LEWISTON — The City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday for an $18.2 million capital projects plan that includes $4.7 million for a new school and $500,000 for radios for police, fire and 911 personnel.
“This is not an authorization to spend money,” City Administrator Ed Barrett said. “It simply outlines a plan that will be reviewed in much more detail as we get into the (2016-17) budget process and as we get into looking at what, if anything, we will bond for the coming year.”
Councilor Mike Lachance voted against it, saying it’s too much borrowing.
School Department projects include:
• $4.7 million for a new elementary school;
• $389,000 to buy more Chromebook computers for Lewiston High School; and
• $100,000 to upgrade the telephone system at the high school.
Other projects include:
• $500,000 to replace radios for police, fire and 911 personnel;
• $372,000 for a Kennedy Park master plan;
• $350,000 for Lewiston’s share of a parking lot at the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport; and
• $55,000 for sound and video system upgrades in the City Council Chamber;
The Planning Board recommended these projects all be postponed.
Barrett said staff use the capital projects plan to assess council priorities and help build the budget. He said councilors usually end up adopting about 70 percent of what the staff first proposes.
The plan is available on the city’s website, www.lewistonmaine.gov.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
