Hermon Council Approves Liquor Renewal, General Assistance, and Honors Randy Gardner

[0:00] Joshua Berry: To the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Kristen, could I have a roll call, please? Joshua Berry. Here. [0:23] Adam Brewer: Adam Brewer. Here. Richard Sear. Here. Jason Forbes, absent. Tristan Friend. Here. Christopher Gray, absent. [0:36] Terry Hamm-Morris: We'll move on to public items or comments. This is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on non-agenda items, contribute information that may be of interest to the Town Council, or ask clarifying questions. Please wait to be recognized and identify yourself before speaking. This is not the time to register complaints or promote a personal agenda. Please remember that you may not identify any person by name or job function. Any public comments? Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent calendar. [1:13] Speaker D (unidentified): I move we [1:17] Speaker E (unidentified): accept the calendar. Second. [1:21] Terry Hamm-Morris: Any discussion? I'll vote Kristen when you're there, Louise. Josh? Yes. Adam? Yes. Richard? [1:34] Speaker D (unidentified): Yes. Kristen? Yes. And Paris. We'll [1:44] Terry Hamm-Morris: move into news and presentations and recognitions. Municipal Official Appreciation Month Proclamation, Mr. Stephen Thiel. [1:53] Stephen Thiel: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a proclamation and it reads as follows. The proclamation will be sent down as part of your signature package. Proclamation states, whereas the Spirit of America Foundation values municipal officials, helped with this program and created Municipal Officials Appreciation Month in 2026, dedicated nationally to public works employees to express gratitude. Whereas municipal officials make personal sacrifices to serve constituents and deserve more public recognition, respect than they generally receive. Whereas public works employees maintain essential community infrastructure, including roads, water systems, and parks and sanitation. Whereas public work employees key duties include operating heavy machinery, personal removal, and road repair, fixing water sewer lines, repairing street signs, maintaining public landscaping, and performing maintenance on municipal vehicles and facilities to ensure public safety and functionality, whereas public employee work employees may be on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies and may work in severe weather conditions, whereas Herman much appreciates the services provided as public works employees and other municipal officials. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that Herman, Maine designates October 2026 as Herman Municipal Officials Appreciation Month and encourages our citizens to show gratitude to their municipal officials and especially to public works employees for all they do to make this a better community. Following signatures of the council. [3:32] Terry Hamm-Morris: That is all, sir. Thank you, Mr. Fields. One point of order, real quick. I would entertain a motion to excuse Councillor Forbes and Councillor Gray tonight. I got a little bit ahead of myself. So moved. Second. Thank you. [3:50] Adam Brewer: Except the most doubted. [3:53] Terry Hamm-Morris: We will now open the public hearing portion of the meeting. All public hearing for Connolly Events LLC, Morgan Hill Events Center, Liquor License Renewal. We'll open that hearing at 6.05. If there's anybody here that would make comments in regards to the rule. [4:19] Speaker E (unidentified): As long as they don't have any complaints prior to this, I'm for it. [4:26] Terry Hamm-Morris: We'll have opportunity to discuss that a little bit during our section. But thank you for bringing that up. We'll close the public hearing at 6.05. We will open the second public hearing, Zone Change of Parcel Map 14-028, 757 Colbert Road from Residential B to Village Commercial. We'll open that public hearing at 6.05. Is there any public comment in regards to that? Seeing none, we'll close that public hearing at 6.06. I thought I was going to get two done in one minute. We'll open our third public hearing at 6.06, General Assistance Ordinance with Appendices A through H for fiscal year 2026 and 2027. In regards to that, seeing none, we'll close that public hearing at 6.06. We'll move right into new business. Order 2627-12 consider approving Conley Events LLC liquor license renewal. Should I read the whole resolve and then open it or do we take a motion that's? [5:57] Speaker G (unidentified): The Morgan Event Center, right? [5:59] Terry Hamm-Morris: Chief. [6:01] Speaker E (unidentified): Have you heard of any event significant events going down there? [6:11] Terry Hamm-Morris: And I'll preclude this. This is nothing new. This is just an annual renewal of the same liquor license that has been going on from what I understand. I'll read the order. 