Special to the Pioneer Times
HOULTON – Councilors discussed a variety of topics at this week’s regular Houlton town council meeting. Most items went through with little debate, though some items sparked more heated discussions.
The first item under discussion was the town of Houlton ordaining the modification of acreage on the North Road to a tax increment financing district (TIF), and in so doing authorizes the town manager to obtain approval from the state of Maine for the change.
“When we moved the Pine Tree Zones out there, what happened is Pine Tree Zones don’t count toward the acreage that the state gives you, so this gave us more acres to deploy,” Town Manager Doug Hazlett explained, “So it’s not that we’re adding more acres to the total, we have more to spread around because the Pine Tree Zones don’t count anymore.”
Tax increment financing districts allow municipalities to finance the cost of private development. Maine municipalities may redirect some or all of the new property taxes from an investment project within the district to assist in that project's financing. The Pine Tree Development Zone (PTDZ) program offers eligible businesses the chance to greatly reduce state taxes for up to 10 years.
“The freed up acreage that we moved around went to places where future development could occur, and we covered a few places that weren’t in before,” Hazlett added, “I think this is a great opportunity because of moving the Pine Tree Zones there which gives us a double benefit.”
The motion passed unanimously.
Under new business the council accepted the low bid of $34,169.62 per year for a five-year lease/purchase on a 2008 Komatsu loader from R.C. Hazelton Company of Bangor, with funds to be taken from the Capital Reserve Account.
The council moved to table the appointment of a public member to the Shiretown Development Corporation board of directors, to be revisited at the next regular council meeting.
The council then accepted a donation of $255 in memory of Jake Adler for the Houlton Fire Department. The council also approved execution of a blanket letter of approval to the Maine State Police by the American Legion Post No. 47 to operate games of chance through 2013, and likewise approved the execution of the application to the state police for a license to operate beano/bingo by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians for one year.
The council then heard an update from Jon McLaughlin, the executive director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation (SADC). McLaughlin discussed a variety of projects he’d spearheaded in the last several months, including evaluating the space needs of Smith and Wesson and looking to bring in a water bottling plant, pellet manufacturing facility, and metal recycling company into the area. McLaughlin also attended a conference at the University of Maine about the possibility of using potatoes to manufacture plastic. McLaughlin also stressed the importance of the region’s skilled labor force.
The council also heard an update on the status of the Drinking Water Protection Ordinance. Some local landowners and farmers presented their problems obtaining permits to use chemicals on their land. Councilors thanked them for their presence and for keeping the council up to date. Councilors expressed their concern and intent to continue working to resolve the matter.
“We have to continue having a dialogue with Houlton Water Company about these issues and what other kinds of solutions can we put on the table too,” Hazlett said, “Everyone has to walk away from this thing in a neutral position.”
The next regular town council meeting will be on Monday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.
