By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Plans are moving forward for the town to borrow nearly $200,000 for various projects throughout the community.
A public hearing on the bond issue will be held Monday, March 25 at 6 p.m. in the town council chambers.
As presented, the town plans to borrow $194,000 through a five-year loan through Machias Savings Bank at an interest rate of 1.79 percent. The first payment would not come due until the 2014 budget and was estimated at $44,000 per year.
Among the major projects to be financed through the loan are: $40,000 for cylinder replacement for the elevator in the town office; $38,000 for craft kettle crack sealing equipment for the public works department; $29,000 to purchase a new police cruiser; and $10,000 for bathroom repairs at the Just for Kids playground building in Community Park.
The Millar Arena would get several pieces of equipment once the bond is approved, including $25,000 to be placed into the hockey board replacement account; $22,000 for a new computerized temperature control system; $12,000 to replace a compressor for the ice rink; and $1,000 for a new skate sharpener.
Other projects include: repairing electrical lighting issues with the tennis/basketball courts, $7,500; repairing/replacing the back stairs at the Gentle Memorial Building, $2,500; upgrading computers in all departments, $6,000; and replacing a door for the Community and Development office at the town hall, $1,000.
Some of these purchases were part of the 2013 budget, but were removed to keep spending level.
During the regular council meeting held Monday evening, one member of the public already expressed his opinion on the matter. Resident Phil Bernaiche spoke against the town borrowing any money in the current state of the economy.
“I see you are going to borrow $194,000,” Bernaiche said. “I have been against you people borrowing money. The chairman should know, he was on the council when we didn’t have to borrow money. His word was ‘no’ and that is something you fellers haven’t got in your vocabulary yet.”
Bernaiche added in his opinion some of the items included on the list were not needed, or should at least be put on hold until the economy rebounded.
Councilors offered no comments on the plan to borrow funds for the list of projects.
In other agenda items, the council:
• Accepted the resignation of Walter Goodrich from the town’s Planning Board.
• Accepted a donation of $100 from the American Legion Post No. 47 and an $860 donation from Bangor Savings Bank to be used for the town’s playground project.
• Appointed Dorothy Donahue to a three-year term on the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
