Council defining land uses

Accepts grants, bids for work
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Prior to resuming its review of land use restrictions Monday evening, the Houlton Town Council accepted three grants and two bids.
    The largest grant, $17,078 from the Department of Homeland Security Operation Stonegarden requires no matching town funds. Police Chief Butch Asselin explained that it will be used to cover overtime expenses and mileage for officer support of border patrols.
    A grant of $500 from the United States Tennis Association New England will be used for the Parks and Recreation Youth Tennis program. A $400 grant from Aroostook County Action Healthy Aroostook program will be used for a Wellness Day during the summer playground program. Neither of those two grants require matching funds from the town.
Accepted bids
    The accepted low bid of $246,953 from Steelstone Industries will be used for street and sidewalk repairs. Leigh Stilwell, director of the town’s public works department said some work had begun Monday on North St.
    Walter Goodrich, council chairman, said some money was carried over from last year’s road bond funding and the other part was through the regular road maintenance account. Councilor Sue Tortello commented that “the Public Works Department will do more of the work with Steelstone doing selected parts of the project to try to stretch our money a little farther.”
    Maine Potato Growers, Inc. won the bid for liquid calcium chloride at $1.69 per gallon. Goodrich said, “We did budget $33,000 for this and we will do as much as we can.”
    Stilwell explained that one spraying per season, starting in June, is usually sufficient to keep dust down until the fall and the subsequent rainy season. However, the early onset of warm weather this year may be a factor in dust control forcing the department to start earlier.
    A local company, Buildings Etcetera, Inc., will erect security fencing and access control gates at Houlton International Airport. Their low bid of $157,880 requires a 2.5 percent town match or $3,847 which Goodrich said was in the airport account. Councilor Paul Romanelli said “it’s a good deal for the taxpayer with not much money coming out of our pockets.”
    During the continuing review of land use definitions that will eventually be compiled for code enforcement, the councilors clearly expressed concern for taxpayers whose property values could be affected by unwanted development in residential areas.
    Home-based businesses, art galleries and antique shops with the commercial traffic they generate were among the nearly 40 principal land uses discussed Monday evening. There are still some 100-plus additional land uses for the council to review based on planning board definitions. The new Houlton land use ordinance will define what is allowed within Houlton’s boundaries.
Farmers market returning
    Before adjourning, Tortello said the Houlton Community Farmers Market will return to a new location in the downtown area every Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. starting May 29 and running until October 9.     Farmers will have more locally grown items like flowers, baked goods and seasonal specialties, according to Tortello who added that they will be under canopies in the area behind the George Washington statue. She said interested vendors should contact the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce for more information.
    The next council meeting will be held in Council Chambers at 21 Water St., Monday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m.