Bangor committee approves health funding, postpones housing ordinance

The Government Operations Committee approved resolutions to accept federal nutrition education funds and ratify HIV case management payments. The committee also authorized a Wabanaki veterans memorial in Broad Street Park and a sidewalk obstruction ordinance, though the latter drew concerns about vagueness. A housing ordinance was postponed to allow members more time to review the text.

Key points

• Committee voted to accept $426,530 for the Rural Health Transformation Program to restart nutrition education services.
• A motion to approve a $60,300 MOU with Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness for syringe waste cleanup passed with an amendment to specify "up to" that amount.
• Councilors discussed a proposal for Bangor Public Health to pilot a syringe delivery service for case management clients, with the director promising a detailed plan for future review.
• The committee approved a sidewalk ordinance amendment to require licenses for blocking sidewalks with materials, despite Councilor Beck raising concerns about the term "materials" being too vague.
• A housing ordinance was postponed to a future special meeting to allow committee members more time to review the document.
• The committee ratified city applications for approximately $36 million in congressional designated spending for police, airport, public works, and parks projects.

Next steps

• Public Health Director to return with a detailed plan for the proposed syringe delivery service pilot.
• City to proceed with the application process for Bangor Public Health to become a certified syringe service provider.
• Committee to review the postponed housing ordinance at a future special meeting.

Read the full transcript