HOULTON, Maine — Town Councilors are looking to negotiate a lease with a local trucking company owner.
During a meeting on Monday evening, councilors introduced a measure that could result in a lease agreement between the town and Michael Harris, doing business as Mist Transportation Company. Harris would lease the property, located at Houlton International Airport, for $500 per month.
Town Manager William MacDonald said Wednesday that the building is just to the south of the Ward Log Cabin property.
Harris is looking to lease the building and two acres of property. If the lease is approved at a future meeting, he will take the building as is.
MacDonald said the building has a solid frame and roof and that the town plans to stake out the two acres and mow the property for him before his business takes up residence.
During the meeting, Chairman William McCluskey chuckled a bit and asked Harris if he was “crazy” because the building is not in very good condition.
McCluskey said that he spoke at length with Harris and that Harris told him he wants the building because of its potential for power.
“He told me that he is in the trucking business and that he has more than ten trucks,” he said. “He wants the building because there is a lot of power in there and he wants to park his trucks in it. He wanted the power to plug his trucks in.”
Councilor Sue Tortello questioned how the town came up with the $500 price for the lease, and MacDonald said that Harris came to the town with it and they accepted it. MacDonald said that it was also what the agreement was with a previous renter and that the town also factored in the condition of the building.
A public hearing will be held on the potential lease on Sept. 10.
