Polaris to roll out new services, rates
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The Houlton Town Council got an update on cable rates and services in addition to confirming a number of municipal appointments and accepting several donations, all in unanimous 6-0 votes, at its regular meeting Monday evening.
Changes in cable service
Gordon Wark, president of NEPSK, Inc., which owns Polaris Cable and WAGM TV (channel 8), said the fiber-optic upgrade to the system should be completed during February. The capacity for business connectivity in connection with partner Pioneer Wireless, he said, will be improved thanks to the upgrade.
Additionally, Wark said, the rate increase is due to increased programming costs with Polaris remaining the least expensive cable service in the state and the only one with a senior citizen discount. Among the new rates is the Polaris basic full cable package going up Feb. 1 by $2.50 to $47.85.
Wark also discussed Polaris’ move from 72 Main Street to 34 Military Street which offers the company more storage for its equipment and vehicles as well as increased parking for customers. In response to Nancy Ketch’s inquiry on digital phone service, Wark said the launch of digital service will include “porting” — allowing customers to keep their own number — after a complicated switching or transition period which should be completed by the middle of February.
Donations
Saying it was the first of many acknowledgements of gifts to Houlton, Town Manager Douglas Hazlett recognized Ted Bither’s donation of roofing materials and labor. Hazlett estimated the value of Bither’s contribution at $10,000 toward the construction of the Ward Log building in Community Park.
The council also accepted a $22,600 grant from the Riverfront Community Development Bond Program for Riverfront Park which does not require matching funds from Houlton. Philip Bernaiche expressed his concern that state government money was available through the grant-making process used by the development office for a walkway and not for municipal repairs like sidewalks and buildings “in these hard times.” Councilor Paul Romanelli responded that there had been a grant for sidewalks and “you take what’s offered.”
The council also accepted a total of $1,340 from four individuals for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin said this donation and other pledges will exceed the goal of $2,500 by about $1,000. Sue Tortello said it was “incredibly generous of these individuals and people especially in these economic times.” Chairman Paul Cleary said “the community support is great.”
The Elder Abuse Institute donated $1,000 which the council accepted to educate senior citizens at risk.
Appointments
In unanimous votes, the council made the following appointments: Cathy O’Leary as registrar of voters; Bernard Reece as parks and recreation director; Wade Hanson as community development director; Kevin Tingley as code enforcement officer; Douglas Hazlett as airport director and emergency management director; Douglas Hazlett as representative for the Maine Service Centers Coalition with Sue Tortello as the alternate; Milton Cone as ambulance director, fire chief, and cemetery superintendent; Leigh Stilwell as public works director; Butch Asselin as police chief. Town Manager Hazlett supported the appointees expressing his appreciation for the work they have done for the town.
Tortello reminded everyone that the public hearing on the town budget is Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. and Cleary congratulated the Houlton varsity cheerleaders on winning the Penobscot Valley Championship.
During earlier public comments, Stanley Ginish criticized “the town” and interest costs related to the upcoming bond issue for road repair. He said: “There’s no commitment in this town. This council has never had the courage on a regular basis to always put away that one mil into Roads 2000 and re-utilize it.” He also speculated that there would be big expenditures by the public works department “and we don’t need them right now and we don’t need the expenditures of the police department.” He advocated more cost-sharing by employees.
The next regular meeting of the town council is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
