Staff Writer
The problem of snow removal and a plan to build a bypass around the city of Caribou garnered the most discussion Monday night during the regular City Council session. Councilors heard from members of the public, as well as city officials, regarding both issues.
The local police chief, Michael Gahagan, issued a warning during the televised council meeting against plowing snow into the public roadways. Although the problems of where to put the snow is universal, Gahagan said that the public needs to realize that leaving snow or slush in the roadway is against state and local laws.
Such violation can carry a fine of nearly $170, Gahagan said.
As of Tuesday, the National Weather Service office in Caribou said that the region has received 170.1 inches of snow, exactly 11 inches away from the record of 180.1 inches set in 1954-1955. There’s no doubt by the NWS forecasters that the record will be matched this year.
Mayor Miles Williams said that the city has received numerous complaints regarding snow removal problems. At times, the local Public Works Department has had to use a pay loader to remove the snow left in the road by homeowners plowing their own yard, Williams said.
Gahagan said that everyone needs to realize that there is a problem. A total of five warnings have been issued to violators, which has been effective thus far. The chief said if city-owned equipment is damaged because of snow in the road, the offending party could be liable for the damage.
Business owner Milo Haney addressed the council regarding his problems with snow removal on the corner of Route 89 and the Sawyer Road. He said that he had been cited for plowing snow into the road.
“This is our year for snow,” commented Councilor Ken Murchison, “and the year for good neighbors.”
In other business, the council heard from two people on a proposed plan to build a new highway to connect U.S. Routes 1 and 161. (See related story on Page 1A.) A public forum on the proposal will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.
One speaker, Jim Cyr, said that the proposal had will have “minimal” benefits and will waste money.
“The process has not been a bottom-up process that leads to strong communities,” Cyr said.
He reminded the council of the “top-down” process that resulted in the revamping of the Sweden Street downtown area, which included the building of a mall.
By staying silent and looking at the chambers’ clock for six seconds, Cyr demonstrated the amount of travel time that would be saved by building the connecting road that could cost of up to $30 million.
“I encourage you to have the backbone to speak up,” said Cyr.
The administrator for Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development, Walt Elish, told the council that LEAD has endorsed Option 4B, one of three proposed routes that would be considered during the Wednesday forum.
The option would include 3.7 miles of new construction at a cost of $24.2 million. The impacts include 3.4 acres of wetland and require crossing two streams, while 32 acres of farmland would be affected. A total of 18 structures, including one historic building, would be affected.
This option, commonly know as 4B, would connect with Route 161 near the Caribou Country Club and the historic McElwain’s Farmstead and Strawberry Farm, owned by local school superintendent Franklin McElwain and his family. Because of the lesser amount of impacts anticipated, it may receive the most support from state transportation officials, local officials said recently.
Elish said that the county group believed that a “no-build” option was not a satisfactory alternative and that 4B, which takes traffic around Cary Medical Center, would not displace businesses.
Last month, LEAD sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the county group’s preference for the 4B option, thinking that it needed to meet a federal deadline for comment.
“On the ultimate decision, we deferred to the Caribou City officials for the final decision,” Elish said.
Mayor Williams pointed out that the city has not made a final determination and is waiting for the public to comment before a decision in made on which alternative to endorse.
In other business, the council hired Christopher Bouchard of Fort Kent as a new police officer after an executive session.
The council also voted to solicit bids for roof repairs at the Caribou Municipal Airport. A public hearing was scheduled for March 24 to change the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals from five full-ime members and two alternates to seven full-time members.
Municipal quitclaim deeds were signed for Mark Beaupre and Linda Brecht.
A Bingo game of chance license was renewed for Lister-Knowlton VFW 9389 Auxiliary.
The council also voted to allow the city-owned Hershel Street parking lot and the Legion parking lot for a June 6 motorcycle rally to raise funds for veterans’ graves maintenance.
Another executive session was held to discuss wage and salary classifications. No action was taken after that session.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m.
