March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Madawaska citizens fail to rescind Legion Street no-parking ordinance

MADAWASKA — Citizens argued in vain for most of an hour at a marathon four-hour Madawaska Board of Selectmen meeting Wednesday night for the removal of a nearly 10-month-old no-parking ordinance on one side of Legion Street.

Allan Guerrette, a former resident of the street and a frequent visitor, was incensed about having being told to move his car that was parked beneath the no parking sign. Five residents of the street joined his effort, all claiming that there have been few, if any, accidents on the street.

The no parking ban came last October after Police Chief Ronald Pelletier recommended a total parking ban because of the narrowness of the street. He claimed then, and said again Wednesday, that his opinion has not changed, that parking along that street is a safety hazard.

After lengthy, and sometimes emotional discussion, it was agreed to switch the no parking ban to the other side of the street because the side where parking is now banned would allow for more parking spots. Selectmen also said they would have a third party look at the safety issue on the street.

They also had a long list of reports to hear, bids to open and approve and appointments to make.

The board accepted the Maine Department of Transportation report that the town will receive $81,372 from the state’s road assistance program.

They accepted a Lane Construction Co. bid of $32.60 for hot top. The town expects to use about 4,200 tons in a program that could cost up to $140,000. That work includes sections of Gagnon Road where renovations will also include ditching.

They accepted the low bid, from Armand Tardif for $27,770, for the relocation of electrical lines on the Maine Street renovation program. They had four other bids, up to $34,250 for the job. Tardif was also the lone bidder on an electrical project for the Madawaska Waste Water Treatment plant at $3,158.

They accepted the lone bid of $1,200 from Alban Levesque for roadside mowing and to decided purchase French language signs to stop French Canadians from driving up the wrong way from Canada on Bridge Street, a one way street down to the international bridge.

Roger Corbin, Emergency Management Agency director for Madawaska, asked to continue the town’s program of underground fuel and gasoline tank removal program. At the spring town meeting, voters approved $21,189 for the removal of five underground tanks. He said the tanks have been removed. He said he has enough money left to take out another two to five tanks.

His request was approved and he will look to remove fuel oil tanks at the town shed and at a fire station and at the water pollution control plant. Those he has already removed were at the town office, two at the town garage and two at the senior citizens’ club.

The town was to remove tanks over a three-year program at a cost of an estimated $49,000.

They approved an operations update report from Karen Otstot of water treatment plant and agreed to change the working hours for the summer.

They tabled appointments to the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission, approved facility improvements — toilets and changing rooms — for the Birch Point project, agreed to install some street lights, move the general assistance office to the Madawaska Safety Complex from the town office and agreed to renovate a parking lot at the Senior Citizens Center.

After hearing employee evaluations, they approved 50 cent per hour raises for Brenda Chabre at the Community Development Office, Stephen Cote at the recreation office and Debbie Guerrette at the public works office. Guerrette was also made a full-time employee.


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