Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Drug free zones

Issue: The city currently has ordinances declaring the area around Lewiston’s schools to be drug-free zones. People convicted of drug crimes within 1,000 feet of a school face steeper penalties.

The Scoop: Police want the city to add all playgrounds, public fields, parks and recreational facilities to the list of drug-free areas.

Up next: Councilors approved on first reading. They’ll take the matter up again at their next regular meeting this month.

Storm water credits

Issue: Residents or businesses that pay fees as part of the city’s storm water utility but later learn that they qualify for credits should get some of the money they paid refunded.

The Scoop: Councilors discussed the matter last month, agreeing that fees paid during the previous fiscal year should be repaid, but not more.

Up next: Councilors approved the credits.

Business park

Issue: Plans to build a 150-acre business park near Lewiston’s turnpike interchange moved forward in December when the city received a waiver from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The area is dotted with 5.7 acres worth of vernal pools and wetland – temporary breeding habitat for frogs, salamanders and other amphibians each year – that would be filled in.

The Scoop: In order to get the permit and use the land, the city needs to agree to protect wetlands at another 213 acres around the city. Staff suggested protecting nearly 50 acres in or near the business park, 109 acres in the Garcelon Bog, 35 acres at 140 Bradbury Road and 21 acres at 106 Bradbury Road. Conservation easements controlling those lots would go to the Androscoggin Land Trust.

Councilor Denis Theriault objected to the idea of losing some uses – dog walking, hunting and snowmobiling – in the Garcelon Bog if the easements are approved. He was also upset that the current council didn’t know anything about the negotiations until this month. The project had been started by councilors almost nine years ago.

Up next: The city and the land trust must submit their easement plan to the Army Corps of Engineers by March 4. Councilors will vote on that plan before that.

Dog licenses

Issue: Dog owners are required to register their pets and prove vaccination by the end of the year. The registration costs $6 for fixed animals or $11 for unfixed males and females. A $15 late fee is added for dogs registered after Jan. 31 and that increases to $25 for dogs that remain unlicensed after Feb. 3.

The scoop: City Clerk Kathy Montejo asked councilors to approve a warrant letting her collect those late fees.

Up next: Councilors approved the warrant

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 allow them to play music, have a DJ or karaoke or have games on site.

The scoop: Councilors approved a new liquor license for Bocce’s Restaurant and Pub, 30 Lowell St., and renewed a special amusement permit for Willy Bean’s Coffee, 70 Lincoln St.

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