Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday, June 7

Auto registration
Issue: The city began offering full-service support for people registering cars recently purchased in private, person-to-person sales, about 10 years ago. That lets residents make one stop, Lewiston City Hall, to register their cars, formally transfer the titles and pay excise taxes. Finance Director Heather Hunter said everything but the excise tax collection is a state job.
The city gets $4 for each registration. Hunter said they can take a long time to perform and amount to about 10 percent of registrations that city staff perform.
The scoop: Hunter recommended stopping registrations for private sales. Dealer sales, the bulk of registrations, would still come through City Hall. But people registering cars bought from other people would have to stop at the Department of Motor Vehicles office on Mollison Way before coming into town to pay their excise taxes.
Up next: Councilors agreed to the change, voting 6-1 to accept it, with Councilor Renee Bernier dissenting.

Lincoln Street Alley bridge
Issue: A city inspection discovered that a little-used bridge over Cross Canal 2 on the Lincoln Street Alley was in need of repair and no longer safe to carry vehicles. City staff closed the bridge, which is midway along the alley between Cedar and Chestnut streets.
The scoop: The alley is rarely used, according to city staff. They asked councilors to support that decision with a resolution.
Up next: Councilors agreed. Public Works Director David Jones said the only change will be for people using the alley to drop off people at the Franco-American Heritage Center’s handicapped-accessible doorway. Before the bridge was closed, the alley ran in one direction, from Chestnut to Cedar. Now that road will run in two directions, from Cedar to the dead end where the bridge was, and back.

Recreation donations
Issue: The city has offered a series of live performances and events for children on five Wednesdays at Kennedy Park throughout the summer. This year, the events are being co-hosted by the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department
The scoop: The events are being sponsored by $3,250 in donations from businesses and community groups. They include Tambrands, Liberty Mutual, the Auburn Exchange Club, Androscoggin Bank, Mechanics Savings Bank, Shaw’s and several others.
Up next: Councilors voted Tuesday to accept the donations.

Drug funds
Issue: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency shares proceeds from drug busts with the other 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 three drug arrests, claiming a share of $80,751 in seizures.

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 approved a new liquor license for BOA Thai sushi Restaurant, 703 Sabattus St.

Next meeting: The next regular meeting of the Lewiston City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.

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