The Hallowell City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss an amended noise ordinance that would allow outdoor music past 9 p.m. during city-sanctioned performances and other public events.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting states the council will suspend the rules for the second reading and then for an emergency declaration to adopt the ordinance before next weekend’s Old Hallowell Day celebration.
Currently, outside noise, including music, must be kept to 50 decibels and below after 9 p.m., but the proposed ordinance provides the city with flexibility on a case-by-case basis.
John Merrill, who owns 110 Water St., next door to the Quarry Tap Room, raised concerns over outdoor music during the Planning Board and City Council approval process for the restaurant’s new outdoor patio. He said he was concerned about the disruption it might cause his tenants and neighbors. He’s planning on attending Monday’s meeting to voice his opposition to the proposed ordinance change.
City Manager Nate Rudy will update the council on the progress of the fire station design and construction process. A city working group recommended the council accept a bid by general contractor Bruce Laukka, Inc. and architect Rosie Curtis for the work, which the city hopes will be completed before the Water Street reconstruction project begins in April.
In related news, the Council is expected to accept the donation of a parcel of land at Stevens Commons — by owner and developer Matt Morrill — where the city’s new fire station will be built. Rudy said final details are still being worked out, but the plan is the city will be deeded the approximately 0.65 acres of land and courses for a road right of way.
Morrill and the city reached an agreement to construct a new fire station on the 54-acre campus, a condition raised by the anonymous donor funding the project, where the Farwell Building currently sits.
Rudy will also provide the council with an update on the bidding process for the roadwork and infrastructure repairs at Stevens Commons. The city was expecting multiple bids for the work.
Funding for the planned work — about $600,000 — was a part of the $2.36 million bond package that voters approved overwhelmingly in April. As part of the agreement, Morrill will give the deed to the roads to the city of Hallowell before the work begins, but Morrill will remain involved in the bidding process and will help oversee the work done on the property.
The city will not hold its third reading of the municipal budget until its August meeting. Rudy told the council there have been delays in getting budget figures from the state and from Regional School Unit 2, plus there were some outstanding city budget questions.
There is also an agenda item early in the evening calling for an executive session to discuss a real estate manner. It could be related to the fire station or the relocation of the historic Dummer House, which would make room a new parking lot.
Jason Pafundi — 621-5663
Twitter: @jasonpafundiKJ
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