By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Now that the indoor pool is closed — operations came to an end a couple weeks ago — city officials are looking for ways to dispose of the property, either through sale or demolition.City Manager Jim Bennett provided councilors with an update at their monthly meeting, March 3.
“Chris and I met with the chair of the board (of the Northern Maine Fair Association). The fair board does not want the building,” said Bennett.
Bennett said the next step would be to advertise both for the pool’s demolition and for proposals for its use.
“I think quite frankly we’ll be in a position to tear down the facility,” he said. “We can do a package of items we ought to take out and those we’d leave for the contractor.”
“Unless council gives a different direction, we’ll advertise for demolition bids as well as if anyone has re-use ideas for the building,” said the city manager.
Bennett indicated city officials have been working with the vendor to “sell the gallons of oil we bought in advance.” He said most likely the furnace would go to the Northern Maine Regional Airport.
“It’s a more compatible use than the Forum. Dana (Fowler, director of solid waste) is working with the folks from Honeywell on that,” said Bennett.
Chris Beaulieu, Parks and Recreation Department director, provided councilors with an update on the swim program — now offered at UMPI’s Gentile Hall pool — and fees for swimming lessons. Cheryl Bonville, of Presque Isle, addressed the council, expressing concern over how far it was to get from the parking area to the facility for people like her elderly father. “It’s not as conducive for the older generation,” she said.
Bonville was also concerned over swimming costs at the university vs. the indoor pool, noting city officials “should have had more down firm on paper before the pool was closed.”
In other business, councilors:
• Approved a special permit for music, dancing and entertainment and a malt, spirituous and vinous liquor license for Presque Isle Country Club, 35 Parkhurst Siding Rd.;
• Amended Chapter 16 — Land Use and Development Code, Chapter 1, Section XXI — Light Industrial Zone;
• Amended Chapter 50 — Advisory Board Ordinance;
• Adjudged the property at 20 Dragon Drive to be a nuisance and dangerous to life and property, noting that should the owner fail to comply with conditions set forth, a civil penalty of $100 per day would apply, with a lien put on the property to cover removal costs, should the city handle the demolition;
• Approved consent agenda items 14-63 through 14-69;
• Authorized the city manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding in Manufacturing Communities Partnership agreement between Northern Maine Development Commission and the city of Presque Isle;
• Adopted the 2014-15 work plan as presented;
• Approved a grant-writing position as a contractual position for up to one year, and authorized the city manager to advertise said position; and
• Tabled discussion of reapportionment for education representation. Councilor Bruce Sargent — who had asked city officials to provide information on the size of the school board and whether the number of members is needed or could be lessened — said he’d met with Lucy Richard, of the SAD 1 School Board, and since the district is currently searching for a new superintendent, discussion on the matter could be postponed until a later date.
City Council will be meeting Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers for a transportation workshop. The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held on Monday, April 7, at City Hall at 6 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, call 760-2720 or visit www.presqueisleme.gov.
