CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou city councilors have delayed appointing members to a new economic development committee to address concerns about non-voting members and potential conflicts of interest.
Councilors approved the Caribou Development Committee in March as another tool for pursuing economic development efforts in the city. The committee would coordinate with city staff and boards on economic initiatives and develop a 10-year development plan for Caribou.
Local businessman Troy Haney had initially suggested the committee to councilors earlier this year. Haney was one of six people to apply for the committee’s five volunteer positions, including Jim Gamage, Justin Staples, James Nelson, Gary Marquis and Christina Kane-Gibson.
Councilors must appoint all members of city volunteer committees. But on Monday, the council opted to push back a vote on the development committee’s members until they can address points in question and potentially change the committee bylaws.
Councilor John Morrill raised concerns about having two non-voting committee members. If approved, those members would have been City Manager Penny Thompson and City Councilor Dan Bagley.
“You’d basically eliminate their voting rights. It seems that if you’re going to sit on a committee and state your opinions, you should get to vote,” Morrill said.
Two other ex-officio members — Dave Corriveau of the Caribou Planning Board and Lydia Kieffer-Till of the Caribou Economic Growth Council — would have voting rights, per the city’s ordinance. Their appointment was also delayed, pending future council actions.
Unlike the newly established Development Committee, which focuses on larger development efforts, the Economic Growth Council provides loans for business start-ups, renovations and expansions.
Morrill also suggested that the city council limit volunteer committee members, who would have voting privileges, to people who are not involved in other economic development endeavors related to Caribou.
Morrill did not bring up the proposed committee members by name but said he feared that having business people serve could present conflicts of interest.
“The committee should be made up of people who are 100 percent neutral,” Morrill said.
Councilor Mark Goughan questioned how the council can completely avoid conflicts of interests in a small city made up of many active entrepreneurs.
“When you’re dealing with a small town, you already have a limited number of people to become involved. If people have a conflict, they can abstain from voting,” Goughan said.
Councilors voted 5-to-2 to table their discussion on the Development Committee until the next council meeting. Goughan and City Mayor Jody Smith cast the two no votes.
If the city council wishes to change the Development Committee’s bylaws, they would need to reintroduce that section of the city’s ordinance and schedule a public hearing for a future council meeting, Thompson said.
In other business, councilors unanimously appointed Justin Staples to the Caribou Planning Board. Staples fills a vacant position on the board that opened after Liz Mockler’s departure. Mockler had been appointed in January.
Councilors also unanimously approved Public Works bids related to this summer’s city road projects.
Limestone-based Trombley Industries will pave Caribou’s rural and town roads and provide road sand. The Presque Isle-based Lane Construction will provide shim and patch services on Caribou roads. Soderberg Construction of Caribou will assist with paving on Herschel Street and Washburn Street.
Paris Farmers of South Paris, Maine will assist with culvert repairs for $13,605. The city will purchase street paint from Franklin Paint, based in Franklin, Massachusetts, for $16,565.
Councilors honored eight city employees celebrating milestones and one retiring employee, presenting each with a certificate recognizing their years of service.
Code Enforcement Officer Ken Murchison has been in the position for five years.
Finance Director Carl Grant and Police Sergeant Corey Saucier are both celebrating 10 years of employment.
Public Works Director Dave Ouellette, Housing Director Lisa Plourde and Deputy Assistant for Tax Collection & Finance Denise Lausier have all reached 25 years with the city.
Patrol Officer Doug Bell and Police Chief Michael Gahagan were recognized for 35 and 50 years of service, respectively.
Jolene Boucher has retired after 21 years in the city’s ambulance billing department.
The next regular Caribou City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, May 8, at the Caribou Municipal Building.
