Augusta council backs Arsenal settlement, Hatch Hill transfer station deal

The Augusta City Council approved a settlement agreement with Main Street 1 LLC over the Kennebec Arsenal, authorizing a timeline for redevelopment and code compliance. Councilors also authorized a term sheet with Municipal Waste Solutions for a waste and recycling transfer station at Hatch Hill, reallocated leftover Dickman parking garage funds to Civic Center repairs, and accepted a donated repainting of Fuller Field facilities.

Key points

• Council voted 6-0 to authorize the city manager to execute a settlement agreement with Main Street 1 LLC over the Kennebec Arsenal, giving the owner 90 days to close on financing, then 12 months to obtain certificates of occupancy, with $75,000 paid to the city at closing.
• Councilors Kevin Judkins and Michael Michaud said they had little faith in Mr. Nyman but expressed confidence in Richard Parkhurst, who will serve as a managing member and clerk of the works overseeing redevelopment and reporting weekly to the city manager.
• Council voted 6-0 to authorize the city manager to execute a term sheet with Municipal Waste Solutions for a waste and recycling transfer station at Hatch Hill, a move Councilor Stephanie Sienkiewicz said would extend the landfill's life and increase recycling.
• Council voted 6-0 to reallocate $200,322.44 in leftover Dickman parking garage funds to the Augusta Civic Center for repairs to non-load-bearing walls in locker rooms and restrooms.
• Council voted 6-0 to accept a donation of paint and services from Zachary Gagnon and Picture Perfect Pro Painting for repainting infrastructure at Fuller Field, including the concession stand sign and bathrooms.
• A rezoning of part of tax map 33 lot 135 from RB2 to BP, recommended unanimously by the Planning Board to support Kennebec Savings Bank development, had its first reading with no vote required.

Next steps

• The Arsenal settlement gives Main Street 1 LLC 90 days to close on financing, followed by 12 months to obtain certificates of occupancy, with a consent judgment and $60,000 payment if it fails.
• The rezoning ordinance for the Kennebec Savings Bank property will return for a vote at a future business meeting.
• Absentee voting begins Monday, October 5, on the first floor Learning Gallery and runs through Thursday, October 29, from 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• City leaf collection begins Monday, October 5, and continues on scheduled dates through November 16, with five bags per residence allowed.

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