THOMASTON – A special town meeting is scheduled for Feb. 22 in Thomaston to consider spending TIF money for design work on the Watts Block, and ask voters if they want their SelectBoard to negotiate with U.S. Cellular to erect a 190-foot cell tower adjacent to the Public Works Garage on Anna Belle Lane.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Thomaston Municipal Building-Lura Libby Room at 13 Valley Street.

Agenda items include accepting $300,000 for the Watts Block Renovation Project that has been awarded under the Congressional Discretionary Spending (CDS) program, and to appropriate up to $300,000 of Dragon Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to meet the matching requirement of the CDS award.

The project is to preserve the historic Watts Block to ensure its continued role as the community and economic development engine for downtown Thomaston.

“This project will be the cornerstone of a larger effort to upgrade and refurbish this venerable and important building, prioritizing the first critical step of installing air purification technology and a new HVAC system throughout the building, replacing the steam system that was installed 107 years ago,” said Town Manager Kara George, in a news release.

Voters will also be asked to expend up to $160,000 additional funds for the engineering design of Knox and Water streets to be paid out of Dragon Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

The Knox-Water Street Resilience Project includes rebuilding both streets, replacing the sidewalk on Knox and add a sidewalk on Water, correct the stormwater issues on Water and raise the west end of the street and the infrastructure there (near Wadsworth) so it will be above future sea level rise, according to a news release from the Thomaston Town Office.

“This is expected to be an expensive project and grant funds are being perused to keep the local cost down,” wrote Town Manager Kara George. “Having a completed set of plans, not just the preliminary engineering study as was first thought, is a requirement in the largest grant program. The additional funds requested will allow final design to proceed so the grant application will be ready by fall.”

Voters will also be asked to approve negotiations with U.S. Cellular to construct and operate a cell tower on town property located adjacent to the Public Works Garage on Anna Belle Lane.

The tower will be designed to accommodate three additional carriers and the town will be allowed to place equipment on the tower to enhance their emergency services radio communication at no cost.

The lease rate has not been finalized at this time, according to George.

Concerns over ospreys and other birds nesting on the tower have been noted, said George. “While there is no way to prohibit the nesting, there are very strict regulations in place to control disturbance of the nest and birds during nesting season,” she said.

If the cell tower project is approved, the plans will be reviewed by the Planning Board prior to construction.