BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will meet for its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Feb. 4, to discuss election polling locations and purchasing an excavator, as well as considering a request for a letter of support exempting airports from state endangered and threatened species habitat protections. 

The first item on City Manager Erin Herbig's agenda is a request for authorization for an expenditure from the Keep the Faith Fund to assist those impacted by the Jan. 28 fire that took place at a 24-unit apartment complex at 75 Wight Street. There were no injuries sustained in the fire, however building conditions required all residents to vacate the building while the sprinkler system was reset and the water and flooding could be properly addressed. 

The City reportedly worked with residents, property owners, and the Red Cross to provide temporary shelter and food to displaced residents. 

If the request is approved funds would be taken from the Keeping the Faith fund, which has a current balance of $53,323.15. 

There will be additional discussion regarding possible action on polling locations. There was initial discussion of the matter at the regular Jan. 21, Council meeting, when it was ultimately tabled until Tuesday’s meeting to allow for time for public input prior to further discussion and possible action. 

At the Nov. 21, 2023, Council meeting, the Council voted to support a proposal from the city clerk to host elections for Wards 1-4 at the Tarratine Hall, beginning in March 2024.

According to Herbig’s report, many factors contributed to its success in hosting all wards. Some of those include the size of the location, added safety, parking, accessibility, and improved election staffing. 

It is noted that having two polling locations is unusual in current elections, with Belfast being one of only six Maine communities to still offer more than one location. 

City staff and election workers reportedly agree and recommend the combination of the Ward 5 polling location with Wards 1-4 at the Tarratine Hall starting in June 2025. 

City Clerk Angie Crosby and Deputy Clerk Andrew Legacy will attend the meeting to answer any questions. 

Public Works Director Kip Faulkner has requested authorization to purchase a new excavator for the Public Works Department.

The equipment is described as vital to the department’s operations and funding for the purchase was allocated in the Fiscal YEar 2024-2025 Municipal Budget. The cost from Central Equipment Co. for the Develon DX 100 w-7 Compact Rubber Tired Excavator is $157,473. 

The City was able to negotiate a trade in of a 2012 J.D. Backhoe and a 1999 Champion Grader that were no longer in commission and taking up valuable space, according to the request. The two trade-ins brought the purchase price down to $107,73. The funds will be taken from the PW Department’s Purchase of Equipment Account, which has a current balance of $172,675.

Belfast Municipal Airport Manager Kenn Ortmann is requesting that the Council submit a letter in support for LD 138, An Act to Exempt Airports from Certain State Endangered and Threatened Species Habitat Protections, according to the request. 

The Act would exempt all Maine airports from the Maine Endangered and Threatened Species habitat requirements. 

If enacted, the Act will specifically stop commissioners from identifying special management considerations pursuant to subsection two of the act, on any area located on the property of an airport. It will also prohibit the development of protection guidelines pursuant to subsection three. 

The Act is available to view in its entirety, and is summarized by sponsors with the following paragraph:

“This bill exempts the property of an airport from protection for state endangered and threatened species that may require special management considerations or protection guidelines and from restrictions on state and municipal approval of projects that may significantly impact state endangered and threatened species habitats.” 

There are currently 26 inland fish and wildlife species listed as endangered and 31 listed as threatened under Maine’s Endangered Species Act. Some of these are also included in the U.S. Endangered Species Act. 

From birds to bats, to snakes and turtles, there are a variety of species currently under protection, many of whom count the mid coast as part of their habitat. 

According to the request, Belfast Airport Committee and City staff have worked to minimize wildlife safety concerns over the past several years, and that this has been successful through vegetation habitat management. 

"Federal Grant Assurance obligations include specific requirements to operate and maintain the airport in a safe and serviceable condition, mitigate hazards to airspace, and use airport revenue properly. Encouraging wildlife habitat is contrary to all of these items and our Airport cannot foster safety while encouraging the presence of wildlife," Ortmann's request reads. 

If approved Ortmann requests that a motion be made to submit a letter of support for LD 138, to be sent to the State Legislative Committee that oversees this matter in addition to members of our State Legislative Delegation. 

Ortmann will be at the meeting to address questions and/or concerns. 

Following this agenda item, Belfast Municipal Airport Manager Ortmann has additionally requested the Council to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to pay for 95 percent of Phase 2 of the Airport Master Plan update.

The Council previously approved a $272,950 contract with McFarland Johnson to complete the Airport Master Plan update process over a two year period. The City reportedly received the 90 percent portion paid by the FAA, in the amount of $133,245 for Phase one following City Council approval Feb. 20, 2024. 

For the second portion of the airport update, costs of up to 95 percent are covered by the FAA, which would amount to $118,655 for phase two of the project. 

Herbig’s pre-meeting report is available to view in its entirety. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com