Council approves additional officer, $5.1 million budget

The Eastport City Council approved a $5.1 million budget at its June 11 meeting, with an expected local tax rate of 19.9 mills, after restoring a fifth full-time police officer for a six-month period. When mock tax bills were sent out in March, following a city-wide revaluation of property, the mill rate was estimated at 19.5. The revaluation will increase the local taxes on about a third of the properties in the city, while about a third will see a decrease and a third will remain the same.

During the hearing on the budget, councillors heard about problems downtown from a number of business owners and residents. Pat Lindau, who with her husband Morgan owns two downtown buildings with businesses, told the councillors about the loud noise and vulgar language downtown that doesn't end until about 2 a.m. Customers are cautious about coming into her storefront, and people are hesitant to walk on the seawall walkway, she said. Lora Whelan noted the tremendous investment that has been made in the downtown and pointed out that the cost for insurance on windows downtown becomes onerous if they are being broken. The use of pellet guns, the vulgar language and the trash do not make for "a friendly environment for people." Eleanor Norton told the councillors that at Quoddy Crafts it cost $730, or 12% of the shop's income, to replace a window that had been broken by a pellet gun. Along with customers who don't come into the store, some of the workers are afraid to come into work. "Frankly, guys, I'm getting discouraged," she told the councillors. "I'm offended for me and I'm offended for all of you."

Police Chief Matt Vinson said problems developed this year because the fifth full-time officer was eliminated in budget cuts two years ago. He told the councillors that some parents drive their children downtown and drop them off around 8:30 at night and then come back and pick them up at 2 in the morning. The police have closed Overlook Park at 6 p.m. on their own.

Councillor Larkin McGarvey commented that the addition of the officer would be "a wise expenditure" in gaining control over problems downtown. In passing the budget, the councillors approved adding $16,800 to the police budget for hiring an officer for a six-month period from May through October.

In other budget expenditures, the city manager recommended that the $3.3 million education budget, which is 65% of the total budget, be passed as presented. The amount to be raised from local taxes for education is up $25,843, or 3%. In other increases, Finch noted that the solid waste budget amount is up $20,000 because of increased tipping fees at the Marion Transfer Station, the first increase in 10 years.

Finch stated that the city is at least $100,000 short of the amount needed to meet the "wants and needs of the community." Along with reducing the police department by an officer two years ago, cuts have been made in the four-person public works department, which is now down to one full-time and two part-time personnel.

For property taxpayers, he did point out that the legislature is considering, as part of a tax reform proposal, a doubling of the homestead property tax exemption, from $13,000 to $26,000.

Along with approving the $5.1 million municipal and education budget, the council also approved the $287,989 sewer department budget, which is funded through sewer usage fees, and the $111,300 economic development budget, which is funded through revenues generated by users of city-owned facilities, including the Eastport Business Development Center and the Boat School. Finch said that in a few months a group, including the budget committee, will meet to consider the municipal budget for next year, after there is a better understanding of what will be happening with the state and education budgets, with the school regionalization plan.

Other action
The city manager and councillors debated whether to purchase a four-wheel-drive SUV or a Ford Crown Victoria for the police department, with Finch stating that an SUV should only be used as a secondary vehicle. He agreed to provide information and prices about both and to poll councillors next week on which to buy.

Code Enforcement Officer Robert Scott reported that he had spoken with Charlie Curtis about cleaning up his salvage yard in Quoddy Village, and Curtis is planning to move it out of town.

Finch reported that he had met with representatives from the offices of Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and with Rep. Michael Michaud to discuss the city's concerns about the Quoddy Bay LNG proposal for Split Rock. A letter is also being prepared to be sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about the council's safety concerns.

Peter Small was appointed an alternate member of the planning board, and Jean Wilhelm's resignation from the zoning board of appeals was accepted. The council set a public hearing for Monday, July 9, on a proposal for an addition to the zoning ordinance concerning public artwork.

Councillors declined a bid of $25,000 for tax-acquired property at 3 Middle St. and decided to readvertise it with the same minimum bid requirement of $35,000.

A one-time liquor license was granted to the Eastport Arts Center for the Moose Island Follies, a liquor license was granted for Nancy Bishop dba Halie & Matthew, and a special entertainment license was approved for Hilda and Sidney Lewis dba The Blue Iris.