Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Storm-water appeals

Issue: Property owner Bob Gladu believes he should not be required to pay storm-water fees to the city for three buildings he owns – the two-lot Pepperell Mill on Lisbon Street and a strip mall at 445 Pleasant St. He appealed nearly $52,000 in past due fees and interest to city councilors in September. At that time, they gave him 30 days to file proper applications for a storm-water credit.

Gladu claimed that since runoff from his buildings drains into culverts that feed into the Androscoggin River, he should not be required to pay the fee. He said he should be granted a credit because he sold the city an easement to work on a catch basin near the Pepperell Mill.

The scoop: City staff reviewed the applications in November and turned them down, saying the culverts the buildings drain into are maintained by the city. Gladu appealed those decisions again Tuesday, asking the City Council to give him the credit.

Up next: Councilors turned down the credit for the Pleasant Street strip mall but directed staff to review the Pepperell Mill easement.

Councilors also turned down a storm fee appeal by Daniel Jacques of Greene. He was given the credit for property he owns at 17 Libby Ave. He applied for and received the credit as of Sept. 27, but claimed the city should refund all storm-water fees he paid up to that date. Councilors disagreed, saying city ordinances do not provide retroactive credits on fees.

Moratorium to expire

Issue: Councilors enacted a 90-day downtown development moratorium beginning in October. That moratorium is scheduled to end Jan. 4 but the city is still reviewing possible changes to the zoning and land-use codes related to downtown development.

The scoop: Councilors were split over whether to push the moratorium out another 90 days, to April 3. Mayor Larry Gilbert cast the deciding vote to end the moratorium on schedule. He joined councilors Larry Poulin, Denis Theriault and Robert Reed in voting to end the development ban earlier.

Reed said councilors would need a more compelling reason to extend the moratorium than simply needing more time to review amendments.

Up next: The moratorium ends Jan. 4.

Snow shoveling

Issue: Fines aimed at forcing property owners and residents to shovel the snow from the walks in front of their houses don’t work and are unfair.

The scoop: Councilors voted to ease a city ordinance requiring property owners and residents to clear the walks in front of their property. But they made it unlawful for people to push snow from their property into city-maintained sidewalks and streets once they’ve been plowed, levying a $200 fine in some cases. Property owners now have 72 hours to remove snow on city-maintained lots.

Up next: The new rule becomes effective Jan. 15.

Temporary housing

Issue: An Oct. 26 fire at 665 College St. left Stephen Roy’s home interior damaged and in need of repairs before he could move back. He wants to put a mobile home on his lot for up to six months while he makes repairs.

The scoop: Councilors voted a final time to exempt Roy from city codes that don’t allow mobile homes in his neighborhood. Up next: Roy hopes to have repairs completed this winter and be back in his home by the spring.

Parking Ban

Issue: The city bans on-street parking overnight beginning Dec. 1 through the spring. That’s done to leave plenty of room for city plows during snowstorms.

The scoop: The ordinance keeps the ban in place through April 15, but councilors think that goes too late in the year.

Up next: They agreed unanimously to shorten the ban by two weeks, to March 31.

Decorated trash bins

Issue: Steel drums, used as large trash cans and decorated by Lewiston High School artists could grace downtown multiple-unit apartment buildings this spring.

The scoop: Landlords and residents would agree to empty the cans and care for them. They’d also get the trash collection fee charged by the city for one apartment waived.

Up next: Councilors liked the idea and agreed to pay for the paint, rollers and brushes. They’ll review plans to place the barrels later on.

Drug money

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

The scoop: Councilors on Tuesday accepted proceeds from one drug arrest, claiming a share of $557 in seizures.

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 for the Edge Bar and Grill, 1018 Sabattus St.

They renewed special amusement permits for the Ramada Inn, 490 Pleasant St.; CDDL Associates at 33 Sabattus St.; and the South End Social Club, 315 Lisbon St.

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