Winterport Council Advances Grant Center Ramp, EPEC Talks

The Winterport Town Council authorized the town manager to seek bids for replacing the ADA ramp at the Victoria Grant Center and approved negotiations with Eagle Point Energy over the town's solid waste agreement. The council also made board appointments, approved a tax abatement, and heard an ambulance service update and a resident's request for legal review of the charter commission's termination.

Key points

• The council unanimously authorized the town manager to prepare a request for proposals to repair or replace the ADA accessibility ramp at the Victoria Grant Center, estimated at roughly $16,000 to $20,000, after a grant application was unsuccessful.
• The council voted to authorize the town manager, in consultation with the council, to negotiate a mutually agreed termination, release, or substantial modification of the town's solid waste disposal agreement with Eagle Point Energy, with any settlement returning to the council for final approval.
• Mike Wellman was appointed to the solid waste and recycling committee and Jenny McNulty to the planning board as an alternate, both by unanimous votes.
• The council approved a fiscal year 2024 tax abatement of $302.50 for three Lindsay parcels (R-04-174, 175, 176) after a homestead exemption was removed and a prior abatement inadvertently reversed.
• The council tabled a matter concerning One Pine View Drive for further research and voted to ask Bolsters whether it would buy an old, unused recycling container that DM&J had offered to remove for scrap.
• A resident, joined by Sean Kearns, asked that an email requesting legal review of the council's decision not to send the proposed charter revision to voters be entered into the record, and the town manager reported that the town's code enforcement provider will stop serving on January 1.

Next steps

• The town manager will issue the request for proposals for the Grant Center ramp, aiming to get it out within two to three weeks before hot top plants close.
• The town manager will begin the search for a replacement code enforcement provider and bring a candidate to the council for appointment.
• The council will take up the fiscal year 2027 treasurer quarterly report at its October 20 meeting.
• The town manager will pursue negotiations with Eagle Point Energy and return any proposed agreement to the council for review and final approval.
• The council will reach out to Bolsters about purchasing the old recycling container.

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