026-2712, Conley Events, LLC, doing business as Morgan Hill Events Center, liquor license removal, renewal. [6:39] Speaker E (unidentified): That's why I go slow. [6:40] Terry Hamm-Morris: The Hermantown Council hereby to approve Conley Events, LLC, doing business as Morgan Hill Events Center, liquor. Liquor license on Thursday, October 8th, 2026. [6:52] Speaker G (unidentified): Do I have a motion? I'm so moved. Second. [6:56] Adam Brewer: We get a roll call, Kristen? Josh? Yes. Adam? Yes. Richard? Yes. Kristen? Yes. And Terry? Yes. Thank you. [7:08] Terry Hamm-Morris: Moving on to order 26, 27, 13, Peter's. I'll read the resolve. Be it resolved by Hermantown Council to approve a zone change from Residential B to Village Commercial for a parcel located at 757 Colbrook Road, Tax Mountain. [Speaker D (unidentified): So moved. Second.] Any discussion on that amongst the Council? [7:42] Speaker G (unidentified): We discussed that location, right? It was down near a business area anyway. Just behind them. [7:49] Terry Hamm-Morris: Yeah, we discussed this last meeting I'm pretty sure. Looks like we have it up there. Maybe if Giuseppe would just run us through it real quick. Go on. I'll [8:05] Joshua Berry: bring it up from the center. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the council. So what we have here is, I believe it's roughly an eight acre parcel or six. I can't remember. Six acre parcel right off of Colebrook Road. It was changed to the Village Commercial Zoning, which is right next. There's one parcel in between that isn't. currently a parking lot for bucket trucks they're eventually looking to build a garage there to store the trucks inside thank you [8:50] Terry Hamm-Morris: councillors or concerns take a roll call [8:58] Adam Brewer: oh Kristen, please. Yes, Richard, yes, Adam, yes, Josh, yes. Thank you, looking [9:28] Terry Hamm-Morris: at my order numbers, that'd be order 26, 27, 14. Yes, the next one. [9:35] Speaker E (unidentified): I'll get it from last year. [9:40] Stephen Thiel: 26, 27, 14, sir. Correct. Consider repealing and replacing general assistance agreements and [9:47] Terry Hamm-Morris: adopting dependencies eight through each fiscal year 26 and 2027. I guess I'll open that up to [10:00] Stephen Thiel: you, Mr. Field, if there's anything you want on. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Council, this is a standard annual requirement. The state changes the rates for general assistance every year. So we accept the adoption every year of the annexes for the appendixes A through H, which are those rates. So they're set by the state. We just have to adopt those instead of changing the entire ordinance every time. It's just the acceptance of the general ordinance and the adoption of the [10:30] Speaker D (unidentified): advances and [10:36] Terry Hamm-Morris: this is just an annual update again. Just yes, this is any other comments. I'll read sorry order 26, 27, 14 general assistance orders ordinance replace ordinance and amendment Appendix A through H, pursuant to 22 MRS subsection 43051, the municipal officers of the municipality of Herman, after notice and hearing, hereby enact the attached general assistance ordinance with dependencies in its entirety. The ordinance shall supersede and replace all previous ordinance versions. A copy of this ordinance will be filed with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to 22 MRS subsection 43054 and shall be available at the public inspections at the Municipal Office along with a copy of 22 MRS Chapter 1161. So moved. So moved. So moved. [11:43] Speaker G (unidentified): So moved. So moved. So moved. So moved. [11:52] Adam Brewer: Fool me? Yes, Kristin? Yes, Richard? Yes, Adam? Yes, and Josh? Yes. Thank you all. [12:04] Terry Hamm-Morris: Right? 26-27-15. Consider repealing the newsletter policy dated August 2011 and replacing it with the newsletter procedure. [12:15] Stephen Thiel: Deals? Yes. We did. