Houlton disputes panel’s findings

Gloria Austin, Special to The County
12 years ago

The town of Houlton did not make the recently publicized Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) business friendly community list.
The Houlton Town Council agreed to support an application for the town to become certified under the state’s “Business Friendly Community” program. This program is an effort to encourage business development and growth in communities throughout Maine.
    The town of Houlton submitted an application on April 6 to the State of Maine’s Certified Business Friendly Community Program and was among 19 statewide communities in the first round of certification. An independent review team evaluated all applications and Houlton did not make the cut.
“While newspapers may report and the evaluators of an application may determine that we are not deemed, by their standard, as a ‘Business Friendly Community,’ everyone in this room knows that is not true,” said Lori Weston, economic community development director during Monday night’s council meeting. “In the last few years, we have witnessed business investments and expansions.”
Weston noted that just last week she met with two owners of prospective businesses looking to settle in the Shiretown, along with another business owner anticipating a major expansion.
“I receive calls, literally every week, from folks who present new business ideas, have questions about starting a business here or inquire about locations for opportunities and expansions,” Weston added.
Weston recently attended a meeting with County business owners and economic leaders from Augusta. Business leaders were asked what was working and who was doing well in regard to individual communities. Weston said, a businessman with ties through the County, including Houlton, gave his opinion.
“Houlton is the only place in the County that is progressive and has things happening consistently and positively,” relayed Weston. “Our work on creating TIF districts and a revolving loan program does not go unnoticed in the business community.”
According to a letter sent to the town office, the review team was encouraged and impressed by the positive steps the community has taken in partnerships between the town and private sector, as well as the collaborative Chamber of Commerce programs and the DVD promotional series, which they found “a unique and interesting idea.”
The two components needed to be addressed for a Business Friendly Community certification are an updated comprehensive plan and information regarding licensing/permitting to go along with the application.
In other business, the Houlton councilors signed the proclamation welcoming the Anah Temple Shriners for their annual Ceremonial Convention to be held June 15-17.
“We certainly congratulate Tony Bowers for being elevated to potentate of the Shrine —  that is quite an honor,” said Councilor Sue Tortello. “We are very proud and pleased to have the convention right here in Houlton.”
In other business:
• Council approved appointment of Town Manager, as the first municipal representative and Councilor Chairman Paul Cleary as the second municipal representative to the Northern Maine Development Membership meeting.
• Council amended and approved the tax collector to accept prepayment of taxes not yet due or assessed for the 2013 tax year.
“This is a yearly statute requirement to be able to apply the tax club over payments once the 2013 bills are generated,” said Interim Town Manager Cathy O’Leary.
• An introduction of the Chapter 7 General Assistance Appendix A allowed general assistance maximums dated Oct. 1, 2011 through Oct. 1, 2012 of the Houlton code to be replaced with Appendix A Total Monthly allowed general assistance maximums dated July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. The Ordinance in its entirety can be reviewed at the town office. The first reading will be Monday, June 25, with a public hearing on Monday, July 9.
“This needs to be a new introduction because it has been determined that it is only Appendix A and the nine-month limit on housing assistance that has to be amended at this time,” said O’Leary.
In councilor remarks, Councilor John Fitzpatrick thanked Tom and Sally Callnan for their generosity of the flowers along North Street and in Market Square.
The next council meeting will be Monday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the town chambers.