12-01-1992 Council Minutes Special Meeting

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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD DECEMBER 1, 1992 Butler asked what Grathwol's capacity is with the LMCD. Hurr stated he is Excelsior's LMCD representative. She indicated he was also one of the original members of the LMCD, but his service to the organization had lapsed. Callahan said, "I think that Orono's position on the matter, particularly as a result of Mr. Grathwol's action at that meeting, has got to be made public." "The result of what he did, whether or not he intended to or not, is that the Planning Commission, which is the Commission trying to see how we should deal with this Maxwell Bay project, unanimously has come to the position that they are not going to do anything about any kind of a plan until there is a fair plan about the lake. The activity of Mr. Grathwo I , as far as the City of Orono is concerned, is extremely detrimental, and I think publicly, as the damage was done, we should make it clear to the LMCD what we think of the facts." It was moved by Callahan, seconded by Mayor Peterson, to send a letter to the LMCD, generally along the lines which are presented In draft form, with � the proposed language modifications, essentially pointing out what the City objects to Mr. Grathwol's statements, and that Orono would like Mr. Grathwol to resign, and that Orono would like to have some objective standards ensuring that a future chair would be fair. Butler felt the letter gave the impression that the author was peeved. She said, "one of the things she has learned is "do not make idle threats unless you are absolutely sure of your position, and you are absolutely confident that you can follow through. I don't see where the City of Orono has a legal posture in this scenario." She added, the man stated his opinion, and she felt he has a right to do so, whether Orono agrees with it or not. She suggested thinking hard before sending the letter: Callahan stated, during an executive session after the last Council meeting, the City Attorney was not prepared to answer the questioh whether the City could sue the LMCD. Callahan felt the right Orono is trying to exercise is to gain a fair trial. He said he has more reason to think that Orono might have the ability to get.a remedy or at least to hold the activities of the LMCD up to scrutiny without being disgraced for having presented the matter. Butler felt they could achieve the same end, the part of the LMCD of what the City of problem, without Inferring the City will sue 2 i.e. an awareness on Orono views as the the LMCD.