Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
NEW LOCATION — Donahue’s Investment Property Management, along with Donahue’s Maintenance and Masonry companies opened in their new location on Bangor Street in Houlton. Attending the ribbon cutting for the grand opening are, from left, Darlene Mangan, Olympia Chimney Supply; Kylie and Matthew Donahue, owners; Josh McLaughlin, president of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce; Jon McLaughlin, executive director of Southern Aroostook Development Corporation, Jane Torres, excutive director of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce; Kelley, holding Payton and Tom Donahue, with Lucas.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
The long red building on 81 Bangor St. in Houlton, across the street from Trendsetters, is the new home of Donahue’s Investment Property Management.
The Donahues have a few buildings that they help rent and maintain around Houlton.
“We mostly do management for people who are out of town and cannot be here for the day-to-day management,” said Kylie Donahue.
Their new home will be split between the property management and Donahue’s Maintenance and Masonry. Before their businesses were operated from their residence.
“We want to thank everyone who has helped to put our building back together,” said owner Matthew Donahue. “We have been fixing up buildings for seven years and we plan to keep going.”
Helping to restore the building were J. McLaughlin Construction, Langley Construction, Bither’s Electric, Harbison Heating and Plumbing and the Lighthouse.
The maintenance part of Donahues takes care of snowplowing and sanding in the winter to mowing in the summertime. The crew also will perform light bucket truck work, upkeep to property and preventative maintenance.
Donahue studied construction science/sheet metal and welding fabrication at Northern Maine Community College. He and his crew have also attended seminars for the last five years on advanced masonry.
Donahue’s Maintenance and Masonry can help homeowners better prepare for the winter and help prevent unwanted chimney fires, as they do cleanings and inspections.
“People’s chimneys are one of the most neglected items in a home,” Matt said. “However, it is one of the most important.”
The chimney carries toxic gases out of a home. If left unattended, creosote builds up and can plug the chimney causing a furnace to shut down and may allow carbon monoxide to enter the house if the flu is damaged.
If a chimney is damaged or deteriorating, especially inside the liner, which is not seen, a family’s safety is in question. The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires become a real possibility.
Also, if a homeowner has an older house, the chimneys were not designed to vent modern heating appliances.
Donahues carry stainless steel chimney liners and caps.
“Very soon, we will be making our own caps,” said Donahue. “They will be locally fabricated and locally installed by a local family business.”
Donahues will be looking to carry new product lines, but for now, they are exclusively using Olympia products.
Another part of business that Donahues are becoming more recognized for is masonry. Donahues can build new chimneys, top chimneys, rejoint chimneys, along with building cultured stone fireplaces for pellet stove inserts.
Whatever a homeowners’ needs, the Donahue family can help.
“All the things we do compliment one another,” said Kylie. “It all leans toward keeping a house and its property in good condition. Our customers seem to like having to make one call for all their needs.”
“If anyone has any questions about what we do, stop by and see me,” said Donahue. “We look forward to serving the needs of the greater Houlton area.”
Donahue can be reached by calling 538-6345 or 538-6346. He can be reached by email at donahuem29@yahoo.com.
The Bangor Street office is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
