Voters to decide on bond issues with local project funds

Maine voters will be asked to vote on June 12 to approve a $113 million transportation bond and a bond for drinking water programs and wastewater facility projects.

Under the transportation bond, $100 million would be earmarked for highway and bridge projects. The $100 million investment would leverage $161 million in matching federal funds and $15 million in local funds. This funding would be applied to highway and bridge projects statewide, including substantial projects like the Gorham Village Bypass, mobility improvements through I-295 in Portland/South Portland, I-95 through Bangor. A smaller amount, $6.7 million, would be for environmental initiatives, including hazardous waste site clean-up and fish hatchery upgrades.

In addition to $100 million for highways, Question 1 also includes $3.85 million for passenger and freight rail improvements; $1.775 million for port and ferry improvements; $3.65 million for transit and intermodal improvements; $3.2 million for aviation improvements; and $500,000 for trails and pedestrian improvements. Washington County projects include road improvements on Route 190 in Eastport and road improvements and maintenance paving in Dennysville/Edmunds and Marion, East Machias, Perry, Robbinston and Pembroke as well as other Washington County communities.

Aviation improvements would include funding for a security fence at the Eastport Municipal Airport and construction of a fuel facility at the airport, along with apron expansion at the Princeton airport.

The June transportation bond issue is part of a three-part package. In November, voters will consider funding for research and economic development and support for the Maine Technology Institute. Finally, voters in June 2008 would decide on the final part of the overall package worth $29.7 million. The June 2008 vote is for a proposed package that would provide about $3.6 million toward passenger and freight rail improvements.

The second question on the June 12 ballot asks, "Do you favor a bond issue to support drinking water programs and to support wastewater facility projects?" State construction grant funds and State Revolving Fund loans would likely be used for a number of projects throughout the state. State grants may match Rural Development funds, Community Development Block Grants or State Revolving loans that would be necessary to complete the projects.

There are several likely candidates in Washington County to receive this funding, but no final decisions have been made.

In Machias, $2 million might be used to make improvements to the Machias wastewater collection and treatment system by eliminating combined sewer overflows and improving wastewater effluent quality. Recent deterioration of water quality below the treatment plant has led to closure of clam flats in the Machias River, putting more than 80 clammers in Machiasport out of work. Fixing this problem will improve the water quality significantly and lead to re-opening the clam flats.

In Calais, $1 million could be used to match Rural Development and other funds to design and construct one phase of a major pump station and treatment plant upgrade project to stop discharging raw or inadequately treated wastewater to the St. Croix River. Total cost for the entire project is $16 million. With $1 million in state grant, Rural Development has a better chance to secure matching funds for this phase.

At Indian Township, $1.75 million could partially fund a proposed pump station and force main at Indian Township. Currently the school and residences are experiencing exposure issues from a malfunctioning cluster septic system at Peter Dana Point.

In Baileyville, $1.1 million could be used for sewer repairs to remove excess groundwater and rain water from the sewer system.