Houlton council lauds Knights; makes appointments to ZBA

HOULTON, Maine — Applause and praise for the 2009 Aroostook League football champions, the Houlton Knights, energized the room as they were recognized with their coaches by the town council and handed certificates of appreciation.
“The town is fortunate to have a youth population that excels in arts, music, academics and sports,” said Doug Hazlett, town manager. The recent win by the team “is a tremendous compliment to the coaches and certainly to all these great athletes, who have been in existence as a team for only four years,” Hazlett added before handing out certificates of appreciation signed by council members. He also praised the team “for bringing honor to the community and representing the town very well.”
Coach Brian Reynolds thanked the town, Bernie Reese, the Rec Department, parents and the council for supporting the team.
In other business, the council re-appointed Dorothy Donahue and Anthony DeLucca who volunteered to serve again as members of the Zoning Board for three-year terms.
Walter Goodrich, council chairman, said the zoning board makes difficult decisions and he encouraged residents to apply for the remaining vacancy.
A discussion of the Southern Aroostook Solid Waste Disposal District raised two issues — representation and management. The councilors generally agreed that for the sake of continuity, an elected official or the town manager should be the representative. After determining that the frequency of meetings would not interfere with Hazlett’s other responsibilities, the town manager accepted the new task.
As for the town-owned acreage in Hammond and the nearly $800 a year in taxes, the councilors and Dale Flewelling, a former council chairman, discussed the fact that the land does not generate revenue but could possibly become self-sustaining with a wood management program.
The council approved the renewal of a liquor license for O’Kelly’s Irish Pub at 241 North St. It also approved a victualer’s license for The Ark Animal Sanctuary’s fund-raiser December 5.
The next meeting of the town council is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m., Town Office, 21 Water St.