New year to ring in new city leadership

At a special Eastport City Council meeting held on Tuesday, December 11, the council voted to hire Ross Argir as the new city manager. Argir is an attorney who has been working with Pine Tree Legal Assistance. He and his wife live in Eastport.
Council President Gilbert Murphy confirmed at the end of the regularly scheduled council meeting held on Wednesday, December 12, that a contract for hiring Argir had been drawn up that day.
Argir will replace Elaine Abbott when she finishes out her term in March 2019. Abbott had tendered her resignation in September, giving six months' notice.

Rail walking trail proposal goes ahead
Maine Coast Heritage Trust was given the green light to pursue the purchase of two parcels and an easement of a third that would then be donated to the city in order to create a non‑motorized recreation trail on the former railroad bed going from Middle to Key streets. MCHT staff member Jacob van de Sande was present to explain the project and answer questions. About 10 people spoke in support of the proposal.
MCHT would do all the legwork of getting appraisals, finding the funds for purchase, negotiating contracts and then would convey the deeds to the city. While the city would be responsible for creating and maintaining the trail and any signage, van de Sande said that he felt there would be no problem finding grant funds to help with that part of the costs. He doubted the city would bear any cost for that part of the work. However, the city would lose about $2,000 in property taxes per year, and assessor Robert Scott pointed out that with over 30% of the city's acreage being nontaxable, it creates more pressure on taxpayers. Councillor Scott Emery and one audience member also stressed the loss of taxes as a concern.
Others in the audience and councillors Mary Repole, Murphy and Hailley Bradbury felt that the trail would be a valuable asset. Meg Keay, former director of the Eastport Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke on behalf of Washington County Council of Governments and Eastport Healthy Main Streets and their support of the proposal. It's "a golden moment," she said. "It's a small part of a big pie," she added, explaining that a much larger trail network both for walking and bicycling exists and is being developed along the East Coast.
Eastport Healthcare CEO Holly Gartmayer DeYoung also spoke in favor, wearing two hats, that of the healthcare organization and the Healthy Main Streets program. "A place that is safe for walking would be an asset." She also noted that some years ago when she worked at the Harrington Family Health Center, she had worked on the grant for the walking track. The track, which had been intended for seasonal use, is used year‑round and is a tremendous asset to the area's community.
Incoming Councillor Jeanne Peacock stressed how valuable the trail would be for children to use to access the tennis courts, ballpark and youth center. "It's much safer than the streets."
Others who spoke in support were Pat Christopher of the 70‑member Pathfinders walking group, business owners Meg McGarvey and Rafi Hopkins, Eastport Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Ross Argir, committee member Jana Sutherland and others. Hopkins pointed out the obvious advantage of having such an asset in attracting young families, something the city "desperately needs." He added, "I think of it as an investment."
When the vote was taken, councillors Rocky Archer and Emery were opposed with Murphy, Repole and Bradbury in favor. Van de Sande expects that it will take a little over a year to get the project to the point where it can be conveyed to the city.
Business gets zoning change
A barbecue business that owns three contiguous lots in Quoddy Village had its request to have the parcels changed from R2 to B2. The change means that it can now run its business where the owners had originally meant to set up shop. When the business had bought the property the owners had been told that they could use it for business purposes but then found that the zoning would not allow for it. They set up shop temporarily on nearby B2 land. The planning board unanimously approved the zoning change recommendation and the council agreed. The parcels are abutted on two sides by B2 zoning. Murphy said the property had always had businesses on it.

Police to get new tasers
Eastport Police Chief Mike Donahe's request for four new tasers and two body cameras was approved. The tasers will be paid for over a five‑year contract and will include updating capabilities among other improvements over the old models. While the tasers have a life of about five years, Donahe said that after the five years is over, if needed, the tasers can be returned for a trade‑in discount towards new purchases.
"It's very important that we have these," he told the council. "Without them we're endangering ourselves." He explained that a taser is a tool that lies between pepper spray and a firearm, and that it is used to obtain voluntary compliance in a wide range of situations, including suicide, domestic violence and more.
Resident Kendall Zeigler was not convinced of the need, citing recent reports on the deaths that can occur from tasering. "It's not clear that tasers are safe." She also questioned the amount to be spent and that it had not been included in the budget, which she had worked on as a budget committee member. Donahe told the council that there is money in his department's budget for the purchase of $8,950 spread over five years, and the $1,800 one‑time cost of two body cameras. The council agreed and voted unanimously in favor of the request.