IN WATERVILLE — The City Council on Tuesday will recognize the Universalist Unitarian Church’s Evening Sandwich Program, now in its 25th year.

The sandwich program, located in the basement of the Silver Street church, served seven people when it opened and now is serving 200 to 300 meals per evening and has served more than 500,000 meals in 25 years, according to a proclamation Mayor Nick Isgro is expected to read at the meeting.

Staff file photo by David Leaming Volunteer and member of the Winslow High School Honor Society Meg Nadeau assists Linda Provencher and John Roy with food they selected at the Evening Sandwich program in July. The program, held daily at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Waterville, will be recognized with a proclamation at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Maine is one of 14 states that shows higher household food insecurity rates than the national average with 16.2 percent of households struggling to put food on the table, the proclamation says.

The all-volunteer Unitarian church program is supported by central Maine churches, area businesses and schools, which have contributed to its success, and the city is grateful for the work, Isgro is expected to say.

In other matters, the council, which will meet at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at The Center, is expected to consider a proposed vacant building ordinance.

The ordinance is designed to provide a method of identifying, managing and responding to issues associated with vacant buildings. It also seeks to prevent or mitigate dangers to health, safety and welfare, promote responsible management, provide a safe neighborhood for residents, safeguard property values, expedite housing repairs and provide for prompt contact with police, fire and code enforcement officials when issues or emergencies develop.

The proposed ordinance requires a building owner to get a vacant building registration permit for the time the building is vacant and says the owner must protect it from intrusion by trespassers and deterioration from weather. The owner also must keep it clean, safe and sanitary, free from waste and ensure it does not pose a threat to public safety or health, according to the document.

Those found to be in violation of the ordinance would be subject to a civil penalty, legal fees and costs.

The council also will consider appropriating up to $20,000 from the remaining 2004-05 waterfront bond money to prepare design and engineering specifications for construction of a riverwalk at Head of Falls off Front Street. Councilors also will consider appointing Cynthia Pearl as civil constable to fill a vacancy created when Robin Sellinger retired from that position.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17

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