Island Falls plans special town meeting Monday
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
ISLAND FALLS — Residents will be asked Monday at a special town meeting to come up with extra money for a water main improvement project that has been two years in the making.
The special town meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the municipal building.
According to Island Falls Town Manager Joseph Clark, approval is being sought for the town to take out a loan of $121,000, which is in addition to the original sum of $1,162,450 authorized at the town meeting held Aug. 18, 2010.
The project calls for improvements to the town’s water supply system, including the replacement of water mains in the town. According to Clark, 80 percent of the $121,000 needed will be for paving of town roads once the water main project is complete.
The need for extra funds is mainly due to the increased cost of paving materials, he said.
The town is also in the midst of looking for a new town manager. Clark has given his notice that he is leaving the post at the end of the year to return to his hometown of Millinocket. Clark has served as the town manager for about a year. The municipality has been advertising for a new manager, but has yet to hire an individual.
Wind Farm project subject of Oakfield special meeting
OAKFIELD — Residents of Oakfield will have an opportunity to express their opinions on a proposed wind farm project in the community during a public hearing Monday at 6 p.m. in the Oakfield Community Center.
A special town meeting will follow the hearing at 7 p.m. At that town meeting, residents will be asked if they favor creating a TIF (Tax Increment Finance) district for First Wind, a company who hopes to develop a wind energy project. A TIF district is a public financing method, which allows developers to use future gains in taxes to help fund a project. TIF districts can be used to help fund new projects or redevelop areas within the district.
Pre-Thanksgiving Farmers Market set
A pre-Thanksgiving Farmers Market will be held this Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9-11:30a.m. at Aroostook Milling in Houlton. Along with a wide variety of vegetables, roasting chickens, pickles, jams, honey, breads, baked goods and apples, there will also be a free raffle for a local Thanksgiving dinner, including a locally-raised turkey.
Get ready for your holiday meal while helping to support your community farmers. You may also be the lucky winner of a Thanksgiving meal. For more information, contact the Southern Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation District at 532-2087 ext 3 or angela.wotton@me.nacdnet.net.
