[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6226768,"mediaKeyId","3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e","parentId",3503893,"title","City and school plan track replacement; fundraising, consultant work and July financing request expected","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",1324000,"endMs",1429000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e&start=1324&end=1429","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e/thumbnail_1324000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226768/Maine/City-and-school-plan-track-replacement-fundraising-consultant-work-and-July-financing-request-expected","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226768-97ecc3f314f75138a21066bd9d655e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826499&Signature=XSo7Tb8o4Iu2Un5coMhffcbeXuApJALTePTzBjKe2ahc7HB18Edl1UWIh2IStedI-Ro32XKWScVdsNTRgj8YC4bENmIuptLRIqmZvUkuQhzmJYyXwu59h15OLpGE5~6d4NNnQi6-289ldjG3dU5ytkzzegT7VE~Y6RlqqzMwSmCVfN9QZsToV7-BoKxvNy8SnSmAezMTzJAW4Ukwpq5i~9NJK7qcLZnB4QAvl8R~Eq9eXf2WnUEXBwsgXGDH2DGD0oIN0HP5VYCzXK6D6S0YY0qWBvz16OzKR1AqVK4XQEvd68uz9azGlTQfh0mh7C318dV0QfXVvftKxMfQZWVnsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-25T08:43:51.84Z","article","City staff said the school and city plan to present a preliminary plan for replacing the school track and related improvements, with an eye to beginning construction early next summer after graduation.

The staff member described a timeline: an initial PowerPoint presentation to the Finance Committee in mid‑June, followed by a request for additional authority at the July meeting to start initial funding and to hire a firm to produce project plans. “We’re penciling in a spring…early summer, basically. As soon as graduation ends next year, that they'd be, you know, tearing up the old track, putting in the new track,” the staff member said.

Staff discussed fundraising strategies intended to reduce taxpayer impact, including formation of a finance/fundraising committee, pursuit of naming or branding rights, and possibly hiring an external fundraising consultant to coordinate large gifts and campaign planning. The initial contractor estimates will be presented to the committee in June to inform the July funding request.

No formal city council vote was taken at this meeting; staff said they will return with a more detailed presentation in June and a formal request in July.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee Meeting - May 23rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff said the city and school plan to return to the Finance Committee with an initial presentation on track replacement in June and to request authority for city contribution at the July meeting; fundraising and potential hiring of a fundraising consultant were discussed.","taxTitle","Finance Committee, Ellsworth, Hancock, Maine","taxId",70091,"location","Maine","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6226771,"Council hears debate over TIF plan, possible uses for funds including library tech and sidewalks",1031,1536000,2567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e&start=1536&end=2567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e/thumbnail_1536000.jpg","/articles/6226771/Maine/Council-hears-debate-over-TIF-plan-possible-uses-for-funds-including-library-tech-and-sidewalks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226771-7e6a3315faaad8df263a7c321a17e142/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826499&Signature=EWfgNuZwrzN~s5ManuJ0h~BVJLoWbK5RXXjCMvxWojOpvgrfo3NcdbkenZuL7EQ7VLWBLffpYHHQy1yWSzzoVfYBDif96Fzq45ARCPwzUFziXZLdsEfLZmG1I6THu2LaOXV~UoHPah~Yp10miEkYLyMpaNoZiqdjjWpzAfwPl-xGOLAcbU0xUFM8ziTITDSLy1g8CeW1mZkgA0jNhEsRPikzRe-Stp25DfpEQqFqpfvRDQfkhHjMGvkag0a-5tJawduXsATvWCcOgWbhmP6btTu3OPlcaBzVM1wc9malfQoopdnUXzLHbLLLjl4R7Ka~SylirlyqpH2un9Uh~sDrUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and several speakers discussed the structure and allowable uses of the city's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan and whether available funds can be redirected to projects such as library technology upgrades, sidewalk repairs and capital equipment.

Sarah Lehi, who identified herself as library staff, asked if surplus TIF funds could support the library’s remote workspace and tech lab. Staff replied that the current TIF plan is specific about allowable uses and that under the existing design the library project would likely not qualify without editing the plan or establishing a downtown TIF district with an explicit match mechanism. “I don't think our current one does it, but we could also include that, like, in an investment in the Downtown TIF Portage District,” the staff member said.

Staff and council members discussed that TIF accounts are capital funds intended to support specific projects, that funds are generally planned forward rather than treated as an annual surplus, and that using TIF monies to reduce general property tax obligations is restricted under the current plan. Staff also noted a recent debt-service drop that is creating roughly $400,000 in available TIF balances and said a consultant will be asked to analyze priorities and possible district redesigns.

