Clinton Community Newsletter

Transcription

1 Clinton Community Newsletter January February Did You Know There is such a thing called Thundersnow! Although very rare, thundersnow is a lake-effect occurrence that calls for the same ingredients as a regular summer thunderstorm. It happens when there is an extreme temperature contrast. During the winter, because cold air is denser, it sinks, leaving warm air above. When the cold air hits the warm air it causes the warm air to climb, like a rolling ball going upwards against gravity. Thus causing thundersnow! So, if you hear thunder and see lightening during our wintery season, don t be too alarmed! You just experienced a rare phenomena! Monday, February 14th General Assistance Program Are you in need of help for food, heat or shelter this winter season? Do not hesitate to reach out to our GA Administrator. Call to set up an appointment to determine if you are eligible. Holiday Closing Schedule: Monday, January 17th Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, February 21st President s Day Newsletter Creator/Editor: Courtney Koller Editor-in-Chief: Earla J. Haggerty

2 Dog Licenses are Due by January 31st! A $25.00 LATE FEE will be applied starting February 1st. Please remember to bring in your dog s updated Certificate of Rabies. Can t make it into the Town Office, visit our website for online registration. CHECK OUT THE NEW WEBSITE CLINTON-ME.US REMINDER: The second half of 2021 Property Taxes are due April 1st! Selectmen s Meeting Schedule Tuesday January 11th Tuesday, January 25th Tuesday, February 8th Tuesday, February 22nd Message from the Fire Department Bids on Foreclosed Properties: IF there are tax foreclosure properties, Bid Packets will be available Monday, January 24th at the Town Office. A NEW LAW regarding gas detectors will go into effect January 1st, Any residential rental unit with appliances which are fueled by natural gas, propane, or liquified petroleum gas, will be required to have gas detectors in every room with a gas appliance. Such buildings include: Multifamily buildings, fraternity/ sorority/dormitory buildings, children s facilities, hotel/motel/inns, or residential units. You can purchase gas detectors at Aubuchon, Home Depot, Walmart, or online.

3 Uncover the pieces of YOUR family s story! Brown Memorial Library Upcoming Events Genealogy Research session on January 1:00 p.m. This gentleman is Oliver Crowell Dickey, he was Clinton Town Treasurer in 1861! And library director Cheryl Dickey-Whitish s great-great-great grandfather! Book Club January 6:00 p.m. Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult Veteran s Memorial Garden Thank You to all Who Served! And to project volunteers Jeff Connell, and Ronnie Irving You may have noticed there are some changes occurring to the landscape in front of the Code Enforcement office. There is a very special up and coming garden that will be dedicated to honor all the Clinton Veterans who have served our country. Frank Gioffre is also thanking two Clinton residents, Jeff Connell and Ronnie Irving, who have volunteered time, and services helping to create the garden. Jeff has assisted Frank in standing and lighting the flagpole; and, in the Spring, Ronnie will donate mulch along with his time. Frank, will donate trees & flowering plants. Through volunteer work and donations, this garden will be completed by Spring Reminder: FREE SAND FOR RESIDENTS!! NITRAM Excavating, Clinton s snow removal contractor, purchases all the sand in the Salt & Sand Shed to be used on Clinton roads. Of course, when trucks are being loaded with sand there is a certain amount of spillage, so to keep the site tidy NITRAM has donated all the sand the TRANSFER STATION needs to provide resident s with FREE sand. Limit: Two 5 gallon buckets per storm!

