP should comment on the Plum Creek process. [Gwen left the room for this discussion.]

i. Jim noted that he has been involved in connection with the trails for a healthy Maine supporting bike friendly development.

ii. Several organizations have expressed support or opposition to the proposal

iii. Beth DellaValle offered to put together articles pro and con for the development. Needs contact information.

iv. Board discussed whether MAP should take a position on process, design or any aspect of Plum Creek. MAP Board decided not to take a position at this time. Beth will pursue the article.

b. Hugh commented on the interesting features of Google Earth

c. Jane reported on meetings of Gateway 1 – Brunswick to Prospect. Kathy Fuller is moving is along.

d. Jim announced that today is the deadline for NNECAPA conference topic proposals.

Next meeting: Friday January 6, 2005 10:30 AM