LISBON — The Town Council voted 5-0 Tuesday night to accept $200,000 from the federal Brownfields Assessment Grant program.
Brownfields are properties that may have hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants present. The federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields program provides grants and technical assistance to to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse the contaminated properties.
Lisbon’s application was submitted in December 2015.
Additional paperwork is due to be filed with the federal government this week in order to receive the grant Oct. 1, Tracey Steuber, director of Lisbon’s Economic and Community Development, said.
An advisory committee will be formed to help identify properties that might have environmental contaminants.
Talking to people who have been around a long time and know the properties’ histories will be key in assessing sites, some of which have already been identified by the EPA, Steuber said.
Maine communities will receive almost $7.35 million from the EPA Brownfields revolving loan fund and cleanup grant programs.
In other business, Parks and Recreation staff were recognized by the town of Poland for a seniors program, Lisbon Parks and Recreation Director Mark Stevens told the Town Council. Fifty people went to Fenway Park by motorcoach this year as part of the program, and a trip to Alaska is in the works, Stevens said.
“We bring people together,” he said.
A public hearing was held on granting a victualer’s license to Antonio Briglio, doing business as the Roadside BBQ, to sell food at his home at 773 Lisbon St. Councilor Kasie Kolbe expressed concerns about parking. Briglio has a temporary license while he addresses the town’s concerns.
The council voted 5-0 to award a road striping contract to Lucas Striping of Sidney, with a recommendation from Public Works Director Ryan Leighton to adjust the actual quantities to remain within the $16,000 budgeted.
Although Lucas Striping was not the lowest bidder, its bid was only slightly higher and the award was approved with a cap less than either of the bids. Lucas Striping was the only Maine-based company to bid.
“It would be hard for an outfit out-of-state to come back as many times as we will need this year,” Town Manager Diane Barnes said.
A request for the town to install a deaf-child sign at 27 Grove St. was approved by the council 5-0. The sign was purchased by the person requesting it, according to Leighton.
• The Town Council voted 5-0 to elect Aaron Chrostowsky, town manager of Wayne, to serve on the Maine Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Committee for 2016-2018. The ballot is due on Aug. 5.
• The Town Council voted to adopt an ordinance for yard sales which states that yard sales do not require a permit and can last no longer than four days in a seven-day consecutive period. They also cannot be held more than three times per year.
A permit is required for extended sales of used merchandise of up to 40 days. These sales do not fall under the definition of “yard sale” under the ordinance, and can only be held once per calendar year and shall only occur between April 1 and Nov. 30.
• Town Council Chairman Roger Bickford appointed David Bowie to serve as chairman of the ethics panel.
“We’ve agreed to butt heads more than once,” Bickford said. “He’s very honorable.”
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