BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will hold its regularly scheduled public meeting Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. and address an agenda that includes a discussion of a possible city-wide indoor mask mandate, among other topics. 

The first two items listed on the agenda are requests for the Council to confirm two new additions to the Belfast Fire and Ambulance Department. The first, Drew Long, has been selected to become a full-time firefighter/emergency medical technician for the Belfast Fire and Ambulance Department. Long is a Maine State certified firefighter and an advanced emergency medical technician, according to Belfast City Manager Erin Herbig’s report; he is scheduled to begin work with the City of Belfast on Jan. 20. 

The second potential addition to the team, Mark Cote, is expected to become a volunteer with BFAD.

Cote is a recently retired professor, who taught at Maine Maritime Academy, and is also a state-licensed EMT-basic. According to the report Cote has expressed an interest in filling vacant EMS Saturday shifts, which have reportedly been the most difficult for BFAD to fill. 

Belfast Fire Chief Patrick Richards is also seeking to spend up to $6,250 for basic emergency medical training for five students, at $1,250 for each student.

The training is a one-semester program “in which the students will participate in a hybrid learning program that will include class by zoom, in-person instruction, hands-on practical workshops, and clinical time in the medical field under the supervision of other medical providers.”

The course is scheduled to run from February through May. Upon completion of the course, the students will be prepared at the end of the program to take the National Registry of EMT cognitive test and basic EMT practical test.

Following this test, the five EMTS will be ready to go work on an ambulance here in the City of Belfast, according to Richards. 

A discussion about substantial housing concerns and property maintenance issues is also listed on the agenda. It is noted that at this time City Code Enforcement Officer Steve Wilson is working with over 16 vacant builds in poor to very poor condition. The purpose of the discussion will be city staff collaborating with the Council to “develop workable solutions on these issues,” according to the manager’s report. 

Councilor Mike Hurley has requested that the Council have a discussion about Council budget priorities. Hurley made the request at the Jan. 4 Council meeting.

The Council will also discuss whether or not to implement a city-wide indoor mask mandate. It is noted that Councilor Bonneville has requested a discussion regarding the issue due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in our region.

According to the report, both the City of Portland and the City of Brunswick have recently passed such mandates. The City of Lewiston recently enacted a proclamation “urging their community to get vaccinated, get their booster shots, and wear a mask indoors amid a surge of Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.” Lewiston did not mandate masks, instead choosing to “encourage” residents to wear one. 

Belfast City Attorney Kristin Collins will be available at the meeting to answer any questions the Council might have with regard to implementing such a mandate. 

A request to place small, public-use sand and or salt buckets around the downtown area will be heard at the meeting.

The recommendation for the additions was made by Councilor Hurley as a method for citizens and visitors to spread sand or salt in areas they feel are dangerous.

According to the report, Hurley has spoken with Belfast Public Works Director Bob Richards, who indicated that the project could be accomplished within the existing budget and resources. It is expected that if the measure is approved, City staff will most likely receive requests for more barrels in more locations, and the Council will also discuss how city staff should handle these requests, should the proposal be approved.

It is further proposed that the funds to pay for the barrels and salt/sand be taken from a $409.78 bonus payment the City of Belfast has received from the State of Maine American Rescue Plan Funding.

“Some cities in Maine declined their ARPA funds and the State reallocated these funds to the rest of the participating entities. This is not another installment, rather an added bonus from funds left-over.”

Belfast City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are conducted online using Zoom and 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 Jan. 18 meeting. Comments will be presented to the Council.

An oral comment can also be submitted during the meeting via Zoom webinar. Information for this method can be found on the City website.

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

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com