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We did this as a workshop last meeting, and we... The recommendation from the council was to go ahead and use the newsletter policy to a procedure that allows the manager and the administration to handle any of the changes accordingly in-house and not having to come to the council. So the draft that you saw that night is what will the policy will end up going into the procedure mode. [12:44] Terry Hamm-Morris: This was to help kind of lighten the administrative load from, or at least the flow of giving them a little more. Yes. Decision? So I like it. Any other comments? I'll read the order: 26-27-15 Newsletter Procedure. The Town Council hereby repeals the newsletter policy dated August 2011 and hereby authorizes the Town Manager to create, administer and implement the newsletter procedure. [13:15] Adam Brewer: Signature? So moved. Second. Take a vote on that. Kristin Terry? Yes. Kristin? Yes. Richard? Yes. Adam? Yes. And Josh? Yes. Next. [13:36] Terry Hamm-Morris: We will consider order 26-27-16. Or off here? I think but excuse me, I'm off. 26-27-16 Sewer Uncollectible Balance Write-off. Consider approving sewer uncollectible sewer balances. Fields? I think we covered this last meeting, but if you want to just take us through it real quick. [14:04] Stephen Thiel: Thank you, Mr. Chair. We did, and I'm going to defer to Mr. Pushman, the Finance Director, for discussion. [14:10] Terry Hamm-Morris: Any questions? [14:18] Speaker H (unidentified): Compared to last meeting, just a brief overview, please? Yes. So this is to close out the prior sewer accounts receivable for balances that are uncollectible, or if that would... [14:33] Speaker D (unidentified): Be more extensive to the lives? Nothing. [14:41] Terry Hamm-Morris: New? Nothing different from the last time we discussed this. That is correct. Thank. [14:52] Speaker E (unidentified): You, Mr. Coachman. Thank you. Your... [14:58] Terry Hamm-Morris: Order 26-27-16 Sewer Uncollectible Balance Write-off be resolved by Thermotown Council. Town Council assembled to write off uncollectible sewer receivables totaling up to $75,000 and recognize the amount as bad debt expense. [15:16] Speaker D (unidentified): Expense? Second. Take... [15:23] Adam Brewer: a vote on that, Kristen. Josh? Yes. Adam? Yes. Richard? Yes. Kristen? Yes. And Terry? Yes. Order [15:37] Terry Hamm-Morris: 26-27-17. Consider approval of municipal consent for a state of Maine games of chance license for new. Mr. Fields, can I kick that to you? Yes, you may. [15:52] Stephen Thiel: Can I kick it back to you as a game of chance? So, Herman Mountain has requested through the state of Maine to conduct games of chance at their location, such as a cribbage tournament and other things, that this is a standard requirement from the state of Maine for the town council to approve or disapprove. Herman Mountain has gone through the proper channels at the state. We've had conversations with Herman Mountain and the state as well, and everything is in order for them. [16:29] Speaker E (unidentified): Mr. Fields, I disagree with you. Pribbage is a skill, not a chance. [16:39] Speaker G (unidentified): Are we sure this is going to be limited to, I mean, just that kind of games? Are we going to have a big bingo parlor out there? You know, or whatever, or something like that. I mean, I don't have anything like that in town. [16:55] Speaker D (unidentified): I don't think it's, you know, games. so [16:59] Stephen Thiel: counselor to your question those bingo is considered a game of chance [17:03] Speaker G (unidentified): gambling is a game of chance that's i mean i see those ads all the time correct ad nauseum on tv [17:11] Stephen Thiel: the letter to from the game to the gambling unit consists of the approval will apply for games of chance generally including but not limited to privilege card games and tournament games such as Texas Hold'em to the extent of municipal approval is required. [17:35] Speaker G (unidentified): That's all we know about it. I read it today, but [17:39] Speaker D (unidentified): I read the same thing. So it's this here. [17:45] Stephen Thiel: So on the application of chance that they're submitting, what is available is games of chance include blackjack, poker, for video poker cards cribbage super cribbage tournament games tournament games up to 50 players and then tournament games of 51 to 51 to 100 players i saw texas hold them on there too i mean [18:14] Speaker G (unidentified): yes so they're gonna be playing dealing cards we're gonna have a it's all done by a non-profit [18:22] Adam Brewer: so everything's donated they make no money on it oh it's for strictly non-profit right say that on there yes okay that's part of the application process on page two yeah i didn't see that organization is on here the blanket letter basically will cover them for five years so they can not everybody's going to do the same game of chance they have to have different organizations so the blanket letter will cover that so they can move between the non-profits [18:52] Speaker