Calais City Council
Jayna Smith
On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Marcia Rogers, Elery Beale, and Bill Quinn. Councilor Mike Sherrard and James Macdonald were absent.
What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.
The consent agenda items were approved, followed by a public hearing to review an application for a new liquor license for Skully’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Bar. With no discussion, the council unanimously supported the license. Owner Carl Bailey stated that the restaurant will open as soon as all necessary licenses are obtained.
The next public hearing focused on proposed amendments to the All-Terrain Vehicle, Consumer Fireworks, and Curfew Ordinances. There were no public comments, and the amendments were unanimously approved as presented.
In his report, City Manager Mike Ellis congratulated City Clerk Brad Phillips on receiving his Clerk’s Certification from the Maine Towns and Cities Clerks Association. Ellis also announced an open driver/operator position in the public works department, which he plans to fill soon, and welcomed Burt Weed to the Calais Fire/EMS team. He also congratulated the International Homecoming Festival committee on a job well done in executing this year’s events.
During new business, Chris Taylor addressed the council with a proposal to rename the Milltown basketball courts to the Taylor-Clark Legacy Court. The name would honor his late father, Dr. George Taylor, and recognize Eleanor Clark’s key role in the creation of the courts. The council approved the request unanimously.
The council then proceeded to vote on the recently negotiated union contracts with various city departments. Councilor Niles made a new motion, seconded by Councilor Quinn, to approve the fire department contract. The motion passed unanimously. Councilor Quinn then motioned to approve the EMS contract, with Councilor Niles seconding. Again, all were in favor. Additionally, Councilor Quinn moved to approve the public works contract, seconded by Councilor Niles, with unanimous approval. Councilor Quinn also made a motion to approve the police contract, seconded by Councilor Niles, with all in favor.
City Manager Ellis next presented information about the Window Dressers Insulating Window Inserts program, sponsored by Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative. EMEC requested the use of St. Croix #1 Firehouse as the program’s base from October 25 to November 1. The council voted unanimously in favor.
The council also voted to approve the purchase of a used excavator for the public works Department. All were in favor.
City Manager Ellis and Fire Chief Bill Lee updated the council on the EMS Stabilization Grant the city received, totaling $173,145.52. Ellis requested the council formally accept the funds, with the motion passing unanimously.
The final item of new business was a grant program from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, which provides funding for election-related supplies, such as voting booths. Ellis asked the council for permission to apply for the grant. Councilor Rogers motioned, seconded by Councilor Quinn, and the motion was approved unanimously.
The next regular Calais City Council meeting is slated for Thursday, September 12, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m. These meetings are held in the council chambers at the city building and are open to the public. They are also live-streamed on Zoom and the city’s Facebook page.
