FORT KENT, Maine – Fort Kent Town Council approved moving ahead with a couple town paving projects as well as the replacement of a water fountain at Riverside Park and the addition of another fountain near the town’s boat landing.
The paving project includes repairing a 250-foot section of McKenzie Drive, which fell apart this spring. It also includes a 510-foot extension on Summer Avenue, which will require ditching and gravel prep work.
These projects are being funded with Maine DOT Local Road Assistance Program funds. Town Manager Suzie Paradis said the town has roughly $83,000 in these funds leftover from previous years, and that the project will not come out of local tax dollars.
The council unanimously approved seeking bids from contractors for the aforementioned projects.
They also discussed replacing a fountain near the restroom facility at Riverside Park. Paradis said the problem, according to the rec department, is that the fountain was not made to withstand colder temperatures and that it freezes up during the colder months.
She said Rec Director Jason Nadeau has looked into replacement costs, and that it would be around $829. She said he may also be able to help with the labor involved.
In addition to the replacement, Paradis said the department has also discussed installing another fountain near the boat landing. This would cost roughly $2,000.
Councilors agreed that while it may seem expensive for a water fountain, it will go hand-in-hand with other upgrades and renovations that occurred at the park earlier this year, such as new playground equipment.
The board agreed to spend up to $5,000 out of the East Main Street TIF fund for the two fountain projects, which would also account for any potential incidental costs.
“The more expensive fountain obviously has more features, like being able to fill up a water bottle,” said Council Chair Corey Pelletier. “And, just aesthetically, it would be a nice addition to the park.”