G (unidentified): does that make sense yeah so they set up to 50 people or something like that is that what [18:57] Adam Brewer: The application from the state does, yeah, so that's the state's application, maximum numbers, yeah, that's their application on ours, so. [19:15] Terry Hamm-Morris: So, what is it that they're looking to do? Did they just realize that we're having these people out here? We can't have cribbage tournaments because we don't have this license, or are they looking to add their layer that they... [19:31] Stephen Thiel: I get to that they're able to, like, I'm, I can't answer that because I was not part of their discussion process. I would assume that they've been approached since they're using the facility year-round. The houses they have had be able to house a tournament such as that, and they're not... [19:47] Terry Hamm-Morris: Licensed to do that, so that's what this process is for, yeah. So this would, this would allow them to potentially hold Texas Hold'em tournaments where, for money, for a non-profit, not for a non-profit, for a non-profit. What are we, Bible 3C, so... [20:10] Stephen Thiel: A non-profit charity, like, that's correct. [20:11] Speaker G (unidentified): Because I have a cribbage tournament out there every night, every Thursday night. [20:19] Speaker E (unidentified): Now another thing, will there be a limit to the bedding? I know there aren't very many people here in Hermann or Bangor that can afford a $100,000 stay. [20:36] Stephen Thiel: We don't have that answer, Councilor. Maybe... [20:40] Speaker G (unidentified): They could come in and explain. [20:46] Speaker D (unidentified): I'm sure there are a few people... [20:53] Speaker G (unidentified): In town, God-fearing people in town, who aren't going to like this. And I don't think we've seen this before. This is the first time I've seen it. When I read it today on the computer. I don't know if anybody else in town knows about it. [21:11] Adam Brewer: This was something back in the 70s. [21:13] Speaker D (unidentified): That was the packet that went on Friday. [21:16] Stephen Thiel: So, yes, this was part of your packet on Friday. This was the first time it was being presented. Yeah. [21:21] Speaker G (unidentified): So maybe we could put this before the council and announce that 's on the agenda before we do that. Because I'm not sure. A lot of people in town would agree. I mean, you know, there are a lot of people that don't agree with gambling, even if it's in that level. [21:41] Speaker E (unidentified): Did we have a public hearing on this before? [21:45] Stephen Thiel: We don't need one. We do not need one. We do not need one, according to the state, for us. [21:53] Adam Brewer: Are you asking for a workshop hearing? [21:54] Speaker G (unidentified): It's not that I don't agree with it. I just think there might be some other people with a voice in the, you know, make their voice heard. Since it is essentially gambling. Have they got something coming up or something? [22:13] Stephen Thiel: that i don't have the answer to as for the public awareness this was posted on the website as well as our normal posting positions in town well not everybody leads the website yeah as posted in town in our response to so the council can either act on it or they may be made their act to what table anybody [22:47] Speaker H (unidentified): else got any thoughts on this? During my time knocking and Herman, like, oh, sorry, thank you. Apologies about that. During my time knocking and Herman, I did bump into younger folks who definitely want to see more activity in games, but if there is a concern to be had where people are at risk, I'm okay tabling it. Learning more would. [23:11] Speaker E (unidentified): you receive say that last? [23:12] Speaker H (unidentified): statement? Yes, I apologize. Part of it, I'm okay tabling this if the goals toward warmth. [23:22] Speaker D (unidentified): I'm getting all. I don't know how many people watch this, but it. [23:31] Speaker G (unidentified): does give us some more exposure. I don't know. I don't have a problem with it, but. [23:38] Speaker D (unidentified): but I think other people might. That's all. [23:44] Speaker G (unidentified): And give them one more kick if you can, if they don't show up and say something. [23:48] Speaker D (unidentified): then let it pass. Pass. [23:57] Speaker G (unidentified): Just having a meeting might give it a little enough exposure, you know. I don't think we want to come back at us saying, you know, you're allowing gambling in town, you know, we're all. [24:13] Terry Hamm-Morris: I think it'd be a good idea to have a representative