HOULTON, Maine — The Just For Kids playground may soon be getting a much-needed upgrade to its recreational area.
Houlton Town Manager Eugene Conlogue informed the board Monday evening that, while not final, the town stands a “good chance” at receiving a $50,000 grant from the Department of Conservation to be used to purchase playground equipment.
Last week, the town was notified by Nick Rogers of the Maine Department of Conservation that additional grant money has been secured by their department, which means a grant request that initially had been turned down for Houlton, may receive funding after all.
“This is great news for the town if it gets finalized, and I have no reason to think it is not,” Conlogue said. “That would give us the money we need to (finish) the JFK playground.”
A few months ago, Conlogue told the board that the town’s grant application had been turned down. At that time, it was revealed there were $600,000 in requests for only $197,000 in available funds.
Councilors also accepted an $840 donation from Bangor Savings Bank, from the proceeds of the “G-Force” laser tag event held during Moosestompers.
Canopy Grant update
In other business, the council balked at the town manager’s request to have authority to award a bid for the purchase of new trees for downtown. Proposals from tree nurseries are due Wednesday (today) at the town, but Conlogue said he felt those proposals would likely exceed $5,000.
By town charter rule, any expense exceeding $5,000 must go out to a bid process. Conlogue hoped the council would waive that bid requirement, and allow him the ability to purchase the trees.
“There are limited people we can get trees from,” Conlogue said. “We have contacted them and asked for a proposal. We need to act on this as quick as we can so we can order trees for a May delivery.”
The town is looking to remove all of the trees from the downtown, as many have become dangerous, with limbs falling off. Those trees were planted in 1991, after a study revealed trees would make the downtown more aesthetically pleasing.
Conlogue state the town was looking to purchase 28 ivory silk, Japanese lilac trees for the downtown. This species of tree was recommended to the town by an arborist.
“The question is, are we allowed to do this?” asked council chairman Paul Cleary. “Without knowing an amount of the winning bidder, I don’t feel comfortable doing that.”
Councilor Sue Tortello questioned if the move was allowed under the guidelines of the Canopy Grant. The town received an $8,000 grant from the USDA, provided the town matches $8,000 with either cash or in-kind services.
Instead of waiving the bid process, the council agreed to hold a special meeting Monday, May 31, at 6 p.m.
In other agenda items, the council:
• Appointed Cathy Virgie of Hodgdon as Animal Control Officer. She replaces Kevin Upton who resigned last month. Virgie formerly was an ACO in the communities of St. George, Cushing and Rockland.
• Re-appointed Robert Ellis, Galen Hogan and Terry Beals to three-year terms on the Airport Committee Advisory Board; Eugene Ross to a two-year term; and Ken Hayes and Charlotte MacArthur, for one-year terms.
• Named Donna Barnard to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term.
• Re-appointed Joanne Carpenter and Tamara Ritchie to three-year terms and Sharon McFadden to a four-year term on the Voter Registration Appeals Board.
The next regular meeting is slated for Monday, April 14, at 6 p.m.
