Lewiston City Council
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019
City to combat downtown litter
What happened: The council discussed a proposal by city staff to create a tiered approach to eliminating trash downtown, a problem that staff said perpetuates a negative image of Lewiston.
What it means: Lewiston planning officials said trash collection and overgrown yards have become a larger problem for the city, causing “a visual eyesore, lower property values” and “a costly and inefficient drain on Code Enforcement and Public Works staff.”
The answer, they proposed, is a combination of increased fines and stricter enforcement, public education, outreach and a “change our image” campaign.
According to a council memo, a review of violations for 2018 showed 164 solid waste curbside violations and 112 trash/debris violations. A slide show of images shown to councilors showed bulky waste items such as televisions and mattresses lying on sidewalks, and loose trash bags in streets.
City Planner Doug Greene said the department has been in discussion with nonprofits, including Healthy Neighborhoods, to coordinate efforts to beautify the downtown. He said the city will likely send out a mailer to get out the word. Addressing the issue will at the very least “start a dialogue on how people look at Lewiston and generate more pride,” he said.
What’s next: The city will work with local stakeholders to create the beautification program, which could be aided by neighborhood events.
Amy Smith, a Lewiston landlord involved in Healthy Neighborhoods, said a recent brainstorming session by the group discussed barriers for many in the neighborhood, including the ability to buy a trash container. Many landlords can’t afford to pay for trash pickup more than once a week, yet trash appears daily.
She said there’s “a lot of positive energy” in the neighborhood right now behind solving the issue.
Police may expand into former violations bureau building
What happened: Lewiston police officials Tuesday outlined a proposal to use the vacant city-owned building at 85 Park St. to house members of several joint law enforcement agencies on drugs and violent crime.
What it means: The former Violations Bureau building vacated by the state roughly six months ago would be converted into offices for law enforcement personnel.
Lewiston Police Chief Brian O’Malley said Tuesday having all of the task forces in the same building would allow them to work “collaboratively and focus on crime occurring here in Lewiston.”
The Lewiston police station does not have the space, he said, and task force members are housed in offices at the Lewiston Armory and the Public Works facility on River Road.
The personnel would include members of a Maine Drug Enforcement Agency task force and an FBI violent gang task force “designed to eliminate threats and violence by working collaboratively with local law enforcement.”
The council was receptive to the proposal, even with some costs to transition the building to law enforcement use. In a memo to the council, O’Malley said the building could be used for police at a “net budget increase of $63,253.”
Council President Kristen Cloutier said that with the space issues, “it feels like we’ve just been throwing (joint agencies) wherever there’s space.” She said she’s been hearing a lot of concern over gun violence and drugs downtown, and believes this “can allow us to focus on those.”
What’s next: O’Malley said with council approval, the new office would be funded for the coming fiscal year, starting July 1.
arice@sunjournal.com
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