More funding will be available for Safe Streets project

Public hearing set for Oct. 29
By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    MILO — A total of $340,000 more in grant funding will be available for additional work on the downtown Safe Streets project, Town Manager David Maynard announced during an Oct. 15 selectmen’s meeting.

    Maynard said the new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has been made available from the state, from leftover monies for other initiatives, for communities that have met the terms and conditions of their projects. He said the $340,000 brings the Safe Streets project total to $852,000.
    The additional $340,000 will fund work on the northern side of the downtown, from NAPA west to the Heritage Building. The improvements will include sidewalk and curb repairs and the installation of lights and accompanying fixtures and trees. The street work could be done later in the fall or next spring, depending on the weather.
    The selectmen authorized Maynard to sign the appropriate CDBG and Maine Department of Transportation paperwork for the additional $340,000. A public hearing to discuss the fund acceptance will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall.
    “I think one of the things people should realize is our politicians did a lot for this,” Selectman Jerry Brown said. He mentioned State Sen. Doug Thomas, Piscataquis County Economic Development Council Community Director Dr. Ken Woodbury Jr., Maine Department of Economic and Community Development  Commissioner George Gervais and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development  Commissioner Office of Community Development Director Deb Johnson as all having worked to help secure the $340,000 and first $512,000 for Milo.
    In other business, Maynard said that Tammy Trask of the New Beginnings Residential Care and Assisted Living — which opened its doors earlier in the year — “is looking to file a letter of intent for a CDBG grant to place an adult day care facility in the open side of the Heritage Building.” He said Trask is working with Dr. Woodbury on the application for a $60,000 grant “which is primarily to build out that side of the building.”
    “It’s something we are doing to expand and fill the community’s need,” Trask said. She said a number of applications for spots will likely be received. “We don’t have the space,” she said about the existing New Beginnings location on Park Street. “It will be full a week after opening.”
    The adult day care facility would be located in the second half of the Heritage Building, next door to Elaine’ s Bakery and Cafe.
    Maynard said the developments downtown and up Park Street at the Eastern Piscataquis Business Park have sparked a great deal of interest in business startups at the park. He said with negotiations ongoing he could not say too much, but a formal proposal or multiple proposals could be made in the near future. Maynard did say discussions have involved businesses such as “manufacturing to the use of local productions, wood in particular, to commercial activities.”
    The completion of the entrance into the Eastern Piscataquis Business Park and availability of utilities have both played a big role in generating interest for the property. “A lot of things are happening,” Maynard said.
    Referring to a past front page story in the Bangor Daily News, he said, “Contrary to the newspaper about a month ago, Milo is not dying. We are moving forward and things are happening.” He later added, “Our business park is a serious location and there are parties who are seriously interested.”
    During the public comment portion of the meeting, Kenny Demers said he would be resigning both as chair of the budget committee and from the committee itself.
    When asked by Selectman Lee McMannus if he could comment on a reason for his decision, Demers said some things have come up in the last few weeks and he does not need the accompanying hassle. Demers’ resignation was accepted, with reluctance, by the board.
    The selectmen authorized Maynard to turn the community building in Derby back to either the Bangor & Aroostook (B&A) Railroad or Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad, depending on a review of the deed by the town attorney.
    “The town is rapidly coming up on a decision on what it wants to do,” Maynard said. He said the building was donated to the town by the B&A Railroad in the 1970s, with the deed indicating the facility would be turned back to the railroad if Milo decided to relinquish its rights to the building.
    The community center is in need of repairs, Maynard said the work could range from $20,000 to as much as $100,000, and town officials feel this would be too great of an expense.
    Improvements to the town hall kitchen would enable the hall to be used for more functions, and an announcement was made that the Three Rivers Kiwanis would increase the club’s pledge for this project from $7,000 to $10,000.
    “We seriously appreciate the Kiwanis’ offer that they will put in $10,000 for this project,” Maynard said. He said the kitchen renovations are currently on hold, but should be done some time in the future.