Public commenters and at least one speaker urged eliminating the TIF and moving proceeds to the general fund; staff and other council members replied that eliminating TIF districts would affect revenue sharing and the city’s ability to finance targeted capital projects and that the consultant will assess accounting and policy implications. The staff member said the TIF plan already allows for some grant match uses and that the planned TIF consultant would provide public and council conversations about reallocation options and potential new TIF districts tied to economic development priorities.

Staff described the next steps: engage a consultant (already approved in a prior cycle for grants consolidation), conduct a public process to update TIF priorities, and provide analyses showing the consequences of reassigning or eliminating TIF districts for general fund revenues and revenue-sharing impacts.","Staff and community members discussed the city's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan, whether available TIF funds can be used for library technology or sidewalks, and plans to retain a TIF consultant to update district priorities and allowable uses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6226777,"City details Q1 spending and land purchases for courthouse relocation; contracts signed, closing targeted in June",174,815000,989000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e&start=815&end=989","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6226777/Maine/City-details-Q1-spending-and-land-purchases-for-courthouse-relocation-contracts-signed-closing-targeted-in-June","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226777-620199c085af17fdf117c2f290ce47e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826499&Signature=Upf5DTO6~4Qpfz4RAWtT8tOHNvYNc-zfKjY5iBoGV4weAB-OEWmE-IAWx0hRbRPOeQxGGbnm-5NfPuviJ4PpCruhtfr0XPlbCcqFjiCwQcGLVDbpFleFlWuDCFuvckm-q-WKzX6fFVpeqHFN66rrodDJeK5n1m5K4R5Rz-U6fJomgb-Qmn3Dg6tZMS9X1m728bRRULiDQDumDF3w4d2eOzbtw8EiusJp4SBQ8aXRtrc-i5XjGoIK8Gbg2P~vfJFhItsGxh4gYQy2cBE0Y38r6pZ4CCplu1OPkCyddYo2Tvq7UoFUMMgG~kaoGZ4p8xrvX-JiSdL8D88sRnWjrqI2Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff provided a quarterly update on pre‑site work and finances for the courthouse relocation and said contracts for road purchases have been signed and are scheduled to close in mid‑June.

Staff said the Q1 report covered surveying, engineering, environmental engineering and legal work performed through March 31. The staff member noted council had previously approved approximately $90,000 for final engineering and $21,000 for surveying, and that council also approved up to $215,000 for purchase of roads related to the project.

“I've recently have signed contracts from the Merrill and Adams, individuals, to move forward,” the staff member said, and added that the purchase-and-sale agreements were set with a target closing date of June 13. Staff said the state now has pieces needed to close the Wardwell land swap related to the project.

Staff provided an initial planning cost estimate tied to prior engineering work and said a full update with refined cost estimates will follow once final road layouts and meet-and-bounds are complete. An earlier engineering estimate tied to the original design was cited as up to $1,500,000 for the road work if completed in full; staff said some construction elements would be reduced under the current plan, which shifts work to the Merrill Lane extension.

Staff said DEP submissions are being prepared and that construction mobilization is expected late fall or early winter, with the state's courthouse groundbreaking targeted for roughly February of the following year. No new council vote was recorded in this meeting; staff said they will issue a fuller Q2 spending and mobilization update after closings and final designs are confirmed.","Staff provided a Q1 accounting of pre‑site expenses for the courthouse relocation, said contracts were signed with two property owners and that targeted closing dates and DEP submission follow as project next steps; staff cited prior council approvals for surveying and engineering.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6226781,"City outlines new fix‑it ticket system and road assessment as pothole season peaks",202,262000,464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e&start=262&end=464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e/thumbnail_262000.jpg","/articles/6226781/Maine/City-outlines-new-fixit-ticket-system-and-road-assessment-as-pothole-season-peaks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226781-96f2fb093173bfdc83bd8d6597d075a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826499&Signature=XwBfZphMGd6yUMBmUebeeURKlCcuYFU6G~L2huweFMx8zVpG0aN22XpBXttwVQX6vWvmfkkJl9UP5XKDMJoF5B055b3QOnKUDfWY3~ar7dyWG5hvOuX-2MU4DURtRNc22Y3gr6L386usgtONKzP6nutIzUIW59uuUH667DQBvOwiD~mBjqDpqxUIqkADb~6WS8uL9OphVzd0jyuQ4zLly3avCswi0qjWGHauolFhjfLJR5YryzKtWOvA4HZueuRGlfbBxz5Vuyqq0BhNUoP2T49Ei33FW6OYYbMfmMcf8V2hKb7u5g-sLOLlX96leLrWCkbaA0jn37i8UmSm9N9oQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Finance Committee that spring rains and recent state road milling work have produced a spike in potholes and that the city will deploy new tools and assessments to improve responsiveness.