here to be able to walk us through just exactly what is going on. [24:23] Speaker H (unidentified): I think if it's in the process of learning more, I'd support. [24:26] Speaker G (unidentified): that. Well, I move. No, we can't. We've already. Have we moved on this? Yeah, no, this is just discussion. Okay, so I move that we table it till the next meeting and give people and try to get the people in here who are going to do it to explain it better and try to, you know, hopefully some of the people will. If they have an objection, they'll show up and at least express their objection. [24:51] Speaker D (unidentified): whether we pass it or not, that's something else. Second. [24:57] Terry Hamm-Morris: I get a vote on that, Kristin. [25:02] Adam Brewer: Josh, yes. Adam, yes. Richard, yes. Kristin, yes. And Terry, yes. And. [25:24] Terry Hamm-Morris: we'll get into workshops, workshop on known change, 21, 861 Cobra Grove, residential, excuse me, back over. [25:48] Joshua Berry: again. All righty. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of council. This one is just down the road. This is an eight-acre parcel by Suburban Propane. All that's metal. There's currently a raised ranch and a garage there. The potential buyer is looking to turn it into a commercial property. Zone changing this would help them move towards that goal. It is already commercial on the railroad track side of the property. It's one of my arch nemesis of zoning is split zoning. So we'll be looking at basically creating the whole parcel as commercial. This is something that's going to be going in front of the planning board at the next meeting in two weeks. And I just wanted to bring it in front of you folks for a workshop item to let you know it's coming before you, just like the previous one tonight. [26:59] Speaker G (unidentified): Which land is that? Eight acres. And have they already gone, had to go to the abutting landowners? [27:08] Joshua Berry: No, actually the mailings were mailed out today. So it goes out for a thousand foot radius. So I believe there was 39 abutters within that thousand foot radius. [27:21] Speaker E (unidentified): And again, do they have any idea what type of industry they want to put in there? [27:27] Joshua Berry: Yeah, so they own a trucking company, so it'll be a small terminal with a garage is what they're looking to put there. They've already met with DOT on interest permits off of Colebrook, as well as talking about the Route 2 portion there as well. I [27:49] Terry Hamm-Morris: think they'll be coming back in November to us? Yes. I think there's a good chance. [27:58] Joshua Berry: kind of the goal that's the sale is pending zoning change approval so the planning board is going to approve that so the planning board will meet and discuss it in two weeks just under two weeks so as long as they give their recommendation for you folks to approve i'll be talking to you folks about this parcel the next meeting thank you for [28:46] Terry Hamm-Morris: the next workshop unless there's anything else on to the next workshop next workshop fireworks ordinance and aircraft approach departure impacts from the town boundaries based on conversations with BIA and FAA Councillor Cedar. Okay, first I want to start to apologize. I did [29:10] Speaker E (unidentified): preparing a chart, I can give you a general idea. What I'm looking to propose is the airport is right down in this area and it comes right up on top of the hill and they have a tack-in and they cross over the tack end at 500 feet above sea level, at sea level. The airport's 180 feet. So roughly, they cross over the top of the hill a couple hundred feet above the ground. And what I'm proposing to do is banning from the Bangor line up to the Bond Road along Union Street and along Fuller Road up to Old Trail Road. Roof and it would be a fan similar to that and no fireworks allowed in that area and I'd look to see if I can next meeting have a bigger chart and show exactly what I'm trying to do. Other areas in and Herman would be fine too, but these are the ones. I, an aviator, I guarantee you, I wouldn't want to see auto rockets and things coming up around me. [30:45] Speaker D (unidentified): It is our final land. [30:51] Speaker G (unidentified): Is there some sort of ordinance or anything about drones in that area? [30:59] Speaker E (unidentified): There is an ordinance, not an ordinance with the town, but it's a law that you cannot operate drones within airport area and you need certain permissions to operate them outside of the immediate airport area. [31:22] Speaker G (unidentified): Yeah, I can understand why you couldn't do it