Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Taxi rules

Issue: Councilors closed a loophole in June that keeps registered sex offenders from driving taxicabs in the city, no matter when they were convicted. But councilors wanted to look at banning people with other serious crimes – such as kidnapping – from getting taxi licenses.

The scoop: Staff suggested last month banning anyone convicted of a Class A, B or C crime from getting a taxicab permit, bringing those rules in line with other city business permits.

Up next: Councilors voted to support the change Tuesday.

Market music

Issue: Organizers of the Lewiston Farmers Market, scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. on each Tuesday during the summer, hope some live music will bring in more visitors.

The scoop: Market organizers asked the city for an outdoor entertainment permit to let them host two acoustical guitarists for the remainder of the summer. The last concert is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 30

Up next: Councilors approved.

Main Street parking

Issue: A new development at 466 Main St. will include converting part of the lot into a parking lot. That takes away the need for some of the parking spaces along the southwest corner of Main and Wakefield streets.

The scoop: Getting rid of those on-street spaces will make the intersection safer for pedestrians and oncoming traffic, according to Lewiston Police.

Up next: Councilors agreed.

Plourde Signs

Issue: The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments operates a hazardous materials collection site at the Lewiston landfill for its member communities. That site lets people who live in one of the member towns bring old car batteries, pesticides, paints and other chemicals in for disposal.

The scoop: The site is open to residents of several towns, but not all of them know the way to the Lewiston landfill.

Up next: Councilors agreed to put up signs along Plourde Parkway pointing the way to the environmental depot and the city’s landfill.

Police get drug-bust money

Issue: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency shares the proceeds from drug busts with the other police agencies involved. In Lewiston’s case, that money is put into a special account to help pay for drug enforcement actions.

The scoop: Councilors on Tuesday accepted proceeds from two drug arrests, amounting to about $5,800 in seized assets

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 voted to renew special amusement permits for the Sparetime Recreation, 24 Mollison Way and Carriage House Plus at 1119 Lisbon St..

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