4 ARPA - American Rescue Plan Grant: As we have reported before the Biden Administration has provided the Town of Clinton with $354,234, half of which the town received in September. The Board of Selectmen approved a reimbursement to the town s general fund for more than $70,000 of unencumbered lost revenue during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Board also approved, per ARPA guidelines, a one time Premium Pay to Essential Workers Grant in the amount of $36,601. Full-time employee s received $1,500 and part-time employee s received $1,000. The remaining $65,550 from the 2021 ARPA funds was dedicated to infrastructure improvement for the Clinton Water District. The town will receive another payment of $177,117 in September Public Safety Building Advisory Committee - After several months of considerations the Committee presented a plan to the Board for a two Phase construction of a Police Facility and a Fire & Rescue Facility that would serve the town well for 50 years. Selectmen are in the process of considering plans for the police facility as developed by Dirigo Engineering. During the conversations about a location for the future Fire & Rescue Facility the property adjacent to the town hall, 37 Baker Street became available for sale for the incredible price of $120,000 a mere fraction of what it would cost to buy a raw lot and bring utilities to it. Fire Chief Travis Leary immediately supported that location for a new facility because it met the criteria of being located in the Village District, and the lot had access to utilities, i.e., power, water & sewer. 37 Baker Street - Upon the endorsement of Chief Leary and the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, Selectmen called a Special Town Meeting for November 2021 and voters approved the question 669 to 336. The process to purchase the project began shortly thereafter and finally closed on December 17, The property was boarded up and posted with No Trespassing signs and will await voter approval of a request to transfer from Surplus $25,000 to the Nuisance Property account for demolition of the buildings in Summer During the next several months the PSBAC and the Board will discuss plans for construction of a Fire & Rescue Facility on the town owned lot. New Ambulance Fees - On December 28th Selectmen approved Fire & Rescue Chief Travis Leary s request to increase the Clinton Ambulance Fees because Clinton was one of the lowest rates in the state and because inflation was driving expenses to the point it had become difficult to cover cost. Although initially the 42% increase seemed alarming Chief Leary explained the department was having difficulty covering costs associated with each of the run categories regarding medications, etc., plus personnel cost and vehicle fuel and maintenance cost in an inflationary climate. The Board unanimously approved the increase in Ambulance Fees to be effective immediately. Old Mill Park gets New Signage - It took nearly a year from start to finish but York Signs finally delivered a beautiful new gilded sign for the Old Mill Park. This item is the finishing touch of the capital improvements made to the park during FY Residents will be glad to hear that Selectmen approved the expense of all the improvements to be covered by the Streetscape Grant which is dedicated to improvements within the Village District.

5 Anthony has a very impressive plan of action for Parks & Recreation Programs during the next year including a lot of interaction for Clinton s youth and families. During the month of December Parks & Recreation sponsored a very successful Festival of Trees for the Christmas Season and will have Winter Skating at Old Mill Park during January & February. Volunteers Needed! The Town is looking for a few good men and women to serve on the Planning Board and the Board of Appeals For an application please call Jessica Harriman will provide one for you. THE VALUE OF A FULL HAT RACK I don t think I have seen Frank Gioffre, actually wear a hat more than once or twice in the last 6 years he has been Clinton s Code Enforcement Officer. However, I have seen him wear several hats on any given day while carrying out his duties for our community. If you happen to think all Frank does is issue building permits and inspect septic systems then you have been under informed. Local ordinances and state law requires Code Enforcement Officers in Maine to operate in a variety of authorities to protect the health and safety of their given towns. In Maine, a Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for issuing building, shoreland Frank Gioffre zoning, plumbing permits, floodplain management, land use, sign and demolition Call: permits; conducting land use, building and plumbing inspections; enforcing municipal ordinances and maintaining liaison with appropriate state and local agencies; assigning E911 street names and addresses and is considered the town s liaison with the Department of Environmental Protection. (DEP) The Code Enforcement Officer also provides administrative support to the Planning Board, the Board of Appeals and the Comprehensive Planning Committee. Frank is also appointed as Clinton s Facility Maintenance Supervisor and as such protects the town s past and future investment in buildings and parks. In Clinton all of the above is managed in a 32 hour work week. This position requires Frank to be able to interpret and enforce complicated state laws as well as to interpret complex construction plans and specification so he is also deeply involved in the future construction of the new Police facility and Fire & Rescue facility being proposed by the Public Safety Building Advisory Committee. Frank s position requires good independent judgement in the authorities that he works in each day and the quality of life in Clinton is held in place by Frank s consistent performance. So, the next time you are tempted to question the CEO s hours, or salary, or a delayed return phone call, please consider the whole hat rack for this position. NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - On January 11th Selectmen will be asked to approve a Transfer from Surplus to the FY Reserve Budget that will include one time cost ($12,000) for Replacement of Safety Camera System for the Transfer Station that is more than 10 years old and the replacement of the computer system s server as well as the much needed updating and renovation of the Server Room ($18,000).

6 Looking Back... February 2nd, 1888 February 6th, 1917 Below are a couple extra pieces outside of our January-February months. Perhaps you may recognize some of them! November 15th, 1961 February 4th, 1892 November 18th, 1961