Staff Writer
The Caribou City Council met for a regular meeting Jan. 25 in the council chambers on High Street. Bryan Harper and Milo Haney, both members of the Citizens for Responsible City Government group, had requested a time during the public input session to address the council. Both Harper and Haney voiced their concerns regarding the possibility of a second downtown ski event, similar to last year’s Dash for Cash event which took place in the parking lot behind the downtown mall buildings. “I was very glad to hear that the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department has decided to hold this event at Teague Park. Having the snow trucked in downtown for this event could create a $2,000-3,000 burden to taxpayers,” stated Harper, “there are other areas that this event could be held at such as the high school, Teague Park or the golf course.”
Haney also acknowledged the change in venue for the ski event stating, “We are striving for transparent city government. I don’t hold a grudge against anyone here, but it is frustrating, considering the cost this event would create. I’ve heard some of the business owners in that area remark about their concerns or this type of event and the issue of spectator safety is another concern. I ask that when some of these things that are brought before you, you think about them, before you decide.” Haney also commented, “When you are working on the budget — try to help us.”
Other business before the city council included a request from the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church on Grove St., the city’s first meeting hall, to donate the historical building to the city, citing a reduction in membership and the financial inability to maintain the church.
Presenting this request to the council was Nancy Bolangie, president of the executive committee at the Unitarian Universalist Church. “For the sake of this wonderful building we hope you can help,” stated Bolangie after requesting the city take over the management of the building. When asked what timeframe they were faced with, Bolangie replied, “three to four years before action would need to be taken.”
Bolangie commented that the church committee proposed that possible ownership of the building could facilitate a community art center, museum or as a venue for other community events.
Caribou Mayor Ken Murchison informed Bolangie that it has been previously recognized that it is easier to get grant money if a said group is not affiliated to municipal government. Council Chris Bell added, “These are tough times — the revenue side is crushing even with something as significant as that building, I would suggest the committee seek out other options.” Murchison also reinforced that, “This building is of great importance to this community.”
City Manager Steve Buck added, “The city can offer assistance to your group as to identifying the possible avenues that need to be searched.”
The council was asked to consider a presentation from VMSUS, Inc. for a pending bid expansion and a letter of support for the project. The council voted to authorize their support for VMS pending bid proposal to create a TSA Contact Center within the city. In part, the letter states, “The city of Caribou has established working relationship with VMS having worked cooperatively with the company to establish their current operations. VMS has created and retained all jobs associated with the city’s initial partnership and continues to grow. The city recognizes the unique assets available to VMS in Caribou of redundant broadband connectivity providing unsurpassed resiliency in connectivity essential to supporting TSA’s needs. VMS is also the third technology-based company in the last decade to emerge in Caribou due to the infrastructure, redundancy and established critical mass of service providers, programmers and developers. The city of Caribou has focused on supporting this type of development within our downtown and will continue to do so in the future.”
Regarding the venue for the Ski Fest, sponsored by the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, previously presented to the council to be held in the downtown mall parking area, a letter from Parks and Recreation Supervisor Kathy Mazzuchelli, informed the panel, “Knowing full well that the city of Caribou is facing significant challenges for the upcoming fiscal year, the planning committee for the proposed downtown Ski Fest has agreed that it will look at hosting this year’s event at Teague Park.
“The committee agreed that the choice of Teague Park gives them a venue existing trails, existing lighting, good parking, great visibility and plenty of snow and therefore should be tested in 2010 to determine if the event could be continued and grow to become a significant part of Caribou’s winter carnival activities,” she added.
Council members also authorized a letter of support for Inegrated Systems Solutions, Inc. and their application for funding a Hybrid Heavy Lift Transport project at the former Loring Air Force Base. Part of the letter which was to be sent to U.S. Senator Susan Collins stated, “Caribou recognizes the multiplier of the 24-plus anticipated research and development positions associated with the first three years of this project as beneficial to our entire region. Research and development has the highest potential for future economic growth, especially given the magnitude of the national security for this new form of air transport vehicle.”
Also presented to the group was a downtown parking communication and survey as prepared by the Highway Protection Committee. This project will allow business owners and tenants a chance to inform the city regarding parking issues and concerns within the downtown area. The survey is to be distributed to all downtown locations and returned as soon as possible. Since early last fall, the city has been conducting a study of parking characteristics in the downtown area. The overall goal of this survey to make any modifications necessary regarding utilization of parking spaces, increase vehicular traffic flow, improve commercial activity with this area and to provide for the adequate enforcement of the Caribou Parking Plan.
The Caribou City Council also authorized the following agenda items:
• The issuance of per capita ($10) bills for the 2010 ambulance services to participating communities.
• The issuance of the 2010 Interlocal Fire Agreement bills to participating communities.
• A municipal quitclaim deed to complete the vacation of the paper street portion of Truman Avenue.
• The contract for services with the Central Aroostook Humane Society for animal shelter services for 2010. This amount is $13,299.20 ($1.60 per capita).
• A municipal quitclaim deed to Lew and Arlene Kidney, tax map 30 lot 35 for taxes paid in full.
• Renewals of game of chance licenses for the American Legion Post 15.
The next meeting of the Caribou City Council is Monday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.
