Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The proposed bypass project that would re-route traffic east of the city and off of Main St. continued to be a sore spot to citizens at the April session of City Council, with all councilors present except Ron McPherson. Sue James, a resident of the Conant Rd., was the first to step up to the podium. Before speaking, she submitted to the Council signatures from business owners and residents who oppose the bypass.
“Many people have spent their lives establishing their businesses and homes. We would like to send the message we don’t want to be bypassed,” said James.
Next up was Cathy Beaulieu, owner of Wilder’s Jewelry Store and chair of the Downtown Revitalization Committee. Beaulieu reminded the Council the DRC was created to “develop downtown.”
Beaulieu noted the extensive amount of work that had been done to date in an effort to revitalize the downtown area of the city.
“Three months of design work, so it wouldn’t be speculative, a comprehensive look at parking issues and traffic downtown,” Beaulieu said were just some of the items the DRC had been working on with the city recently.
Beaulieu responded to the survey that VHP put out that the city recommended be done throughout the downtown, regarding parking issues. She reminded the Council that they entrusted the DRC to develop the well-being of the downtown area. Dismayed by the survey, the DRC opted to look more closely into the matter.
“I’m impressed that the Council is still interested in the downtown and that you’re willing to put time and effort into an additional survey,” said Beaulieu, adding the city and DRC officials should continue discussion on the latest survey.
“It’s important to look at the first survey results as well as the second,” she said.
Pam Sweetser was next to address Council.
Sweetser told the Council it still had time to respond to the bypass and address citizens’ concerns.
“The viewpoints of the local community are of great interest to the Corps (Army Corps of Engineer). Please don’t consider this a closed topic. It’s not,” said Sweetser.
Sweetser said awareness is spreading of how the proposed bypass will impact local businesses and property owners.
“As more and more become aware of the impact and begin to understand the impact — some people haven’t fully realized this is actually going to occur unless more get involved,” said Sweetser. “This will benefit a few but harm many more.”
During the April meeting, Council also:
• Presented Finance Director Pat Webb with the Finance Department for Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR) Award (certificate of achievement) by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada;
• Congratulated 2009 Miss Presque Isle Haley Johnston, as part of the city’s Sesquicentennial Celebration and significant year in history, and presented her with a certificate of recognition;
• Approved a special amusement permit for dancing and entertainment for B.P.O. Elks Lodge 1954, 508 Main St.;
• Heard a report from city auditors. Hank Farrah of Runyon, Kersteen and Ouellette (RKO) provided a financial overview regarding the 2008 audit, stating the city has received a clean report. Farrah commended the city staff in assisting with the preparations of materials needed to conduct the audit;
• Amended the city’s Mission Statement by adding Section 7 as follows: “To provide all municipal services in the most efficient manner possible;”
• Appointed Haley Johnston as trustee to the Mark and Emily Turner Library Board of Trustees for an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2010;
• Appointed Steve Sutter as member of the Planning Board for a four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2012, with a vote of 4-2, Councilors Walt Elish and G. Melvin Hovey opposed;
• Apointed Rick Nadeau as trustee of the Presque Isle Water District for a three-year term ending March 31, 2012;
• Approved a pawnbroker license for Harold R. Drost, d/b/a Uncle Sam’s, 513 Main St.;
• Approved a pawnbroker license for George Jaime, d/b/a Star City Trading and Pawn, 167 State St., with the condition he must not buy or sell firearms per order of the police chief; and
• Approved consent agenda item.
The next City Council meeting will take place May 4 at City Hall at 6 p.m. For more information, contact 764-4485. To have a Council agenda e-mailed to you, send a request to nmcentee@presqueisleme.us.
