Dover-Foxcroft referendum ballot approved

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Dover-Foxcroft Select Board formally signed the referendum ballot for Tuesday, June 9, during a meeting on Monday evening.

The June 9 vote completes a multiple step process with a half dozen warrant items that first were approved at the annual town meeting last month. Items include $10.3 million for municipal operations, which after revenues and offsets nets $4.66 million to raise.

The June 9 ballot will include three non-financial municipal questions, including a floodplain management ordinance.

A proposed land use ordinance amendment would allow the code enforcement officer to withhold permits from property owners in violation of local rules until the violation is resolved. 

A bond not to exceed $2,500,000 would be used for summer repairs and improvements of the Lincoln Street bridge near the intersection with North Street. 

Financing would be through the Maine Municipal Bond Bank. Over 20 years at 5.5% interest, debt service would total $4.1 million, including $1.6 million-plus in interest on the $2.5 million bond. 

Many people may not realize the end of Lincoln Street is actually a bridge with a culvert going underneath the span for a small brook emptying into the nearby Piscataquis River. 

In the 2024 fiscal year $1.3 million in congressionally directed spending was awarded for the replacement project, but related contracts were not signed for several years due to issues at the federal level. The $1.3 million needs to be used by September 2027 or else it will disappear, so the project needs to be underway before then.

 The project cost has risen sharply in recent years. 

The street is not in immediate danger of caving in, but this will happen eventually if steps are not taken. The bridge — built in 1960 — spans just under 17 feet and is made of reinforced concrete slab on stone abutments. It features two-way travel lanes, angled parking on the south side, parallel parking on the north side and partial sidewalks on both sides of the street with businesses located on each side.

Town officials are unsure what would happen if the question is voted down, possibly with the municipality needing to cover the entire costs without the $1.3 million.

In June 2024 the Select Board approved a preliminary design for rehabilitation from Wright Pierce Engineers.

The bridge received a rating indicating a poor condition during a late 2022 inspection by the Maine Department of Transportation.

The Select Board signed the RSU 68 budget validation referendum warrant for June 9.

Earlier this month the RSU 68 Board of Directors approved a proposed near $15.3 2026-27 budget.

The annual district budget meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, at the SeDoMoCha School (a 6 p.m. information session begins the evening). The total approved on May 26 will be moved to referendum in the district towns of Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monsoon and Sebec.

The proposed school budget is $251,877 more than the current $15 million. 

In other business, the Select Board approved the special event permit for the 2026 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. The annual event drawing thousands to town will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds.

Festival organizer Patrick Myers has worked with the police and fire departments and others on planning, Select Chair Steve Grammont said. Included is an updated plan to reach the fairgrounds with the closure of the Essex Street bridge.

Town Manager Alsina Brenenstuhl mentioned several items in her report.

Flags are going up this week in preparation for Memorial Day and some flags have already been placed in cemeteries, she said.

“America250” signs are up and visible coming into town on Route 15 and Route 15 as part of the national semiquincentennial on July 4. Some America250 flags are on poles along Route 15.

Selectperson Emery Cox inquired about any town plans for the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The town office isn’t planning anything due to its day to day responsibilities, Brenenstuhl said. 

“I would love it if someone would step up and I would happily support where I can,” she said.

Much of the downtown has two-hour parking limits, the town manager reminded.

“The police department will begin a more active enforcement of this ordinance moving forward,” Brenenstuhl said. 

Longer term parking lots are located at Monument Square and behind the Union Square Mall.

“The website is now 99% complete,” Brenenstuhl said. 

The anticipated launch date is Wednesday, May 27. Now staff are learning how to use the new site.

“We’re hopeful it will provide a more user-friendly experience for everyone,” she said.

Lineup for the Memorial Day parade will be at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at the courthouse parking lot, Selectperson Jane Conroy said. The procession will start there and travel down East Main Street to Monument Square.

During public comment Piscataquis Area Community Center Executive Director Manda Stewart gave an update on the Park Street facility.

“DMV has been a big hit. There’s a line out of the door,” she said. 

The Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ mobile branch is now coming to the center parking lot on the first and last Wednesdays of the month. 

Other partnerships include lifeguard training with the Tri-County Technical Center, and area Masons helping provide free swim lessons for children at the town beach on Sebec Lake.

“The pool is absolute chaos but it’s up and running,” Stewart said about how busy the natatorium is with lessons and swim team practices,

A rooftop fan over the pool went out and another is not looking good, Stewart said. A fundraiser will likely be forthcoming for these items.