Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Sidewalk plowing

Issue: The city has three crews that plow public streets downtown, around Lewiston’s schools and along other well traveled areas.

The scoop: Some sidewalks are narrower and harder for the city’s equipment to reach. Other streets that don’t get plowed should, according to city staff.

Up next: Councilors agreed to add the east side of Farwell Street, and Bridge Street between High and Winter streets, to the sidewalk plowing route, removing Davis Street between Oak and College, one side of White Street between College and Oak Street, and Biron Avenue between Scribner Boulevard and South Avenue. They also agreed to discuss possible changes to a city ordinance requiring residents to shovel their own sidewalks later this year.

Solid waste

Issue: The city continues to face questions about the future of its solid waste landfill, even though councilors and residents, last fall, defeated a management plan for the dump.

The scoop: Councilors agreed to form a standing committee to review and make recommendations on all issues relating to the landfill and trash collections; that could include collection fees for apartments, agreements with Mid-Maine Waste Action Corp. and future expansion at the landfill.

Up next: The nine-member committee will have room for two City Councilors and seven registered voters. Applications for the committee are available at the City Clerk’s office.

Storm fees

Issue: The city is currently owed $77,881.24 in unpaid fees on the new storm water utility fee. That includes a total of 753 properties across the city that are more than 45 days late in paying.

The scoop: The city sends notices to late-fee payers currently and turns the accounts over to the City Attorney when they are more than 180 days past due. But staff asked councilors to decide how the tardy bills should be handled.

Up next: The council will take up this matter at a February 26 workshop meeting and will invite the City Attorney and residents to discuss the future of the fee program.

Caucusing costs

Issue: Androscoggin County Republicans will use the Multi-Purpose Center for their caucus from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m Saturday. The city normally charges a $216 fee for that use since it occurs on a weekend, when the building is normally closed. Lewiston Democrats are also scheduled to caucus on Feb. 10 in the Lewiston High School and have told the school committee to bill any costs associated with their caucus to the city.

The scoop: County Republicans asked the city council to waive that fee.

Up next: Councilors bristled at having to pay any fee, but agreed to pay costs associated with both caucuses this year. They want a policy statement from the state attorney general before the next party caucuses.

Clown signs

Issue: The Kora Shrine Circus, coming to Central Maine April 18-26, wants to advertise on signs placed throughout the city.

The scoop: Councilors agreed to let the group place 76 signs on public rights of way, on traffic medians and at intersections.

Up next: The signs will be up April 13-27.

Cool Cities

Issue: Councilors have said they favor the Cool Communities program, and agree to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and save taxes, but they never formally joined the effort.

The scoop: Councilors Tuesday agreed to endorse the effort, which calls for finding more economical, environmentally friendly ways to do business. They stopped short of endorsing the politics behind the program. The effort lists global warming and support for the 1997 Kyoto environmental accord as some of the reasons behind its founding.

Political signs

Issue: City rules don’t allow political signs in public rights of way, and city staffers regularly must go out to public property, street medians and corners to remove the signs. Other cities, however, allow the signs in public places.

The scoop: City Administrator Jim Bennett said the rule is one of the dumber parts of the city’s land use code, requiring city staff to spend hours before elections policing public rights of way. Staffers have been accused of playing favorites by some candidates, removing some signs but not others. He asked councilors to change the rule, and allow candidates to place public signs.

Up next: Councilors agreed.

Drug 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; that amounts to part of $35,515 in seized money. Councilors also asked for a full accounting of exactly how the Lewiston Police use that money.

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