Council to vote on budget

    HOULTON — Residents in Houlton will have an opportunity to weigh-in on the proposed $9.04 million 2012 municipal spending budget Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., during a special public hearing on the spending plan at the town council chambers on 21 Water St.
    During the meeting,  the council will be finalizing the municipal budget.
    Councilors have discussed a number of topics with this year’s budget.
    One particular item that generated a great deal of discussion was the town’s plans to take over management of the rest area on the North Road.
    Back in June, councilors voted to move forward with discussions with the state’s Board of Tourism to take over the rest area property located near the Interstate 95 southbound ramp.
    The council was advised by MDOT in 2009 that it was looking to turn ownership of the property over to the town, or risk the state closing the rest area.
    Another item that may generate some discussion at Thursday’s meeting is a request for $1,500 from the group Vital Pathways.
    Houlton’s budget committee initially OK’d the expense, but the council removed that stipend during its last meeting, stating that last year’s allotment was supposed to be for one year only.
    Supporters of the group are expected to state their case for putting that money back into the budget during the public hearing.
    Vital Pathways is a group of volunteers who came together with a common goal of creating a healthier community and has brought over $1 million in grant money to the area, according to group officials.