PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — In a partnership with the Elks Club, the city of Presque Isle issued a proclamation of “National Patriotism Week” during the monthly city council meeting held Sept. 4.
City Manager Martin Puckett said that the National Patriotism Week was held the week of Sept. 9. Puckett said that the council has made a handful of national proclamations in the past year, recognizing specific causes.
The newly adopted National Patriotism Week will be dedicated to celebrating national freedom, according to the council meeting documents.
“During this event, [we] urge all citizens to join with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in expressing gratitude for the privilege of American Citizenship with appropriate celebrations and observances,” the proclamation stated.
The city council also announced an employee retention council workshop scheduled for noon Monday, Sept. 9. According to Puckett, this workshop kicked off a series of workshops intended to discuss items on the upcoming city budget.
The meeting was planned to discuss the option of rejoining the Maine Public Employees Retirement System, Puckett said on Sept. 6. A representative from the state retirement program was also scheduled to be there to answer questions for the council, as well.
Puckett said the council planned on discussing what benefits the city currently offers its employees and if they can fill some of the vacant positions.
A switch to the statewide retirement system could improve employee retention, especially within the police department. Presque Isle Police Chief Laurie Kelly previously told the Star-Herald that the main reason officers were leaving Presque Isle to work in other departments was because the city doesn’t offer the Maine State Retirement package.
During the August meeting, Puckett provided a financial overview to the city regarding turnover within the police department, specifying that the city has spent $581,304 in training costs since 2006.
“Offering MEPERS can reduce our training costs substantially, especially if we offer it citywide,” Puckett wrote in his memorandum to the council.
He said that the council will not make a final decision on whether to adopt the program during the workshop but rather continue discussions of re-adopting the retirement plan.
More workshop series will be organized to consider topics related to the upcoming city budget and will be open to the public, according to Puckett.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.
