Pittsfield Council Backs Food Sovereignty, CDBG Grant, Cameras and Cruiser

The Pittsfield Town Council adopted a food sovereignty ordinance and a resolution supporting a $100,000 state grant for a local trailer maker's expansion. Councilors also approved body and cruiser cameras for the police department, a replacement cruiser, and asbestos abatement at 223 Somerset Avenue, while tabling a demolition decision on a Davis Street property. The assessor reported the town's first full revaluation since the 1990s, with a mill rate set at 14.5.

Key points

• The council passed resolution 2676 adopting the food sovereignty ordinance after a public hearing, with resident Amanda Moore speaking in support.
• Councilors approved resolution 2677 backing a $100,000 CDBG economic development grant application for Innovative Specialties (Nitro Trailer), which committed to creating four full-time jobs as part of a $300,000 expansion.
• Resolution 2679 was amended to award a trail restoration contract to TFCC Sand and Gravel of Clinton for $47,500, doing 10 feet of width instead of the low bidder's 7 feet, with the difference covered by grant funds.
• Resolution 2680 was amended to award asbestos assessment and abatement at 223 Somerset Avenue to County Abatement of Bangor for $33,500, after a competing bid was deemed late.
• Resolution 2681, on demolition of a Davis Street tax-acquired property, was voted down after the town attorney recommended against demolition; officials said the building's main issue is mold, not structural danger.
• Resolution 2683 was amended to approve police body and cruiser cameras not to exceed $168,741.52 and an upfitted cruiser not to exceed $68,500, with the camera vendor decision pending a demo.
• The assessor reported the town's first full revaluation since the mid-1990s, based on about 150 sales, with 2,235 notices sent and roughly 200 property meetings held; the mill rate was set at 14.5, up from the 13.9 estimate on the notices.
• Public commenters raised concerns about election information being hard to find online and about traffic and delayed speed limit signs on Spring Road.

Next steps

• The town manager will bring cruiser and equipment financing to the next meeting through Androscoggin Bank.
• Police will demo a second camera vendor next week before finalizing the camera system choice.
• Officials will pursue Brownfields assessment for the Davis Street property, possibly in early 2027.
• Spring Road speed limit and curve warning signs are expected to be delivered Friday and installed afterward.
• The town forester's harvest presentation was postponed to the November meeting.

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