PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — There have been multiple road paving projects occurring across the city, including the new road and sidewalk on Central Drive in the Industrial Park.
Two years ago, the city had trouble finding a contractor to chip seal roads. Chip seal is an asphalt treatment — a thin protective wearing surface applied to pavement. There were no bidders last year for the project. Public Works instead decided to use all black top for paving, which is more expensive. The paving will cost $620,000 for 2024, which is up from $570,000 in the 2023 budget.
“Typically we do an inch and a half [of black top], an inch and half will last on average 12 years,” said Dana Fowler, Presque Isle city engineer.
Public Works uses a system called Road Surface Management System, a spreadsheet of all 140 roads and streets in Presque Isle.
Next year Maine DOT will pave Academy Street, North Street, and a portion of Airport Drive from Skyway drive to Central Drive.
In other business, the city council approved two applications for pole locations. One is at Marston Road and seven are on Allen Road near Pioneer Wireless Inc. doing business as Pioneer Broadband Utility. The installation will deliver fiber utility infrastructure to connect underserved areas with broadband internet.
New appointments to city departments were Tyler Clark as facilities manager and Harley Carmichael Jr. to public works director.
The city has the following vacancies for boards and committees: two on the Assessment Review, one on the Audit Committee, one on the Zoning Board, one on the Planning Board, two positions on the Recreation and Parks Department and one on the Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Other announcements include that the ice will go into The Forum on Oct. 10, public skate will begin on Oct. 11 and Magnetize Maine will be held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Oct. 20.
