Tamara J. Merritt

The council is scheduled to convene in an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters, followed by the adjournment of the meeting.

The agenda included public hearings concerning an ordinance establishing October 15, 2026, as the deadline for tax payments and an ordinance regarding interest on overpaid taxes. New business featured public hearings related to the renewal of a liquor license for Broadway Incorporated, d/b/a Ivey's Motor Lodge/Ivey's Bistro, and approval for a Cooperative Agreement between the Town of Houlton and the Town of Princeton. The Council considered accepting bids for two Ford Police Interceptors and discussed waiving the bid process to purchase Taser Electronic Energy Weapons. Furthermore, the acceptance of a $13,000 ATV Enforcement Grant was on the agenda. The session concluded with a discussion and reports segment, followed by an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The agenda included several key actions for the Council. The Council was set to confirm appointments made by the Interim Town Manager for Tax Collector (Emily Mills) and General Assistance Administrator (Emily Mills), as well as confirming the Tax Collector's appointments for two Deputy Tax Collectors (Khylee Wampler and Kimberly Denbow). Furthermore, three members were slated for reappointment to the Airport Committee Advisory Board for three-year terms. The agenda also included the introduction of two proposed ordinances for the Town of Houlton: one establishing the deadline for tax payments and the interest rate for delinquent taxes, and another addressing interest on tax overpayments. The Council was also scheduled to accept a bid for a Southeast Extreme Duty Mini Pumper for the Fire Department and authorize seeking financing bids, and approve the adoption of the Town of Houlton Freedom of Access Act Policy.

The meeting agenda included several items regarding Old Business, specifically ordaining the transfer of funds from the Undesignated Fund Balance to cover budget shortfalls in the Administration Department (up to $75,000), the Ambulance Department (up to $72,000), and the Civic Center Department (up to $44,000). New Business items involved accepting two donations: $6,500 from the Rotary Club of Houlton for a gas-powered edger and $10,000 from the Christopher and Nancy Pierce Charitable Foundation for the Parks & Recreation Department. The Council also authorized the purchase of an Olympia edger for $6,411, waived the bid process for this purchase, reappointed Craig Harriman to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a 3-Year Term, and approved a Consent to Assignment for a contract with James W. Sewall Company, assigning it to Sevee & Maher Engineers. Discussion topics included the Mini Pumper for the Fire Department and the Town Manager's Report.

The council meeting included discussions and public hearings on various financial matters, including the authorization of funds from different TIF districts for specific expense items in the FY2025 Budget. These items cover areas such as personnel costs, capital projects, public safety, and economic development. The council also considered an ordinance to transfer funds to the Legal Services Account and discussed amendments to the Houlton Code regarding the John A. Millar Civic Center Advisory Board. Additionally, the council addressed the acceptance of the 2024 Annual Audit, authorized the Town Manager to apply for financial assistance for snowmobile system maintenance, and approved the new John A. Millar Civic Center Fee Structure.