Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Approval of the city’s proposed Comprehensive Plan hit a snag at Monday’s City Council meeting due to conflicting positions by the Council and city’s Planning Board on the preferred route for the planned bypass.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK – Presque Isle City Council officially proclaimed Oct. 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week. Accepting the signed document were members of the Presque Isle Fire Department. Pictured, from left: Council Vice Chairman Ed Nickerson, presenting the signed proclamation; Rich Wark, deputy chief of the PIFD’s B Crew; B.J. Estey, PIFD firefighter; Brandon Greaves, PIFD firefighter; Tony Robichaud, second driver of PIFD’s B Crew; and Adam Rider, deputy chief of PIFD’s C Crew. An open house has been scheduled for Oct. 13 at the firehouse located on North Street.
“There’s a section in the plan where the Planning Board favors a westerly bypass of the community. That’s in opposition to the Council’s position supporting an easterly bypass,” said City Manager Tom Stevens.
In April 2002, City Council reluctantly abandoned the pursuit of a westerly bypass, said Stevens, based on various reasons including wetland issues.
“Council reluctantly conceded to the easterly bypass, with two requests: that the bypass keep as close to downtown as possible and avoid affecting farmland wherever possible,” said Stevens. “When the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan came about, I express concern over the Planning Board’s being opposed to the City Council vote (supporting an easterly bypass).”
Stevens said the city needed a document reflecting the City Council’s view on the bypass issue.
City Council had recently voted to schedule two public hearings to give citizens an opportunity to view the proposed Comprehensive Plan and allow citizens the chance to air their views at two planned meetings. Meetings had been scheduled for Oct. 1 and Oct. 15 during Council’s sessions for those dates. The document would replace the existing plan that’s been in place since 1975.
Since the Council’s vote for public hearings, Stevens was made aware that a 30-day period was necessary before holding a public hearing on the plan.
“At the time of the vote, it was thought the plan would go to the Council and all would have their say. Since then, City Hall staff found a law requiring one public hearing with at least a 30-day notice before going to the legislative body – in our case, City Council,” said Stevens.
Prior to that hearing taking place, Stevens proposed the City Council and Planning Board hold a joint workshop to work out the details of the language involving the bypass.
“Ellen Bemis (chairperson of the Planning Board) and I agreed a workshop is needed,” said Stevens.
Following the workshop, the Planning Board would finalize the plan, then it would go to City Council for a vote.
“City Council would not discuss it at that point. It would involve an up or down vote at that point. If the Council voted it down,” said Stevens. “Based on the statute, the Council doesn’t get to change the plan, just vote up or down. The Council has two options then: amend its position or turn plan back to the Planning Board to be re-worked.”
Bemis expressed concern over the sudden change in plans.
“The Planning Board is opposed to last-minute changes in the Comprehensive Plan. The Board has been involved in the planning and updating of the plan for nearly a year. The city manager had city personnel add language. What concerns the Board is the insertions were made without the Planning Board’s knowledge or approval,” said Bemis.
The change should have been through a vote of approval by the Planning Board, said Bemis.
“Ultimately, the final plan is by approval of the Council. The Board would urge the Council to avoid circumventing the Board in the future,” said Bemis.
Stevens suggested councilors meet with the Planning Board at the Board’s next meeting to work out the details.
“I’d suggest the Council meet with the Board at their next meeting on Oct. 18,” Stevens said.
Councilman Ron McPherson spoke in favor of the meeting.
“The least we can do is sit down and hear what they have to say,” said McPherson.
Stevens said this was the Council’s opportunity to provide their input on the plan. He said the meeting would be the time to work on the issue with the Planning Board.
“In theory, what you’re actually doing is sending it back to the Board. You (Council and Board) want to work on it before it actually goes to hearing,” said Stevens.
McPherson didn’t see the need for a motion from the Council, indicating it was more an chance to “fine-tune” the document.
“I don’t see where there’s a big deal here. The 18th we’ll meet with the Planning Board and bring the matter to a conclusion. Then it will be sent back for public hearing. I think that’s it in a nutshell, without any big complication,” said McPherson.
A motion followed to send the Comprehensive Plan back to the Planning Board, with Council voting to do so.
The Comprehensive Plan provides an overview of various issues, including land use and development. It outlines certain sections of the city and the best use of property in those areas, be it residential, business, agricultural or other uses. A copy of the plan can be viewed at City Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
In other Council business
• Council set dates for workshops on the 2008 municipal budget. Dates include: Oct. 17, 22, 24 and 29. Sessions start at 5 p.m. and are open to the public;
• Approved an inter-community agreement, patterned on the 2001 agreement, for solid waste for the communities of Washburn, Wade, Perham, Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill. The new document upgrades revisions taking into account Presque Isle’s substantial investment for improvements at the landfill over the next couple of years;
• Approved a contract for CES, of Presque Isle, for engineering services for inspection, improvements and expansion at the landfill;
• Approved a contract for solid waste disposal for T11 R4 (Squa Pan Lake) where there is no curbside service and many of the property owners are actually residents of Presque Isle;
• Authorized Stevens to move forward with CDBG application process for Northern Aroostook Well and Septic Program;
• Approved consent agenda of City Council meeting minutes of Sept. 13 and 17, and warrants 37 and 38 totaling just over $779,726; and
• Approved consent agenda of City Council meeting minutes of Aug. 28 and Sept. 5; warrants 35 and 36 totaling just over $1,393,164; written departmental reports for August 2007; and designating Stevens as a voting delegate for the Maine Municipal Associations annual convention.
The next Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at City Hall. Sessions are open to the public and the public is encouraged to participate. For more information, contact 764-4485.
