Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Farrar Fund

Issue: The city received an $18,500 bequest nearly 46 years ago from the estate of resident Ernest Farrar. According to the bequest, the money was put into a fund and interest was used to pay for medical and dental assistance for needy residents. In most cases, it’s paid for eyeglasses or dentures for Lewiston’s poor.

It’s been used sparingly, however, and interest on the original bequest has built up. As of June, the city had $50,445 available in the account. That prompted councilors to review the original terms of the bequest to see if that money could be used more efficiently to help Lewiston’s needy.

The scoop: City staff recommended using no more than $5,000 from the fund per year to maintain the fund balance, but said it could easily be used to help some residents that may not qualify for general assistance.

Up next: Councilors agreed, but said they wanted assurances the principal $50,000 would not be spent. They limited spending to less than the previous year’s interest earnings.

Church trash

Issue: The city has collected trash for some churches and private schools free of charge since 1990. Churches or schools not specifically named in city ordinances didn’t qualify. Councilors voted to change that during budget discussions this spring.

The scoop: A new ordinance requires all churches and private schools to pay for trash collections.

Up next: Councilors approved the change on first reading last month and on final reading Tuesday. Churches will be charged for trash collection beginning in September.

Passenger air

Issue: Lewiston councilors said earlier this year they’d like to see the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport offer regular passenger service. It’s the third busiest airport in the state, according to Federal Aviation Association, with service to private aircraft and freight service. Expanding to include passenger service would require as much as $10 million in investment, however.

The scoop: Airport managers hope to study service trends to see if there is a market for another Maine passenger airport. They are asking for up to $20,000 to evaluate passenger service, split evenly between Lewiston and Auburn.

Up next: Lewiston councilors voted to fund the city’s share. It goes to the Auburn council Sept. 2.

Cost accounting

Issue: Councilors said city budgets do a good job of showing how the city spends money but doesn’t show what individual services cost. Councilor Larry Poulin said now is the time to change the way the budget is presented to councilors and the public, and said he wanted next year’s budget to show just what individual jobs such as snowplowing cost. That way, councilors can compare those costs to the private sector.

The scoop: City Administrator Jim Bennett said the city is in the middle of a three-year process that will give Poulin what he wants. But Bennett said city staff cannot make that change feasibly.

Up next: Poulin will meet with city staff to find some specific services that can be highlighted with cost accounting in the next budget.

Traffic and parking

Issue: Cars can park along busy and narrow Lisbon Street, causing problems, according to Lewiston police.

The scoop: Councilors agreed to remove one parking space along Lisbon Street near the Cedar Street intersection. They also agreed to make two spaces in front of Oxford Networks’ satellite building at 411 Lisbon St. Both changes should keep the road safer.

Councilors also agreed to place stop signs along Labbe Avenue at Clearwater, Constance and Reservoir avenues after neighbors complained of busy traffic on that road.

Fee process

Issue: The amounts for city fees for everyday items, including photocopying and bounced checks, are spelled out in city ordinances. Ordinances have strict rules about how they can be changed. They require two council votes as well as special advertisements in the newspaper.

The scoop: Councilors voted to take fee amounts out the formal ordinances and put them in a fee schedule built into the city’s policy manual. Policy changes require a single vote by the council, making it easier for future councils to update the fees.

Up next: The change takes effect next month, but probably won’t come up until late next spring, when councilors are looking at the coming year’s budget.

Drug funds

Issue: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency shares 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 five drug arrests Lewiston police were involved in. The city’s share amount to $3,646 plus part of the sales price of three custom built motorcycles.

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 special amusement permits for She Doesn’t Like Guthries, 115 Middle St., and Sparetime Recreation, 24 Mollison Way.

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