Waterville council to consider airport mowing equipment and hangar leases

Robert LaFleur Airport manager Randy Marshall, left, speaks with guests at a Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event in 2013 at the Waterville airport. The City Council this week is scheduled to take up a number of proposals for the airport, including plans for runway restriping. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel file

WATERVILLE — The City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to consider approving hangar leases and a contract for mowing equipment for Robert LaFleur Airport.

The council meeting is set for 7 p.m. at The Elm at 21 College Ave. and will be preceded by a budget workshop at 6 p.m. to discuss a proposed school budget.

Councilors are scheduled to consider awarding a $125,866 contract to United Ag & Turf of Fairfield for a John Deere tractor for the airport, to cost $69,645, and a large Frontier mower, for $56,220. Money for the mowing equipment would come from the airport solar reserve account. Airport Manager Randy Marshall said in a memo to the mayor and council the equipment is much needed to help improve efficiency in maintaining the property.

The council also will consider approving a contract with McFarland Johnson Inc., the airport’s consulting firm, to develop the scope of work associated with completing a runway restriping project with the Federal Aviation Administration and Maine Department of Transportation. The resolution would authorize Marshall to issue a notice to proceed to McFarland for work associated with the restriping, as well as to apply for a FAA grant to fund the project.

In other airport-related items, the council will consider approving hangar leases for the airport.

Acting City Manager Bill Post is expected to report on a letter he submitted for a Community Development Block Grant for an affordable housing project in the South End of the city. As a result of that letter, the city has been invited to apply for a grant to assist Kennebec Valley Community Action Program and a developer to build 19 affordable housing units on King Street, off Water Street, according to a memo from Post to the mayor and councilors.

KVCAP is proposing to build the units and renovate or replace an existing six-unit building at 52 King St., Post’s memo said. KVCAP or a property development partner would buy the property and additional funds would be used through the MaineHousing Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program or Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which provide funding options to developers to build and rehabilitate housing. Most of the units would be designated affordable housing according to MaineHousing guidelines, Post said. MaineHousing is also known as the Maine State Housing Authority.