Planning board OKs auto repair business

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A local mechanic may soon be opening the doors to his own business after the town’s Planning Board approved a design review at its May 3 meeting.
    According to Wade Hanson, director of economic development for the town, Danny Soucy of Houlton was granted a design review to open an auto repair business at 54 North St. Hanson said the business will be located in the same building as the soon-to-be opened MACS Trading Post.
    Hanson said the building will essentially be cut in half, with the left half of the building used by Darrin and Michelle Crane for MACS Trading Post and the right side used by Soucy for the automobile repair business. The Cranes purchased the building in March and originally planned to be open May 1, but have yet to open their doors.
    The next step for Soucy is simply to secure building permits for construction inside the building. According to Hanson, a firewall needs to be erected between his work and waiting room areas. A bay door is also planned to be constructed in the rear of the building to allow vehicles to enter.