Freeport council sets hearings on downtown TIF, Island Rover petition

The Freeport Town Council on October 6 set public hearings on a new downtown tax increment finance district, a downtown revitalization plan, the general assistance ordinance, and a citizen petition to launch the Island Rover version 2.0. The council also certified the petition signatures, endorsed a grant application for septic upgrades at the Wardtown Mobile Home Co-op, awarded a library siding bid, and confirmed an acting fire rescue chief.

Key points

• The council certified the citizen petition to launch the Island Rover version 2.0, with the clerk reporting 812 valid signatures of the 744 needed, and set a public hearing for October 15.
• Public hearings were set for October 20 on the omnibus downtown TIF district, the downtown revitalization plan, and the general assistance ordinance appendices.
• The council endorsed the Cooperative Development Institute's Community Development Block Grant application to Cumberland County for $200,000 toward septic upgrades at the Wardtown Mobile Home Co-op, with no town funds requested.
• Main Highland Construction was awarded the library siding replacement bid at $388,757; staff said a color stock delay will push the work back four to five weeks.
• The council approved placing a storage shed at the Pownall Road fields for the Freeport Gridiron Club, which the manager said would trigger formal agreements and a possible site plan amendment.
• Economic development staff reported downtown vacancies at 5.9 percent after Polo Ralph Lauren's departure, and said visitation data shows about 4.8 million visits over 12 months.

Next steps

• Staff will draft a letter of support for the Wardtown CDBG application and pursue formal agreements with the Gridiron Club and RSU-5 for use of Pownall Road fields.
• The manager will research noise and notice rules for timber harvesting and post the timber harvest and tree growth presentation online.
• A draft Winslow Park strategic planning work plan will go to the commission on October 19 and then to the council.
• The council entered an executive session on town manager contract negotiations, with no vote planned.

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