Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday

Flooding appeals

Issue: Backed-up storm sewers in central Lewiston flooded a number of basements during a heavy rainstorm last July. Five of those residents filed claims with the Maine Municipal Association to pay for damage.

The scoop: Of those five, only one was successful. The others were turned down. Councilors on Tuesday agreed to hear appeals from residents living on White, Newman and Bardwell streets if their claims were turned down.

Up next: Residents who suffered from flooding have until Dec. 31, 2010, to file an appeal. It will be reviewed by city councilors.

Spring Road postings

Issue: Springtime freezing and thawing makes the city’s paved roads buckle and contract, so city leaders regularly ban heavy trucks from certain older roads beginning in March.

The Scoop: Vehicles weighing more than 23,000 pounds in gross weight will be banned from portions of the following: Ferry, River, Dyer, Pinewoods, Gayton, Webster, Merrill, Sleeper, Randall, Old Greene, No Name Pond, and Pond roads and Grove Street.

Up Next: The ban lasts from March 1 through May 1.

Finance director

Issue: Finance Director Dick Metivier steps down at the end of this week.

The Scoop: City Administrator Ed Barrett has selected Heather Hunter, currently deputy finance director, to replace Metivier. As one of the few city employee jobs named specifically in the City Charter, that decision must be ratified by the City Council. 

Up Next: Councilors agreed to name Hunter to the job. She takes over as the city’s top financial officer Monday.

Howe Street demo

Issue: Community Credit Union plans to tear down the building at 70 Howe St., making room for green space.    

The Scoop: The credit union is asking the city to waive dumping fees for the demolition to help them make the project feasible. 

Up Next: Councilors agreed. Under an agreement with KTI Biofuels, the city is allowed to dump 3,000 tons demolition debris there free of charge. City Administrator Ed Barrett said the debris from the Howe Street building should be much less than that.

Ash Street housing

Issue: Developers Collaborative, a Portland-based company, plans to renovate the old Healy Asylum — currently Intown Manor — to make 32 apartments for low-income senior citizens. The company is asking for city assistance.

The Scoop: First, councilors were asked to set aside $300,000 in HOME Funds, through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the project. Next, councilors were asked to create a TIF district for the project. It would return property tax revenues from the project to the development to reduce rents.

Up Next: Councilors approved both financial incentives for 81 Ash St. project. The project is also applying for state tax credits, and developers should learn in the fall if they’ve received them. Work should begin in December if it gets the tax credits. 

Parking ticket grace

Issue: City councilors last year voted to end the practice of
forgiving the first downtown parking ticket of the year. In the past,
it’s been the practice of Lewiston police to forgive one parking ticket
if it’s returned with a letter of explanation. The decision to end that practice passed council
muster, but it was never enacted.

The Scoop: Councilors voted on first reading earlier this month to reaffirm that decision and end the practice. It
should let the city trim $10,000 from the budget.

Up Next: Councilors approved the change on final reading Tuesday.

Liquor licenses

Issue: Local restaurants and bars must reapply for liquor licenses
and amusement permits each year. Liquor licenses permit the
establishments to serve alcohol; amusement permits allow them to play
music, have a DJ, host karaoke or have games on site.

The scoop: Councilors renewed  special amusement permits
for The Cage, 97-99 Ash St., Bocce’s Grill, 30 Lowell St., and Barnie’s Bar and Grill, 1065 Sabattus St.

Next meeting: The next regular meeting of the Lewiston City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2.

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