Lewiston City Council workshop and regular meeting
June 7, 2016
Lewiston City Hall
Police patrol union deal
What happened: Councilors approved two labor contracts with the Lewiston Police Department patrol officers union, capping 20 months of labor negotiations.
What it means: The contracts cover four fiscal years, 2014-15 to 2017-18.
The first contract gives a retroactive cost-of-living pay increase of 1.5 percent for 2014-15 and 2015-16, and a 2 percent increase for 2016-17, which began June 1.
The second contract provides a 2.1 percent cost-of-living pay increase for 2017-18.
The new contracts also trade more strict sick leave requirements for increased paid sick leave and updates health insurance programs and retirement programs.
What’s next: Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau said the city is negotiating contracts with three of the city’s six unions.
Opening the Youth Council
What happened: Councilors will open the ranks of the city’s Youth Advisory Council to high school students who don’t live in Lewiston.
What it means: The new rule will allow students to apply if they attend Lewiston High School or St. Dominic’s Academy in Auburn but don’t live in Lewiston. One member has moved to Greene but still attends Lewiston High School. Another applicant attends Lewiston High School but lives in Litchfield.
Created in 2001, the Youth Council is a way to interest students in local government and civics issues. It was open to high school-age students who live in Lewiston and attended either Lewiston High School or St. Dominic’s Academy.
What’s next: The city is reviewing applications for next year’s Youth Council and the new group should be named in July.
Drug money
What happened: Councilors agreed to accept proceeds from a drug case being judged in Maine Superior Court.
What it means: Lewiston police should get a share of $800 for their participation in an investigation earlier this year. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Maine Attorney General’s Office share the proceeds from drug busts with the other police agencies involved. The money is used to support law enforcement, especially drug enforcement operations.
Police grant
What happened: Councilors will apply for a grant from the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, which is named after a New York police officer who was killed while protecting a witness.
What it means: Lewiston will try for $30,000 to buy equipment and training. The Lewiston Police Department has received the grant before to pay for surveillance camera equipment, patrol bicycles, computer upgrades and specialized training.
What’s next: The city’s application is due to be filed with U.S. Department of Justice by June 30. Results are expected this fall.
Ladders
What happened: Councilors approved donating old ground ladders from the Fire Department instead of selling, storing or discarding them.
What it means: The ladders will go to Lisbon Falls-based Tri-County Training Association, a group that trains firefighters in Androscoggin, Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties. Fire Chief Paul Leclair said a 10-foot attic ladder, a 14-foot roof ladder and a 24-foot extension ladder were part of the 1998 E-One Pumper’s standard equipment. That pumper has since been replaced and is being sold.
What’s next: The ladders will be delivered to the training center within the next few weeks.
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