Council approves permits
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Councilors have been busy, approving a number of permits and filling vacancies on various boards and committees, in addition to other business brought before the panel in recent weeks.
Councilors discussed the following, taking the noted actions:
• Amended Chapter 53 – disbursement ordinances;
• Approved a malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license and a special amusement permit for music, dancing and entertainment for ARAMARK Educational Services, LLC at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, 181 Main St. Mark Stamper, director of food service at the University, explained that the University currently obtains a temporary catering license when they cater special events such as weddings, etc. Acquiring a license would allow the University to cater special events at the multi-purpose room and allow them to purchase liquor from a commercial source;
• Approved special permit for music, dancing and entertainment for the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954, Main St., Presque Isle Country Club, Parkhurst Siding Road, and Hayward Frazier VFW 2599, intersection of State Road and Parsons St.;
• Appointed: Richard Kimball and Louise Hamlin for three-year terms to the Mark & Emily Library Charitable Trust Board of Trustees, Jeffery Nault for a four-year term on the Airport Advisory Board, Felicia Dixon for a four-year term to the Downtown Revitalization Committee, Mike Patenaude for a four-year term on the Recreation & Parks Advisory Committee, and Carl Flora and Mark Jones as trustees to the Presque Isle Water District;
• Approved taxi cab licenses for Aroostook Taxi and Town Taxi, and amended the Taxi Cab Ordinance;
• Approved consent agenda items relating to meetings and minutes for: Feb. 7, 8, 17 and 23, as well as March 9;
• Approved the 2010 investment report;
• Discussed an analysis done by Pat Webb, director of finance, which showed that it is more economical to lease photocopiers versus buying them. This would be a 5-year lease which includes toner and servicing. These machines can also be used as printers. Councilors voted in favor of entering into a lease agreement for three copiers with Office Max for a period of five years at a cost of $5,282 per year;
• Reallocated miscellaneous balances in the capital reserves account;
• Amended the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library’s by-laws as presented;
• City Manager Jim Bennett presented City Council with the 2011 work plan, which served as the topic of a workshop earlier in the year. Councilors were asked to rate items on a priority basis. Items with no points were removed. Bennett asked councilors to endorse the plan as presented. Councilors approved the 2011-12 work plan;
• Approved corrections to the General Development Zone and map;
• Authorized changes to the Maine Public Employees Retirement amoritization schedule;
• Voted in opposition to a request by resident Nelson Caron for the installation of a street light on Strawberry Banks Road;
• Approved a five-year lease with the Star City ATV Club, Inc., for use and maintenance of the building and grounds at Arnold Brook Lake. The site serves as the organization’s clubhouse;
• Set a workshop for April 25 to discuss the 2011 Compensation Report;
• Approved the summer ice schedule for the Forum for two weeks, July 5-17;
• Received an update on the walkway adjacent to Wilder’s Jewelry Store. Bennett indicated the city was working with some of the owners of record to acquire the walkway, but that one owner was not cooperating. He indicated city officials would continue to pursue the matter;
• Scheduled public hearings for May 4 and June 6 to amend the Land Use and Development Code;
• Discussed establishing an Employee of the Year Program that would incorporate several of the activities the city currently holds each year. The program would replace the city’s annual picnic and longevity awards, creating a combined event instead;
• Approved an easement for the Presque Isle Water & Sewer District located between the Maine Public Service substation on Skyway Street and the former Public Works garage at 920 Skyway Street;
• Authorized Bennett to develop and issue a request for appropriate engineering and planning services to consider and recommend development opportunities to improve traffic mobility in the city’s central business district/downtown; and
• Approved a re-drafted deed regarding property the city conveyed to the Presque Isle Housing Authority by deed dated Feb. 5, 2001.
City Council will hold its next regularly-scheduled meeting on May 2 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, contact 760-2785, e-mail jdionne@presqueisleme.us or visit www.presqueisle.govoffice2.com.
