City works with hospice home planners
to make former MBNA building a better fit
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Aroostook House of Comfort is in the process of purchasing the former MBNA site at Greenhill Drive. Deputy City Manager Martin Puckett, discussed with City Council members at the June 1 meeting, a proposal to swap electrical generators at the former call center.
“The HOC would like to have the generator since it is already attached to the building and would serve their needs for a hospice facility. The generator they want to swap is also a former MBNA generator,” Puckett stated in his memorandum. “It includes a switch valued at $4,900. The HOC would have the switch and generator delivered to any location we desire.”
Puckett informed councilors that there will be costs associated if the city does not decide to swap the generators. The city does not own the switch unit at Greenhill Drive and will have to buy one if they would like to install one at another location.
An unnamed local company expressed interest in purchasing the former generator at MBNA. The council agreed to sell it to the party of interest. Proceeds from the sale can be used to purchase the new generator along with associated costs.
In other business, bid packages for asphalt paving were provided to the three hot mix paving companies in Aroostook County.
“All three hot mix companies submitted bids that were extremely close in price,” Director of Public Services, Dana Fowler, stated in a memorandum. “There was a tie for the price for machine-placed pavement with tack, which is the majority of the type of paving that is expected to be done this year.”
The estimated dollar value of the two lowest bidders is Trombley Industries of Limestone at $423,989, and Lane Construction of Presque Isle with $426, 739; a difference of $2,750 or 0.6 percent.
The council approved an asphalt paving contract with Trombley Industries in accordance with their bid prices.
Puckett gave an update on the plan to install a new ice system at the Northern Maine Forum. An ammonia system will be more efficient and have a longer life expectancy of about 40-45 years, he said. Further discussion as to whether a new or used system will be purchased as well as the cost of a service contract and the energy savings that a new system will provide also ensued.
The Council ultimately approved the purchase of a refurbished unit for $375,000.
