Council recognizes Hall

    HOULTON, Maine — Monday night’s brief meeting of the town council was largely in recognition of service to the community. In proclamations read by Chairman Walter Goodrich, the council congratulated Arlo Hall, full-time firefighter, driver, for 39 years of service. Hall will retire April 4. Councilor John Fitzpatrick said, “thank you for doing a great job” during the televised proceedings. Hall was not present.     Goodrich also read a proclamation congratulating the Houlton Rotary Club for 90 years of service to the community. The proclamation cited Rotarians for living the motto “service above self” and for supporting town needs such as Houlton Regional Hospital, Cary Library, restoration of the Boy and the Boot fountain and the Community Arts Project among others. Councilor Sue Tortello commented that Rotary had a long, distinguished career in Houlton.
The council also approved an application for the Rotary Club to operate a Beano/Bingo night on Thursday, April 8 in St. Anthony’s Hall. Nancy Ketch explained that proceeds from the popular fund-raiser support Rotary’s youth exchange program.
Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin introduced Officer Rick York who recently joined the force. York relocated to Houlton from Lincoln where he had served for nine years on the police force there.
The council approved the appointment of Jack Forbush as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term. Town Manager Doug Hazlett said that “would round out the board which is a great group of volunteers.”
Grants and donations
A grant of $13,214 from Maine Emergency Management Agency was accepted to replace the radio console at the police department. Asselin said he has modified the licenses for equipment to comply with FCC rulings requiring the department to use narrow banding.
Other departments in Houlton must also comply with licensing requirements by Jan 1, 2011. All town departments must have their equipment operational by Jan 1, 2012. By acquiring funds from Homeland Security to purchase five new mobile radios and a new console, Asselin said the grant has saved the town about $23,000.
The council also accepted a donation of $337.50 from Bangor Savings Bank for the Just For Kids Summer Playground Program and a Wellness Incentive Grant of $295.77 from the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m.