Plans call for a new Public Works building next to the Public Safety building on Shaker Road, with the transfer station expanding into the present Public Works building. Voters approved a bond of more than $3 million. With the upcoming payoff of the bond for the Public Safety building, the town's only major debt will be for this new facility.

The town received proposals from Oest and from local firm Gorrill-Palmer Associates. Al Palmer presented a letter to councilors comparing bids from the two firms and asked Councilors to hold off on their vote.

Council Vice-Chair Andrew Upham, who chaired this meeting after the resignation two weeks ago of Chair Alison Libbey, amended the original motion. The approved amendment makes the choice of Oest contingent on development of a scope of work and a delineated scope of services as provided by the town staff and incorporated into a contract between the Town of Gray and Oest Associates, with the contract to be reviewed and approved by the town council. This allows the Town to further spell out its needs and could allow a reversal of its choice of Oest Associates if the firm is ultimately not able to meet the town's requirements.

AOZ Eliminated

Councilors removed the Aquifer Overlay Zoning District with a unanimous vote, allowing property owners greater freedom in the use of their land.

Former Council Chair Gary Foster told the council it was appropriate during Constitution Week to repeal this ordinance to allow property owner rights. Earlier in the meeting, the council had declared this week as Constitution Week. The AOZ was an overlay on zones in Gray and was originally intended to protect Gray's drinking water supply. Restrictions in the AOZ limited lot sizes and prevented large impervious areas.

The Gray Water District opposed removal of the AOZ.

Volunteer Rejected

Julie Sheets was rejected as a volunteer for alternate to the Gray Library Board of Trustees. Councilors did not ask Sheets any questions, and refused to tell her why they voted against her appointment.

Sheets said she originally submitted her application at the end of August and made it a point of asking Councilors to wait until Tuesday so she could attend the meeting in person. She said she did not understand why councilors would reject her application without explanation.

Councilors have only denied two other volunteer positions. They previously voted against Ray Clark for the same appointment, also without explanation. Earlier this year, Sheet's husband, Paul Proudian, was voted down for a position on the Cable Television Committee.

Proudian led the recall campaign against Upham last year. Clark is the retired editor of the former Gray News, whose editorials were often critical of Upham and former Chair Foster.

Delegates Chosen

Town Manager Deborah Cabana was chosen as the town's delegate to the Maine Municipal Business meeting in Augusta on October 4. Councilor Skip Crane will attend as an alternate.

Tracy Scheckel was named to the Village Master Plan Committee. Upham said that VMPC Chair Jeanne Adams recently said she wanted to step aside from her leadership position. Upham also said the VMPC members recently discussed the future of the committee, looking at the choices of continuing as an ad hoc committee, becoming a standing committee, or merging with the Community Economic Development Committee.