Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011

Fireworks
Issue: A state law legalizing fireworks in Maine take takes effect in January. While allowing the the use and sale of fireworks in the state, it does let Maine’s cities and towns restrict their use.
The Scoop: Staff created a plan to allow sale and use in Lewiston’s outskirts year round, but limiting their use in the downtown and core area to three days each year — July 4, New Year’s Eve and New Years Day.
At a workshop meeting last month, a majority of councilors said they didn’t like that plan and favored a complete ban on the sale and use of fireworks within the city limits. Staff gave councilors a choice Tuesday night — they could adopt the two-zone plan or adopt a general ban for the entire city.
Up Next: Councilors voted down the two-zone plan and directed staff to come back with a full citywide ban. They should vote on that at a future council meeting.

Debt
Issue: Lewiston’s municipal debt has increased from $35.7 million in 2001 to $90.3 million in 2011, with annual payments increasing from $4.2 million in 2001 to $10 million in 2011. City Administrator Ed Barrett and Finance Director Heather Hunter said that’s considered a moderate amount of debt for a city of Lewiston’s size but is still a concern.
The Scoop: Hunter outlined options for reducing debt, including increasing the city’s annual borrowing cap. Councilors are limited from borrowing more than 97 percent of the average debt retired each year from the previous three years. Hunter said increasing that limit to 80 percent would reduce the amount of borrowing each council could sign off on significantly.
Up Next: Councilors said they liked the idea, but wanted the city’s Finance Committee to review it before it comes back to a council vote.

Demolitions
Issue: When property owners abandon their properties and refuse to pay past due property taxes, the city eventually ends up taking over ownership of land and any buildings. With no money to pay for upkeep on the property, the city is left in some cases with decaying buildings and no willing buyers. The city can opt to tear down those properties, clearing the lot and making the land more attractive to buyers.
The Scoop: City Administrator Ed Barrett said the city has two such properties now, a three family home on narrow lot at 187 Lincoln St., and vacant six unit building at 191 Lincoln St.
Up Next: Councilors agreed to pay up to $84,000 to demolish both structures.

Public works contract
Issue: Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau has been working with Lewiston ‘s six labor unions to settle their contract. Monday, he told councilors he had reached a tentative agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local 1458 representing the city’s Public Works employees.
Last year, the city negotiated a one-year contract with the AFSCME. It didn’t include any cost-of-living wage increases or other wage increases.
The Scoop: The proposed two-year contract allows 1 percent cost-of-living increases in 2012 and 1.5 percent increases in 2013 but requires employees to pay at least 10 percent of health care premium. It also preserves the city policy of paying double time for working on Sundays.
Up Next: Councilors approved the new contract.

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 Fast Breaks, 1465 Lisbon St., Schemengees, 551 Lincoln St., Friends Lodge, 724 Main St., and Midtown Athletic Club, 43 Walnut St.

Next meeting: The next regular meeting of the Lewiston City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011.

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