BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will meet Tuesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. for its regularly scheduled meeting. Some of agenda items on City Manager Erin Herbig's pre-meeting report include improving Post Office Square garden, Freedom of Access Act Training, permit requests, and facility usage requests, among other topics. 

The Belfast Garden Club has requested to partner with the City to make improvements to the Post Office Square garden. In the request, the BGC expressed an interest in partnering with the City to make changes to the garden in an effort to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, according to Herbig’s pre-meeting report.

The trees and shrubs that were planted many years ago have grown tall enough that they are now impacting visibility. The BGC has proposed that pending approval, the existing trees and shrubs would be removed and replaced with slower growing, shorter shrubs, and large stones. The group has recommended two granite posts with railing on each side of the step from the sidewalk to the Post Office parking area, thereby improving the accessibility of the location.

Marsha Siviski, from the Belfast Garden Club will be present at the meeting to answer questions. 

Following the presentation from Siviski, there will be a presentation from the Tree Working Group on their Tree Inventory. 

The Tree Working Group was created in 2023, after a group of concerned citizens began meeting informally to discuss the health and maintenance of the shade trees along local streets. During meetings, ideas about how to care for and protect the trees were shared, and eventually the TWiG became a standing committee of the BGC, according to Herbig’s pre-meeting report. 

Aided by local tree management professionals, TWiG started phase one of the inventory in Sept. 2023, with plans to conclude the inventory in October 2024. TWiG developed a process during this time that allowed them to merge digital records obtained by around 20 volunteer surveyors with available state websites. 

An application from the BGC was submitted to the USDA Forest Service Project Canopy Planning and Education Grant in May 2024. The grant is valued at $5,000 and would fund the complete inventory. The application was reportedly approved in June 2024, with the grant funding inventory and production of a map of all trees located within the City-owned land adjoining City streets. TWiG anticipates being able to finish a complete tree inventory by Nov. 1, 2025, which is the term specified by the grant. 

Carol Herwig will make the presentation on behalf of TWiG and to answer any question. 

Following this presentation, the City Council, City staff, and the Mayor will receive their annual Freedom of Access Act training with City Attorney Kristin Collins. 

Maine State law defines the FOAA as follows:

“The Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) grants the people of this state a broad right of access to public records while protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens.  The act also ensures the accountability of the government to the citizens of the state by requiring public access to the meetings of public bodies.  Transparency and open decision-making are fundamental principles of the Maine Freedom of Access Act, and they are essential to ensuring continued trust and confidence in our government.

A website was created as part of the State’s continuing effort to educate and inform state employees and the public about the Maine FOAA. The site features an FAQ section, as well as general information about FOAA and how to make an official request. 

“Providing universal access to resources that will inform and educate state employees and the public on the Freedom of Access Act is not just an aim but a priority for the state,” the site reads.

According to Herbig’s pre-meeting report, Collins does not expect the training course to take longer than 20 minutes. It is noted that this is a good opportunity to ask any additional questions concerning the roles and responsibilities of those serving as mayor or city councilors, and/or procedural matters. 

Applications for Malt, Spirituous, and Vinous liquor license renewals are among the top agenda items, with requests from Lisa Mosher, doing business as Dockside Family Restaurant, and Chuck Quappe, doing business as Belfast Maskers. Dockside is seeking a Class A Restaurant liquor license, while Belfast Maskers is seeking a Class Performing Arts Center liquor license. 

Representatives for several annual events have submitted facility use applications, including:

Meg Shorette has submitted a facility use application for the City Hall parking lot on High Street, for the annual All Roads Music Festival on Friday, May 16. 

The Belfast Rotary Club is asking for approval to use the City Street, starting at the Belfast Commons, for the annual Bug Run 5K walk/run race, which is part of the Belfast Harbor Fest. 

The Belfast Lions Club is seeking approval for use of the City streets, starting at the Route 1 overpass near Belfast Area High School for the annual Ghostly Gallop 5K walk/run race on Saturday, Oct. 25.  

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

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com