Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Council concluded its summer sessions, hearing presentations from various city department heads and voting on a number of items. Topics covered by Council recently include:
• Listened a presentation by Planning Board Chairman Bruce Roope, who provided an update regarding activities of the board over the past year;
• Awarded the bid for landfill expansion for the Solid Waste Department to McGillan, Inc. of Fort Fairfield, with a vote of 4-2 — Councilors Jennifer Trombley, Donald Gardner, Calvin Hall and Walt Elish approved the bid, with Councilors Ed Nickerson and G. Melvin Hovey opposed. Councilor Ron McPherson was absent for the vote;
• Approved the abatement of real estate taxes assessed against Danielle D. Kinney, 94 Williams Rd., for 2007-2009 totaling $22.16 and accrued interest because the taxes were assessed in error;
• Approved the abatement of real estate taxes assessed against Daniel L. McClung for 2007-2009 for the principle balance of $420.78 along with accrued interest and costs because the taxes are uncollectible and the park owners want to demolish the mobile home;
• Accepted an agreement for the use of a walkway located on the westerly side of Main Street that lies between the southerly side of property owned and/or occupied by Race Point, LLC, and on the northerly side of property owned by Cathy M. Beaulieu, if approved by owners of the eight tenancy-in-common, and to allow minor changes to the agreement as deemed acceptable to the city manager and city solicitor;
• Approved consent agenda items through Aug. 31, 2009;
• Approved the Maine Municipal Association Voting Ballot: Stephen Bunker, chair of selectmen of Farmington, to a one-year term as vice president; and to three-year terms as directors — Matthew Arnett, councilor, Hampden; Joyce Maker, councilor, Calais; and Peter Nielsen, town manager, Oakland;
• Approved an automobile graveyard permit for Fred Bonville, d/b/a Fred’s Auto, located at 204 Chapman Rd., with conditions as specified by Council;
• Approved an automobile graveyard and junkyard permit for Geary S. Bonville, d/b/a G.S. Bonville and Son, located at 228 Chapman Rd., with conditions as specified by Council;
• Approved an automobile graveyard and junkyard permit for Timothy Cowett, d/b/a Cowett’s Used Auto Parts, located at 259 Fort Rd.;
• Approved a malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license for Hope and James Estey, d/b/a Pat’s Pizza-Presque Isle, 9 North St.;
• Held the first public hearing on amending Chapter 16 Land Use and Development Code by adding Chapter II, Section VIII, Small Wind Energy Systems, and adding definitions to the Land Use and Development Code, Chapter 1, Section V, Definitions;
• Voted unanimously to oppose the citizens’ initiative referendum, An Act to Decrease the Automobile Excise Tax and Promote Energy Efficiency, noting to do so would create infrastructure problems by reducing funding for plowing, road construction and maintenance and would have a negative impact with regard to public safety;
• Agreed to continue discussion on the citizens’ initiative referendum, An Act to Provide Tax Relief (TABOR II), noting more information was necessary to make an informed decision on the matter; and
• Approved a lease renewal with the Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter, Inc.
Council’s next session will be held Monday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
For more information or to request an agenda, contact 764-4485 or e-mail nmcentee@presqueisleme.us. Meetings are open to the public and the public is encouraged to participate.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
RETIREE HONORED — Donald Saucier, at right, was honored for 25 years of dedicated service to the Solid Waste Department during Presque Isle City Council’s August 3 meeting. Here, Ed Nickerson, Council chair, on behalf of the city, recognizes Saucier for the milestone achievement. Margaret Wallace, a dispatcher for the Presque Isle Police Department, was also recognized by Council on her retirement but was unable to attend the meeting.
