Calais set to pursue purchase of armory

After a few years of rumors and waiting, the City of Calais was recently notified by the Maine Army National Guard that the state has decided to sell the Calais Armory. According to City Manager Mike Ellis, the city's goal is to move the staff from the current Church Street city building, the police department and the recreation department into the main armory building, which is situated across from the sports fields on Calais Avenue.

While the relocation of the recreation department would be fairly straight forward, there would be a need for significant renovation work to make the space practical for the various offices and public access. Any move would also require the purchase of new furnishings, as many of the existing furniture is old and getting fragile and most furnishings are not ergonomic.

Future moves could also include relocating the fire department into the large outbuilding, where renovations would include creating an appropriate day room/training room and dormitory. Relocating the city's public works department would require the construction of an additional building.

Ellis says the appraised value of the armory is around $575,000; however, the actual price and purchase timeline will not be known until the city receives the draft purchase and sale agreement.

At the April 23 city council meeting, Councillor Michael Sherrard, chair of the city finance committee, reported that he has reached out to U.S. Senator Susan Collins to investigate potential funding options. Sherrard says he was told "there might be money available for us." He also noted it may be a possible to receive an earmark via Congressionally Directed Spending; however, that would take about 18 months, which may not fit the necessary timeline.

Finance Director Crystal Gallina provided information concerning other financing options, including the Maine Bond Bank, bank financing and federal loan and grant programs such as the USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program.

Following a discussion, the council decided to table action until the purchase details and timeline are received from the state, with a priority to purchase the property, while including the cost to hire an architect to develop the renovation plans and pursuing follow‑on financing for the actual renovations.

Other business

In other action at the April 23 meeting, the council approved advertising to fill two retirements in the public works department -- Public Works Director Robert Seelye after 42 years with the city and foreman David Townsend after 38 years with the city. Both retirements will be effective in July.

Fire Chief Bill Lee reported that Captain Brandon Ireland has resigned as a full-time firefighter. Councillor Edward Moreside moved to table action until the new budget development gets under way, with a second by Sherrard. Councillor Peter Foster joined in voting for the motion, while Mayor Marcia Rogers and councillors Elery Beale and William Quinn voted against the motion. With councillor James Macdonald absent, the motion failed due to the tie vote, and the matter was tabled until the next meeting.

The council also received information concerning the requirements of the new Maine Paid Family Medical Leave and Maine Earned Paid Leave laws. It's anticipated there will be increased employee absences due to the paid leave laws of up to 12 weeks every 12 months, which could result in increased overtime and part-time costs. There will also be a need for an improved leave tracking system to ensure that pay is not duplicated between the city's regular leave program and the new programs. Staff are working on developing and modifying existing policies and procedures to ensure that the information on the various leaves is tracked and monitored as well as reported to the state when necessary.