March 18

Waterville council to consider $10,000 natural gas feasibility study

By Amy Calder acalder@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

WATERVILLE — City councilors on Tuesday will consider spending $10,000 to help fund a study to explore the viability and options for having natural gas in Waterville.

Waterville City Council

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: City Council chambers, The Center, 93 Main St., third floor

Topic: Proposal to fund natural gas study

Kimberly Lindlof, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce 's president and chief executive officer, said the chamber is helping to fund the study because everyone in the region would benefit from having natural gas, as long as natural gas can get to everyone.

"The goal of this whole thing is to get natural gas to people in the Kennebec Valley, specifically (and including) Waterville, Winslow, Vassalboro — our people — as quickly as possible and as reasonably priced as possible," Lindlof said. "The reduction in the cost of energy to residential and businesses in our area has the potential to be so significant and add dollars back to our local economy."

The chamber has committed $2,000 to the study.

The town of Winslow has committed $5,000 to it; MaineGeneral Health, $6,000; and Inland Hospital, $4,000.

The study, to be done by A.E. Hodsdon engineers, of Waterville, is expected to cost about $40,000. Waterville Development Corp. has allocated $40,000 up front for the study and would be reimbursed as communities and organizations commit to funding. Waterville Development Corp. would then fund the difference.

Councilors on March 5 voted 6-1 to help fund the study. Councilor Fred Stubbert, D-Ward 1, was the lone dissenter.

Councilors must take a total of three votes on the proposal and may take one or two votes on Tuesday.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at The Center downtown.

In other matters, councilors will hear updates from City Manager Michael Roy on several issues, including a 2013 bond the city approved for the police station construction and other projects, a free trade zone at the airport, city charter and comprehensive plan work, and dates for upcoming budget review meetings.

Roy said he will note that the city is seeking nominations for the Spirit of America Volunteer Award, which recognizes a volunteer for selfless service.

He also plans to notify councilors that CATV, which is local access Channel 7 in the Waterville area, is asking if Waterville and Winslow are interested in having representatives on the CATV Board of Directors.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com

 

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