Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Parade fees

Issue: Any event that takes place on city streets or sidewalks could require some support from Lewiston police. That includes parades, races and street fairs. The city does not charge organizers for additional police officers to cover those events, although some communities in Maine do. Requests for police coverage of 35 events this summer convinced police Chief William Welch to begin asking for money for that coverage and for any police overtime.

The scoop: The measure didn’t get any support from the council. No councilor was willing to move to vote on it, so the measure failed without coming to a vote.

Up next: City Administrator Jim Bennett said he expect police would deny future events rather than have to staff them.

Refunding ’94 bond

Issue: Lower interest rates have given the city the chance to save up to $250,000 by refinancing the 1994 public improvements bond.

The scoop: The city issued the $9.7 million bond in 2004 to pay for road paving, utilities, vehicles and other capital items. Finance Director Dick Metivier said low rates now let the city pay that bond off, qualifying for saving over the next 16 years. The city will see two-thirds of that savings in the next two years.

Chestnut parking

Issue: Drivers have complained about getting caught between parked cars on the narrow stretch of Chestnut Street between Lincoln and Oxford streets.

The scoop: Police asked councilors to ban parking along that stretch, creating a new fire lane there.

Up next: Councilors agreed, and also set aside a handful of parking spaces in the nearby Chestnut Street parking lot for short-term visitors and shoppers. Those spaces will be free for one hour.

Taxi licenses

Issue: Taxi companies and members of the city’s Taxi Appeals Board suggested amending rules that let people drive taxis if they’ve lost their license due to nonpayment of child support or automobile insurance, but have since been reinstated. Councilors agreed earlier this month, voting to support the change on first reading since neither reflect directly on driving ability

The scoop: Councilors voted to support the change.

Colisee vacancy

Issue: Councilors hold two slots on the Lewiston Urban Civic Center LLC’s board of directors. That’s the nine-member group that manages the Colisee for the city.

The scoop: Councilor Norm Rousseau resigned earlier this year and councilors need to replace him.

Up next: They selected Stavros Mendros. He joins Councilor Mark Paradis and Mayor Gilbert, who serves as chairman.

Liquor licenses

Issue: Local restaurants and bars must reapply for liquor licenses and amusement permits each year. Liquor licenses let them serve alcohol; amusement permits let them play music, have a DJ or karaoke, or have games on site.

The scoop: Councilors approved a liquor license for Governor’s Restaurant at 1185 Lisbon St.

They approved a special amusement permit for the Androscoggin Bank Colisee at 190 Birch St.

Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via E-mail at [email protected]