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Council questions redevelopment commission’s $5,000 pigeon-remediation reimbursement plan, flags liability
Summary
Councilors reviewed an RDC resolution to reimburse businesses up to $5,000 for façade/pigeon remediation work but raised concerns the draft language could require the commission to select contractors and expose the town to liability; members asked that state board-of-accounts review and edits be completed before further action.
Councilors reviewed a redevelopment commission resolution authorizing reimbursements of up to $5,000 per business for façade work or pigeon remediation and discussed program details, oversight and liability.
At least one council member objected to draft language (article three) that, as written, would appear to authorize the commission to identify and engage contractors on a proprietor’s behalf, potentially creating contract-selection responsibilities and legal exposure. The draft also included a license form provision that would allow the commission or its agents to enter buildings to perform pigeon remediation work; councilors said that language needed to be corrected to preserve the commission’s role as a reimbursement authority rather than a contracting agent.
"Article three is — I don't like that at all," one council member said, urging that the draft be revised so the RDC would not be placed in the position of selecting and approving contractors and taking on liability. Council members said the original program intent was a reimbursement incentive (up to $5,000) with property owners hiring and contracting for the work; the RDC would review applications and reimburse owners after work completion.
Council members noted the program budget discussed at the RDC meeting was approximately $50,000 for the year. They asked staff to coordinate with the State Board of Accounts and to provide an updated resolution that reflects the group's intent: reimbursement after owner-contracted work and a clear, limited role for the RDC that avoids endorsing or contracting vendors on behalf of property owners.
The council asked staff to circulate a revised version of the resolution (with corrected article language and any required state-accounting forms) for review before bringing the item back for approval.