in the airport area. [31:27] Speaker D (unidentified): Are we just [31:28] Speaker E (unidentified): curious departure and approach area? I can research that and get to you. Kind of go along with the [31:35] Speaker D (unidentified): fireworks. Thank you. [31:40] Terry Hamm-Morris: Count for Sears. What does our go ahead sort in our future? We can take this [31:50] Stephen Thiel: information back to the ordinance committee because the fireworks ordinance discussion is still at that level, and then from there we can make a recommendation back to the council for that. [32:00] Speaker D (unidentified): Okay, sounds [32:06] Terry Hamm-Morris: like a plan. To make thank you. We're going to move into other items. We have a table [Adam Brewer: packet except] the motions that accept the table back. So okay, I get a vote on that. [32:23] Adam Brewer: Josh, yes. Adam, yes. Richard, yes. Kristen, yes. Terry, yes. Thank you. [32:31] Stephen Thiel: Let's take it to Mr. Fields. Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is unusual that we have a table package, but tonight we've requested a table package for a proclamation in honor of C. Smith or Randy Gardner. So I would ask that Mr. Perkins come up and read that proclamation for us, and then at the end of that, once again, that'll be for signature of the council at the end of the tonight for [33:09] Speaker I (unidentified): the staff here or anybody that wants to speak or read this. Go for it. I'll speak after. Thank you very much, Steven. Mr. Chair, fellow counselors, proclamation for Randy's as follows: Whereas the Town of Vermin recognizes and deeply appreciates individuals who dedicate their lives, talents, and resources to enhancing the safety, infrastructure, and overall quality of life within our community. And whereas Randy Gardner of Gardner Construction Enterprises has proven himself over many years to be a dedicated, talented, fair, trustworthy, and quality-minded business leader, as well as an exceptionally honorable friend to the Town of Herman and his residents. And whereas through his professional expertise, Randy Gardner has successfully accomplished vital public initiatives and public works projects that have directly strengthened and modernized our community's foundational infrastructure. And whereas his commitment to excellence has resulted in significantly improved roads, connecting infrastructure, providing lasting benefits, enhanced connectivity, and elevated safety for all who travel through our town. and whereas Randy Gardner has consistently demonstrated immense generosity by donating critical pieces of equipment and utilizing his own family resources to champion youth enrichment activities, and whereas his unwavering support for the younger generation has vastly expanded recreational and educational opportunities, creating a positive and lasting impact on the youth of Hermann, and whereas the integrity, work ethic, and civic pride displayed by Randy Gardner set a true standard of excellence for contractors, residents, and individuals alike to follow as an inspiring example of community leadership, now therefore be it resolved that the town of Hermann Town Councilors to hereby issue this proclamation to extend send our profound gratitude and highest commendation to Randy Gardner for his enduring contributions, outstanding citizenship, and invaluable donations and devotion to the town of Herman. And we're asking you, as the town manager mentioned, that you have it. Let your hands sign this for us, please. Scott. [36:02] Joshua Berry: Mr. Chair, members of council, unfortunately, I am here again tonight night to recognize the passing of another great member of our community, Randy Gardner. Randy was a longtime member of the Herman community and owner of Gardner Construction Enterprises. He spent more than four decades in the construction industry and through his business was involved in countless projects throughout Herman and the surrounding area. Randy's career began in 1982 as a laborer working on the I-395 Main Street overpass in Bangor. He worked his way up through the construction industry, eventually becoming a general foreman, later working for a local contractor, Lou Silver Incorporated, and ultimately using that experience to build a business of his own when he founded Gardner Enterprises in 2002. But I think Randy's contribution to this community is measured by much more than the work his company performed. Over the years, Randy helped Herman in ways that were often never part of a contract and never came with an expectation of recognition. He donated gravel and materials for recreation projects, helped provide