PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A Presque Isle landlord could lose his license for four apartment buildings because of ongoing complaints and violations.
Presque Isle city councilors voted Wednesday to start the process of revoking Fernand Martin’s lodging license at 240 and 227 State St., 42 Winter St. and 5 Exchange St.
Under the city’s lodging establishment licensing ordinance, Martin would have 10 days to submit a written plan of action to correct violations. If he doesn’t comply, he will no longer be able to rent the properties.
The decision came after Tim St. Peter, the city’s deputy director of innovation and development and former code enforcement officer, reported ongoing property issues such as trash and poor maintenance. Councilors expressed concern about displacing people, but said the properties pose safety risks. Residents reported excessive police and ambulance calls, trash and aggressive behavior from tenants.
Several people said disturbances at 240 State St. have affected neighbors’ quality of life.
Dave and Sue Czosnek said in a written statement that State Street had many historic homes and was a charming environment, but ongoing disturbances at Martin’s building have been a concern and annoyance for several years.
“Unfortunately, that peace is being regularly disrupted by the behavior of some tenants at 240 State St. because of the frequent shouting, vulgar language and aggressive arguments,” the couple wrote. “In countless incidents, law enforcement and emergency responders have had to intervene.”
Terrance and Miriam Gregg reported the building’s outside was littered with debris, which “clearly shows that Mr. Martin is not interested in maintaining the building.” They also reported disruptive tenants, police visits and an overall unsafe environment for children in the neighborhood.
Rick and Johanna Lynn said they have seen trash, multiple drug raids, overdoses, animal abuse, verbal tirades and people from 240 and 227 State St. trespassing on their property.
The couple came to northern Maine from California because they believed the quality of life would be different, Rick Lynn said.
“We’ve actually thought about selling our house because we can’t do this anymore. We have children, and the most important thing to us is our children’s safety,” he said. “This really needs to be addressed.”
Councilor Mike Chasse said he had received so many complaints about 240 State St. in particular that he called the police department to ask how many times they had responded to that address. Since January 2024, police have answered 301 calls for service there, including overdoses, theft, disorderly conduct, criminal threatening and domestic violence, Chasse said.
The council had voted in April to grant Martin a conditional license renewal, contingent upon inspection of the properties.
St. Peter said those inspections revealed no progress. His inspection reports cited trash piles, unregistered vehicles, broken windows, drug paraphernalia, a rotting roof, missing smoke detectors and electrical problems.
Interim City Manager Sonja Eyler urged councilors to remember the people who live in the buildings, and take meaningful action that protects their rights.
After more deliberation, councilors voted 6-0, with Craig Green abstaining due to a stated conflict of interest, to initiate revocation. Under that process, Martin would have 10 days to address issues, then the city would review evidence and make a final decision.
In other business, new Recreation and Parks Director Steve Samson said the department has instituted a policy on service dogs in the city’s indoor recreation spaces. Under the ruling, only service dogs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act are permitted. Emotional support dogs are not permitted.
Staff will ask people bringing dogs inside if the dog is required because of a disability and what tasks the dog has been trained to do. but cannot ask what the disability is or ask the dog to demonstrate, Samson said.
Service dogs must be controlled and leashed or harnessed. People will be asked to remove dogs that aren’t certified service animals.
The council also voted to renew emergency medical service contracts between the Presque Isle Fire Department and several local towns. Based on population, Presque Isle will charge $85 per capita in 2026, $95 in 2027 and $105 in 2028.
Those costs for each town for the next three years include:
Chapman, 491 residents, $41,735, $46,645 and $51,555.
Castle Hill, 373 residents, $31,705, $35,435 and $39,165.
Easton, 1,320 residents, $112,200, $125,400 and $138,600.
Mapleton, 1,886 residents, $160,310, $179,170 and $198,030.
Wade, 229, residents, $19,465, $21,755 and $24,045.
Washburn, 1,527 residents, $129,795, $145,065 and $160,335.
Westfield, 455 residents, $38,675, $43,225 and $47,775.
Councilors authorized Eyler and Finance Director Laura Smith to seek the airport’s interim financing loan from Katahdin Trust, which proposed a lower interest rate than competitor Bangor Savings Bank.
Under the loan, based on the airport’s tax-exempt status, the city would borrow up to $15 million at a fixed interest rate of 4.33 percent.
The council also recognized former member Kevin Freeman for his years of service. Willette presented Freeman with a plaque.
Presque Isle’s 2024 queens also introduced their successors, who include: Alaina Nora, Mini Miss; Rose Supa, Little Miss; Anna Supa, Pre-Teen Miss; Natalie Putnam, Junior Miss; Sarah Cassie, Teen Miss; and Maggee Currie, Miss Presque Isle.
Councilors also set public hearings for the Council Procedure Ordinance, in which changes would clarify the definition of a majority for voting purposes, and on rules regarding littering and conduct in public parks.
The hearings, and the next regular city council meeting, will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, in the council chambers at city hall.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled Tim St. Peter’s last name.
