By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Department heads met with City Council Monday night, reviewing their respective portions of the proposed 2014 municipal budget, with an opportunity to elaborate on their requests and other concerns — most notably the need for more funds for capital reserve. Scott Wardwell, manager of the Northern Maine Regional Airport, was first up.
“Come July 1, 2014, we’ll structure things so NMRA won’t rely on any local tax revenues, be it local property taxes or revenues through the state of Maine,” said Wardwell, as he went on to explain how essential air service rates are figured and how subsidies are obtained.
“The FAA negotiated a higher subsidy through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The dedicated revenue source comes from tax revenues associated with ticket sales. Essentially, folks in Boston, Philadelphia and L.A. contribute to smaller markets,” said Wardwell.
Wardwell also discussed winter staffing, equipment repairs and other airline expenses.
Ken Arndt, planning and development director, said he’s “encouraged by the collaboration with other departments.”
He noted since he’s the only one in the department now, there’s no place left to cut.
“The most important thing to make you aware of is the update for the comprehensive plan,” said Arndt, noting that the city gains and loses in terms of businesses coming and going, and that there is a “constant effort to increase development.”
Darrell White, chief of the Presque Isle Fire Department, spoke next, beginning with firehouse staffing. He explained per diem personnel were being used to cover openings due to vacations and sick time.
White commented on improvements needed to the sewer system at Echo Lake, which will likely run around $80,000.
His biggest concern involved funding to capital reserve.
“The only thing in capital reserve I’d like to see different — we have to replace air packs. Jim reduced the amount from $10,000 I requested to $5,000. I can’t get where we need to be this year” with that amount, said White. “What I want to do is take $5,000 from gear and put back in for air packs. I think we can get a gear grant.”
Dana Fowler, director of public services, made three presentations, starting with buildings and facilities.
“The front steps of City Hall need some work. I asked for $25,000 in capital reserve and was reduced to $10,000. In round numbers we have around $16,000 already, but the estimate from the contractor is much more than that. I’m concerned there’s inadequate funding there to reconstruct steps,” said Fowler.
City Manager Jim Bennett said he “wasn’t ready to accept $25,000 to replace the concrete steps.”
“It’s not the year to spend $25,000 to $30,000 to replace what’s already there. The concrete there is failing, due to erosion, and they have some problems. I’m not arguing that,” said Bennett. “We should be looking for a better solution.”
Councilor Craig Green suggested some type of overlay. Fowler said the problem was complying with ADA requirements.
“Salt gets in the cracks and breaks up the concrete,” said Fowler.
Staff for the Solid Waste Department — namely at the landfill — followed. Fowler said due to safety issues, it’s necessary to have at least two employees working the landfill together. “I’m hoping that will be restored; I requested two people for Saturday.”
With regard to the Pay-As-You-Throw program, Fowler said “it’s very volatile and hard to estimate.”
“PAYT collection costs will be less in 2014 by $35,000 — less than the last four years,” he said.
Fowler concluded his presentations with comments on the Public Works Department. Plow trucks, he said, have been outfitted with liquid deicing systems that “when you spread sand, it sticks to the road instead of bouncing and works better on the ice.”
Fowler also saw a need for more money in capital reserve.
“We asked for a loader, which was cut. Other things were approved and I’m grateful. I’d like to reallocate $50,000 in reserve — take about $7,000 for freight and in procuring government surplus, specifically a loader,” said Fowler.
Librarian Sonja Plummer-Morgan provided information on the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library, including the status of the latest renovations, which are expected to be completed by early 2014. She reviewed various figures, from number of items checked out, volunteer hours, library cards issued and number of visitors annually.
“Our capital is at zero. I love green spaces and buildings. But to stay beautiful, we need to keep it up and looking good. Once the library looks the way it’s going to, I’d like to stay on top of those things — guard our investment,” said Plummer-Morgan.
Police Chief Matt Irwin spoke next, reviewing everything from staffing at the police station and vehicle needs, to building maintenance and social media usage.
Irwin’s biggest concern appeared to be the replacement of aging cruisers. His budget request for two cruisers was postponed by Bennett for at least a year. One aging cruiser will now be used by the fire department.
“We’ve been lucky. We used to replace two at a time. Now we phase out one at a time. This will be the last time to do one; we’ll have to get back on the two-at-a-time schedule,” said Irwin.
Chris Beaulieu, director of the Forum and the Rec and Parks Department, updated councilors on the Forum’s status. He noted the discontinuance of summer ice will help slow wear on the building. Building maintenance was one of Beaulieu’s concerns.
“Under the buildings line (of our portion of the budget), we’ve averaged about $94,000 in that line. What the manager’s recommendation gives us is about $20,000 for repairs of all our facilities — Forum, indoor pool, rec — we won’t be able to keep up. Most are major costs. For example, replacing hockey glass is $1,000. They’re simple things but add up,” said Beaulieu.
“My other concern is capital. Over the past couple years the department has received little. Last year we got $16,000, next year $10,000. Basically it gives us zero dollars for capital. The Forum, the Riverside building and other things need to be fixed. The exterior doors at the Forum are coming off the frame. I requested about $110,000, but without three-quarters of that — they’re not wishes, they’re things I feel we really need for the department to move forward. When it comes to maintenance, most are must-haves in my eyes,” said Beaulieu.
Larry Clark, executive director of the Industrial Council, reiterated other department heads’ concerns over cuts to capital requests.
“I put in a request for $145,000 and Jim’s recommendation reduced it to $90,000. The Industrial Council fully understands what’s happening but we have aging buildings. They’re becoming more and more difficult to maintain and replace equipment,” said Clark.
The Industrial Council manages nearly 750,000 square feet of building space on the Industrial Park, on behalf of the city. Clark noted that upgrades can be costly on buildings as large as those located on the park.
Councilor Pete Hallowell said “you can’t maintain that amount of buildings and square feet on $90,000 a year.”
Council will continue meeting with department heads as early as next Monday, following the regularly-scheduled monthly meeting, if time allows. Those left to meet with councilors include Finance Director Pat Webb and Deputy City Manager Martin Puckett.
Monday’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The session is open to all and the public is encouraged to participate. For more information, call 760-2785.
