Board: Lewiston City Council
Met: Tuesday, Feb. 2
Tax credit donations
Issue: The city has led an effort since 2004 to get Lewiston’s low income residents to apply annually for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. That effort has paid off, helping 1,300 residents prepare their taxes last year alone.
The Scoop: The work is done by volunteers and administered by the city and a local coalition of volunteers. It’s funded by donations and grants from the state, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and KeyBank.
Up Next: Councilors voted to accept $11,458 in grants and donations to fund the programs work this year.
Volunteers will be preparing tax returns at Lewiston’s Multi-Purpose Center from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays; 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays; 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Fridays; and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. They’ll be doing returns in Auburn Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays.
The tax preparation is free of charge, but by appointment only. Lewiston-Auburn residents should call 513-3160 to schedule an appointment.
Horton parking
Issue: Patrons of Bedard Pharmacy, 5 Horton St., have a difficult time stopping in the store to get their prescriptions filled because most of the parking spaces around the store are filled.
The Scoop: Store owners asked police to limit parking immediately in front of the store on Horton Street to 15 minutes at a time from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This would help patrons, including many who are elderly and handicapped, to get in the store and out quickly.
Up Next: Councilors agreed unanimously to the parking rule change.
Summer parking
Issue: The city’s parking rules downtown can be strict, but they are not always strictly enforced. Planning staff asked the City Council to loosen some restrictions around downtown residential areas.
The Scoop: Current zoning doesn’t allow residents to park cars downtown for more than three hours on any day between midnight and 7 a.m. all year long, but the rule is rarely enforced.
The proposed change simply deletes that year-round requirement. It would not change the city’s winter parking ban, which requires cars be off of the city streets during big winter storms.
Up Next: Councilors agreed unanimously.
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 Franco American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar St., and the Lewiston Elks No. 371, 1675 Lisbon St.
Next meeting: The next regular meeting of the Lewiston City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15.
Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via e-mail at staylor@sunjournal.com.
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