Board: Lewiston City Council
Met: Tuesday
Garage changes
Issue: When designers finished plans for the new Lincoln Street garage, they did not include the costs for painting and rust-proofing the bolts holding the metal structure of the garage together. With the garage 90 percent complete, staff asked councilors to approve $10,305 to treat those bolts.
The Scoop: Councilor Ron Jean balked at the charge, saying he was tired of staff bringing change orders for the garage to councilors. So far, the garage has had six change orders — including the bolts. They included additional digging work at the site before construction began and the addition of two floor drains in August.
City Engineer Mike Paradis said he declined to include the bolts in the original bid because the contractor offered to do the work for $20,000. Paradis said he thought that was too much and decided to rebid the work when the garage was closer to being finished. The $10,305 proposal is a more reasonable amount, he said.
Paradis said the budget for the garage construction included $200,000 for change orders. So far the city has used $55,000 of that.
Up Next: Councilors approved the bolt treatment money by a 4-3 vote, with Jean and Councilors Renee Bernier and Larry Poulin opposing it.
Oxford casino
Issue: With state voters set to decide on a proposed casino in Oxford County, Councilor Stephen Morgan said he had been approached by several residents urging the council to take a formal position.
The Scoop: Voters statewide will decide the fate of a proposed Lewiston casino in 2011. Morgan said he was opposed to the Oxford casino and sees it as competition for Lewiston. Mayor Larry Gilbert agreed, saying he didn’t care if he sounded parochial. He wants gamblers to spend their money in Lewiston, not Oxford County
But Councilor John Butler disagreed, saying Lewiston should stay out of the issue and not register a formal opinion. Councilor Renee Bernier agreed with Butler, saying she was appalled that Morgan brought the matter to councilors.
Up Next: Councilors at their next meeting will debate a proposed resolution urging voters to turn down the Oxford casino.
Mailboxes
Issue: City plows can easily damage rural mailboxes in public rights-of-way during heavy snowstorms. The city has replaced damaged or destroyed boxes in the past but has not had a formal policy.
The Scoop: According to a policy proposed by City Administrator Ed Barrett, the owner of a damaged mailbox has seven days to notify the city. The box must have met all postal requirements for location and construction. The city will only replace boxes damaged by direct contact with a plow, not those damaged by heavy snow.
Up Next: Councilors agreed, adopting the policy 7-0.
Energy efficiency
Issue: A $20 million state energy efficiency program makes low-interest loans available to residents to make repairs, add insulation, replace windows and generally make their homes more efficient.
The Scoop: To qualify Lewiston homes, the City Council had to adopt a Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, program. It gives local residents access to up to $15,000 in loans.
Up Next: Councilors approved the measure with a unanimous vote on final reading Tuesday.
Apartments
Issue: In-law apartments are dwellings attached to a larger, single-family home. Zoning codes in Lewiston allow them, but only if there is a way into the smaller units through the main building.
The Scoop: City staff suggested that requirement was unnecessary. According to proposed changes, both units must share a main entrance. The smaller unit could have a side entrance, however.
Up Next: Councilors agreed, voting to let accessory units have side entrances.
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 the Midtown Athletic Club, 43 Walnut St., and Schemengees Bar and Grill, 551 Lincoln St.
Next meeting: The next City Council workshop is scheduled for Oct. 12. A joint meeting of the Lewiston and Auburn city councils is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18. The next regular meeting of the Lewiston City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19.
Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via e-mail at staylor@sunjournal.com.
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