LIMESTONE, Maine — After months of budget talks, including the consideration of a special referendum in which residents could vote for 24-hour, 16-hour, or no police coverage, Limestone officials have recently finalized a warrant for their June 14 town meeting.
Altogether, the warrant contains 46 articles, including one that asks voters to accept an offer from the Maine Department of Transportation to construct sidewalks, establish a walking trail and crosswalks, and put up crossing lights as part of a state Safe Routes to School program.
According to the warrant, the project includes “no upfront cost to the town, the only obligation being to maintain the sidewalks and other infrastructure (to include plowing and other measures to keep them safely accessible to the public year-round) as the town currently does with their town property” for 20 years.
The new infrastructure will become town property after construction, and includes a sidewalk along High Street from the intersection of Route 89 and the Access Highway up to FFA avenue, a walking path to Albert Michaud Park from the Access Highway, a sidewalk to Huggard Avenue from the corner of Huggard and High to Huggard and Main, as well as crosswalks and possibly a light at two places on Maine Street.
The state offered the same construction package in 2016 for 10 percent of the costs, but taxpayers turned down that offer. This year, according to the warrant, the state has “returned to offer the same project for no upfront cost to the town.”
Another article on the warrant asks voters if they would like to authorize funding for an Economic Development Coordinator, who would be responsible for bringing business to the town, promoting Limestone, seeking grants, and working to retain existing businesses, among other related tasks. While Limestone voters funded the position for $10,000 last year, the budget committee currently recommends cutting the position while selectpeople recommend providing the same funding.
While the budget committee and board of selectpeople make recommendations for each article on the warrant, Limestone voters will have the final say at the town meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, in the Limestone Community School Auditorium.
The full warrant for the upcoming town meeting is available on the town’s website under the “Public Notices” section.
