Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

November’s meeting

Issue: Councilors are scheduled to meet Nov. 6, the first Tuesday of the month. That’s also the day of the Municipal Election.

The scoop: Councilors usually try not to meet on election day. They agreed to postpone that scheduled meeting for a week, to Nov. 13.

Child’s park

Issue: The city’s 2004 Bates Mill exit agreement encouraged the city to take over the land at 90 Lincoln St., south of Mill Building No. 6, and convert it to a park. That’s home to Child’s Linen service, and the company was not ready to move then.

The scoop: A newly negotiated deal would have the city pay Child’s $675,000 to transfer ownership to the city. The company would lease the property from the city until May 2008, at which point it would relocate the business. The city would pay an additional $50,000 once the linen service had moved.

Councilors approved the deal, also agreeing to name any park built there in honor of the Child family.

Workers comp

Issue: On-the-job injuries cost the city $1.4 million in claims in 2001, prompting the city to begin a program aimed at reducing those injuries. Since the city funds its own workplace injury insurance, those claims are paid out of property tax revenues. Councilors received an update on those costs Tuesday.

The scoop: The city reduced the cost of claims the following year to $327,000. So far this year, the city is on pace to pay out $100,000 in claims The city has also reduced a $3 million 2004 deficit to $500,000 as of this summer. Finance Director Dick Metivier said the city could possibly eliminate the worker’s compensation deficit entirely over the next year.

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 new liquor license and a special amusement permit for the Friends Lodge, 472 Main St.

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