CDBG grant and trail grooming update on selectmen’s agenda

Staff Report
    GREENVILLE — The Greenville Board of Selectmen meets Wednesdays, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. with a rather light agenda.

    One of the major topics is a recommendation by Town Manager John Simko that the town authorize a request for proposals (RFP) for a housing assistance grant from the Community Development Block Grant program.
    The town received $300,000 in CBDG funds to run a housing rehabilitation program for low- and moderate-income homeowners back in 2004.
    “The program was arguably a success in that over 29 homeowners got life/safety and energy conservation needs met with direct grants and some loans,” Simko wrote. “The program was run by Ron Harriman Associates (and) did not result in any local property tax dollars being expended for the program. The local match was met with leveraged funds from other home improvement programs (such as provided by Penquis, Inc.).”
    Simko said that he has been unable to discuss the proposal with Penquis yet, but said they are the appropriate agency to run the program.
    The Maine Office of Community Development requires a letter of intent from interested communities by March 14, so Simko is asking the board to approve the application prior to the next scheduled board of selectmen’s meeting on March 5.
    “Considering the thousands of dollars we are distributing each winter in donated heating fuel assistance, there appears to be a significant and ongoing need for energy conservation and heating system improvements in low to moderate income households within Greenville,” Simko continued. “This proposed program would go a long way toward addressing these issues.”
    Also on the agenda is an update on the snowmobile trail grooming contract from the Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club (MRSC). The club maintains about 80 miles of ITS and municipal trails, and president John Cobb will give a brief report on how this year’s program is going.
    Selectmen will also discuss the curbside rubbish and recycling collection contract with Moosehead Rubbish which expires June 30. Also, the solid waste hauling contract the town has with Moosehead Rubbish for construction and demolition debris from the transfer station to Juniper Ridge and PERC expires June 30 as well.
    The board has the option to negotiate with the current contractor or go to bid, Simko wrote. Sean Bolen, operator of Moosehead Rubbish, has offered to “just renew the contracts for the same amount,” Simko said. “We need to know the cost of these services in order to prepare the coming year’s budget.”
    The town is also looking for volunteers who would be interested in serving on the budget committee. Committee meetings will be held the second and fourth Wednesdays starting mid-March through April.
    Anyone who is interested in serving should stop by the town office and fill out an application by 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.
    For more information, contact Simko at John@GreenvilleME.com or 695-2421.