HALLOWELL — The owner of the collapsed Kennebec Ice Arena formally submitted his proposal asking the city to grant a full, 20-year tax break to rebuild.

The arena has filed a preliminary application for a 100 percent, 20-year tax-increment finance plan.

As written, Peter Prescott, of Manchester, wouldn’t have to pay more than $1.2 million on city property taxes over two decades.

City Manager Michael Starn said the proposal will be discussed at a meeting of the TIF Review Committee led by City Councilor Phillip Lindley later this week. The date hasn’t been decided, Starn said.

Upgrade to affect traffic, water use

AUGUSTA — A lane of traffic and a water main serving homes and businesses on Mount Vernon Avenue will be shut down today as part of a major utilities upgrade project.

Work to replace a 16-inch water main beneath Mount Vernon Avenue will require closure of the southbound lane of the busy road.

It also means no water for much of the day today at homes and businesses between the Bond Brook Bridge and 212 Mount Vernon Ave., just south of Bond Brook Road.

The water main, and one lane of traffic, will be shut down at 9 a.m. today and remain closed until about 3 p.m.; though Andy Begin, assistant general manager of the Greater Augusta Utility District, warned that is an estimate and the work may take longer.

Because of the loss of water pressure, a boil-water order will be in place after the work is complete and will remain in effect until water quality tests indicate the water is safe to drink.

District customers in the affected area, who have been notified directly, should boil all water for at least five minutes before drinking, making ice cubes, washing food, brushing teeth or any other activity involving consumption.

Water quality tests, which could allow the boil water order to be lifted, are expected to be complete by Wednesday afternoon.

The water main will be shut down as part of a major sewer system upgrade, meant to prevent the overflow of raw sewage combined with storm water during major storms.

Vassalboro woman cleared of charges

AUGUSTA — A jury on Monday cleared Heather Furbush, 26, of Vassalboro, of a charge of operating under the influence.

“My client was elated,” said attorney Ronald Bourget, who represented her in the one-day trial in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Furbush had been stopped March 11 in Augusta.

Compiled from staff reports