News In Brief OLD TOWN: COUNCIL APPROVES MORE FUNDING FOR MILL REDEVELOPMENT

Additional funds to continue with the redevelopment efforts of the Georgia-Pacific Corp. mill were approved Monday by the City Council. Councilors previously approved a maximum $50,000 expenditure for consulting services to help create a redevelopment plan for the facility. City Manager Peggy Daigle said at that time she would return to the council for additional money if necessary. Daigle originally was going to request another $50,000 at Monday’s meeting, but reduced the figure to $20,000. “I think $20,000 will carry us to the end and a point where we have a new buyer,” Daigle said Monday. Montreal-based Cascades Inc. is believed to be the front-runner for buying the facility that was closed March 16. Hubert Bolduc, Cascades vice president of communications and public affairs, confirmed last week that company representatives recently visited Old Town for a meeting regarding the mill. Cascades produces, transforms and markets packaging products, tissue papers and specialty papers composed mainly of recycled fibers. Daigle said that city officials have sent a letter to G-P “asking them to be proactive about selling the facility.”