BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will hold its regularly scheduled public meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. and address an agenda that includes appointing two new Belfast Police officers, the city’s general assistance ordinance, tree removal, and a possible skating competition at Eric Overlock Skate Park, among other topics. 

The first agenda item on Belfast City Manager Erin Herbig’s report is a request from Belfast Police Chief Bobby Cormier to confirm a new full time police officer, Gabriel Jones. Jones is currently a full time police officer in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he was raised. After graduating from the University of Miami, Jones decided to move into law enforcement and graduated from the police academy in 2021.

Chief Cormier is also requesting that the Council confirm Kevin Littlefield as a full time officer for Belfast Police.

Littlefield, who is currently a full time officer for Camden Police Dept, has been an officer in Maine for approximately 13 years. He graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 2010 and is a certified field training officer, accident re-constructionist, ALICE and ALERRT instructor, and a crime scene investigator, according to Cormier.

ALICE training refers to an active shooter response, while ALERRT refers to advanced law enforcement rapid response training. Littlefield has formal training in crisis intervention and leadership development for first-line supervisors. 

In addition to working as a full time Camden officer, Littlefield volunteers with the Northport Fire Department, where he serves as lieutenant. 

Belfast Police will also add a part time officer, Justin Barnes, to the roster, following his confirmation Tuesday’s meeting.

The confirmation of a new full time library assistant for Belfast Free Library is also featured on the agenda. Crystal Vaccaro earned her a bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College and has past teaching experience. 

There will be a discussion regarding the authorization to implement a 2022-2023 winter curbside program, which was implemented May 19, 2020. Curbside Belfast has allowed local restaurants to use the city spaces in front of their respective business. It is noted in the agenda that the City has received positive feedback for the program from both business owners and citizens.

City staff have received a request for the program to be extended from one restaurant and are looking to the Council regarding any modifications to the program that may be needed going into the winter season. 

If approved by the Council, current Curbside Belfast permits would not be carried over from the summer season unless a new application is provided by the establishment, and each application will be reviewed by the appropriate City departments before the permit will be issued. 

There will be a presentation on the 2022-2023 General Assistance Ordinance and State derived maximum benefits for General Assistance requests, in addition to a public hearing on proposed amendments.

The removal of multiple City trees is another agenda items, with the following locations and reasons listed:

• 16 Cottage Street: Homeowner requests removal. Limbs keep falling off, owner concerned for home. Tree has been previously trimmed multiple times.
• 10 Mayo Street: Homeowner requests removal. Section broke off last storm, rot in bottom of the tree. Tree has been trimmed before.
• Corner of Spring/Cedar Street: 10 Mayo Street: Homeowner requests removal. Roots keeps getting into sewer service causing problems. 
• 38 Spring Street (two trees): Homeowner requests removal of two trees.
• Corner of Primrose/High Street: Homeowner requests removal. A large section broke off during the last storm. 
• 103 Cedar Street: This tree is dead. 

A request that the Council approve a new facility use request from the Skate Park Committee to host a skating competition at the Overlock Skate Park on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 1-4 p.m.

According to the request, the event is to help raise awareness and to kick off fundraising efforts for future improvements. There will be a skating competition, followed by music at the Boathouse from 6-10 p.m.

The agenda concludes with information regarding the upcoming election, which takes place Nov. 8. 

For more information and a complete agenda, the official agenda is available to view.

Belfast City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings can be streamed on the City of Belfast website. They also air live on BEL TV and on Belfast Community Radio at WBFY 100.9. 

Comments can also be submitted by emailing the Council during the meeting. Comments will be presented to the Council.

Information and documents related to this meeting are available on the City’s website. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com