CARIBOU, Maine — Aroostook municipalities and nonprofits have received American Rescue Plan Act grants for various public health and infrastructure projects.
The County received $13 million in federal ARPA funds, intended to help communities recover during and after COVID-19. Aroostook County Commissioners allocated $6.5 million toward a grant program that local governments and nonprofits must apply for.
Last year, the commissioners awarded $2.1 million to 15 projects. On Tuesday, they voted unanimously to fund 16 projects using another $1.7 million.
In the public health category, Central Aroostook Ambulance, Caribou Fire & Ambulance and county unorganized territories will receive $5,625, $100,349 and $8,900, respectively, for emergency medical equipment.
Outdoor recreation also became a priority this year. Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill will use $150,000 towards its new chairlift. Four Seasons Trail Association in Madawaska will purchase a trail groomer with $90,773. Stockholm and Eagle Lake will create community green spaces utilizing $40,000 and $15,000, respectively.
Aroostook County Action Program will use $150,000 to fund staff positions for programs that expanded during the pandemic, including emergency heating assistance.
The Houlton-based Aid for Kids and Island Falls will make storage and town building repairs with their awards of $8,872 and $141,065, respectively.
Houlton, Presque Isle and Eagle Lake were each awarded $300,000 for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades. St. Francis received $17,140 for water system repairs.
Commissioners unanimously voted to use leftover public health funds from this year to support projects in Madawaska and Ashland. Madawaska will receive $64,633 while Ashland will get $115,300 total for water and sewer upgrades.
Another $2.5 million will be used for the final ARPA grant recipients in June 2024, said County ARPA Administrator Steve Pelletier.
In other business, all three commissioners approved using more of the county’s ARPA allotment to construct an extension of the North Lakes Fire & Rescue station in Stockholm. The county oversees financial activities of the department, which covers Cross Lake, Madawaska Lake, Sinclair and Square Lake and provides mutual aid for nearby towns, including Stockholm.
The building extension was originally estimated to cost $90,000 but rising material costs have brought the project to $140,000, said Chief Darren Woods.
Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of a new paid leave policy for non-union, full-time county employees and full-time elected officials.
In the past, employees didn’t start earning paid vacation hours until after six months on the job or after a six-month probationary period. With the new policy, they start building their hours on their first day. The number of earned hours still increases for employees with more experience, noted County Human Resources Director Christina Theriault.
Full-time elected officials who will benefit include the county sheriff, register of deeds and register of probate.
The new policy, effective July 1, aims to help the county with recruiting and retaining new employees, Theriault said.
The new Caribou Viking Riders ATV Club was granted access to part of Emond Road and all of Dubay Pit Road.
The Emond Road goes along the border of Caribou and Connor Township. The road would enable the club to connect to an existing trail that has lost landover access, said Club President Jeff Barnard.
The club’s portion of Dubay Pit Road will run 1.4 miles and connect a new trail that heads toward New Sweden and arrives at the Bangor & Aroostook Trail, Barnard said.
Commissioners approved three-year road maintenance area contracts with Michael Elwell & Sons and MJ Ouellette & Daughters. Sherman-based Elwell will maintain county-owned roads in southern Aroostook while Woodland-based Ouellette will work in northern Aroostook.
Commissioners also gave their support to 3-year fire protection and animal control agreements with Mapleton for Scopan Township. The fire service agreement totals $233,508, a 13 percent increase over last year’s cost.
The animal control contract requires the county to pay an officer $1,000 per year and $10 for every animal transported to the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle.
