Staff Writer
Motorists driving in Caribou should get some much needed relief as a result of several paving and road repair projects this summer that were approved last week by the City Council. The scope of work, which will cost the city close to $500,000, includes Sweden Street, northern Main Street and the Grimes Mill Road.
“All the work … is desperately needed,” said David Ouellette, the city’s public works director. “Do I need to say anything about the roads in town.”
The largest project planned is one-half of the Grimes Mills Road to be ditched and widened. Two sections of the heavily traveled Sweden Street will be repaired. From Ouellette’s Variety to the urban compact line will be repaired, while the portion between Prospect Street to the intersection of the Woodland Center Road will be repaved.
Hershel Street is scheduled to be paved from Main Street to Prospect Street.
Another project involves repairing northern Main Street from the northerly entrance of the Weather Bureau to the roundabout on U.S. Route 1.
Lower Glen Street is scheduled to undergo paving and drainage repairs.
In other business, the council scheduled a public hearing on Monday, June 23 on a proposed amendment to the city charter, which would eliminate term limits on certain council appointments and actions.
‘I feel if you have good people on board, let them serve more than six years,” said David Martin, the council member proposing the change.
A June 23 public hearing was also set for a review of the Caribou Code Chapter 5 Fire Prevention.
The council approved increased appropriations for the upkeep of city cemeteries after some failed motions and considerable discussion.
Last month, the Evergreen Cemetery Association had asked for an increase, but the request was tabled. During the May 27 meeting, both the Evergreen and the Lyndon Cemetery associations submitted funding requests of $4,500 and $300 respectively. Previously, Evergreen received $1,500 annually from the city and Lyndon received $150.
In the initial motion, Councilor Bob Albert proposed giving Evergreen $3,000 with the intent to raise the amount to $4,500 next year. However, the motion was retracted after Councilor David Martin said that a motion shouldn’t dictate what happens in the next budget year.
A second motion by another council member, Karla Bell, for $4,500 died for the lack of a second. Martin proposed that Evergreen be given $3,001 and Lyndon $300. That motion was approved.
The council voted to purchase a new backhoe from Chadwick BaRoss of Caribou at a cost of $75,113 after the trade-in value was considered. Councilor Mark Goughan voted against the purchase citing the need for more “scrutiny” for such acquisitions.
“I’m voting against any new equipment purchases,” Goughan said.
Trombley Industries of Limestone were awarded bids for bituminous concrete for several street projects.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 9. At that time the city’s school department budget will be considered.