equipment and support for local sports programs, supported community events, provided equipment for work on local snowmobile trails, and helped with many other projects throughout town. And I think anyone who knew Randy and worked with him knows this. If you called Randy because you needed help, he was there. Sometimes it was a truck, sometimes it was a piece of equipment, sometimes it was gravel or other material, sometimes it was time. It was the time of his employees, and sometimes it's simply Randy figuring out how to make, how to get something done. Sometimes it was just to talk. He did those things because he could help and because this was his community. There were a lot of things Randy did for Herman over the years that probably never made it into meeting minutes, never appeared on an invoice, and never received public recognition. But those are often the things that have the greatest impact in a small town. Randy spent his career building roads, bridges, infrastructure, and successfully and a successful family business. But here in Herman, I think his greatest legacy is that he had helped build the community around those roads. Randy's wife, Laura, and his daughter, Nicole, along with his family and friends, employees, and this community have lost someone one great whose generosity was felt in many different ways. On behalf of the town of Hermann, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Laura, Nikki, Randy's family, his friends, and everyone at Gardiner Construction. Randy did a great deal for this community over the years, often quietly without asking for anything in return. For that, Hermann is grateful and he will certainly be missed. In recognition of those contributions, the council will sign the proclamation honoring his life and legacy. Thank you. [38:57] Speaker D (unidentified): thank [39:04] Terry Hamm-Morris: You. I was going to just open it up for comment if anybody else had any comments on Randy, but we could save those till the end of the meeting too. I'd make a, I'd take a motion for 26, 27, 18 proclamation to Randy Gardner be resolved by the Hermontown Council in Town Council to sign a proclamation for Andy Gardner. So moved. Second. Vote on that, Kristen. Terry. Yes. Kristen. Yes. Richard. Yes. Adam. Yes. Yes. Yes. Come out of table or we're good to just keep on going. Next on the agenda: appointments, manager status report. [40:09] Stephen Thiel: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to take a moment and give my condolences to the Gardner family for the passing of Randy. In my short time working with him, I found him to be an outstanding member of the community and appreciated his advice and support on public works projects and snow removal operations he and the company has given to the town. This coming Saturday, October 10th, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the town will hold a fall cleanup day being held at the transfer station location on New Boston Road. Please see the town official communication sites for more information. Mr. Haggerty, at my request, has provided an information sheet provided to you tonight. It's the yellow. Unnecessary unfunded repairs for the old schoolhouse building on Billings Road. This will be discussed in the future and with budget process. Trunk or treat will be held at the Herman High School parking lot on Sunday, October 25th, 4 to 6 p.m. Reminder of the election on Tuesday, November 3rd, to be held at the high school gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are now available in person and or by request and must be returned no later than the polls closing at 8 p.m. on November 3rd. Absentee ballots and in-person absentee voting may be done at the Harmontown office during normal business hours until Thursday, October 29th at 4 p.m. Penobscot County Sheriff has assigned Sergeant Steve Saucer to replace Sergeant Decker. His start date will be on October 18th. The town office will be closed on Monday, October 12th in recognition of the holiday. The office will also be closing on October 20th from 9 to 12 to show support for the family of Brandy Gardner. The office will open for the afternoon, and we appreciate the community for understanding on this temporary closure. In closing, I'd like to take a moment to recognize a very special member of our community. First, I would like to thank Kristen Cushman and Chief Cody Sullivan for representing the town and presenting the Boston Post-Kane in my absence to Ms. Elizabeth Sandberg. Ms. Sandberg is 98 years young and has proudly called her and her home for the past 33 years. years. The Boston Post cane is a long-standing New England