WATERVILLE — City councilors on Tuesday voted 3-2 to delay until their next meeting a vote on whether to rezone 155 River Road to allow a bowling alley there to be turned into a church.

The property, now zoned commercial, houses Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley owned by Andy Couture.

The Planning Board voted recently to recommend to councilors that they rezone it to residential, a zone in which churches are allowed. Couture has had the bowling alley on the market for about two years with no takers, and he plans to retire from the business.

Centerpoint Community Church, formerly named Calvary Temple, plans to buy the property Jan. 5 and transform it into a sanctuary, cafe, offices and meeting places for youths and adults. Centerpoint’s affiliated school, Temple Academy, would remain where it is at 60 West River Road, according to church pastor, Craig Riportella.

With only five of seven councilors present – councilors Erik Thomas, D-Ward 4, and Karen Rancourt-Thomas, D-Ward 7, were absent Tuesday – councilors discussed the fact that the city would lose $34,000 a year in taxes from the property if the building became a church, as churches are tax-exempt.

Council Chairman Fred Stubbert, D-Ward 1, told a council chamber packed mostly with church supporters that the city is concerned about the being such a small geographical area housing a large number of nonprofits that do not pay taxes.

“So, we have a real serious problem with our tax base, and one thing we hope that some of these nontaxable entities will do is contribute in other ways to the city,” he said. “Legally, we can’t change your taxes if that property becomes yours; but any other way you can think of to help the city financially would be very much appreciated.”

Riportella said the church recognizes the need to help the community and is proactive in giving back.

“We make that a very intentional effort through all of our volunteers,” he said.

The church helps the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter and other charitable groups and Riportella is chaplain for both the police and fire departments, among other things.

Councilor Dana Bushee, D-Ward 6, said she would hate to see the bowling alley close because it is great for kids and families, especially in winter. Councilor John O’Donnell, D-Ward 5, said he has received calls from constituents saying the city has too many nonprofit organizations that do not pay taxes – and taxes are increasing.

“They’re already high; they’re getting higher,” O’Donnell said. “Well over 30 percent of the city is nontaxable. Frankly, losing $34,000 a year so the bowling alley can become a church, although it’s not politically correct to vote no, frankly, given our high mill rate, I’ll vote no.”

Jibryne E. Karter III, who lost to Bushee for her seat in Tuesday’s election, urged councilors to approve the rezoning.

“You can’t put a dollar value on what nonprofits do for our community,” he said.

Others stood to support the church and ask councilors to do the same.

Craig Dawes, of Sidney, said Riportella and the church provide many services to the community. Riportella, he said, gets called in when “young kids take their life.”

“That’s just one of the things you can’t put a dollar figure on, so I’m urging the committee to not wait on this and vote favorably tonight so we can proceed,” Dawes said.

Councilor Edward Lachowicz, D-Ward 2, said he understood supporters’ concerns, but the city is in a budget climate so bad that officials have to come up with ways to save a buck.

“Now I’m faced with $34,000 in reduced revenue, and I can put a dollar figure on that,” he said, adding that the city must look for ways to make up for such losses which could include increasing taxes or cutting a police officer position, for instance.

“I would challenge the supporters of this project, who are doing very good work, to find us $34,000; and I think this council would be looking more favorably,” Lachowicz said.

But Riportella cited a federal law that says governments shall not force land use regulations on religious institutions because of tax concerns. Stubbert said no one is suggesting doing that, to which Riportella said the issue is not a tax issue — it’s a zoning issue.

O’Donnell, an attorney, said the council does not have to approve the rezoning. Steve Aucoin, a former city councilor who lost his bid for mayor in Tuesday’s election, said everyone must help solve the difficult situation the city is in, having a third of its property tax-exempt.

“Bring the message, in an organized way, to Augusta, to the Legislature, to say, ‘Help us find a solution to this issue because it’s real and it’s large and it’s going to get $34,000 larger,’ so I’d ask for your help and engagement.”

Bushee, meanwhile, said she thought councilors should table voting on the issue until the full council is present.

“I’m not exactly sure how I’d vote on it tonight,” she said, adding that she works for a nonprofit organization, has friends who attend Centerpoint, and Temple Academy would move into the current church at 60 West River Road when the church moves to the bowling alley property.

Bushee made a motion to table discussion to the next meeting, which is Nov. 18, and Councilor Rosemary Winslow, D-Ward 2, seconded her motion. The request to table passed, 3-2, with Lachowicz and O’Donnell opposing.

Councilors must take three votes on the rezoning issue; they may take one or two votes Nov. 18, but a final vote would have to be taken at a later date.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17

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