Van Buren council discusses garbage, economic development

VAN BUREN — The Van Buren Town Council this week handled topics ranging from economic development to garbage disposal, and named a permanent part-time ambulance director.

During an executive session, the council agreed on a finalist for the ambulance directorship, which until now had been held temporarily by Peter Sirois. Sirois did not apply for the permanent job.

The deal wasn’t sealed until Tuesday, however, when the job offer was accepted by the council’s pick, Marlene Levesque. Levesque has been an ambulance attendant since 1980 and is certified at the advance life support level.

In an effort to keep residents from dumping garbage on back roads or in the woods, Town Manager Clare Dever told councilors that the Van Buren Police Department will beef up enforcement of the town’s solid waste ordinance. Garbage may not be dumped in any place other than the town’s transfer station, she said.

Dever also said town officials and waste committee members will go to Bangor next Tuesday for a meeting with the Maine Waste Management Agency.

The agency wants to discuss Van Buren’s progress in developing the first composting facility in the state designed to handle municipal solid waste. Existing compost facilities here handle only some segments of the waste stream. Dever said Van Buren is interested in any help the state agency has to offer.

The town has sought proposals from engineering firms interested in designing the compost facility and selecting a site, both of which must meet Department of Environmental Protection regulations that haven’t been completed yet.

Also next Tuesday will be the first regional economic development meeting in Grand Isle. Grand Isle, Hamlin and Cyr Plantation — all adjoining Van Buren — have been invited to join Van Buren’s Economic Development Committee.

The expanded committee would dovetail nicely with another venture involving the same four communities. Van Buren applied for a grant that would fund an economic planner and part-time staff.

Dever said the proposal made it to the second round in the application process — a strong sign that it will be funded.