“We've got a new fix it ticket system we're gonna start deploying hopefully in early June,” the staff member said, adding the system will accept texted photos and provide alerts to residents. The staff member described plans for a LIDAR-based vehicle to survey road conditions and said the city’s highway crew is already responding to reported defects when possible.

Staff acknowledged limits on real‑time knowledge of every road segment and highlighted that some of the damaged sections are part of state projects. The staff member cited the state’s defects law when explaining liability for repairs and said if a defect is reported and the city does not repair it within 24 hours, the city could be liable for resulting damage; if the defect is not reported previously, staff said the city will fix it but cannot cover private repair costs automatically.

Specific roads discussed include Beachland Road (concerns about surface loss on lower sections) and Bayside Road (a state road where staff said the city is discussing options with the state and may request the state to fast-track repairs). The staff member said the city has been investing in paving projects and that recent major repaving, such as Bucksport Road, shows improved conditions after full reconstruction.

Staff estimated capital road planning quantities during the discussion: references included “1,600,000 in city roads” and a possible additional “up to nearly 10,000,000” in related projects for planning purposes; staff characterized those as planning estimates tied to upcoming projects. The staff member said longer-term solutions require additional paving cycles and noted seasonal constraints that compress construction activity in spring and summer.

No formal council vote occurred on new policy in this meeting; staff asked for continued direction and said it will bring forward road condition assessments and improvements as projects progress.","City staff described recurring pothole damage after spring rains, plans for a new fix‑it ticket system with text/photo reporting, LIDAR road condition assessment and expectations that large road projects will improve conditions next year.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6226786,"City to install eight paid EV chargers at City Hall, reserve two for city vehicles",0,208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e&start=208&end=208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3503893-a95d668fe40c2a512eab2f5a19a3b61e/thumbnail_208000.jpg","/articles/6226786/Maine/City-to-install-eight-paid-EV-chargers-at-City-Hall-reserve-two-for-city-vehicles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226786-ef54caeaa5c350a51721f715e896eb7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770826499&Signature=nLn3rgt8bkewK7HL131~5lF3yTY0yc47sYJeaPkKRkP9Tqrm0qi1-0ZgNsL6w~sBRdXJ6Mc8C-TEwJ12F7VbQO81ePh6eIAICycvCF0ULVvV3zj6ySFgaxY6v0bI-zMHnviMu86z~3wPMNSczSGP9UXq9mj~5n5h9BJejFaaHg~fm8-uLG3dkyMfbXIjLuhlAqCp6-9m~mfx2gWJL0LvBV040OEoBPgqYI6IuD5j95gccfVM21Bn~TKCmJq7iEnar9Y5kQk~IbTOiu8ZBL74vLy-UC8LFM6YTcQBsQAvmzCEOq6-qD8GSkLh2swmUKVt9GdPG6USPZoK~1cqxZZlCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported that federal and state grant funding secured last fall remains available and that the city will install eight new electric vehicle chargers at City Hall in early June.

The decision follows prior council approval of the project. “That money is still available for the state of Maine,” the staff member said, adding that installation is lining up with Versant Power, Revision and the public works team and is expected around June 10. The chargers will accept credit-card payments; staff said the city plans to set a market rate of about $0.36 per kilowatt-hour and will monitor usage.

The staff member said two charging spaces will be reserved overnight for the two city electric vehicles that will be parked at City Hall and monitored for use. The staff member also said the city will limit continued operation of existing free public chargers once the new paid chargers are online and will issue a press release before the change. “Two of those spots will be reserved for the two city EV that we have,” the staff member said.

Staff estimated annual electricity costs for the old free chargers at roughly $7,000–$8,000 and said donations collected to date do not cover that cost. The staff member said the new pay stations should offset that cost and could allow the city to recoup chargers’ operating expenses within about a year even with modest use. The staff member also noted potential future additions of chargers at other sites such as Harbor Park.

No new formal council motion or vote occurred during this meeting; staff said the council previously approved the project last fall and that staff would proceed with contract coordination and a press release once installation dates are definitive.

Implementation steps and next reporting: staff said they will report back to the council on charger revenues and monitor usage of the city vehicles and public spaces. The staff member also said two existing free chargers on Franklin Street would be removed when the new chargers are operational.","City staff said federal and state grant funding remains secured and that eight new pay-to-charge stations will be installed at City Hall in early June, with two spaces reserved for city vehicles and a planned rate of about $0.36 per kWh.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City and school plan track replacement; fundraising, consultant work and July financing request expected

Council hears debate over TIF plan, possible uses for funds including library tech and sidewalks

City details Q1 spending and land purchases for courthouse relocation; contracts signed, closing targeted in June

City outlines new fix‑it ticket system and road assessment as pothole season peaks

City to install eight paid EV chargers at City Hall, reserve two for city vehicles