BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will hold its regularly scheduled public meeting Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.The Council will meet in an executive session earlier in the day, at 5 p.m., to discuss two matters. The first is listed as a legal matter to be discussed with the city attorney, while the second item listed is in reference to a personnel matter, according to the Dec. 7 agenda. 

Two public hearings are also on the agenda. The first listed public hearing will be in reference to a new application by Michael D’Amico, doing business as Buon Vivente at 132 High Street, for a Malt, Vinous, and Spiritous Restaurant/Lounge license for the interior of the venue. 

The second hearing is being held pursuant to Belfast’s Victualer License ordinance, for a Victualer License for Danny Costa, doing business as DCMP Group LLC (Dunkin Donuts), according to the agenda. 

A request to approve a 12-month blanket letter of approval for the game of chance (Bingo) for Tarratine Tribe #13 will also be heard. The Tarratine building is at 153 Main Street. 

A facility use request from Samantha Maheu, on behalf of the Troy Howard Middle School, is another topic for discussion. The group would like to install a holiday art display in the windows of Belfast City Hall through the month of December. 

The upcoming Holiday on the Harbor event will request approval for use of Steamboat Landing during this year’s event. Holiday on the Harbor is scheduled for Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There are a number of business items on the agenda, including a first reading of the proposed amendments to Chapter 82 Shoreland and Chapter 102 Zoning regarding the regulation of adult-use marijuana facilities. A discussion regarding recent inquiries involving retail marijuana will follow the reading. 

The Belfast Planning Board conducted five meetings between Sept. 1 and Nov. 17, in addition to a public hearing held Oct. 6. During that meeting, the Board received one comment from Origins Cannabis, a developer who has proposed creating a Tier 4 marijuana cultivation facility in the old Moss Tent building, according to the Proposed Ordinance Amendments. (page 44/218)

According to the proposed amendments, the Board is recommending three themes. One is to allow small-scale cultivation, less than 2,000 square feet of mature plant canopy, in the rural zoning districts; large scale, up to 20,000 square feet of mature plant canopy, on Route 1 South and Searsport Ave. 

A request from the Planning and Codes Department Director will be heard at the meeting, to consider an additional lease area for Clark & Eisele boat builders material storage laydown at Belfast Yards, which is located at 45 Front Street.

Belfast’s chief of police will request the Council accept the buyout for their K-9, who moved from Belfast Police to the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office with his handler, Deputy Travis Spencer. 

In an email to City Manager Erin Herbig, Belfast Police Chief Gerry Lincoln estimated the cost of reimbursement for the K-9 is $24,500. This amount was calculated based on the cost of the canine, in addition to training for both the dog and its handler, among other things. Lincoln further suggested that the funds be used to rebuild the K-9 program at the Belfast Police Department. 

The Library Director will request the Council to appoint Kelly Lange as the full-time Library Assistance for Belfast Free Library. 

Meetings begin with a roll call of Belfast Mayor Eric Sanders, and City Councilors Mary Mortier, Neal Harkness, Michael Hurley, Brenda Bonneville, Paul Dean, in addition to City Manager Erin Herbig, and Administrative Assistant Manda Cushing. 

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

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.