PARIS — Town officials are hoping to qualify for a Community Enterprise Grant from the state to improve Moore Park and 1 Paris River Park.
Selectmen held a public hearing Monday night to discuss the application, a requirement to qualify for the money through the Maine Community Development Block Grant program.
The town can ask for up to $100,000, Town Manager Dawn Noyes said.
“The town’s mission is to provide an area where all our residents can gather and enjoy an open space, whether it’s sitting on a bench reading a book to enjoying a summer concert on a Wednesday evening,” Noyes wrote in the proposal given to selectmen Monday evening.
At 1 Paris River Park at 1 Paris Hill Road, plans include constructing a 16- by 20-foot open pavilion to host events such as the annual summer concert series. Officials also want to add benches, tables and pet waste stations.
Later upgrades include storage space and better parking. The town has received a grant for an electric car charging station at the park.
Moore Park at the intersection of Route 26 and High Street will also see more benches, tables and pet waste stations. With a playground already at the park, officials plan to add a swing to accommodate handicap children. Plans also feature a paved walkway to the playground to make accessibility easier for children in wheelchairs.
Officials are also considering adding a portable toilet or perhaps building a permanent facility.
Still a working document, the application does not yet specify how much money the town is seeking.
In other business, town officials set Tuesday, June 20, for the annual Town Meeting at the Fire Station on Western Avenue starting at 6 p.m. It is the same day as Norway’s annual meeting.
A public hearing on the budget is set for April 24 at 6 p.m. as part of the selectmen meeting.
Paris Public Library Director Mike Dignan presented a proposed budget of $215,500, a 6.7% increase for 2023-24. He said the increase is because of higher wages and heating costs. To limit the increase, he said he has eliminated one position on Monday, usually the library’s busiest day. A switch to LED bulbs will save on electricity.
Dignan added that the price of books is also increasing. To save money, the library is looking to purchase trade paperback editions instead of hardcover books, when possible, he said.
The board approved a liquor license and an auxiliary license for Paris Hill Country Club. The auxiliary license will allow the club to sell alcohol on the golf course.
Selectmen approved Station House Road as the name for a new road off of Western Avenue near the Fire Station.
In discussing this week’s accounts payable warrants, Noyes noted that purchases of salt will likely put that budget $40,000 over what was allocated.
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