HOULTON, Maine – The board of budget review held its last information-gathering meeting on Dec. 17. Items discussed at the meeting were: the Chamber of Commerce, the library, the Red Cross, the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC), the historical museum, the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, the Snowmobile Club, and roads and projects.
The first item of discussion was the Chamber of Commerce, and several board members took a moment to congratulate the chamber and executive director Lori Weston on a successful year.
“Over the last five years I’ve watched the chamber evolve,” said board member Don Keiser, “Lori and Cyndi, and the rest of the board, and everybody, they’ve obviously made a major effort to turn things around, and I think they’re being very successful.”
The Chamber of Commerce requested $15,000 from the town in funding, which shows no change from 2007.
The Cary Library requested an increase of $5,847 due to higher operating costs, particularly in the increased price of electricity.
The local Red Cross also requested funding from the town this year. Town manager Doug Hazlett has recommended a donation of $2,000.
“The reason for that is simply, they get no governmental money,” Hazlett said.
Hazlett explained to the board that the Red Cross already serves the town in a number of ways, including disaster and emergency relief (such as after a house fire), armed forces emergency services for local troops serving overseas, and health and safety education and training. Hazlett also pointed out the importance of the Red Cross as part of the town’s emergency management plan, which is now required by FEMA.
According to the town’s risk assessment analysis, the greatest threat to the town is a severe winter weather event. During such a crisis, Houlton High School would function as a shelter.
“Should that be required for an emergency in town, the Red Cross is actually who would man it: provide the meals, the bedding, the cots,” Hazlett explained.
The local Red Cross chapter serves 68 towns in Aroostook County and receives annual donations from 54 of those.
NMDC also requested $10,170 from the town in annual membership dues, which is a $21 decrease from 2007. Several board members expressed their appreciation for the various NMDC services.
The Aroostook Historical and Art Museum, the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, and the Snowmobile Club did not request any increases in funding. The museum requested $2,500, and the Agency on Aging requested $4,000. The town reimburses $2,800 to the Snowmobile Club annually for registration fees.
The greatest increase in roads was due to a grant match requirement of $37,000 toward repairing sidewalks and a funding match of $100,000 for improvements on Bangor Street. Other projects saw no major changes. Board members agreed that keeping roads in good repair is a priority.
The board of budget review recap meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.
The first item of discussion was the Chamber of Commerce, and several board members took a moment to congratulate the chamber and executive director Lori Weston on a successful year.
“Over the last five years I’ve watched the chamber evolve,” said board member Don Keiser, “Lori and Cyndi, and the rest of the board, and everybody, they’ve obviously made a major effort to turn things around, and I think they’re being very successful.”
The Chamber of Commerce requested $15,000 from the town in funding, which shows no change from 2007.
The Cary Library requested an increase of $5,847 due to higher operating costs, particularly in the increased price of electricity.
The local Red Cross also requested funding from the town this year. Town manager Doug Hazlett has recommended a donation of $2,000.
“The reason for that is simply, they get no governmental money,” Hazlett said.
Hazlett explained to the board that the Red Cross already serves the town in a number of ways, including disaster and emergency relief (such as after a house fire), armed forces emergency services for local troops serving overseas, and health and safety education and training. Hazlett also pointed out the importance of the Red Cross as part of the town’s emergency management plan, which is now required by FEMA.
According to the town’s risk assessment analysis, the greatest threat to the town is a severe winter weather event. During such a crisis, Houlton High School would function as a shelter.
“Should that be required for an emergency in town, the Red Cross is actually who would man it: provide the meals, the bedding, the cots,” Hazlett explained.
The local Red Cross chapter serves 68 towns in Aroostook County and receives annual donations from 54 of those.
NMDC also requested $10,170 from the town in annual membership dues, which is a $21 decrease from 2007. Several board members expressed their appreciation for the various NMDC services.
The Aroostook Historical and Art Museum, the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, and the Snowmobile Club did not request any increases in funding. The museum requested $2,500, and the Agency on Aging requested $4,000. The town reimburses $2,800 to the Snowmobile Club annually for registration fees.
The greatest increase in roads was due to a grant match requirement of $37,000 toward repairing sidewalks and a funding match of $100,000 for improvements on Bangor Street. Other projects saw no major changes. Board members agreed that keeping roads in good repair is a priority.
The board of budget review recap meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.