Calais City Council
Jayna Smith
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Marcia Rogers presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Mike Sherrard, Elery Beale, Pete Foster, and Bill Quinn. Council James Macdonald was absent from the meeting.
What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.
All consent agenda items were approved at the meeting, including the renewal of a liquor license for Karen’s Diner.
City Manager Mike Ellis next delivered his report. Ellis reminded residents that the city’s annual "Free Dump Days" are scheduled for Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, providing an opportunity for residents to dispose of unwanted items at no cost.
He also recognized April as National Volunteer Month, encouraging community members to find ways to volunteer and support local organizations.
Ellis praised Fire Chief Billy Lee and his department for hosting another successful Easter Egg Hunt at the fire station. Over 200 children participated in the event, which took place just hours after the department responded to a structure fire.
Finally, Ellis provided updates on infrastructure improvements now underway on North Street. He noted that updates on construction progress and detour information will be posted regularly on the city’s website at www.calaismaine.org. He asked residents for patience as the work continues.
Councilor Quinn speaking on behalf of the property committee presented updates, including a proposed aquaculture project moratorium and a revised After-Hours Usage Policy for the recreation department. The council supported the recommendation to schedule a public hearing regarding the moratorium and voted unanimously to adopt the updated rec. center policy.
Next was a sewer abatement request for the property at 59 Swan Street. The motion carried with full support for abatement of $155.70.
As part of discussions on internal improvements, the council explored transitioning from paper-based meeting materials to iPad or tablet formats. Although no formal motion was made, the idea was added to a wish-list of future upgrades.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, 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.
