By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — The Loring Development Authority Board of Trustees heard from Bangor Gas regarding the company’s plans for developing the pipeline that runs from Searsport to Loring, and from food processor Northern Girl’s general manager, Chris Hallweaver, regarding his request for renovations to Loring’s former NCO Club building during their meeting held April 10 at the LDA board room.
Jerry Livengood of Bangor Gas provided a short presentation outlining his company’s plans to feed natural gas into northern Maine and the progress they have made so far. Livengood was slated to present a more detailed presentation to the board during executive session held after the regular meeting.
Hallweaver was then given the floor and explained to the board that even though Northern Girl will be moving its operations to a facility in Van Buren by year’s end, the company plans to still make use of the NCO Club, which Northern Girl leases from the LDA and is in need of renovations.
According to Hallweaver, the most important project is to get the ceiling in the kitchen repaired as it has tiles that are in danger of crumbling from previous water damage and could present a problem with food preparation. Hallweaver advised that the repair work would cost around $20,000 and asked the board to consider providing the funds for the renovations. The board took Hallweaver’s request under advisement and no decision was made at that time.
President and CEO of the LDA, Carl Flora, addressed the board regarding the U.S. Defense Department’s consideration of possibly building a missile interceptor site in the northeastern United States. Caribou is one of the locations on the list to undergo an evaluation. U.S. Senator Collins has supported the Caribou option. Flora advised the board that DOD has yet to decide if a missile site is even necessary, but wanted to update the board on the situations and will keep them posted on developments.
Flora also spoke about the latest developments in the three-way agreement among Limestone, Fort Fairfield and Loring Development for shared ambulances and firefighters. Flora is working with Limestone and Fort Fairfield to find a way to keep the three-way agreement in tact.
The board granted Flora approval for a bridge loan from Katahdin Trust Company for up to $200,000 due to the fact that LDA had to advance the entire cost of the first phase of the project to improve the water plant, which is about $1.86 million. The LDA will be recouping 50 percent of the money from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, but not until they have approved the second phase, which can be a lengthy process. The LDA is requesting the bridge loan to free up its line of credit for other uses. The loan will only be used if deemed absolutely necessary.
Flora was authorized to place a flagpole to fly the U.S. and Maine flags in front of the LDA building and remove the two flagpoles that are currently located at the main entrance.
The next LDA trustees’ meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, at 9:30 a.m.
