Council expedites short agenda

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — In what may have been a near-record time for short meetings, the Town Council wrapped up its business in just under eight minutes Monday evening.
    The expedited dealings included approval of special amusement permits for the American Legion Post No. 47 at 184 Bangor St. and for the Houlton Lodge of Elks No. 835 at 86 Main St. The council also approved renewal of a liquor license for the Elks Lodge with Brian Donnelly abstaining from voting on both matters related to the Elks due to his employment by the lodge.
    The council also accepted a bid of $11,002 from Yankee Communications of Benton for five Kenwood mobile radios for the Houlton Police Department. A previous grant pays for the equipment, resulting in no cost to the town.
    In the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Phil Bernaiche said he was disappointed in the TV system for the way the proceedings are telecast. Without any specificity, he criticized the Bangor Daily News as well as the Houlton Pioneer Times for reporting he termed lax and one-sided.
    He also said “town government has not been very good. We’ve been told one thing and other things  happened. And, I hope in 2010 some of you people will change it. And, I wish you a Happy New Year.”
Local business wins international award
    Before adjourning, the councilors also expressed their good wishes to the public for the year ahead. During John Fitzpatrick’s comments, he cited the recent Bronze award earned by Twenty2 Vodka in the World Beverage Competition. Fitzpatrick complimented Scott Galbiati and his wife Jessica Jewell who own Northern Maine Distilling Company in Houlton for their accomplishments after having their product available for only three months. Council Chairman Walter Goodrich agreed saying the award said a lot about them and the area.
    Sue Tortello complimented members of the Board of Budget Review on the work they did as “vitally important.” The recap of the budget review is Monday, Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m., 21 Water St. A tentative date for a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25 following the regularly scheduled council meeting at 6:30 p.m.
The next meeting of the council is Monday, Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m., 21 Water St.