LUBEC, Maine — A proposal to spend $965,107 to construct a new public works building and a new sand/salt shed was roundly rejected Tuesday evening at a special town meeting in Lubec.
More than 120 registered Lubec voters filled the bays of the Washington County community’s fire station for an hour of discussion and debate and a lengthy, paper-ballot voting process. When the votes were counted, the proposal was rejected, 83-38.
Moderator Harold Bailey fielded remarks from about a dozen voters and from Town Administrator John Sutherland and two members of the Board of Selectmen. Only one voter who spoke favored the project, citing concerns about the deteriorating condition of the existing sand/salt shed and the effect blowing sand is having on the health of those who live near the facility.
When asked if the project and the $550,000 in bonds that would have to be issued to help fund it would increase local property taxes, Sutherland said that a 3 percent tax hike was likely, a response greeted with groans from project opponents.
More than one speaker characterized the project as a luxury the town can’t afford, pointing out that Lubec has other unmet public works needs. Among them was Ralf Multhopp, a Lubec resident for almost 10 years. His comments elicited applause.
“We are all aware that the town of Lubec has many serious problems,” he said. “We have ditches and sewers that are inoperable, sidewalks that are impassible, abandoned and burned-out buildings, and a school that is 50 percent unoccupied that we have to heat at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. We are not addressing those problems.”
Michael Scrivani, vice chairman of the board, told voters that planning for the proposed project had been under way for three years, scolding critics for not getting involved sooner to help shape a workable and affordable solution to what everyone seemed to agree is a problem.
“I guess the committee will have to reconvene,” Sutherland said after the vote when asked what the town’s next step will be.
I think Mr. Multhopp needs to go to school board meetings, talk to board members or at least call the superintendent’s office. The empty high school end is NOT being kept heated at 80 degrees!! I don’t go to all the meetings either, but I do that the empty wing is not kept THAT warm! I am so sick and tired of the PFA’s complaining about things they do absolutely no research on.
What about using the now, unoccupied IA shop in the high school end? Even if the area needed some adjustments to accommodate the trucks etc, it has got to cost less than what was proposed to build a new garage.
ALmost a million dollars?! wow!
Sounds like a good decision……..If they need one why not put a certain ammount of money aside each year and build one down the road.. Its called saving..
Does Lubec even collect that much in taxes? LOL. Seriously, a pretty stupid time to ask for a new building when a good % of the residents are having trouble making ends meet
They aren’t “asking” for a new garage. The state has told the town that the current garage is inadequate and the salt for the roads, needs to be in a building. There is a former garage/motel/car wash/ store across the street from the current town garage, that is no longer being used for anything. The town manager should get in contact with the owner of that building and see if they can work something out. Or like older said, what about the IA shop at the high school. Instead of building new, why not look into existing, unoccupied buildings that may have some potential for a “new” garage.