Staff Writer
“This is one of the worst budget years I’ve seen,” stated Caribou City Manager Steve Buck, referencing the loss of state and federal funds the city is facing this year. Included in the financial loss is a $260,000 reduction in state revenue sharing with a $230,000 loss that impacts municipal government. Buck stated, “The conservative push to balance the state budget affects the municipal level. I’ve found the state to be the poorest partner in consolidation and the poorest in trust.” We are facing funding levels such as those in 2002-03. The economy is looking at a $4 million decrease with the possibility of an additional $12 million.”
Mayor Kenneth Murchison encouraged the city council members to understand that this is meant as the worst case scenario but department heads, the city manager and the council members need to get working on the 2010 budget.
Buck stated that regardless of the current situation, “I can’t say enough about our Congressional representatives in this area for the work that they do and we need to continue with this relationship.” During the meeting, council members were presented a first draft of the 2010 municipal budget, setting workshop dates and times for work addressing this budget.
In other business the city council:
• Authorized the re-zoning of the current R-2A zone off Donie Street to become R-3, with the anticipation that this would allow for further development of this land or the possibility of it being turned back to agricultural use.
• Authorized the presentation of a recognition award to Chief Roy Woods by Verne Ouellette, director of the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency.
• Heard a request from Kathy Mazzuchelli, director of parks and recreation, for the consideration of a second annual Downtown Caribou Ski Race on Saturday, Feb. 20 in the North Mall parking lot. Councilors voiced concerns regarding the city’s cost involved in holding this type of event again and requested that Mazzuchelli present a more detailed description at the next regular meeting.
• Authorized the approval for the sale price for tax acquired property, tax map 7 Lot 039-031 in the amount of $2,200.
• Approved Jan. 25, for a joint meeting between the city council and the board of directors of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry to discuss the 2010 city appropriation.
• Authorized the renewal of a game of chance license for the Knights of Columbus 1870.
• Authorized a game of chance license for Texas Hold-em for the American Legion Post 15 for Feb. 6.
Council members received for first reads a first draft of an amendment to Chapter 8 Article 5, placement of snow in public way, to strengthen the current local ordinance and provide for a locally administered fine structure; planning board proposed changes to noise ordinance, relating to wind ordinance; survey of downtown Caribou property owners and entrepreneurs, councilors requested Mike Shrewsberry, Caribou Planning Board director, to adjust the survey he offered to the panel, to focus only on the immediate transient need for parking in the downtown area.
The next regular meeting is Monday, Jan. 25, in the council chambers at 7 p.m.
