Hermon council adopts ADU ordinance, rejects fuel system bid

The Hermon Town Council adopted an accessory dwelling unit ordinance and updated mobile home rules, both ending related moratoriums, and rejected a roughly $126,000 fuel system replacement bid because it exceeded the $70,000 budgeted. The council also heard a sewer billing transition update, reviewed a draft newsletter policy, and scheduled a Sept. 23 special meeting for an executive session.

Key points

• Councilors voted unanimously to adopt the accessory dwelling unit ordinance and repeal the related moratorium.
• Councilors voted unanimously to approve amendments to the manufactured housing and mobile home park ordinances and repeal the mobile home park moratorium.
• The council voted unanimously to reject the sole fuel system replacement bid of about $126,000, citing insufficient appropriated funding and outdated project specifications; the project is deferred.
• Councilors voted unanimously to approve an ordinance committee membership amendment.
• Resident Dan Wiseman and neighbor Timothy Page asked the town to request a 35 mph speed limit and more patrols on Newburgh Road between Bog Road and the Hinkley Hill intersection, citing speeding and truck traffic.
• A Fuller Road resident asked why new stop signs were added at Fuller and Boston roads; Councilor Jason Forbes said he brought the request forward over safety concerns tied to a new development increasing traffic from about six homes to a potential 66.

Next steps

• Staff will prepare paperwork for the next council meeting to write off roughly $75,000 in uncollectible legacy sewer balances owed to the town after it paid the City of Bangor.
• A special council meeting was scheduled for Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. for an executive session on economic development and a related action item.
• The town manager will research replacement options for the town office HVAC air handler, which reached the end of its life cycle Aug. 12.
• The town plans to plant and dedicate a tree at Ecotat Garden next spring in memory of former councilor Tim Shoppy.
• Fall cleanup day is set for Oct. 10 and Trunk or Treat for Oct. 25 at Hermon High School; more details will be posted at HermonMaine.gov.

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