HOULTON, Maine — The town of Houlton held two consecutive council meetings Monday, Sept. 28, where councilors discussed issues pertaining to the police department and the recreation department.
The Zoom-only meetings were held consecutively due to the previous council meeting lacking a quorum, or enough members of the council present to conduct the meeting. Instead, the Sept. 14 meeting was pushed to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28, with the regular meeting scheduled for that day immediately following.
With regards to the police department, an announcement was made regarding the resignation of longtime Police Detective Steve Nason. Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca gave a prepared statement where he lamented Nason’s exit from the department.
“I would be remiss if I did not express the great loss Steve’s departure will have on the whole police department and the entire community,” said DeLuca. “Over my many years in law enforcement, I have never had the opportunity to work with a more professional, committed, intelligent and loyal detective as Steve.”
The council also discussed a new sewer line project for the Houlton Police and Fire Department buildings — to repair a collapsed pipe that has affected the buildings’ drainage systems.
The recreation department also had several items on the agenda for both meetings, such as grants and donations from the First Congregational Church and the United States Tennis Association totaling $2,700.
The department also discussed raising rates for the John A. Millar Civic Center. Houlton Parks & Recreation Department Director Marie Carmichael said that despite any increase in rates or fees, Houlton’s civic center would still be lower cost compared to other ice-rental arenas in the state.
“We have been going around looking at other arenas and civic centers to see what they are charging,” Carmichael said. “We are by far the least.”
“It seems like a good idea,” Town Council Chairman Jane Torres said regarding the proposal. “It’s been a long time since any rates were increased and we hate to do it, but we’d like for it to be around next year, so it’s a good presentation.”
