KINGFIELD — Townspeople have decisions to make about village improvements, including on-street parking, sidewalks, rights of way and how to find money to pay for everything.
On Monday night, a small group of voters shared sharply divided opinions about funding a proposed village enhancement wish list.
To qualify for a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant, the town must meet financial guidelines and have a percentage of properties in a dilapidated state. Several buildings on Mill Street meet the criteria, the town’s grant writer, Rodney Lynch, said.
The Village Enhancement and Road Reconstruction committees have met for months to prepare plans to share with voters. The CDBG application must include a “slum and blight designation,” and residents must vote for or against the designation in a warrant article at the June 16 town meeting.
The Maine Department of Transportation will pay most of the road reconstruction costs, and the town has reserves of tax incentive financing funds, which come through a tax-sheltering agreement with Poland Spring and its parent company, Nestle Waters North America.
“We’re leveraging CDBG funds to get TIF funds,” Lynch said. “It’s a whole new game.”
Lynch explained that the “slum and blight” designation is only part of the grant application process, and improvements in the town should offset any negative connotations. MDOT and town committees have developed a positive working relationship, and Route 27 reconstruction tentatively is scheduled for 2014. Funding at the state and federal levels depends on successful grant writing, and Longfellow’s Restaurant owner John Goldfrank questioned the town’s valid qualifications for the designation.
Not all residents embraced the concept or the intended use of the money. The MDOT has made changes in many towns with little or no consultation about aesthetics or location of utilities and sidewalks, according to several speakers. Goldfrank suggested the plan was not in the best interests of the town.
“Shouldn’t we use the money to improve these building we’re using to qualify for slum and blight?” Goldfrank asked.
Residents don’t have high expectations of the road construction project, he said.
“I think the majority of the town will be happy with a road without potholes and sidewalks,” Goldfank said. “Other than that, I don’t think they really care.”
Alternatively, if residents don’t participate in the planning process and say how they want village improvements to be implemented, MDOT will decide for them, resident Frank Doherty said.
“If we fail to make a plan, we plan to fail,” he said.
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