tradition, recognizing the oldest citizen of a community. The tradition dates back to 1909, when Edwin A. Grosier, publisher of the Boston Post and newspaper, distributed approximately 700 canes to communities throughout New England to honor their oldest residents. Our previous Boston Cane Recipient, Mr. Garrett Leavitt Sr., passed away on June 10, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. We remember Mr. Leavitt and his place in Hermann's history with respect and appreciation. Ms. Sandberg, on behalf of the town of Hermann, thank you for being a longtime member of our community. We are pleased to recognize you with a special honor, and we wish you many more wonderful years surrounded by family and friends and the community you have called home for more than three decades. Congratulations, Ms. Sandberg. That is all I have for the evening. Thank you. [43:31] Terry Hamm-Morris: We'll move into the final public items. Last chance for public comment if anybody has any. Seeing none. We'll move into council items. Councillor Brewer. [43:52] Speaker H (unidentified): I'm all set on town related items. I'd just like to offer my thoughts to the Gardner family and congratulate Ms. Sandberg on the deal. [44:06] Terry Hamm-Morris: Councillor Hamm-Morris? [44:08] Speaker G (unidentified): Yes, of course, I want to offer my condolences to the Gardner family, and I also saw a picture of Ms. Sandberg. For her age, she's looking pretty sprightly. She's looking very, nice. She doesn't even need the cane, yeah. So, but I think she was happy to get to receive it. So I would like to congratulate her on that achievement. And I think that's all I have right now. It's been a little quiet. Chancellor Sear. [44:49] Speaker E (unidentified): Again, my condolences to the Gardner family. I know how it feels to lose a loved one to cancer. Her. It's hard, but life goes on, and I wish her well. Carol Lackety, the operator of Neighbors Supporting Neighbors, was supposed to be here tonight. She wished to announce that the Christmas train will be coming to Bangor again, I mean Herman, pardon me, and they get funding for the food pantry from this. And it's a good chance to have people come and enjoy the festivities, music and the lights. Also the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 20,000 pounds of non-perishable foods to 16 different pantries and 40,000 pounds. 40,000, yeah, I stand corrected. And we had—I want to thank all the people that came to help separate and build pallets and delivered those to the representatives of those pantries that came down some as far as Holton, and they were all. [46:19] Speaker G (unidentified): pre-designated and they came down to we all we all loaded pallets for two organizations but yeah they all came there were a lot of a lot of people there was a lot of fun nobody got hurt well wait a minute so those boxes were heavy i know they were it was 2500 pounds of food and it was good quality things so it was a great opportunity that she found [46:49] Speaker E (unidentified): And my final thing is, early voting started. The vote, November 3rd, it's going to determine who's going to be running the state. We're looking at the governor, the senator, the federal representative, state senator, District 9, Bangor Hermann, and the state representative for Herman and Kahn people. If you want to make a difference in your state, get out and vote. If you don't vote, please don't complain about it. So everybody go out and let everybody know what you want for the state to be and where you want it to go. [47:36] Terry Hamm-Morris: Dr. Freer, Council Friend. [47:41] Speaker H (unidentified): Yeah, so for our upcoming November meeting I will not be present. I will be out of country. As long as there's no issues with the flights, I should be here in December though. I also want to offer my condolences to the family regarding Randy. I didn't have the privilege of knowing him, but it's clear he had a positive impact on this community. I'll give you your time just. [48:08] Terry Hamm-Morris: Last thing for me, certainly condolences to the Gardner family. He will, he will certainly be missed. In my time in Herman, probably the most often used phrase was "call Randy." He just, you just could always count on him, so he's certainly going to be missed. Other than that, I think we can move on to signing order. [48:34] Speaker D (unidentified): The. [48:37] Adam Brewer: Two proclamations. If you guys could use this one, anything else? [52:08] Speaker D (unidentified): Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [54:44] Speaker E (unidentified): Motion to adjourn. [54:47] Adam Brewer: Second.