BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will meet Tuesday, June 3, for its regularly scheduled meeting, to address an agenda that includes the appointment of two new City employees, a letter to lower the speed limit on Swan Lake Ave, and an election reminder. 

The first agenda item featured on City Manager Erin Herbig’s pre-meeting report, is a request to appoint Steven Weed, of Lamoine, as City Assessor for Belfast, a position that received five applications when posted April 26. First round interviews were held May 13, with three of the candidates progressing to second interviews, after which the City Assessor Hiring Committee unanimously selected Weed as the final candidate. 

Weed reportedly grew up in Lincolnville and has reportedly worked with a number of municipalities, including Lincolnville, Hope, Islesboro, Vinalhaven, Owls Head, and Thomaston. Weed has also been a certified assessor since 1997. 

The position of city assessor is responsible for determining the valuation of all exempt, taxable, real and personal property in the municipality. This includes the gathering of information via inspection, research and review of records. 

Following Weed’s probable appointment, there is a request for the Council to appoint Anne Saggese, of Belfast, as the transfer station manager at the Belfast Transfer Station. The position was first advertised April 17, with ten applications for the position received. Out of those, three well qualified candidates were selected for initial interviews, and the hiring committee ultimately unanimously selected Saggese as the final candidate. 

Saggasse has reportedly been working at the transfer station on a part time basis since February. It is noted that although the line of work may be new to Saggese, “she is a staple within the community and brings with her to this position an ability to establish procedures and routines, an aptitude for ensuring the safety of all staff and citizens, and a special quality of continuing the tradition of the transfer station being a community hub while balancing the daily operations and needs of the facility.”

Additional details about the position are available to view in Herbig’s full pre-meeting report. 

There will be an update on the restoration of the former Belfast Opera House given by Project Manager Earl MacKenzie. The Hayford Block Property, which also includes the former opera house, sits on the corner of Church Street and Beaver Street. It was purchased by Alex and Kendra Brigham in 2023. 

City Councilor Neal Harkness requested an update, and MacKenzie will attend the meeting to answer any questions. 

Councilors will hear a request for approval of a draft letter to the Maine Department of Transportation with regard to lowering the speed limit on Swan Lake Ave. The issue was reportedly broached during the public comment portion of the Feb. 4, regular council meeting by Belfast resident Leigh Dorsey. Following Dorsey’s request, Councilor Harkness asked the City staff to install speed radar to gather data for a potential letter to the MDOT. The letter would be sent before reconstruction work for Swan Lake Ave begins in the spring and summer months. 

The speed data was reviewed by Belfast Police Chief Bobby Cormier and Officer Ethan Fitzjurls at the May 20, regular council meeting, in an effort to help inform the Council’s decision. Ultimately there was unanimous agreement to submit a letter to the MDOT requesting further review of this local speed limit and recommended a reduced speed limit on the road.

In Maine, speed limits are set by the MDOT, regardless of whether the road is state or municipal, and reportedly follows the national rule for setting speed limits. 

In the signing of the Council Orders, Herbig reminded Belfast residents about the quickly approaching June election, which will be held Tuesday, June 10, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting takes place at the Tarratine Tribe Hall, located at 153 Main Street in Belfast. 

There is also a reminder that at the Feb. 4 regular council meeting, the majority of the City Council approved a motion to combine Ward 1-5 polls to a single polling location. All elections will now be held at the Tarratine Tribe Hall. 

The upcoming election features two ballots: the 2025 RSU #71 Budget Validation Referendum, and an additional RSU #71 referendum regarding the purchase of land. 

June election sample ballots and absentee voting are available to review on the City website. 

Herbig’s full pre-meeting report and supporting materials are also available to review on the City’s website. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com