Brewer simplifies legislative process Firefighter lauded for courageous act

BREWER – City councilors handled business ranging from streamlining the city’s legislative process to commending a city firefighter for courage in the face of a fire in Holden last month.

After posting the proposal and conducting first and second hearings, the councilors enacted ordinance amendments they believe will make the city’s path of legislation a little less cumbersome.

As a result, the effective date for approved legislation decreased from 10 days to five days and one of the two readings now required for ordinances, appropriation orders and resolves was eliminated.

According to the city’s research, shortening the waiting period for city legislation to take effect by five days would eliminate the need for so many emergency preambles, which waive the waiting period but require unanimous consent. Eliminating one of the two readings would streamline the approval process for ordinances, appropriation orders and resolves from three steps to two steps.

City officials also established a tax increment financing district for the Muddy Rudder restaurant opening in June at the former Harborside Restaurant site. The arrangement involves $60,000 in tax increment financing for four years.

Economic Development Director Drew Sachs said earlier that the arrangement was necessary to make the Muddy Rudder project, a key piece of the city’s waterfront redevelopment master plan, financially feasible. In exchange, however, the Muddy Rudder’s owners have agreed to provide the city with a 20-foot right of way for its proposed riverside recreation trail as well as a scenic overlook nearby.

Also during the meeting, councilors:

. Commended Tony Cobb, a full-time Brewer firefighter and part-time deputy with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department, for courage in responding to a Feb. 14 fire in Holden. Cobb was on patrol less than half a mile from the fire scene when he heard firefighters being dispatched. He was the first rescuer to arrive.

Upon arriving at the trailer park, Cobb learned from bystanders that there were people inside the burning building. Without the benefit of gear or breathing apparatus, Cobb entered the home and found one of the occupants unconscious about six feet from the door. Cobb dragged the victim to the door and had a bystander help him carry the man outdoors. However, efforts to resuscitate the man were not successful.

Cobb then re-entered the mobile home in an attempt to rescue the other occupant but was unable to get past the fire in the living room to get to her. She later was found in a bedroom at the back of the trailer.

Cobb suffered from smoke inhalation while inside the mobile home and was treated at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

. Issued a dance hall license to the Gott family for swing classes and dancing at their restaurant on North Main Street.

. Approved leases with the Bangor-Brewer and Penobscot County farmers markets for use of the Brewer Auditorium parking lot from May 1 through Oct. 31.