WATERVILLE — The Planning Board on Monday is scheduled to take a final vote on a plan to raze St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church on Elm Street and  build 58 affordable apartments for seniors in its place.
The public is invited to speak at the meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the council chambers at The Center downtown.
Waterville businessman Charlie Giguere asked city councilors Monday to schedule a public meeting so people could give input on the plan.
“We’re not looking for a confrontational situation; we’re just looking for an alternative plan for senior citizen housing being contemplated,” Giguere said.
He said the church is a symbol of the French-Canadian migration from Quebec and was the first structure built with a steeple in the city.
City Planner Ann Beverage said the Planning Board will consider a final plan for the housing unit Monday night and since all parties would be present, it may be a good time for the public to comment on the issue.
Nancy Foster, a member of the Corpus Christi Parish who served on a board that worked on the housing project, said it is sad to lose the church, but it has been on the market for four years with no takers.
It is costly to maintain and heat, she said.
“There is a need for senior housing,” she said. “The layout is going to be magnificent. It is going to provide the city with more taxes — tax money.”
Councilor Erik Thomas, D-Ward 4, said he was a member of the city’s Planning Board when the proposal for housing first came to that board. While the project will be tax-exempt, the church agreed to a pilot payment, he said.
“It’s a payment in lieu of taxes.”
Meanwhile, Beverage said Tuesday that the church still has to submit letters to the Planning Board from the fire chief, city engineer, water district and sewerage district regarding the project.
In another building matter, Ward 2 resident Patrick Roy on Monday submitted a petition containing more than 100 signatures to Councilor George Myers Jr., D-Ward 2, asking the city to ensure that a burned-out house at 25 Oak St. be demolished. The house was destroyed Aug. 9 by fire.
“It’s been burnt, it’s abandoned, it’s an eyesore,” Roy said.
The house, he said, is near a park where children play and they can easily get into the house.
“Somebody’s going to get hurt and someone’s going to be liable for it,” he said.
City Manager Michael Roy said city officials finally talked to one of two owners of the property Monday and did not get satisfaction about a time it will be demolished.
The council, he said, will have a hearing June 5 on the matter and may vote to raze the building.
“It’s a process that requires a lot of important timing, so we’ve started the legal process…” he said.
Myers asked Michael Roy about the cost for razing the house.
Roy said the city has done two demolitions recently, at 41-43 Water St. and 6 Pine St.
“One cost $9,000; the other one was $11,000…” he said.
Myers asked if the city could at least board up the structure. Michael Roy said the city is not authorized to go on private property.
“All we can do is tell the owner to do it by a certain date,” he said.
Thomas asked how quickly it will be demolished if the council votes June 5 to tear it down.
Michael Roy said there is a 30-day waiting period after the vote.
“So, it would be early, mid July,” he said.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com

 

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